Convening for Action in Metro Vancouver to Green the Urban Landscape and Protect Watershed Health

ISMP Course Correction

The genesis for ISMPs (Integrated Stormwater Management Plans) was a desire to integrate the community, engineering, planning and environmental perspectives. In 2001, Metro Vancouver's member municipalities recognized the benefits of this approach and made a legal commitment to the Province to have ISMPs in place by 2014 for their watersheds.

Unintended Consequences: Within a few years, however, it was evident to many in local government that the way ISMPs were being developed was resulting in unintended consequences, that is: 

• ISMPs were identifying extensive and costly drainage system upgrades;
• proposed multi-million dollar capital plans were not affordable; and
• municipalities were faced with an unfunded ‘infrastructure liability’.    

In February 2011, the Partnership for Water Sustainability in British Columbia released Integrated Rainwater Management Planning: Summary Report for ISMP Course Correction Series. This guidance document is intended to help municipalities do business differently so that they can protect and/or restore watershed health. 

Achieve More With Less: The Partnership's vision is that an ISMP Course Correction will help municipalities achieve more with less, and reduce their infrastructure liability. During the period March  through June, the Partnership released a series of articles that build on this theme:

1. Water Balance Model Partners Forum will showcase vision for ‘WBM Express for Homeowners’
2. Water Balance Model Partners are charter members of the ‘Partnership for Water Sustainability in British Columbia’
3. Community of Users Inform Platform Conversion for Water Balance Model
4. Integrated Rainwater Management: Municipalities Can Achieve More With Less
5. “ISMP Course Correction” will help Metro Vancouver municipalities fulfil regulatory commitments and “achieve more with less”
6. Partnership announces that Water Balance Model “Version 2.1” will go live in Fall 2011
7. "ISMP Course Correction" aligns with Metro Vancouver's proposed Ecological Health Plan
8. Partnership Releases Rollout Plan for Re-Built Water Balance Model
9. BC Environment Minister Strengthens Metro Vancouver's Visionary Plan for Managing Rainwater Resources

An ISMP that is truly integrated would provide a clear picture of how local governments can apply land use planning tools to create a future watershed condition desired by all.

"Choosing a Green Infrastructure Framework? Consider Light Imprint", says Thomas Low

Light Imprint for Traditional Neighbourhood Development

"Light Imprint is an intrinsically green design strategy, producing a compact, connected design that respects nature and site terrain. It recognizes the importance of public civic spaces and connectivity. This approach developed from a need to coordinate engineering concerns with traditional neighborhood design principles," write Thomas Low and his four co-authors in an article published in the March-April 2011 issue of Stormwater Magazine.

LAYING LIGHTLY ON THE LAND: "The term Light Imprint basically means ‘laying lightly on the land.’ And that’s where the name came from, it’s just thinking that way. Respecting the natural drainage and topography in a way that actually makes more sense," Low  explained in a recent radio interview.

"People think well that sounds like it’s more expensive. But we’re finding out is, that because we’re actually using less land, we’re actually connecting things in a better way, we’re actually figuring out that it’s actually less expensive to do, and it’s better for the environment, and a growing number of people really want to live in places like this. So it’s really a win-win-win opportunity."

THE BENEFITS OF 'LIGHT IMPRINT": "The success of Light Imprint can be measured in studies of stormwater runoff quality, quantity discharge volume rates, and percolation rates that promote aquifer recharge. Studies have found measurable positive progress in all these categories with the use of Light Imprint," the authors state in Stormwater Magazine.

"It will take time for Light Imprint to become the norm rather than the exception. Designers and developers may not be able to implement all Light Imprint elements right away, but they could implement them in incremental stages as certain components are approved. Because of the pace of development and the need for projects to succeed, it is especially important to plan for incremental implementation," conclude the authors."

LEARN MORE: To read the complete article as published in Stormwater Magazine, click on Choosing a Green Infrastructure Framework? Consider Light Imprint. Also, click on Light Imprint Handbook Integrates Sustainable Green Infrastructure and Community Design to read a story posted on the Water Bucket website.

Qualicum Beach hosts 2011 Saving Small Towns Conference and Workshops

A Workshop on 'Sustainable Service Delivery' will be of interest to Local Governments 

The Saving Small Towns Conference is a two-day event with concurrent streams of presentations covering the economic, environmental and social aspects of what makes small communities special; and what continues to threaten them.

“2011 will mark the fifth Saving Small Towns Conference and, as in the past, this event will continue to bring new and relevant issues to the floor for understanding, discussion and debate,” states Mac Fraser, Chief Administrative Officer of the Powell River Regional District, and conference founder. Mac Fraser was also a founding member of the CAVI Leadership Team.

“The conference will be followed by a day of workshops. Of particular relevance to local government is one featuring the Province’s Glen Brown. His session will be about Sustainable Service Delivery.”

To learn more, click on Qualicum Beach hosts 2011 Saving Small Towns Conference and Workshops on June 23-24-25 to read a supporting story posted on the Water Bucket website.

News Release #2011-27

June 9, 2011

Comox Valley Local Governments Showcase “A Regional Response to Infrastructure Liability”

Just go to the WaterBucket website to preview the Seminar #3 program

The initial capital cost of infrastructure is about 20% of the life-cycle cost; the other 80% largely represents a future unfunded liability. Through a program of professional development, the regional district and three municipalities are aligning efforts and striving for a consistent Comox Valley regional approach to Sustainable Service Delivery.

