“The approach we have taken in British Columbia differs from that of the United States EPA due to the nature of the root problems being solved. The critical issue in British Columbia is the damage and loss of habitat caused by development and erosion of the headwater streams,” states Jim Dumont.
“The initiative creates opportunities for knowledge sharing and transfer on both sides of the Georgia Basin so that everyone can go farther, more efficiently and effectively. The web-based Water Balance Model is a unique, scenario comparison tool; and is the foundation block for the Inter-Regional Education Initiative,” stated Kim Stephens.
“Elected representatives on the Utilities Committee learned that the Water Balance Model is a tool available to Metro Vancouver’s (municipal) members so that they will be able to more effectively and efficiently fulfil their rainwater and stormwater management actions under our region’s IntegratedLiquid Waste and Resource Management Plan,” stated Mayor Darrell Mussatto.
“The City of Surrey has extensive experience with ISMP development and implementation. Now in its fifth decade of continuous implementation experience, the City continues to evolve and adapt a watershed–based approach that incorporates lessons learned in getting green infrastructure built right,” states Carrie Baron.
“The Cowichan Forum is the kick-off for an Inter-Regional Education Initiative to be implemented in four regions over several years. Sharing of experiences, collaboration, alignment and a consistent approach on Vancouver Island will allow everyone to go farther, more efficiently and effectively,” stated Kate Miller.
“An increasing building footprint on properties is short-circuiting the WATER BALANCE. This creates risks for local government, both financial and environmental. If we want to make change, then we have to find a way to influence landowners to look at their properties differently,” stated Richard Boase. “Stream health depends on ALL properties in a watershed. If everyone reduces their ‘water footprint’, we can then protect stream health.”
“The District of Sooke has exceeded provincial requirements for liquid waste management and created a rainwater management plan that makes protecting water quality a guiding principle in land use decisions,” states Laura Byrne. “Because our rainwater management plan is outcome-oriented, it has stayed true to Stormwater Planning: A Guidebook for British Columbia.”
“Once we know what we want our watersheds and neighbourhoods to look like, the next step is to decide what the tools are that will get us there. All of us need to understand and care about the goal if we are to create the future that we all want,” stated Vincent Lalonde.
“Investigation of opportunities for the application of green infrastructure objectives is now expected in all the City’s land use plans. Furthermore, Integrated Stormwater Management Plans (ISMPs) will provide the basis for implementing green infrastructure objectives to support a design with nature approach on a watershed scale,” stated Paul Ham.
“While its primary purpose is to provide province-wide guidelines, Develop with Care 2012 also emphasizes how environmental protection and stewardship can benefit the community, the property owner and the developer, as well as the natural environment,” states Marlene Caskey.
