ebate surrounding the Cowichan Basin Water Management Draft Plan has focused on the raising of the weir, but the plan features much more.

Other highlights include the following:

• Improve water delivery and use with leak detection and repair, water meters, encouraging water efficient fixtures, water audits and drought-tolerant landscaping.

• Revise municipal and regional regulations to encourage land use and development that minimize water use.

• Provide incentives for using water efficiently, such as rebates and tax credits.

• Provide compensation to people adversely affected by any new or revised water licence for the weir or pumps.

• Reduce pollution with improved sewage management, runoff and pesticide use and ensuring sufficient water flow for dilution for treated effluents.

• Identify and map aquatic and riparian habitats, and continue and expand habitat improvement projects.

• Enforce laws that prohibit new development or filling below the 200-year flood level.

• Flood-proof existing structures where practical.

• Reduce storm runoff by increasing on-site infiltration.

• Prevent degradation of riparian habitat by adopting strict tree protection bylaws, applying riparian area regulation setbacks and enforcing forestry regulations and guidelines.

— Doug Marner via : www.cowichannewsleader.com