Flashback to 2012: Ministry of Environment reaffirmed importance and value of the “Beyond the Guidebook Initiative"
Note to Reader:
The Partnership for Water Sustainability in BC is helping the Province implement the Living Water Smart and Green Communities initiatives in the local government setting. Launched in 2008, these initiatives comprise plans, strategies, targets, actions and tools to reduce the ‘water footprint’ of BC communities.
The Partnership is the steward for Stormwater Planning: A Guidebook for British Columbia and is leading the “Beyond the Guidebook” initiative. This is building on the technical foundation provided by the Guidebook for rainwater management in a watershed sustainability context.
The Mission: Demonstrate How to Integrate Regulatory Compliance and Collaboration
“The Ministry looks forward to aligning efforts with the Partnership in three regions — Vancouver Island, Lower Mainland and the Okanagan — to further advance implementation of the “Beyond the Guidebook” initiative; and provide communities with the tools and knowledge to protect and/or restore watershed health,” stated Cairine MacDonald, (former) Deputy Minister, BC Ministry of Environment, in April 2012.
Shared Responsibility
“The Ministry recognizes and appreciates that, commencing with release of the Water Sustainability Action Plan for BC in 2004, the Partnership has: embraced the notion of shared responsibility; been the catalyst for a ‘design with nature’ approach to land development; and been effective as a bridge to those working in the local government setting. The Partnership is doing what government views as important.”
“The Ministry’s renewed emphasis on the rainwater management component of Liquid Waste Management Plans has created an opportunity to demonstrate how to integrate regulatory compliance and collaboration,” concluded Cairine MacDonald.
To Learn More:
To download and read the complete letter from the Deputy Minister, click on Partnership for Water Sustainability helps Province deliver Living Water Smart and Green Communities initiatives.
History of the “Beyond the Guidebook” initiative
“In 2002, Stormwater Planning: A Guidebook for British Columbia advanced this provocative premise: land development and watershed protection can be compatible,” states Peter Law, Partnership Director. Prior to retiring from government, he was with the Ministry of Environment. He was Chair of inter-governmental Guidebook Steering Committee (2000 through 2002).
“This radical shift in practitioner thinking resulted from recognition of HOW a science-based understanding could bridge the gap between high-level policy objectives and site design practices. The Guidebook formalized the Water Balance Methodology for rainfall capture and runoff control. And it set the stage for defining water sustainability as an outcome of green infrastructure policies and practices
To Learn More:
Download Partnership for Water Sustainability aligns efforts with Ministry of Environment to advance the “Beyond the Guidebook” initiative This report-style document comprises two stand-alone yet interconnected parts.
The first part is an announcement about Partnership collaboration with the Ministry of Environment. The second part traces the history of the “Beyond the Guidebook” initiative which the Partnership is leading.
