Exceptionally low summer flows in the Koksilah River are threatening the survival of fish species and the aquatic ecosystem as well as Cowichan Tribes culture, rights and practicesthat depend on them.The livelihoods of irrigators, and the lifestyle and mental health of all residents are also impacted by declining watershed health. In addition, severe winter flooding and related damage is increasingly common. A plan for water and land management is necessary to adapt to current impacts which are expected to become more severe with climate change.

Cowichan Tribes and the Province of BC share a responsibility to protect the Xwulqw’seluWatershed.Together, they will develop and decide on the plan content - with input from community advisory tables, and engagement sessions with interested parties and the public. Quw’utsun Cultural Teachings are another key element guiding the process. Cowichan Tribes Chief and Council and Provincial Ministers will each need to sign-off on the plan for it to be approved and come into effect. See our organizational structure and ‘People’ pages for more information on who is involved in the process.

The plan will include both regulatory and non-regulatory actions for managing existing water use, future water use, watershed restoration and land use changes, as well as implementation details. Plan measures will be designed to support communities and ecosystems in adapting to climate change. The plan will include a legal tool introduced in 2016 by the Water Sustainability Act— A Water Sustainability Plan (WSP). A WSP enables new, locally tailored regulations to be created to help prevent or address water conflicts and risks to ecosystem health.

The vision is to address low flow challenges and whole of watershed concerns, supporting healthy communities and a healthy watershed. Cowichan Tribes and the Province of BC have identified priorities in their agreement, S-xats-thut tst – We Agree. Section. 4.3 “core priorities”: [Cowichan Tribes] members feeling safe using the Xwulqw’selu Watershed for cultural and other purposes during all seasons; Increased summer water levels, and decreased winter flows and impacts from flooding; Improved water quality; A return to healthy and abundant stseelhtun (fish) populations; [Cowichan Tribes] members’ connection to the Xwulqw’selu Watershed area based on continual and improved access and use of a biodiverse watershed; Addressing climate change impacts; Supporting the habitat for the many species that were historically able to use the Xwulqw’selu Watershed in their life cycles; The restoration of ecological balance within the Xwulqw’selu Watershed; and Recognition, priority protection, and restoration of, culturally important species including Xpey’ (western redcedar) and The’qw’ulhp (Sitka Spruce) The end products of this planning process are intended to reflect community, Cowichan Tribes, residents’ and the government of BC’s shared vision for a healthy watershed.

Under the May 2023 Government-to-Government Agreement, each partner (Cowichan Tribes and BC) is an equal authority with distinct laws and responsibilities. This Agreement is a commitment to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Another key piece of legislation referenced in the Agreement is the Water Sustainability Act (WSA) which is the primary law in BC for managing water resources. The WSA contains a range of tools for water management and protection including Water Sustainability Plans. Managing a watershed is a cross-cutting effort that involves the WSA and potentially many other pieces of legislation.

Discussions, decisions, research, and consultation have been ongoing since 2019. Key milestones include: A scoping process which made consensus recommendations about the key outcomes and priorities for a Watershed plan (2020-2022), S-xats-thut tst (We Agree) signed by Chief Lydia Hwitsum and Minister Nathan Cullen (2023), The launch of Indigenous and non-Indigenous community advisory tables in the fall of 2023. As of spring 2025, the advisory tables will have met 5 times, including a joint gathering between tables and have provided input to the G2G and Planning Team around community values & desired outcomes, priority actions, and water use management approaches. An updated G2G approved workplan for 2025 that is responsive to what was heard from advisory tables. Launch of Workstreams to do the technical and engagement work of finding solutions.

A 3-year timeline reflects the complexity of the work being undertaken - this process is looking at the entire watershed and exploring novel legal questions and options. The five distinct stages of the process will each require data, analysis, and engagement and it will take time to get each part right. This planning process is the first in BC to Develop a Water Sustainability Plan (WSP) -we are not following a roadmap, and the timeline accommodates the need for collective learning.

Building on science and the collective knowledge of the community, a whole of watershed plan will help governments and communities prepare for the future. The vision is to restore and rebuild the watershed to a healthier condition. The plan will provide guidance for new approaches to water and land management that facilitate transparent, fair decisions, and improved relationships between neighbours, and between communities and government decision-makers.

The planning process is working on addressing multiple priorities, and is focused on long-term solutions. However, it is recognized that there is urgency to find solutions in the short-medium term for low flows and water security. Priorities are being sequenced, with addressing water low flows being a top priority. The process is not managing drought or emergency response. An existing Koksilah Low Flows Working Group established by the Province in 2020 contributes to coordinating drought response. Additionally, BC ministries, industry associations, and local/regional groups offer a variety of short to near term programs aimed at providing funding and reducing impacts to those experiencing the realities of reduced water availability.

The planning process is designed to gather community input, such that difficult conversations around trade-offs and values happen transparently and on the basis of both community and subject matter expertise. Both Indigenous and broader community advisory tables were created by the G2G partners to learn, discuss options and provide input into planning. A newsletter with project updates is also available periodically. If you would like to get involved, please visit the ‘connect’ page on Koksilahwater.ca. We are planning for an open house in spring Of 2025. Sign up to our mailing list to be sure you don’t miss out.