Ms. Que Banh<p>The Current Challenge.</p><p>Summer flows in the <a href="https://beige.party/tags/KoksilahRiver" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>KoksilahRiver</span></a> have been exceptionally low in recent years at times when demand for water is the greatest. This threatens the survival of resident and anadromous <a href="https://beige.party/tags/salmonid" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>salmonid</span></a> species and the <a href="https://beige.party/tags/AquaticEcosystem" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>AquaticEcosystem</span></a>.</p><p>In August 2019, Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development <a href="https://beige.party/tags/FLNRORD" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>FLNRORD</span></a> <a href="https://beige.party/tags/biologists" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>biologists</span></a> determined that the <a href="https://beige.party/tags/WaterFlow" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>WaterFlow</span></a> levels were too low to support adequate <a href="https://beige.party/tags/habitat" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>habitat</span></a> conditions. A Ministerial Order to cease using water was issued to specific water users (both surface and groundwater licensees and unlicensed groundwater users) to protect fish populations. The Order was issued on August 16th, 2019 and repealed on September 18th, 2019 when <a href="https://beige.party/tags/RiverFlows" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>RiverFlows</span></a> increased.</p><p>Over the last number of years, FLNRORD staff, <a href="https://beige.party/tags/CowichanTribes" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>CowichanTribes</span></a>, community members, organizations and consultants have undertaken several initiatives to better understand and encourage voluntary reductions in <a href="https://beige.party/tags/WaterUse" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>WaterUse</span></a>. While these initiatives have improved awareness and our collective understanding of the complex <a href="https://beige.party/tags/hydrology" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>hydrology</span></a> of the system, the factors affecting the flow rates are still unclear.</p><p>There is a need to better understand the relationship between water users, watershed residents and the watershed.</p><p><a href="https://beige.party/tags/BackroadAdventures" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>BackroadAdventures</span></a> <a href="https://beige.party/tags/VancouverIsland" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>VancouverIsland</span></a> <a href="https://beige.party/tags/water" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>water</span></a> <a href="https://beige.party/tags/river" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>river</span></a> <a href="https://beige.party/tags/Shawnigan" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>Shawnigan</span></a> <a href="https://beige.party/tags/DayAdventure" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>DayAdventure</span></a> <a href="https://beige.party/tags/DayTrip" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>DayTrip</span></a> <a href="https://beige.party/tags/PacificNorthwest" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>PacificNorthwest</span></a> <a href="https://beige.party/tags/ProtectWatersheds" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>ProtectWatersheds</span></a> <a href="https://beige.party/tags/nature" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>nature</span></a> <a href="https://beige.party/tags/VanIsle" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>VanIsle</span></a> <a href="https://beige.party/tags/Cascadia" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>Cascadia</span></a> <a href="https://beige.party/tags/PNW" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>PNW</span></a> <a href="https://beige.party/tags/NaturesPower" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>NaturesPower</span></a> <a href="https://beige.party/tags/WaterIsLife" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>WaterIsLife</span></a> <a href="https://beige.party/tags/ProtectWatersheds" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>ProtectWatersheds</span></a> <a href="https://beige.party/tags/ProtectNature" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>ProtectNature</span></a> <a href="https://beige.party/tags/Hydro" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>Hydro</span></a> <a href="https://beige.party/tags/RiversOfBC" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>RiversOfBC</span></a> <a href="https://beige.party/tags/RiversOfVancouverIsland" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>RiversOfVancouverIsland</span></a> <a href="https://beige.party/tags/Indigenous" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>Indigenous</span></a> <a href="https://beige.party/tags/FirstNations" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>FirstNations</span></a> <a href="https://beige.party/tags/Historical" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>Historical</span></a> <a href="https://beige.party/tags/Cowichan" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>Cowichan</span></a></p>