Do You Wonder How Lower Mainland Local Governments Will Use On-Site Rainwater Management to Address Regulatory Requirements?

The 'Course on the ISMP Course Correction' Will Showcase Tools and Case Study Experience to Help Restore Watershed Health

The commitments by Metro Vancouver and member municipalities to develop ISMPs (Integrated Stormwater Management Plans) and implement on-site rainwater management are spelled out in the region’s Integrated Liquid Waste & Resource Management Plan. To help local governments fulfil their regulatory commitments, the City of Surrey is hosting a 2-day Course on the ISMP Course Correction on November 9-10..

“The purpose of the course is to have both local governments and consultants get together to discuss ISMPs and learn about the various ways they can be delivered. Many local governments are struggling with having these done in a fashion that is meaningful for their community – hopefully, the course will open up ideas,” states Carrie Baron, Surrey’s Drainage and Environment Manager.

“The course is intended to assist local governments, other Ministries and consultants delivering the ISMPs to understand options available. Local governments in the Metro Vancouver region are required to have ISMPs completed for all their watersheds by 2014, with possible extension to 2016.  Many have not started any yet, but will be shortly.  Others have done some, but still have questions in terms of delivery and outcomes.”

“So far 17 different local governments have signed up to attend this workshop-type course.  This could be an opportunity. The 2-day course will benefit all those who are involved in land use planning, infrastructure development and municipal infrastructure. We will show how to integrate the site with the watershed and the stream," concludes Carrie Baron.

 

LAST WEEK TO REGISTER: Click on http://www.civicinfo.bc.ca/event/ISMPCourseCorrection.asp Registrations close Friday, November 4.

TO LEARN MORE: To access the ISMP Course Correction 'homepage' on the Water Bucket website and learn more about the program design, click here.  

In the late 1990s, the genesis for ISMPs was a desire by local governments to integrate the community, engineering, planning and environmental perspectives. Lessons learned by those who have developed watershed-based plans can help those who are about to embark on an ISMP process. Focus on values and actions. Keep it simple. Find a starting point that is intuitive to everyone. Ensure actions are practical and easy to implement.

"The City of Surrey, Bowker Creek Initiative and District of North Vancouver stand out because of their sustained commitment to outcome-oriented approaches: Establish the vision, set the target, and then implement," observes Corino Salomi of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). He is Area Manager, Oceans, Habitat & Enhancement Branch, Lower Fraser Area.

 

To fill a professional development need, the Partnership for Water Sustainability has developed a 2-day course titled ISMP Course Correction: Achieve More with Less. Peer-based learning will be provided by an inter-governmental team. Lead members of the ISMP Course Correction Team are Carrie Baron (City of Surrey), Richard Boase (District of North Vancouver) and Jody Watson  (Capital Regional District). 

The teaching team also includes John McMahon (District of West Vancouver), Glen Brown (Province of BC), Jim Dumont (Water Balance Model Partnership) and Kim Stephens (Partnership for Water Sustainability).

E-Blast #2011-58

November 3, 2011