A Participatory Approach to Water Management: Irrigation Advisory Committees in Southern Ontario

Irrigated agriculture in Ontario is a significant economic driver and contributes to the worldwide need for food and fibre. Although water resources are relatively abundant in Ontario, there are water conflicts in some locations, particularly when irrigation is common. By involving the local communi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian water resources journal 2006, Vol.31 (1), p.13-24
Main Authors: Shortt, R., Caldwell, W J, Ball, J., Agnew, P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agricultural engineering
Committees
Conflict resolution
Irrigation
Management
Public participation
Water resources
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Summary:Irrigated agriculture in Ontario is a significant economic driver and contributes to the worldwide need for food and fibre. Although water resources are relatively abundant in Ontario, there are water conflicts in some locations, particularly when irrigation is common. By involving the local community in water management, conflicts over water may be dealt with successfully through mechanisms other than regulation. The benefits of community development and local management of conflict include: lower cost, win-win outcomes, local control and wider compliance. Irrigation Advisory Committees (IACs) have been established in southern Ontario to assist in managing the available water resources among irrigators without disrupting the natural functions of the streams. While IACs have no specific legislative authority they successfully promote cooperation amongst users, allow for communication between regulatory agencies and users, provide informal mediation in the case of conflicts and serve as a forum for education of irrigators. The IAC structure is an example of successful, local, self-management of conflict in natural resources.
ISSN:0701-1784
1918-1817
DOI:10.4296/cwrj3101013