DFO Urban Stormwater Guidelines have evolved into ‘Beyond the Guidebook 2010’
Note to Reader:
Beyond the Guidebook 2010: Implementing a New Culture for Urban Watershed Protection and Restoration in British Columbia describes how a ‘covening for action’ culture has taken root in British Columbia. Bringing together local government practitioners in neutral forums has enabled implementers to collaborate as regional teams. Their action-oriented focus has resulted in ‘how to dit it; examples that help decision-makers visualize what ‘design with nature’ policy goals look like on the ground.
Implementing Change on the Ground
The rollout of Beyond the Guidebook 2010: Implementing a New Culture for Urban Watershed Protection and Restoration in British Columbia commenced in September at the 2010 annual convention of local governments.
This ‘water-centric’ guidance document tells the stories of how change is being implemented on the ground in BC. During the last week of October, there were presentations at major regional events in Metro Vancouver, Nanaimo and Kelowna.
Looking Back
In November 2000, the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) produced the Urban Stormwater Guidelines and Best Management Practices for Protection of Fish and Fish Habitat, Draft Discussion Document; and set a direction for the development industry. By 2007, the Guidelines had evolved into “Beyond the Guidebook”.
The goal: encourage ‘green’ development that is in balance with ecology.
The desired outcome: protect stream health, fish habitat, and fish.
From Guidelines to Tools
“We are moving from guidelines to tools,” states Corino Salomi. He is Area Manager, Oceans, Habitat & Enhancement Branch, Lower Fraser Area. “It helps to look back to understand how we got to here. In November 2000, DFO released the 4-page Urban Stormwater Guidelines and Best Management Practices for Protection of Fish and Fish Habitat, Draft Discussion Document. That document set a direction.”
“By 2007, however, we had concerns about how the document was being interpreted and applied. Beyond the Guidebook 2007 represents the initial course correction.
To Learn More:
Looking Forward
Drawing on case study experience, Beyond the Guidebook 2010 provides local governments with guidance for developing urban watershed plans and implementing green infrastructure. By ‘designing with nature’ at the site scale, the desired outcome is an improvement in watershed and stream health.
Water Balance Model supports ‘designing with nature’ to protect stream health
The Water Balance Model is a tool to assess green infrastructure effectiveness. The user can correlate runoff volume management strategies with stream erosion and water quality outcomes. This process allows the delivery of watershed-specific and outcome-oriented plans that are specifically applicable to the municipality, watershed and stream.
Posted November 2010