Kelowna

The following are highlights from the Okanagan Basin Water Board meeting held Tuesday, February 7, 2012.

Photo: Contributed

OBWB Board of Directors

Inaugural meeting held with new Board of Directors:

The Water Board had its first meeting with the new board on Feb. 7. Stu Wells (appointed by Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen) was re-elected as chair, Rick Fairbairn (Regional District of North Okanagan) was re-elected vice-chair. Other board directors from RDNO are Juliette Cunningham and Doug Dirk. Board directors from Regional District of Central Okanagan are Keith Fielding, Doug Findlater and Gerry Zimmermann. RDOS directors include Michael Brydon and Tom Siddon. James Pepper with Okanagan Nation Alliance, Toby Pike of the Water Supply Association of BC, and Bernie Bauer — Chair of the Okanagan Water Stewardship Council (the technical advisory body to the board) return as directors.

Grants available to conserve and improve water:

The OBWB is now accepting applications to its Water Conservation and Quality Improvement Grant Program. A total of $300,000 is awarded annually through the program. Eligible applicants include local governments, irrigation or improvement districts, and non-profit community groups. Successful applicants can receive up to $30,000 for their project. The deadline for applications is Feb. 24. For more information visit: www.obwb.ca/wcqi/.

OBWB hosts climate change adaptation tools workshop:

The Water Board is presenting a workshop on climate adaptation tools for municipal planners, engineers and consultants on Feb. 27 and March 1, in Kelowna. Topics include foreshore protection, stormwater planning, green bylaws and more. For more information visit www.obwb.ca/toolsworkshop. Registration deadline is Feb. 20.

OBWB Executive Director named to RBC Blue Water Panel:

The board was pleased to hear Executive Director Anna Warwick Sears has been named to the RBC Blue Water Project advisory panel. The project is a $50 million, 10-year program to foster water stewardship. The panel provides expertise and guidance on matters pertaining to Blue Water initiatives. Dr. Warwick Sears was invited to replace Tom Siddon (now an OBWB Board Director, and former Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada).

Groundwater monitoring project drills for information:

The Board was told about the successful launch of the OBWB’s Groundwater Monitoring Project in Joe Rich on Feb. 3. The project involves drilling wells in 15 vulnerable Okanagan aquifers to monitor water supplies. Wells have now been drilled with one on Anarchist Mountain (near Osoyoos), two in Oliver, two in Twin Lakes (near Keremeos), one in Spallumcheen, and one in Joe Rich. Others are proposed in Ellison, Summerland, West Kelowna, Penticton, and in a UBC Okanagan aquifer.