Stormwater Magazine publishes "Green Infrastructure and Community Design Series"
“The series seeks to shed light on the project of building community and the relationship between that task and rainwater/stormwater management. The first article in the series (by Martin Dreiling) offered a general framework for the issues we find relevant to that task,” states Janice Kasperson.
Rainwater Management in a Watershed Context – What's the Goal?
Stormwater Magazine – Nov/Dec 2011 issue – cover (475p)
The article by Kim Stephens and Jim Dumont is a thoughtful review of the divergent goals of rainwater management in the US and Canada written from a British Columbia perspective.
Vision for "Water Balance Model Express" introduced to elected representatives in Metro Vancouver
“The ‘missing link’ has been the single family detached dwelling. Yet, the ultimate audience goes well beyond homeowners. The WBM Express is a vehicle to connect with builders, developers, consultants, real estate agents and students/educators,” stated Kim Stephens.
“ISMP Course Correction” will help Metro Vancouver municipalities fulfil regulatory commitments and “achieve more with less”
“By 2014, municipalities will be required to develop and implement integrated stormwater management plans (ISMPs) at the watershed scale that integrate with land use to manage rainwater runoff,” states Kim Stephens.
Rainwater Management in a Watershed Context – What’s the Goal? (published in Stormwater Magazine, 2011) – “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,” stated Jim Dumont, Engineering Applications Authority with the Partnership for Water Sustainability in BC
“The critical issue in British Columbia is the damage and loss of habitat caused by development and erosion of the headwater streams. The focus is in direct response to Canada’s Fisheries Act that prohibits damage of fish habitat.”,” stated Jim Dumont. “The United States EPA, on the other hand, has focussed upon water quality in the main stems and coastal waters and seeks to restore the resources of those waters through the goals and objectives of the Clean Water Act.”
Water Balance Model Partnership recognizes contribution of Nirmal Bhattacharya (District of Central Saanich)
The Surface Water Management Bylaw adopted by the District of Central Saanich in 2010 was the source of inspiration for the WBM Express. According to Nirmal Bhattacharya, the Bylaw provides the means to restore the water balance when properties redevelop.
REPORT FROM STORMCON 2011: "Changing the Rules: How Will New Stormwater Regulations Affect Municipal Programs in the United States"
“The overall buzz of the conference was that the stormwater industry is changing. And as one of the panelists stated, this change needs to move towards MBP, that is, ‘more benign planning’ ….instead of more BMPs or ‘best management practices’,” reports Thomas Low.
"Understand How Water Reaches the Stream and Design for Interflow", urges Department of Fisheries and Oceans
“Interflow is often the dominant drainage path in glaciated landscapes of British Columbia. Even undeveloped sites founded on till and bedrock rarely show overland flow because of interflow pathways. The lesson is that the interflow system is an incredibly important and yet fragile component of a watershed. It is critical for maintaining stream health and our fishery resource,” states Al Jonsson of DFO.
DESIGN WITH NATURE: "Understand How Water Reaches the Stream and Design for Interflow", urges Department of Fisheries and Oceans
“Interflow is often the dominant drainage path in glaciated landscapes of British Columbia. Even undeveloped sites founded on till and bedrock rarely show overland flow because of interflow pathways. The lesson is that the interflow system is an incredibly important and yet fragile component of a watershed. It is critical for maintaining stream health and our fishery resource,” states Al Jonsson of DFO.
A Science-Based Road Map for Integrated Rainwater Management
“The pioneering work of Richard Horner and Chris May provided a science-based understanding of the importance of ‘changes in hydrology’. The stream health findings by Horner and May gave us a springboard to reinvent urban hydrology. Their work yielded guiding principles that are standing the test of time,” states Peter Law.