Robert J. Patrick

ADVANCING WATERSHED CUMULATIVE EFFECTS ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT: LESSONS FROM THE SOUTH SASKATCHEWAN RIVER WATERSHED, CANADA

Watersheds are under increasing pressures from the cumulative environmental effects of human actions. Reviews of recent practice suggest that cumulative effects assessment and management (CEAM) has failed to capture the full range of stressors to Canadas watersheds. Indeed, the limitations to CEAM have been well documented; yet, there has been limited constructive evaluation to help explain why CEAM has failed to advance. In this paper we examine the underlying challenges to the assessment and management of cumulative effects in a watershed context. Based on lessons emerging from the South Saskatchewan watershed, Canada, challenges to CEAM in watersheds include stakeholder understanding and interpretation of cumulative effects; limitations in the scale of current EA practices in watersheds; data challenges; the lack of established thresholds for watershed effects; and lack of clarity regarding watershed science and regulatory capacity. The merits of a watershed-based approach to CEAM to help address these challenges to practice are explored.

Capacity for Watershed Cumulative Effects Assessment and Management: Lessons from the Lower Fraser River Basin, Canada

This study examines the capacity to support the cumulative effects assessment and management for watersheds. The research is set in the Lower Fraser River Basin, a densely populated sub-watershed in British Columbia’s lower mainland. Eight requirements or requisites for the watershed cumulative effects assessment and management are applied to evaluate current capacity for implementation in the Lower Fraser, and to identify the areas in need of capacity development. Results show that advancing watershed cumulative effects assessment and management requires not only good science but also leadership in the coordination of monitoring programs, and in ensuring the appropriate incentives and penalties for engagement and nonengagement. The lack of leadership in this regard is the result of existing governance structures arranged around the political boundaries, which have produced over time multiple agencies and jurisdictional fragmentation. Notwithstanding this, we argue that the watershed is the most appropriate scale for assessing and managing the cumulative effects to complex ecosystems.

Institutional considerations in watershed cumulative effects assessment and management

This paper examines the role of institutional arrangements as either facilitating or constraining the practice of watershed cumulative effects assessment and management (W-CEAM) within the context of the Grand River watershed (GRW), Canada. The research is based on document review, a focus group and 29 interviews conducted with academic experts, project proponents, government and watershed agencies representatives, non-governmental organization researchers, First Nations, and others with interest in the GRW. Information was gathered on existing policy and planning instruments, and relationships among the authorities and other partners that enable water resource management. Key facilitating factors for W-CEAM in the GRW include established institutions, a mature conservation authority and an ecological focus to resource management strategies, while constraining factors include obfuscation of leadership roles and lack of multi-scalar approaches to watershed science. We conclude that it is useful to conceptualize W-CEAM as characterized by both a managerial and a scientific ethos – the former facilitating the latter – and that institutional goodwill, political will and institutional capacity for innovation and creativity are additional institutional core requisites to W-CEAM.

First Nation capacity in Québec to practise integrated water resources management

Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) has been identified by the United Nations as a critical component of effective and sustainable water resources management in the future. This research examined the extent to which IWRM is practised among First Nations (FN) in Canada. This study also developed and applied an analytical framework to assess the overall capacity of two FN communities in Quebec to practise IWRM. The FN communities of Kitigan Zibi and Kahnawa:ke were evaluated with respect to capacity to support actor network, information management, human resources and technical, financial and institutional dimensions. This study recommends that future Quebec IWRM initiatives with FN collaboration be directed towards strengthening actor network capacities and understanding the complexity of FN perspectives. In addition, the results of this study indicate that FNs with limited financial capacity will experience reduced actor network, information management, human resources and technical capacity.

Enhancing water security in Saskatchewan, Canada: an opportunity for a water soft path

This paper explores the methodological and organizational feasibility of conducting a water soft path study for Saskatchewan. Arguably, the methodology for soft path analysis is well developed and data availability for such a study in Saskatchewan is comparatively good. Given the many pressures on water resources in Saskatchewan, the timing is opportune for setting a different path for a water future in this prairie province that will enhance water security. A soft path for water may provide the means for such a future.

Institutional arrangements for assessing and managing cumulative effects on watersheds: Lessons from the Grand River watershed, Ontario, Canada

Assessing and managing cumulative effects on watersheds involves numerous agencies, regulatory frameworks and jurisdictions, and necessitates the co-creation of new, or innovations in existing, institutional arrangements. This paper examines the institutional arrangements needed to implement and sustain cumulative effects assessment and management (CEAM) for watersheds. The study is based on semi-structured interviews with 29 key informants in the Grand River watershed, Canada, including members from academia, government agencies, consulting firms, non-governmental organizations, and First Nations, with knowledge of, and direct experience in, watershed planning, assessment and monitoring. The research explored governance conditions in the watershed based on a framework of CEAM requisites developed from other watersheds where institutional arrangements have been investigated. Results indicate the need for improved institutional arrangements in the Grand River watershed to support the development of watershed CEAM, namely: a combined law–policy approach to implement CEAM, yet ensuring sensitivity to watershed context; a strong mandate for CEAM leadership and the capacity to coordinate CEAM initiatives; and tiering of CEAM planning, monitoring and assessment initiatives as a means to strengthen nested governance structures.

A framework for assessing effective urban water management: lessons from the Canadian Prairie

This paper presents an urban water management framework consisting of six requisites for effective water management identified based on a literature review: source water protection; stormwater management; water conservation; water pricing; wetland conservation; and drought management. The objective was to test the requisite framework in three Canadian urban centres within a region of increasing water stress, the Canadian Prairie. The findings point to variable water management efficiency across the study region and to requisite selection being regionally dependent. A common set of requisites may not be suitable for all urban regions when attempting to assess effective urban water management.

Mining and campesino engagement: an opportunity for integrated water resources management in Ancash, Peru

ABSTRACT Mining has become Peru’s largest source of revenue. There is evidence that many of the economic and social benefits of this burgeoning industry are not evenly shared across society. Uncertainty over water quality impacts from recent mining activity has been raised by indigenous campesino (peasant) communities in the Ancash Region highlands of central Peru. Adding to the growing conflict amongst competing water users is the current reduction of water availability caused by regional glacial recession. Based on interviews and focus groups this article explores opportunities for integrated water resources management to improve opportunities for campesino engagement in water resources decision making.