“With my current understanding, I see the WBM Express as a tool that would not necessarily be referenced in the OCP and other bylaws, but that the performance standard built into it would be. Staff would direct individual landowners wanting to do small developments towards the WBM Express,” stated Tanis Gower.
“The Development Servicing Bylaw provides a relevant frame of reference for implementing the WBM Express. It contains language that clearly identifies that flood risk and erosion be maintained at rates that approximate the natural forested watershed,” observes Steve Ono.
“The Regional Board is committed to achieving the vision that we share for watershed sustainability in our region. We also appreciate the leadership shown by Kate Miller in guiding the CVRD to the destination. Kate truly is a champion. She is demonstrating how benefits are flowing to this region because we collaborate with other regions,” stated Mayor Rob Hutchins, Chair of the Regional Board.
“The WBM Express will enable Metro Vancouver member municipalities to more easily deliver on regulatory requirements pursuant to the region’s Integrated Liquid Waste & Resource Management Plan. This regulatory document spells out specific actions for on-site rainwater management to protect or restore watershed health,” stated Kim Stephens.
“The Express is an accessible, affordable and effective tool. It solves the vast majority of common problems faced by a homeowner exploring ways to implement rainfall capture in accordance with a watershed plan, without requiring use of tools designed for more complex situations,” states Dr. Charles Rowney.
The Express integrates three pre-set performance targets using a methodology developed by Jim Dumont, Engineering Applications Authority for the Express. These are watershed-specific and link rainfall to stream health. This frees users to focus solely on selecting rainfall capture measures that will achieve their specific pre-set targets for storage, infiltration and stream baseflow sustenance. The underlying technical approach is precedent-setting.
“The presentation informed RPAC members regarding the responsibility of individual municipality’s responsibility to mimic the water balance to protect stream health. We learned about the benefits of developing pre-set targets to help guide landowners in achieving an effective combination of site enhancements to capture rain where it falls,” summarized Susan Haid
“An increasing building footprint on properties is short-circuiting the WATER BALANCE. This creates risks for local government, both financial and environmental. If we want to make change, then we have to find a way to influence landowners to look at their properties differently,” stated Richard Boase.
“Elected representatives on the Utilities Committee learned that the Water Balance Model is a tool available to Metro Vancouver’s (municipal) members so that they will be able to more effectively and efficiently fulfil their rainwater and stormwater management actions under our region’s Integrated Liquid Waste and Resource Management Plan,” stated Mayor Darrell Mussatto.
“The Vision Document is the first step in the implementation process for the WBM Express. The Partnership has developed guiding principles and a framework for tool development. This sets the stage for undertaking technical design and programming in the coming months. In the interim, this Vision Document will serve as a communication tool,” wrote Ted van der Gulik.
