Implementation of an Integrated Water Resources Management Strategy in the Region of Niagara

摘要

The Niagara Water Quality Protection Strategy (NWQPS) was released in late 2003, the results of a multi-agency, multi-stakeholder effort of some 14 months. Since that time, the lead parties, The Regional Municipality of Niagara (RMON) and the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA), have been active on multiple fronts initiating the many actions and recommendations of what is now called the Niagara Water Strategy (NWS). The NWS has brought upper and lower tier municipalities, environmental agencies and public stakeholders together in an organized collaboration. The implementation structure is unique, with a small Management Group, comprised of leaders from the NPCA, Region of Niagara, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MOE) and Municipal representatives whose role is to determine the direction of the Strategy and to provide support for various initiatives. A primary objective of the NWS is to share information and use financial and human resources, more efficiently and effectively across the field of water resource management. An important element of the NWS has been the formation of an Information Clearing House for sharing of data, reporting and mapping information. This web-based information index allows seamless access to information generated for, and by, NWS stakeholders. Public communication is also a cornerstone of the strategy with numerous components including newsletters, web releases, a Watershed Report Card, and various opportunities to obtain feedback from the public. As it enters only its 4th year, the NWS is establishing a track record of action based initiatives. This has resulted in significant progress toward improved water resource management across the region..