For Immediate Release
June 6, 2003
Trout Unlimited Canada, (T.U.C.), and the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, (O.F.A.H.), are calling on the Ontario government to create a Pilot Project that will develop and test the minimum requirements for low flow criteria for Ontario’s rivers.
The management of Ontario’s waters is currently the responsibility of the Ministry of Environment, but it is clear to T.U.C. and O.F.A.H. that the Environment Ministry is focused on a ‘top-down’ approach to water management, concerned mainly with the allocation of withdrawals from watercourses. The T.U.C. and O.F.A.H. are convinced that another approach needs to be taken, especially in light of several years of below-normal precipitation, which has seriously impacted upon water levels throughout the province. The goal is to set a guaranteed minimum flow level so that these rivers and the animals that depend on them can survive extreme conditions.
“The Pilot Project would identify a number of sample waterways, and afterstudying their historical flow data, a guaranteed flow level would be determined. We would then examine the impact of keeping flows at no less than these levels on the aquatic communities that reside within these waters”, said Jack Imhof, National Biologist for T.U.C.
“The Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Natural Resources need tounderstand that all animals require sufficient water in order to survive,” noted Dave Brown, O.F.A.H. Fisheries Biologist. “By looking at watermanagement from a low flow perspective, you can ensure that there is anadequate amount of water within the entire watershed for all wildlife. The demand for water will continue to grow as the population increases, and we must achieve a balance that provides for sufficient water resources for all users, animals included. This balance if difficult enough to maintain when precipitation levels are good, but when lower than expected levels of precipitation occur, we must be ready to look at new ways of managing this vital resource,” said Mr. Brown.
T.U.C. and the O.F.A.H. are willing to assist Provincial and Federal departments with the development of a scientific protocol to develop and test guaranteed flow targets on high quality streams in Ontario.
T.U.C. is a national not-for-profit conservation organization dedicated to the conservation and wise use of Canada’s cold water resources by undertaking habitat restoration, research, management and public education.
With members and chapters across Canada, T.U.C. has been conserving Canada