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“The new paradigm is to think of watersheds as infrastructure assets. As local government, that is your primary function to think about those meat and potato services such as water systems, sewage systems and road systems. Where we are at now is to also think of watersheds as assets. As an asset, this means being managed, being protected. And so, the key thought is that a watershed is an integrated system,” explained Kim Stephens.

“The Cowichan Basin Water Management Plan was developed through a uniquely inclusive consultative process; and provides an umbrella for aligning community development practices policies with emerging practices. The CAVI program can help the Cowichan Valley Regional District and member municipalities add depth to three areas of the Water Management Plan,” stated Tom Anderson, General Manager of the Planning Division, in 2007.

“The Inter-Regional Education Initiative is a unique format for Georgia Basin local governments to learn from each other by sharing approaches and successes in managing our water resources,” stated Brian Carruthers, CVRD Chief Administrative Officer, in April 2015 when the CVRD reaffirmed its commitment to collaboration and to participation in the next phase of IREI program implementation through 2017.

Floods and droughts have heightened awareness in the Cowichan region of the need to look at rainfall differently and ‘design with nature’. “We are increasingly advising development applicants that they need to manage rainwater runoff where it falls. Until now we have not had an appropriate way to assess their proposed solutions. The Water Balance Model is a great way to do this,” stated Rob Conway at the conclusion of the 2008 Water Balance Forum.

“Within the Cowichan Valley Regional District, there are five local government jurisdictions; and the same group of developers and development consultants have projects in all or most of those jurisdictions. It therefore becomes essential that developers and their consultants hear a consistent message regarding rainwater management and green infrastructure expectations when doing business at the front counters in each of those jurisdictions,” stated Peter Nilsen, former Deputy Engineer, North Cowichan.

Cowichan is a provincial demonstration region for applying the Water Balance Methodology. In April 2014, Ladysmith Mayor Rob Hutchins moved the motion that: “the Water Balance Web Tool and supporting documents be shared with the CVRD and partner municipal planning staff; and further, that planning staff consider integrating the tool into the planning framework to support watershed management objectives at the Official Community Plan level and Development Permit level.”

The Cowichan Valley Regional District has developed a ‘rainwater brochure’ to educate the community about Water Balance concepts, and support use of the WBM Express. “Our community is deeply committed to watershed management and stewardship. However, often they are missing the specific tools and information to transform that commitment to concrete actions they can take in their own lives,” stated Kate Miller

“Currently, over 60 distinct organizations – including First Nations, improvement districts, government agencies, NGOs, and industry – play a role in the governance, management, and stewardship of water resources in the Cowichan. Coordination between these organizations is key as we face the pressures of climate change and population growth on our water resources,” says Keith Lawrence.

“The summer dry season has extended on both ends and we can no longer count on a predictable snowpack and reliable rain to keep our watersheds healthy,” stated Jon Lefebure, CVRD Board Chair and Mayor, District of North Cowichan. “Our region and each of us individually needs to adopt new ‘water smart’ management practices. NewNormalCowichan.ca’s main message is that we all have a part to play in establishing a culture of water conservation.”

“We truly have a rich basis in which to begin the process of stepping back, learning and reflecting on our next steps,” wrote Kate Miller. “As we look out into the future in a changing environment – our new normal – this richness and the depth of community participation can only help our region’s future resiliency…..at the end of the day we need to have everybody at the table.”