Hastings Creek Watershed Blueprint: Provincially Significant and Precedent-Setting
Inter-Regional Collaboration in the Georgia Basin
The Partnership for Water Sustainability in BC has embraced shared responsibility by helping the Province deliver elements of the Living Water Smart and Green Communities Initiatives. The vehicle for this collaboration is the Water Sustainability Action Plan for British Columbia. In turn, the Action Plan is the umbrella for the Inter-Regional Education Initiative for ‘Rainwater Management in a Watershed Sustainability Context’ (i.e. “the IREI”).
“Collaboration among Vancouver Island local governments, Metro Vancouver, and member municipalities has grown steadily since 2007. The IREI provides a framework for consistent application of tools and understanding on both sides of the Georgia Basin. Everyone benefits fro sharing information and experiences,” observes Kim Stephens, Partnership Executive Director.
Hastings Creek Demonstration Application
“The IREI program showcases and builds upon the experience of those who are leading by example. Through the IREI, the Partnership encourages and facilitates cross-fertilization of approaches andexperience,” continues Kim Stephens.
“The Hastings Creek Watershed Blueprint is provincially significant and precedent-setting. The District of North Vancouver is demonstrating HOW local governments can accomplish more with the same investment.”
“The Hastings Creek approach has benefitted from the experience of other Georgia Basin leaders, and is outcome-oriented. Similarly, the Hastings Blueprint is already informing and influencing how other jurisdictions are likely to apply lessons learned by the District.”
The Story of Hastings Creek
“The Hastings Creek story is the first in a series of Watershed Blueprint Case Profiles that the Partnership is releasing. These will inform inter-regional collaboration among local governments in British Columbia. We anticipate that sharing experiences will accelerate effective watershed restoration and/or protection within participating regions,” states Tim Pringle, Partnership President.
“The Hastings Creek Watershed Blueprint is important to the Partnership because the District of North Vancouver has demonstrated the value of two new web-based tools, namely: the Drainage Infrastructure Screening Tool; and Water Balance Model Express for Landowners. Use of these tools can help all local governments go farther, more efficiently and effectively, to achieve watershed goals,” adds Ted van der Gulik, Chair of the Water Balance Model Partnership that developed these two tools.
To Learn More:
To download a copy of the “Story of Hastings Creek” by clicking on A Watershed Blueprint for Hastings Creek: Creating the Future in the District of North Vancouver.
