ASSET MANAGEMENT BC NEWSLETTER (June 2016) – Opinion/ Editorial: On Sharing a Vision for “Sustainable Watershed Systems, through Asset Management”
Note to Reader:
Asset Management BC and the Partnership for Water Sustainability in British Columbia have aligned efforts to advance their shared vision for sustainable service delivery. The Summer 2016 issue of the Asset Management BC Newsletter includes an Op-Ed co-authored by Kim Stephens and Wally Wells. This continued the process of raising the profile and broadening awareness of the vision for Sustainable Watershed Systems, through Asset Management.
Pathway to a Water-Resilient Future
Asset Management for Sustainable Service Delivery: A Framework for BC is the lynch-pin for a water-resilient future. The BC Framework makes the link between local government services, the infrastructure that supports the delivery of those services, and watershed health.
Asset Management Continuum
The water-resilient future shown as Step Three on the Asset Management Continuum (below) would be, by definition, a “Sustainable Watershed System”. This phrase is the short-form descriptor for integration of natural systems thinking AND adaptation to a changing climate into Sustainable Service Delivery.
The Partnership for Water Sustainability is the champion for Step Three. The continuum illustrates the journey as understanding grows and local governments progress towards a water-resilient future. Making better decisions starts with an understanding of how to mimic the natural Water Balance through a blend of engineered assets and natural services.
Apply Science-based Understanding
In 2002, a breakthrough resulted from application of science-based understanding to develop the Water Balance Methodology. This was a notable milestone in the process of creating a provincial policy, program and regulatory framework that makes possible Sustainable Watershed Systems.
As of 2016, BC is progressing. Yet, persistent challenges for practitioners to adopt, change or evolve standards of practice means there is still a substantive disconnect between UNDERSTANDING and IMPLEMENTATION.
Communities must capitalize on, not miss, opportunities. Think and act like a watershed. View each property through a watershed lens. Create cumulative benefits, not cumulative impacts! With this mind-set, communities can progress towards Sustainable Watershed Systems.
To Learn More:
Download OP-ED: On Sharing a Vision for “Sustainable Watershed Systems, through Asset Management” to read the article co-authored by Kim Stephens and Wally Wells.
This graphic conceptualizes the nature of the educational challenge in 2002 versus that in 2016.