CHRONICLE OF GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE FOR PERIOD FROM 1997 THRU 2005: “The Stormwater Planning Guidebook’s premise that land development and watershed protection can be compatible represented a radical shift in thinking in 2002,” stated Peter Law, Chair of the Guidebook Steering Committee
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. Stories are structured in three parts: One-Minute Takeaway, Editor’s Perspective, and the Story Behind the Story.
The edition published on October 28, 2025 featured the third installment of the Chronicle of Green Infrastructure Innovation in Metro Vancouver. Part C covers the period 1997 through 2005. It tells the story of what led up to publication of Stormwater Planning: A Guidebook for British Columbia in 2002, and the impact of what followed in the wake of publication.
Ninety-eight pages long, Part C is a sweeping narrative weaves quotable quote to bring to life an era. It is included as an attachment to of Living Water Smart in British Columbia: Leaps of faith and calculated risks – convening for action in Metro Vancouver.
GUIDEBOOK’S BOLD PREMISE: Land Development and Watershed Protection can be compatible
The Stormwater Planning Guidebook established a methodology for setting performance targets. Thus, it was an immediate catalyst for innovation. This resulted in international recognition of BC as a leader for re-inventing urban hydrology,” wrote Kim Stephens, author of the Green Infrastructure Chronicle and Executive Director with the Partnership for Water Sustainability in BC.
“Development of the online Water Balance Model as an extension of the Guidebook operationalized use of performance targets.”
The Stormwater Planning Guidebook’s premise that land development and watershed protection can be compatible represented a radical shift in thinking in 2002. With the change in provincial government in 2001, the committee recognized the need to be bold yet strike a balanced tone. We were successful and had support that cascaded down from the highest levels,” recalls Peter Law, steering committee chair.
“Local government has control over rainwater runoff volumes and rates through its infrastructure policies, practices and standards. This is why the premise resonated. The critical consideration, however, is that the Guidebook introduced the concept of Performance Targets that are achievable for maintaining water balance.”
“The key to implementing a strategy based on Water Balance Performance Targets is that most of the annual rain volume in British Columbia falls as light showers. Although daily rainfall amounts range from light showers to heavy rain to extreme storms, only a handful of long duration downpours occur in any year and extreme events are rare,” explains Kim Stephens.
A starting point to guide actions on the ground
“The Guidebook established the framework for a performance target way-of-thinking and designing to capture rainwater where it falls. The lasting impact of the Guidebook is that it changed how people view site development practices, and it got them thinking about how to change those practices for the better,” continues Peter Law.
“The Guidebook articulated a principle that performance targets at the watershed scale provide a starting point to guide the actions of local government in the right direction,” adds Ted van der Gulik.
Changing the Culture
“Creating change on the ground involves a mix of ingredients. And requires patience. We knew it would take time to incrementally change the practitioner culture and implement a new way of doing business. But we had to try and we learned what it takes,” explains Ray Fung, a past-chair of the original BC Water Sustainability Committee.
“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.”
To Learn More:
Waterbucket eNews stories are structured in three parts: One-Minute Takeaway, Editor’s Perspective and Context for Busy Reader, and the Story Behind the Story. To read the complete 3-part storyline, download a PDF copy of Living Water Smart in British Columbia: Leaps of faith and calculated risks – convening for action in Metro Vancouver.
DOWNLOAD A COPY: https://waterbucket.ca/wcp/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/10/PWSBC_Living-Water-Smart_Leaps-of-Faith-and-Calculated-Risks-Part-C_2025.pdf