The theme for the third in the 2011 Comox Valley Seminar Series is risk management. The spotlight is on flooding and floodplain issues. A unifying theme is alignment of efforts at a watershed scale. To preview what participants will learn about on June 30, click on the links below:

1. Comox Valley Local Governments Showcase A Regional Response to Infrastructure Liability on June 30 
2. Sustainable Service Delivery: Comox Valley Regional Team Identifies Key Objectives for Holistic Approach 
3. Sustainable Service Delivery in the Comox Valley: Joint Report on a Regional Response to Infrastructure Liability 
4. Cowichan River Integrated Flood Management Plan: How One Community is Adapting 
5. Restoration Vision for Tsolum River: A Self-Sustaining System 
6. "Tsolum River restoration story is all about sharing a vision and mutual respect," observes CAVI's Eric Bonham 
7. City of Courtenay and Comox Valley Regional District partner with TimberWest to study Tsolum River flooding

"Showcasing of the Lower Cowichan River integrated plan for flood management creates an opportunity for inter-valley sharing because we in the Comox Valley can learn from the recent experience of our peers in the Cowichan Valley," states Glenn Westendorp, Public Works Superintendent with the Town of Comox. He is Chair of the 2011 Seminar Series.

To access the Seminar #3 “homepage”, click here.

Comox Valley Update #2011-10

June 8, 2011

Province approves Metro Vancouver’s visionary plan for Integrated Liquid Waste & Resource Management

Requirement for On-Site Rainwater Management is Regulatory Driver for Water Balance Model

Two years in the making, the Integrated Liquid Waste & Resource Management Plan establishes the framework for moving beyond regulatory compliance to transitioning Metro Vancouver to an approach that achieves the Sustainable Region Vision.

“The region’s integrated plan provides municipalities with clear direction for implementing green infrastructure – for example, Action #1.1.20 commits us to updating our bylaws to require on-site rainwater management. By achieving a lighter water footprint, we can protect stream health; and we can adapt to climate change,” reports the District of North Vancouver’s Richard Boase. He is Co-Chair of the Water Balance Model Partnership.

Richard Boase, WBM Co-Chair

“Action #1.1.20 is now the regulatory driver for the Water Balance Model. So, it is timely that Version 2.0 is currently in beta-testing mode. We will go live in a matter of weeks. This scenario comparison tool is used to assess the effectiveness of green infrastructure.”

To learn more, first click on Province approves Metro Vancouver's visionary plan and then click on Rollout Plan for Re-built Water Balance Model to read two supporting stories posted on the Water Bucket website.

Advisory Role of the Reference Panel: Appointed by the Metro Vancouver Board in April 2008, the advisory Liquid Waste Management Plan Reference Panel played a key role in informing and educating members of the Board through interaction with two regional committees. The Reference Panel produced A Recommended Policy Framework for Liquid Resource Management in Metro Vancouver.

News Release #2011-26

June 7, 2011

Light Imprint Handbook Integrates Sustainable Green Infrastructure and Community Design

A Recognized Rainwater Mitigation Practice

Light Imprint is a design methodology that combines ecologically sensitive rainwater management techniques with community design principles. The Light Imprint tool set is used at the regional, neighbourhood, and block scale.

"The basic premise is to recover and maintain the pre-development natural hydrology of the site when land is developed or redeveloped,” states Thomas Low, author of the Light Imprint Handbook and a partner in the firm of Miami-based Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company, Architects and Town Planners.

“Established in 2006, the Light Imprint methodology has become a recognized rainwater mitigation practice.  Recent advancements showing great promise for the Light Imprint methodology include design and development approaches with increased cost savings and compelling engineering metrics."

"Light Imprint green infrastructure is compatible with urban design that emphasizes compact, mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented design, and environmental efficiency. It is designed to reduce community infrastructure costs.".
 

To learn more about the Light Imprint Handbook, click here to read a story posted on the Water Bucket website.

News Release #2011-25

May 31, 2011

”Watersheds Are Not All Created Equal,” states Will Marsh at Seminar #2 in the 2011 Comox Valley Learning Lunch Series

Source: Basins of Relations: A Citizen's Guide toProtecting and Restoring Our Watersheds

Comox Valley Local Governments Showcase “A Regional Response to Infrastructure Liability”

In April, Seminar #1 in the 2011 Comox Valley Learning Lunch Series painted a picture of the ‘legacy liability’ of existing hard infrastructure (i.e. roads and pipes). On May 19, Seminar #2 dealt with green infrastructure and ‘sustainable urban drainage’. On June 23, Seminar #3 will focus on floodplain and flooding issues.

Will Marsh, author of the classic textbook Landscape Planning: Environmental Applications, introduced the natural science perspective during the town-hall sharing and learning at Seminar #2.

"We need to understand the sub-systems that are in play between the time that rainfall is received at the top of the tree canopy and the time that it actually gets to the stream as streamflow or other kinds of releases. THAT’S THE KEY TO THE WHOLE SYSTEMS APPROACH. If we unlock that key, if we can just begin to get a handle on that, then we can then begin to put in place the appropriate kinds of measures (to protect watershed health),” stated Will Marsh.

To learn more, click on "Watersheds are not all created equal," states Will Marsh at the second in the 2011 Comox Valley Seminar Series and read the complete story posted on the Water Bucket website. 

THINKING LIKE A WATERSHED: Conservation Hydrology is an applied science being pioneered by the Occidental Arts and Ecology Center in Northern California. It emphasizes the need in many areas for human development designs to move from drainage to retainage. To learn more, click here.

Comox Valley Update #2011-07

May 26, 2011