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Kim Stephens

    11 – LESSONS FROM THE PAST INFORM THE FUTURE IN METRO VANCOUVER: Sustainable Watershed Systems, through Asset Management


    “Achieving sustainable service delivery is the primary objective of asset management,” stated Minister Peter Fassbender. “No longer is asset management only about hard engineered assets such as watermains, sewers and roads. The BC Framework encourages local governments to manage their natural assets in the same way they manage their hard engineered assets. Benefits are long term.”

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    12 – LESSONS FROM THE PAST INFORM THE FUTURE IN METRO VANCOUVER: Twin Pillars of Stream System Integrity


    Puget Sound research correlated land use changes with impacts on streams. Hydrology and riparian integrity are of equal importance. “There are many factors that influence stream degradation. There is not a single smoking gun. Impervious area is the main culprit. But you can trash a stream just as badly by deforestation of the riparian zone as you can by paving over the headwaters with a mall,” says Chris May.

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    13 – LESSONS FROM THE PAST INFORM THE FUTURE IN METRO VANCOUVER: Water Balance Accounting Pillar addresses Changes in Hydrology


    “At a critical moment, members of the Partnership team would have an idea around a research theme. And as often happened, I was the arm that had the energy and willingness to take on the research, apply new science in North Vancouver, and get the work done. Look at all the really important science that we were able to produce. There is a lot to be proud of in terms of all that research that we produced in pursuit of making changes to the fabric of our urbanized areas,” stated Richard Boase.

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    14 – LESSONS FROM THE PAST INFORM THE FUTURE IN METRO VANCOUVER: Puget Sound research correlated land use changes with impacts on stream


    There are many factors that influence stream degradation. “So many studies manipulate a single variable out of context with the whole and its many additional variables. We, on the other hand, investigated whole systems in place, tying together measures of the landscape, stream habitat, and aquatic life,” stated Dr. Richard Horner, professor emeritus at the University of Washington in Seattle.

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    15 – LESSONS FROM THE PAST INFORM THE FUTURE IN METRO VANCOUVER: British Columbia Stormwater Guidebook – catalyst for “Designing With Nature” in 2002


    “In the United States, too often we see a cookie-cutter approach when guidebooks and manuals are replicated across the country. Not so with the British Columbia Guidebook – it is unique, and it is innovative,” stated Tom Schueler. The Guidebook set in motion a chain of outcomes that resulted in BC being recognized internationally as a leader in implementing a natural systems approach to rainwater management in the urban environment.

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    16 – LESSONS FROM THE PAST INFORM THE FUTURE IN METRO VANCOUVER: Regional commitment to protecting streams


    “Metro Vancouver contributed $50,000 towards development of the Water Balance Express because widespread use of this decision tool will help Metro Vancouver and members fulfil our regulatory commitments. The region and members have committed to protecting stream and watershed health,” stated Greg Moore. The Express helps property owners meet pre-set watershed targets for volume, infiltration, and flow.

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    17 – LESSONS FROM THE PAST INFORM THE FUTURE IN METRO VANCOUVER: Adapt to an altered seasonal water balance; deal with uncertainty and manage risk


    “Relying solely on engineering solutions will never be adequate for managing flood risk. Downstream engineering solutions treat the symptoms of the root cause which happens in the headwaters,” stated Younes Alila. “The framework and concepts I advocate for are applicable to all land use and land covers – whether urban, forested or agricultural – to all disturbances, and to watersheds of all sizes.”

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    18 – LESSONS FROM THE PAST INFORM THE FUTURE IN METRO VANCOUVER: Stream Health in Metro Vancouver Region


    “Both the Metro research in the late 1990s and the current EAP research are spatial analyses. With hindsight, I can say that Metro was ahead of its time and got it right with the RFI index but let it slip away,” stated Tim Pringle. “EAP deals with parcels which is as spatial as you can get. The EAP process allows local governments to transcend the numbers and explore the financial impact of land development choices.”

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    19 – LESSONS FROM THE PAST INFORM THE FUTURE IN METRO VANCOUVER: Passing of the intergenerational baton


    “Vancouver Island University is all-in because the Ecological Accounting Process is an idea that can change the game with respect to protection or restoration of riparian integrity along streams. The strategy ensures that knowledge is retained at an institutional level, that is, VIU. Students are excited to contribute to the change. We will be continuously training youth to apply the EAP methodology,” stated Graham Sakaki.

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    20 – LESSONS FROM THE PAST INFORM THE FUTURE IN METRO VANCOUVER: Communities need annual budgets to tackle Riparian Deficits along streams


    “Asset management is a process for sustainable service delivery. The BC Framework is designed as a wheel as there is a beginning but no end to the process, The role of natural assets in our communities is not well understood. As the AMBC Primer published in 2019 shows, significant work has been done on the integration of natural assets into the overall asset management program,” stated Wally Wells.

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