Convening for Action in British Columbia

DOWNLOAD A COPY OF: “Living Water Smart in British Columbia: Land planning perspective for liability reduction along streams” – released by the Partnership for Water Sustainability in November 2024

November 5, 2024 - Posted in ...2024, PUBLICATIONS & DOWNLOADS

Note to Reader:

Published by the Partnership for Water Sustainability in British Columbia, Waterbucket eNews celebrates the leadership of individuals and organizations who are guided by the Living Water Smart vision. The edition published on November 5, 2024 features Tim Pringle and Robert Hicks in a 4-part storyline that describes a path forward for reducing financial risk by protecting stream function in the urban setting. Tim Pringle’s methodology for the Ecological Accounting Process (EAP) closes the loop on applied research spearheaded by Robert Hicks in the late 1990s to develop the Riparian Forestry Integrity (RFI) index.

Land planning perspective for risk reduction on streams

The previous five editions of Waterbucket eNews alternated between two series of stories – one featuring Metro Vancouver and the other Vancouver Island experience related to Green Infrastructure and Natural Asset Management, respectively. Both terms revolve around quality of life.

With this edition, we interconnect the two series for the following reasons. Last month, Tim Pringle informed an Asset Management BC audience with his storyline titled The Story of the Ecological Accounting Process (EAP): Why was it developed and what does it do. Tim’s presentation dealt with applications of EAP in both regions.

EAP is evolving as a predictive tool for use by land use planners in a spatial way to explore policy implications for streams and trees

“The starting point for EAP is Natural Asset Management. It lets local governments know the financial value of their streams as a Natural Commons Asset. And that value is based on BC Assessment parcel values as applied to the 30-metre setback for streamside regulation,” states Tim Pringle, chair of the Ecological Accounting Process initiative.

A land planning perspective

“EAP is a spatial view because the methodology is keyed to parcels which is as spatial as you can get. The EAP process allows local governments to transcend the numbers and explore the financial impact of land development choices. And it is also about solutions.”

“Planners have a spatial way of looking at land use. So, I imagine that they would like to have a means of understanding a stream from a spatial point of view…what is being measured, what are the metrics for doing that measurement, how do you use it. It has to be that basic.”

“In this way, the community would see the streamshed altered or interrupted in a number of ways. The EAP analysis calculates the value of a streamshed spatial area based on RAPR, the Riparian Areas Protection Regulation, the purpose of which is to protect the features, functions, and conditions that are vital for maintaining stream health and productivity.”