Bigger Pipes or Greener Communities: A Hydrological Assessment of Using Green Infrastructure Practices in British Columbia to Mitigate Future Flooding



Bowker Creek Blueprint

At a recent meeting of the Bowker Creek Initiative, Chris Jensen reported out on his post-graduate research findings at the University of Victoria. Bowker Creek served as the case study for his applied research. Bowker Creek has developed a high profile in British Columbia because of the precedent-setting nature of the Bowker Creek Blueprint: A 100-year action plan to restore the Bowker Creek Watershed.

Chris Jensen is an Infrastructure Resource Officer with BC's Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development where he is responsible for the development of tools, programs and policies that aim to improve water sustainability and community infrastructure. He is a founding member of the Bowker Creek Initiative.

“My Master’s program is the interface between what I do at the Ministry and my involvement in the community,” explains Chris Jensen. “My applied research has direct community application because I have used Bowker Creek as a case study.  My focus is on how we can reduce our hydrologic footprint as the watershed redevelops. The results could have provincial significance.”

An Introduction to Climate Change Adaptation 

"The International Panel for Climate Change predicts that the intensity of extreme rainfall events will very likely increase over most areas during the 21st century. For Victoria BC, changes in global climate patterns are expected to increase winter precipitation by an average of 10% by 2050.  To protect public safety and prevent property damage, communities may need to modify and upgrade drainage systems to accommodate the projected increases in precipitation."

"Green infrastructure practices offers a potential strategy for reducing the flood impacts of climate change. Green infrastructure relies on runoff management measures that seek to control rainwater volume at the source by reducing imperviousness and retaining, infiltrating and reusing rainwater."

The presentation by Chris Jensen discussed the methods and results of a hydrological assessment that was performed to determine if green infrastructure can effectively mitigate the increase in flooding that is predicted to occur in the Bowker Creek Watershed. The session showed how watershed hydrology is expected to be affected by changes in climate, increases in impervious areas and by the introduction of green roofs, rain gardens and top soil amendments. The research by Chris Jensen indicates that in smaller urban watersheds, green infrastructure may play an important role in climate change adaptation.

To Learn More: To download a copy of the presentation slides, click on Bigger Pipes or Greener Communities. To read a story posted previously on the Waterbucket website about the research by Chris Jensen, click on Bigger Pipes or Greener Communities: A Hydrological Assessment of using Low Impact Development to Mitigate Future Flooding

In February 2010, the Bowker Creek Forum attracted provincial attention to the precedent-setting nature of the Bowker Creek Blueprint. To access the "homepage" established on the Waterbucket website for this transformational event, click here. 

United States EPA and City of Philadelphia Sign Landmark "Green City, Clean Waters" Partnership Agreement

$US 2 Billion Agreement To Use Green Infrastructure to Manage Flows

Over the next 25 years, the Green City, Clean Waters partnership agreement will transform many of Philadelphia’s traditional hardened surfaces to green areas to better manage potentially harmful rainwater runoff pollution. In making the announcement, the signatories emphasized that this unique federal – city partnership is designed to ensure the success of the Green City, Clean Waters Plan and to present the plan as a national model for cities embracing green rainwater/stormwater infrastructure. 

“The Green City Clean Waters Plan is our proposal to revitalize our rivers and streams by managing stormwater in a way that provides multiple benefits. It will result in clean and beautiful waterways, a healthier environment and increased community value," said Mayor Michale Nutter at the time of signing the agreement.

"The assistance of our many and diverse regulatory and public partners makes it the most cost effective investment of its kind in the country. Where other cities are challenged by very expensive commitments for tunnels, tanks and other gray infrastructure, we have worked with the state and the EPA to take this greener, more fiscally prudent approach that will realize multiple benefits.”

The pact comes less than a month after New York state and New York City reached a final agreement calling for the city to invest $US187 million in the next three years in green infrastructure to control combined sewer overflows, with an estimated $2.4 billion investment over 18 years expected.

Green City Clean Waters is based upon an adaptive management approach that will identify and maximize green practices that achieve the most efficient and cost effective environmental goals for the City of Philadelphia.

TO LEARN MORE: To download a copy of the actual agreement, click on Green CIty, Clean Waters Partnership Agreement.

To read a story posted previously on the Waterbucket website, click on VIDEO: Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter presents "Green City, Clean Waters"

Vancouver Island Economic Alliance aligns efforts with CAVI --- will play a role in Inter-Regional Education Initiative

What Do We Want Vancouver Island 

to Look Like in 50 Years?

Vancouver Island is a hot-bed of progressive ideas and provincially significant initiatives. Under the umbrella of CAVI-Convening for Action on Vancouver Island, the Partnership for Water Sustainability in BC is working to bring together four regional districts to align their efforts and advance an Inter-Regional Education Initiative. The initiative supports implementation of watershed-based processes in the four regions.

"Recognizing that each region has already established its ‘vision and goals’ through a community consultation process, our emphasis is on the ‘what would it look like’ details of implementation and integration. Inter-regional collaboration will result in alignment and a consistent approach to rainwater management in a watershed sustainability context. This will help everyone to go farther, more efficiently and effectively," states Tim Pringle, Partnership President.

Working Towards a Shared Vision for Vancouver Island

Each year, the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance (VIEA) holds a State of the Island Economic Summit. In November 2010, and as an outcome of CAVI participation in the 2010 Summit, the VIEA Board adopted a 3-Year Plan which identified collaboration with CAVI as a high priority for 2011. This commitment was reaffirmed by the VIEA Board in February 2012.

