A new group has been formed to look at what ails the Goat River watershed and how to fix it.
The working group has representation from the yaqan nuʔkiy (Lower Kootenay Band), Regional District of Central Kootenay, and the provincial government. It met for the first time in May and is intended to address a growing challenge of water shortages.
For the purposes of this work, the regional district says the Goat River watershed is defined by the broader drainage area encompassing Arrow Creek, Duck Creek, and a portion of the Creston Flats and reaches to the US border, including the communities of Lister and Canyon.
The working group brings together staff representatives, including from three ministries of the provincial government.
“Water in the Goat River watershed supports all beings — in communities, on farms, and within aquatic ecosystems,” said RDCK board chair Aimee Watson. “By bringing everyone to the table, we work towards our collective goals to support and protect a healthy watershed.”
“Water has always been central to who we are and how we care for this land,” said Nasukin Jason Louie of the yaqan nuʔkiy. “This working group is an opportunity bring yaqan nuʔkiy knowledge and values into decision about the Goat River Watershed in a way that honours our responsibilities as stewards. We look forward to working alongside our partners toward a future where the health of the water and the health of our community are understood as one.”
The working group will make joint recommendations to be considered by each partner.
Residents are encouraged to fill out a survey here: https://engage.rdck.ca/projects/goatwatershed. You can also read feedback collected so far. Community engagement carried out over the past two years by RDCK and yaqan nuʔkiy includes a survey that received about 220 responses from Creston Valley residents, which consistently identified water scarcity as a top concern.
Improvement districts, community members and industry stakeholders also have the opportunity to share their perspectives at an in-person engagement session July 24 at the Riverside Wilderness Park from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Input gathered through these processes will contribute to the working group’s discussions on watershed values and the future of the Goat River watershed.
The Goat River watershed has experienced recurring seasonal low flows, with some years seeing near-zero flow conditions that stress domestic water supplies, agricultural operations, and aquatic habitat, the regional district said.
The group’s mandate is expected to conclude by October.
