Green Infrastructure Partnership contributes to success of 2009 Comox Valley Learning Lunch Seminar Series
Shared Responsibility
The Comox Valley is demonstrating a ‘regional team approach’ because a convergence of interests has created an opportunity for all the players to set their sights on the common good, challenge the old barriers of jurisdictional interests, and make sustainability real. In 2009, the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) hosted the second annual Comox Valley Learning Lunch Seminar Series.
The 2009 Series was a collaboration of four local governments in the Comox Valley, the Comox Valley Land Trust, Convening for Action on Vancouver Island (CAVI), the Water Sustainability Action Plan for British Columbia, the Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia, the Green Infrastructure Partnership (GIP) and two provincial Ministries.
At the third seminar in the 2009 Series, Susan Rutherford of West Coast Environmental Law represented the GIP. Susan described the application of a Shared Responsibility Matrix as an organizing framework; and explained how Bill 27 creates statutory authority for water sustainability action.
To read the complete story about Susan's featured presentation, click on Shared Responsibility in British Columbia: Application of Bill 27 to achieve Water OUT = Water IN.
Also, click on Topsoil: Just How Do You Obtain a Topsoil Layer, to Advance Rainwater Management and Water Conservation Goals? to read about a practical application of Shared Responsibility.
About the 2009 Comox Valley Series
The Province’s Living Water Smart, BC’s Water Plan and Green Communities Initiative provide a framework for convening for action in order to improve the way that land is developed and water is used in BC. Commencing in 2007, Vancouver Island has been the pilot region for a grass-roots educational program that is water-centric and precedent-setting, is founded on partnerships and collaboration, and seeks to align local actions with provincial goals.
“The Regional Growth Strategy, Comox Valley Sustainability Strategy and Regional Water Strategy provided the backdrop for the 2009 Comox Valley Series. The spotlight was on how to implement the regional team approach – that is, a unified 
approach from all levels of government,” states Kevin Lorette, General Manager of the CVRD Property Services Branch. “At the end of the day, water is the underpinning of the community, and an integrated watershed approach to settlement change is essential.”
“The Series theme, Getting Ahead of the Wave, defined what we wished to accomplish in building on the foundation provided by the 2008 Series,” states Kevin Lagan, Director of Operational 
Services for the City of Courtenay. “The 2009 Series is our springboard to advance integration of current Comox Valley regional initiatives in 2010. The unifying theme will be: what all the plans will achieve.”
The City of Courtenay hosted the 2008 Comox Valley Learning Lunch Seminar Series.
Posted December 2009