FLASHBACK TO 2007: At Water Balance Model Partners Forum, the BC Ministry of Environment’s Peter Law introduced “Develop with Care” to a Metro Vancouver audience

Note to Reader:

When Stormwater Planning: A Guidebook for British Columbia was published in 2002, it set in motion a chain of outcomes that has resulted in British Columbia being recognized internationally as a leader in implementing a natural systems approach to rainwater management in the urban environment. One of these outcomes was the Water Balance Model for British Columbia, an online decision support and scenario modelling tool.

In March 2007, the Inter-Governmental Partnership that developed the Water Balance Model held a Partners Forum so that Partners could share success stories and lessons learned in implementing green infrastructure. Hosted by the Greater Vancouver Regional District, the Partners Forum also provided a timely opportunity to showcase Develop with Care, a provincial guidance document.

2006 Develop with Care_cover

Environmental Guidelines for Land Development in British Columbia

The March 2006 version of Develop with Care replaces the previous versions (June 2004 and April 2005) of Environmental Best Management Practices for Urban and Rural Land Development in British Columbia. At the 2007 Water Balance Model Partners Forum, the Ministry of Environment’s Peter Law introduced this guidance document to a local government audience comprising representatives from the Metro Vancouver region and the east coast of Vancouver Island.

Encourage Good Decision-Making!

Peter Law_2010_120p“This document is intended to assist people who are involved in planning, implementing, reviewing and/or approving land developments in British Columbia’s urban and rural areas. Its primary purpose is to provide province-wide guidelines for the maintenance of environmental values during the development of urban and rural lands. It also provides information on ways that environmental protection and stewardship can benefit the community, the property owner and the developer, as well as the natural environment,” explained Peter Law.

Develop with Care includes many ideas and suggestions on ways to achieve ‘cleaner, greener’ developments and provides information on ways that environmental protection and stewardship can benefit the community, the property owner, and the developer, as well as the natural environment.”

“Decisions related to urban and rural land development in this province are shared by many; therefore, this document is intended to support and encourage good decision making by all those involved in land development in British Columbia. Develop with Care emphasizes the use of the Water Balance Model to achieve desired rainwater management outcomes”, concluded Peter Law.

To Learn More:

To read the complete and comprehensive story about the 2007 Forum, click on Inter-Governmental Partnership Rolls Out ‘Beyond the Guidebook’ at Water Balance Model Forum

Footnote

Develop with Care 2014: Environmental Guidelines for Urban and Rural Land Development in British Columbia replaces the 2012 version of this internationally acclaimed document. It provides information and guidance so that local governments, land developers and others involved in land use can use creative approaches to meet the Province’s environmental standards.

Develop with Care 2014 is part of the Province’s results-based approach to land use decisions. It provides supporting details to achieve the objectives of the Living Water Smart and Green Communities initiatives.

Roundtable discussion about “Develop with Care” at the 2007 WBM Partners Forum

Roundtable discussion about “Develop with Care” at the 2007 WBM Partners Forum