Category:

“In 2005, we said that the Guidebook would be the ‘telling of the stories’ of how change is being implemented on-the-ground in BC. Before the chapters could be written, however, the regional case studies had to run their course,” stated Glen Brown. “Well, it is five years later, and this s the story of how we got to here and where we are going next.”

The UBCM convention was held in Whistler, venue for the 2010 Winter Olympics. Hence, the theme was Forging Gold Medal Standards. “The spirit of collaboration and new found bonds that we have fostered in 2010 are undeniably valuable. But without action, we cannot move our communities forward. This convention offers an opportunity to take our goals, and forge them into tangible outcomes and continue to build gold medal standard communities,” stated Harry Nyce, UBCM President.

“The intention is to learn with and from each other about what we can do to advance community-based efforts in creating a conservation culture in BC and achieving an environmentally sustainable future,” stated Pia Nagpal. “To achieve an environmentally-sustainable future with adequately functioning natural systems will require the involvement and commitment of all citizens.”

“We get to make our own choices. We get to make our own future. We just have to have the vision to imagine, and the tenacity to pursue it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it,” stated Premier Gordon Campbell.

“We spent the last half a century trying to control runoff with dikes, storm sewers, curbs and gutters. Now, increased development and increased storm intensity from climate change are increasing peak flows and altering the rules of the game,” states Anna Warwick Sears. “We can’t engineer away our problems fast enough, and have to look at other, lower impact solutions.”

The ‘Dialogue in Nanaimo’ provided a high profile opportunity to announce release of Beyond the Guidebook 2010. “There is now clear guidance for aligning local actions with provincial and regional goals to ‘design with nature’ so that British Columbians can create greener communities, live water smart and prepare for climate change,” stated John Finnie. “We believe that BC is now at a tipping point. Implementation of a new culture for urban watershed protection and restoration is within our grasp.”

“The overall approach described in this report is based on ‘designing with nature’. Municipalities have extensive and specific tools under the Community Charter to manage rainfall events within the part of the watershed that falls within their boundaries; regional districts that have established a drainage service also have jurisdiction,” wrote Deborah Carlson. “The next challenge is to ensure that plans are effective in restoring the health of our urban watersheds.”

“Most people really want to do their part to improve the environment but generally are at a loss for how to proceed. The Guidebook provides a simple and easy-to-grasp road map…….we can accomplish much if we adopt some of the splendid suggestions regarding urban watershed protection in the Guidebook, both in terms of specific projects or improvements that are easy to implement,” states Dr. Bernard Bauer.

“The Ministry celebrates the Partnership’s latest success in bringing together four regional districts through an Inter-Regional Education Initiative,” stated Cairine MacDonald. “The Ministry looks forward to aligning efforts with the Partnership to further advance implementation of the ‘Beyond the Guidebook’ initiative. Collaboration across regional districts is the pathway to a consistent approach to water sustainability and green infrastructure policies and practices.”

“There are a lot of times when we in local government like to blame or put on senior governments the responsibility to provide the framework for doing something…but there are things that we in local government can do. We need to choose to be enabled,” stated Ray Fung. “So, what we mean by shared responsibility is that everyone has a role, and everyone can act…. all levels of government, developers, regulators, bureaucrats, consultants, planners, engineers.”