Water was on the table in Kamloops Thursday when area ranchers, environmentalists, First Nations leaders and recreational groups met to discuss the future of the resource in B.C.

Under the guidance of the Ministry of Environment, stakeholders were asked to provide input on a provincial government proposal to modernize the Water Act.

Glen Davidson, ministry director of management and standards branch, said the Water Act, although it’s been updated along the way, is 100 years old.

“A lot of things have changed in B.C. in that time,” he said, citing population growth and climate change as two issues that have applied much more pressure on the water resource.

As well, he said, people’s values and views on water are changing.

“Everyone has a concern about water, particularly in the Kamloops area where a lot of people’s livelihoods surround water, specifically the agricultural industry,” Davidson said.

“People in Kamloops and the Okanagan are very passionate about water, as are the First Nations.”

The Water Act Modernization Workshops, 12 in total, ask the stakeholder groups for general input as well as for direction on specific questions.

One of those questions is whether there should be regulations on groundwater. B.C. is currently the only province in Canada where groundwater is not regulated.

Davidson, who is a professional engineer in water resources, attributed that to the fact that the province has always had ample surface water so “we haven’t had to deal with it.”

Shareholders are also being asked whether there should be a greater role for agencies — local communities, First Nations — in managing water rights. Traditionally, the task has fallen strictly to the provincial government.

After attending the day-long workshop, Kevin Boon, general manager of the B.C. Cattlemen’s Association, described it as a good starting step for the ministry.

“It’s part of a process that needs to be done. Water is extremely important and in B.C. it’s been taken for granted a little bit.”

He said by asking for input from stakeholders, the province is identifying the importance of the issue.

Boon said he is appreciative of the efforts by the Environment Ministry to invite participation from the public.

“A lot of times with government and I’m not talking just B.C. but government as a whole they implement and ask questions later.

This was a good opportunity to be heard, he said.

The next workshop takes place today in Kelowna, where organizers expect another large crowd.

The final decisions on the Water Act will be made in the legislature.