“It is essential that we continue to promote the efficient use of water and provincial environment policy that would protect the very important watersheds that are under constant pressure for other uses,” stated Mayor Sharon Shepherd.
“The Water Sustainability Action Plan has allowed the Province to leverage partnerships to greatly enhance the profile and resulting impact of Living Water Smart,” states Kim Stephens. “The Action Plan partners are playing a key delivery role in two of the five Living Water Smart theme areas, namely: community planning and development; and efficiency, outreach, public awareness. In effect, the Action Plan partners are functioning as the on-the-ground Living Water Smart implementation arm with local government. This means that the Living Water Smart team can focus their work effort on legislative reform.”
“Beyond the Guidebook 2010 is the story of what has been accomplished on the ground since 2004, through partnerships and collaboration. It speaks to the convention theme, Forging Gold Medal Standards, because 2010 is a year that will not soon be forgotten in British Columbia. This is the perfect time to capitalize on forward momentum in our communities,” stated Kim Stephens.
“A decade ago, we made a conscious decision to follow an educational rather than prescriptive path in BC. We have established higher expectations and challenged practitioners to embrace shared responsibility. “The program goals for Living Water Smart and Green Communities constitute a ‘call to action’ on the part of local governments,” stated Glen Brown. “The Action Plan story is a good news story. It is a story of collaboration, partnerships and alignment at three levels: provincial, regional and local. Moreover, the Action Plan is adding value on the ground and supporting provincial outcomes.”
“The purpose in publishing the ISMP Course Correction Series is to draw attention to lessons learned and insights gained by those local government leaders who have ISMP and related experience. The sharing of experience will help stretch limited resources so that local governments can ‘do more with less’ in applying and benefitting from a ‘regional team approach’,” stated Tim Pringle.
“Effective conservation-oriented water pricing can help reconcile growing communities with the health of local watersheds and engage individuals and businesses to change their behaviour and begin reducing their water footprints,” stated Oliver Brandes.
Eric Bonham has been proactive on water related issues for 40 years. He is an advocate for bringing together local government and community advocates in a new form of governance that involves decision makers in government working with visionaries in the community to create desired outcomes. He calls this ‘mission possible’.
“Tim Pringle has invested countless hours, over more than 20 years, working with non-profit groups, universities, government agencies, and real estate industry members to increase understanding and improve relationships between people, and between sectors. Tim has been the catalyst in helping small housing societies get their projects off the ground; in connecting conservation and sustainable development interests; and in supporting research to help communities plan well for the future,” stated Jack Hall.
The East Clayton Neighbourhood Concept Plan provided the first large-scale opportunity to ‘test’ a new approach which is sometimes characterized as ‘the future is the past’. From my perspective, one aspect which really stands out about the East Clayton plan is the integration of sustainability objectives,” stated Paul Ham.
“The role of the Technical Advisors is to apply their expertise and perspective to the potential policy options for a modernized Water Act. This is about making BC's water laws simpler to understand, communicate, administer and enforce as communities respond to current and future challenges,” explained Lynn Kriwoken. “As we move into our next phase of policy development, we are seeking input from external technical experts. Individuals with First Nations and non-government organizations have been invited to participate in the process in an advisory capacity.”
