Rainwater Management

BEYOND THE GUIDEBOOK 2022 / PART A: “John Henneberry’s pioneering work in the United Kingdom serves as validation of how EAP looks at streams and water assets as a system,” stated Tim Pringle, Chair of the Ecological Accounting Process initiative, a BC strategy for community investment in stream systems

Note to Reader:

In June 2022, the Partnership for Water Sustainability released the 4^th in the Beyond the Guidebook Series. Titled Synthesis Report on the Ecological Accounting Process, a BC Strategy for Community Investment in Stream Systems, it showcases collaboration in action. EAP methodology and metrics allow local governments to make a convincing financial case for annual investment in stream systems to reduce the Riparian Deficit.

DOWNLOAD A COPY OF Part A – Synopsis for the Busy Reader. It provides context for application of EAP to stream systems and water assets in nine case studies.

Part A is structured in four parts: 1) Use of EAP to establish the ‘Financial Case for the Stream System’; 2) Riparian Deficit: from Policy to Measurable Metric; 3) Historical Context for Twin Pillars Concept; and 4), Asset Management Context for EAP.

Building Blocks and Big Ideas

“What gets measured gets managed and determines whether a line item is included in a local government Asset Management Strategy,” onserved Kim Stephens, Partnership Executive Director.

“Competing priorities that local governments must constantly reconcile overshadow how one calculates a number. Yet, at the end of the day, it will be all about the number. The number must look right to be right.”

“Application of the initial EAP methodology through 9 case studies led to refinements and a key finding. Natural systems require a fundamental re-thinking of methodologies for financial valuation, especially for a system such as a stream. The financial value must refer to the physical asset and link it to the land uses that the community expects to enjoy due to the presence of the stream.”

Context is Everything

“Early in the EAP journey, it became clear that ecological economics theory does not make sense when applied to the local government setting and asset management ,” continued Tim Pringle, EAP Chair.

“Ecological economics determines general values for natural systems with emphasis on influencing policy and statistical measures. It does not drill down in a way that is helpful to local governments striving, under scrutiny, to make budget decisions.”

“To provide a relevant solution for local government, one must understand the local government context. EAP is unique because the methodology deals with the parcel. Case studies informed the research and validated the approach.”

“The late John Henneberry was following a similar path in the United Kingdom. It is more than coincidental that he qualified both as a chartered planner and as a chartered surveyor, a rare but important combination. In other words, he understood the importance of the parcel, and this was one of his areas of research.”