“The Sustainable Water Strategy is grounded in action. Twelve high-level Guiding Principles for water management and policy provide a framework for the Strategy. The key action items were developed respecting these Guiding Principles,” explained Anna Warwick Sears.
At the 2009 Comox Valley Learning Lunch Series, Rob Buchan explained how the Development Review Committee is helping to achieve the City’s sustainability vision.
“It was redevelopment of a site with a large paved area that led us to re-think our approach. We said let’s try to do something. This led us to create the Bylaw which now gives us the means to restore the water balance when properties redevelop,” stated Nirmal Bhattacharya.
“Because Sooke is a small municipality with limited financial resources, we have had to pare down and make the plans practical in order to be affordable. Again, networking and collaboration are making it possible for us to do this effectively. Rainwater Management Plans provide a framework for the development of on-the-ground solutions for the management of rainwater at a watershed scale,” reported Laura Byrne.
“The Guidebook applied a science-based understanding. The premise underpinning the Guidebook was that land development and watershed protection can be compatible. The basis for this premise was that municipalities exert control over runoff volume through their land development and infrastructure policies, practices and action,” said Peter Law.
“Beyond the Guidebook 2010 would not have been possible without the contributions of the many champions in local government who have provided the leadership that has resulted in the many precedents that are described herein,” stated Kim Stephens. “Beyond the Guidebook 2010 is also their story.”
“When we gather, it is for a purpose. There must be an action item or an outcome. Our aim is to move from talk to action by developing tools, providing training, and building capacity,” stated Kim Stephens. “Beyond the Guidebook 2010. This is the telling of the stories of how change is being implemented on the ground by local governments and community partners.”
‘Urban watershed’ refers to drainage tributary areas within which zoning and land use are under the jurisdiction of a local government.
“To make it possible to achieve Living Water Smart targets and actions, the Province has developed a suite of tools that support new approaches to water management. These tools are all web-based and accessible to anyone with a computer. They are intended to support new approaches to water management,” stated Ted van der Gulik.
The South Okanagan Regional Growth Strategy provided the first opportunity to test the ‘convening for action’ approach. That experience has been adapted in Metro Vancouver and on Vancouver Island. The cross-fertilization process has now come full circle. “Convening for Action’s influence was apparent in documentation (including graphics) and corporate knowledge used in producing the Regional Growth Strategy plan,” reported Bryn White.
