The BC Ministry of Environment and the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans held two workshops in 2005 to increase awareness of Species at Risk issues. Kim Stephens was a featured speaker at both events. His presentations were titled “Green Infrastructure & the Water Balance Model: A Tool for Designing with Nature”.
“We are excited to demonstrate that industry is doing its part to rise to the challenge of providing practical solutions to on-the-ground drainage issues,” stated Keith Lumby. The Water Sustainability Action Plan provided context for two learning events that were organized by the EMCO Corporation and held in Kelowna and Kamloops in 2005 during the October/November period.
“The POLIS Project on Ecological Governance is an ecology-based public policy think tank situated at the University of Victoria. The mission of POLIS is to help reorient Canadian water management from supply to demand-side approaches,” explained Oliver Brandes. “A ‘soft path’ for water takes the management approach beyond traditional concerns to consider how we might redesign the underlying human systems that determine demand and our approach to supply.”
“New approaches for water security are needed right now,” says Dr. David Brooks. “You could learn to live without oil, and we should, but you will not survive without fresh water. Climate chaos will force us to re-think how we manage our voracious demand for energy and water. We offer the Soft Path as a way to do that—a way that respects the environment and leads to social prosperity.”
“This report builds on the strength of the action plans laid out in previous reports. At a Watershed goes beyond the urban environment, addressing specific issues of governance. This final instalment creates the holistic solution for long-term water sustainability in Canada,” states Oliver Brandes.
“The Quesnel workshop provided a timely opportunity to test the relevance of the ‘water balance messaging’ in a Smalltown BC context. The discussion confirmed that small communities recognize the need for changes in land development practices,” reported Kim Stephens.
“The workshop is designed specifically for municipal decision makers — people responsible for community planning and development. The workshop lays a solid conceptual foundation,” states Lance Jacubec.
“The drought, forest fires and floods that British Columbia experienced in 2003 have created a teachable moment for change in the way we view water in this province. Capitalizing on this opportunity, the purpose of the Water Sustainability Action Plan for British Columbia is to promote and facilitate sustainable approaches to water use and water resource management,” states Ray Fung.
“The relationship between the Water Sustainability Action Plan and the Water Save Tool Kit is cascading—the Action Plan will provide a strategic framework, while the Tool Kit will offer a range of on-the-ground measures and approaches that will enable individuals and communities to achieve water conservation and water-use efficiency objectives,” explained Lynn Kriwoken.
The Province and Water Sustainability Committee co-organized a focus group workshop that was held in the Okanagan. “The approach in developing the Water Sustainability Action Plan is grounded. Our vision is that the products resulting from the Action Plan will represent a continuum…with policy at one end, and pragmatic applications / tools at the other end,” explained Kim Stephens.
