ARCHIVED - Sustainable Development

Report on Plans and Priorities 2011-2012
Electronic Layer of Reporting
Elements of NRCan's Sustainable Development Strategy

FSDS Target 4.1 - Water Resource Management and Use

Promote the conservation and wise use of water to affect a 30% reduction or increased efficiency in water use in various sectors by 2025 (based on 2009 water use levels).

FSDS Implementation Strategy

4.1.10 Complete 15 assessments for Canada’s 30 key regional aquifers and produce a national groundwater inventory to help Canadians better understand and manage underground water resources. (NRCan)

You will find below details about NRCan’s activities that contribute to this implementation strategy:

Environmental Geoscience

This activity is nested within NRCan’s Program Activity Architecture (PAA) as follows:

• Strategic Outcome 2 - 
  Environmental Responsibility
  
  
  • Program Activity 2.2 - 
    Ecosystem Risk Management
    
    
    • Sub Activity 2.2.3 - 
      Environmental Geoscience
      
      

Description

Governments and Industry require a variety of assessments rooted in sound geoscience in order to develop, monitor and maintain resources responsibly, and to assess risks. Under Sub Activity - Environmental Geoscience (PAA 2.2.3), NRCan delivers expertise, information and data to other government departments and industry, enabling clear understanding of environmental risks and opportunities, which in turn supports environmental responsibility in the development and use of Canada’s natural resources. Under this Sub Activity is a key Sub Activity that contributes to this FSDS implementation strategy:

• Sub Sub Activity - Groundwater Geoscience (PAA 2.2.3.2): NRCan’s aquifer mapping and assessment activities (in collaboration with the provinces and territories) support informed decision-making on groundwater management issues, such as: increased pressures on water resources with urbanization, economic expansion and growing energy demands. Mapping of key aquifers supports the responsible development of Canada’s natural resources.

Relationship to FSDS Target

In order to improve the knowledge of water, its nature, extent, availability, Federal/ Provincial/Territorial collaboration on aquifer mapping and assessment standards and tools is required. Under Sub Activity - Groundwater Geoscience, NRCan will carry out mapping and assessment activities on 15 of Canada’s key regional aquifers and develop a national groundwater inventory to facilitate collaboration activities and Canada’s understanding and management of underground water resources. Thus, Sub Activity - Groundwater Geoscience, under Sub Activity - Environmental Geoscience, contributes indirectly to FSDS Target 4.1 - Water Resource Management and Use.

Non-Financial Performance Expectations

Expected Result and Indicator (Sub Activity 2.2.3)

NRCan’s geoscience supports the development and management of resources in an environmentally responsible manner.

• Number of communities using the National Groundwater Inventory information in groundwater management and related-decision-making (reported annually, beginning in 2011-2012).

Expected Result and Indicator (Sub Sub Activity 2.2.3.2)

Governments and decision-makers are better equipped to manage Canada’s groundwater resources.

• The National Groundwater Inventory Network is populated with the most recent aquifer assessment data (reported annually, beginning in 2011-2012).

Output and Indicator (Sub Sub Activity 2.2.3.2)

Aquifer assessments are completed.

• Number of assessments completed (reported only for 2012-2013).

Other FSDS Linkages

Sub Activity - Environmental Geoscience further contributes to FSDS Target 4.1 - Water Resource Management and Use through the following implementation strategies:

• 4.1.4 - Improve the knowledge of water, its nature, extent, availability, sector use and best management practices such as Integrated Watershed Management to Canadians;
• 4.1.5 - Provide web and print based information on the science and knowledge of water to Canadians in a comprehensive and timely manner to enable responsible decision;
• 4.1.9 - Continue the development and implementation of Water Availability Indicators.

This Sub Activity also contributes to FSDS Target 3.1 - Fresh Water Quality through one implementation strategy:

• 3.1.9 - Manage/deliver Great Lakes results federally-provincially, between the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario.

This Sub Activity also contributes to the FSDS Target 6.2 - Terrestrial Ecosystem and Habitat through one implementation strategy:

• 6.1.13 - Establish one new national park by March 2013; complete feasibility assessments of five other potential national parks and one proposed expansion.

This Sub Activity also contributes to FSDS Target 6.3 - Marine Ecosystems through the following implementation strategies:

• 6.3.1 - Develop a federal-provincial-territorial network of Marine Protected Areas;
• 6.3.5 - Provide advice to decision-makers on potential environmental impacts and ecological risks associated with specific, high-priority ocean activities;
• 6.3.8 - Complete feasibility assessments for two potential national marine conservation areas.