Water-Centric Planning

LIVING WATER SMART IN BRITISH COLUMBIA: “In 1999, the majority of streams in Metro Vancouver were in the FAIR and POOR categories. When we illustrated this finding on a map, Board members agreed that things had to change. The takeaway message was things will get worse if we do not change our ways,” stated Robert Hicks, career engineer-planner in local government

Note to Reader:

Published by the Partnership for Water Sustainability in British Columbia, Waterbucket eNews celebrates the leadership of individuals and organizations who are guided by the Living Water Smart vision. The edition published on November 5, 2024 features Tim Pringle and Robert Hicks in a 4-part storyline that describes a path forward for reducing financial risk by protecting stream function in the urban setting. Tim Pringle’s methodology for the Ecological Accounting Process (EAP) closes the loop on applied research spearheaded by Robert Hicks in the late 1990s to develop the Riparian Forestry Integrity (RFI) index.

EDITOR’S PERSPECTIVE / CONTEXT FOR BUSY READER

“In the late 1990s, Metro Vancouver was ahead of its time and on the leading edge when the Stormwater Management Technical Advisory Task Group developed the Riparian Forest Integrity (RFI) versus total impervious area index as a measure of stream health,” stated Kim Stephens, Waterbucket eNews Editor and Partnership Executive Director.

EAP comes full circle to close the loop on RFI

In the 1990s, however, there was no mechanism or metric to make RFI actionable other than through the “streams and trees” component of the first Liquid Waste Management Plan. But the region was not ready for implementation of the RFI concept.

The story behind the story is structured in four parts. The book-end parts feature a contemporary perspective by Tim Pringle about the history of streamside regulation and the vision for deploying EAP as a predictive tool, respectively.

In between, Robert Hicks provides an historical perspective on why an interagency task group developed the relationship between RFI and total impervious area and the issues of concern that this addressed. In the decades since, the situation has not improved.

Lessons from the past inform the future

Last week, I contributed to a special 3-hour workshop meeting of the Metro Vancouver Liquid Waste Committee. This group of elected leaders is tasked with responsibility for shepherding the region’s Liquid Waste Management Plan. My purpose was to provide historical context at a high level for the “streams and trees” component of the plan.

Thus, my presentation was titled Lessons from the Past Inform the Future. Once per decade, I explained, there is an opportunity to “look back to see ahead”. The flooding impacts of the atmospheric river on Election Day (October 19th) have created a timely teachable moment for making the case for doing business differently. This means designing with nature, I emphasized.

For three decades, we have known what we must do to protect people, property and habitat. So, why are streams still degrading? Why has our region fallen behind Washington State, California and Oregon? What are the RISKS and COSTS when we FAIL to get it right?

I concluded my presentation on a note of optimism. Experience in the 2000s demonstrates the benefits and impact when the Metro Vancouver Regional District has a budget plus plays a leadership role in facilitating a regional team approach to ensuring livable communities while protecting people, property and habitat.

To Learn More:

To read the complete story, download a copy Living Water Smart in British Columbia: Land planning perspective for liability reduction along streams.

DOWNLOAD A COPY: https://waterbucket.ca/wcp/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/10/PWSBC_Living-Water-Smart_Tim-Pringle_risk-reduction-along-streams_2024.pdf