Forging Gold Medal Standards will be the theme when BC’s local governments gather in Whistler in September
“Whistler, BC. is a place that is synonymous with high-level achievement. Now is the time to apply the momentum of these gold medal achievements to local governments success. The spirit of collaboration and newfound bonds that we have fostered in 2010 are undeniably valuable. Without action, we cannot move our communities forward. This year’s Convention will offer an opportunity to take our goals, and forge them into tangible outcomes and continue to build gold medal standard communities,” stated Harry Nyce.
Water Balance Model facilitates adaptive management approach to implementation of alternative green infrastructure techniques
“The evolution of the capabilities of the web-based Water Balance Model has arisen in response to the need to embrace adaptive management in the creation of watershed objectives and to quickly test alternative green infrastructure techniques prior to implementation,” stated Jim Dumont.
OKANAGAN RAIN TO RESOURCE WORKSHOP: “Topsoil Primer Set” connects the dots between rainwater management and drought management (October 2010)
“A policy and legal tool called the 'Shared Responsibility Matrix' identifies the actors along with the various instruments that govern their actions. This provides the frame of reference for the Topsoil Primer Set,” explained Deborah Carlson. ‘Focusing on a single type of project—in this case, ‘topsoil requirements’ – can make it easier to map out the actors involved and the various decisions, actions and regulatory tools required and available to make the project a reality.”
Web-based provincial tools enable Water-Centric Planning and Living Water Smart
“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.
OKANAGAN RAIN TO RESOURCE WORKSHOP: Home Depot Demonstrates Rainwater Management Innovation in the City of Courtenay (October 2010)
“The dramatic change in site characteristics meant rainwater runoff had to be captured to maintain a before development hydrologic regime, if the project was to avoid downstream impacts,” stated Kevin Lagan. “Home Depot established a BC precedent when it implemented a deep deep-well system for injecting rainwater runoff and recharging the underlying groundwater aquifer.”
Climate Change Adaptation: UBCM study session on sustainability planning and practice has water-centric emphasis
Three provincial initiatives profiled: BC’s Water Act Modernization Process, Provincial Drought Response Plan, and the Water Sustainability Action Plan. “With local governments increasingly adopting integrated sustainability planning approaches, there is a greater need to develop and strengthen collaborative partnerships amongst all orders of government in environmental management,” stated John Slater. Living Water Smart is an idea that people are embracing. The solutions and commitments go beyond what government does. Living Water Smart is a plan that is as much about land as water….because only with healthy water can we enjoy all the values that we take for granted.
Convening for Action in British Columbia: ‘Beyond the Guidebook 2010’ connects the dots between South Okanagan and Vancouver Island
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.
Beyond the Guidebook 2010: Forging Gold Medal Standards for Urban Watershed Protection and Restoration in British Columbia
Beyond the Guidebook 2010 synthesized a set of ten guiding principles that provide a framework for a successful local government implementation process. Ray Fung spoke to these principles. “So, what we mean by shared responsibility is that everyone has a role, and everyone can act…. all levels of government, developers, regulators, bureaucrats, consultants, planners, engineers…. we all have a role.”
FROM RAIN TO RESOURCE: Brock Dolman of the California-based WATER Institute will be keynote speaker at Okanagan Rainwater Workshop (October 2010)
“The WATER Institute promotes understanding of the importance of healthy watersheds to healthy communities. It is emphasizes that land-use management strategies must thoroughly analyze the impact of human activities on the hydrologic cycle, and how these activities affect species, community and ecosystem dynamics,” explains Brock Dolman. Asserting that it is “better to be safe than thirsty,” the WATER Institute advocates the use of the Precautionary Principle in decisions about water-use policy.
BEYOND THE GUIDEBOOK 2010: Okanagan Rainwater Workshop provides forum for ‘convening for action’ to advance a new culture for watershed protection and restoration
“There is now clear guidance in BC for aligning local actions with provincial and regional goals to ‘design with nature’; so that we can create greener communities, live water smart and prepare for climate change. BC is now at a tipping point. Implementation of a new culture for urban watershed protection and restoration is within our grasp. Beyond the Guidebook 2010 sets the stage for settlement change that is in balance with ecology,” stated Kim Stephens.