VIEA recently confirmed its participation in the Inter-Regional Education Initiative, by offering its in-kind support at the upcoming State of the Island Economic Summit to be held in Nanaimo October 15 and 16, 2012. "As a collaborative partnership spearheading regional economic development for the Vancouver Island, we're thrilled to be part of such a worthwhile initiative," stated George Hanson, VIEA President.

Mr. Hanson further stated: "As a non-profit alliance society, VIEA is committed to promoting a sustainable and diversified economy for all residents of the Vancouver Island economic region. By aligning our organization with CAVI, we can play a role in building strong communities and ensure that careful stewardship of our natural resources is preserved."

In October 2011, VIEA and the Partnership collaborated to hold the “CAVI Forum within the Summit”. That event showcased how one region – the Comox Valley – is tackling the unfunded ‘infrastructure liability’ confronting all local governments. The Comox Valley regional team approach in the north and the Bowker Creek Blueprint (Capital Region) in the south are lynchpins for the Inter-Regional Education Initiative.

TO LEARN MORE: The focus is on actions related to land use and watershed health on Vancouver Island. To learn more, click on Mission Possible: CAVI and VIEA Champion a 50-Year Vision for VancouverIsland.

What is VIEA: The Vancouver Island Economic Alliance (VIEA) is a collaborative partnership spearheading regional economic development for the Vancouver Island region. VIEA provides opportunities for communities, First Nations, businesses, and other key stakeholders to collaborate on broad-based economic development programs to improve the region’s overall capacity for economic vitality. This regional alliance embraces all of Vancouver Island from Victoria to Port Hardy as well as the Northern and Southern Gulf Islands. VIEA is a non-government, non-profit society.

E-Blast #2012-14

April 11, 2012

VANCOUVER ISLAND: Inter-Regional Education Initiative launched at Cowichan Water Balance Forum

Sustainable Rainwater Management: 

What Does It Look Like? 

Vancouver Island is a hot-bed of progressive ideas and provincially significant initiatives. Regional districts and their partner municipalities are advancing watershed-based strategies and programs that integrate the site with the watershed and stream. These initiatives all recognize the importance of fostering a land ethic that respects water. 

Convening for Action in the Cowichan Valley

In 2008, the Cowichan Valley was the first demonstration region for the initial rollout of Living Water Smart. In October 2008, for example, the Cowichan Valley regional team hosted the inaugural Vancouver Island Water Balance Model Forum.

In March 2012, the Cowichan Valley regional team hosted a Water Balance Forum and the Partnership for Water Sustainability formally launched the Vancouver Island Inter-Regional Education Initiative. The Cowichan Valley regional team comprises five local governments, the Cowichan Tribes, and the Cowichan Watershed Board.

“Through collaboration and alignment of efforts, our goal is to ensure a consistent approach to rainwater management on Vancouver Island, one that mimics the water balance,” reports Nagi Rizk, Municipal Engineer with the Town of Lake Cowichan. When he delivered the closing remarks at the Forum, he said:

“It is a great honor for me to be part of the Cowichan Valley team. I am glad so many have travelled from so many places to be here today. In this room alone there is a lot of talent; and to reinforce what Blake Medlar of the Ministry of Environment observed, by working together we can make a difference…not just on the Island but also throughout the Province, across the country, and south of the border.”

“I am going to be around for at least another ten years; and am excited to think about the future and the great progress we can achieve together in the coming years,” concluded Nagi Rizk.

TO LEARN MORE: Held at the Cowichan campus of Vancouver Island University, the Water Balance Forum attracted representatives from 29 organizations, including the City of Calgary. The Inter-Regional Education Initiative is bringing together local governments from four regions on the east coast of Vancouver Island: Capital Region, Cowichan Valley, Nanaimo Region and Comox Valley. 

"The Cowichan Forum provided us with a teachable moment to focus our local government colleagues on what it means in practice to mimic the Water Balance," reports Kim Stephens, Partnership Executive Director. "A critical take-away message was the need for everyone to shine their spotlights on the Water Balance Methodology. This is the priority. The Water Balance Model is simply the means to achieve an outcome."

To learn more about the knowledge-sharing that took place at this event, click on Vancouver Island Inter-Regional Education Initiative launched at Cowichan Forum on Sustainable Rainwater Management.

To read a story previously posted on the Waterbucket website, click on Sustainable Rainwater Management on Vancouver Island: What Does It Look Like?

E-Blast #2012-13

April 3, 2012

NEW GUIDE: Development Permit Areas for Climate Action in British Columbia

Achieve Broader Rainwater Management Goals 

In 2008, the Province of BC amended the Local Government Act to include three Development Permit Area (DPA) purposes for climate action. This amendment established objectives to promote energy conservation, water conservation, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction.

To support the legislative changes, the Province has developed a guidance document: Development Permit Areas for Climate Action: A Guide for Energy Conservation, Water Conservation and GHG Emissions Reduction.The Guide:

• describes the legislative authority for DPAs for climate action;
• identifies considerations for local governments that are undertaking a DPA for climate action; 
• presents examples of DPA strategies for energy conservation, water conservation and GHG reduction; and,
• highlights local government examples of DPAs for climate action and related initiatives.    

The Guide was developed by Ministry staff and reviewed by key stakeholders, including: local government planning staff; landscape architects; the Urban Development Institute; the Canadian Homebuilders Association; BC Hydro and other relevant government agencies.

Make Strategic Choices: The Guide was created to help local governments make strategic choices about how to effectively use DPAs for climate action and to help achieve their GHG emission reduction targets. The Guide references both Stormwater Planning: A Guidebook for BC; and the Water Balance Model for BC.

“The Water Balance Model is one tool that can assist in designing developments that minimize change to natural hydrologic conditions. The tool helps makes decisions about how best to manage rainwater runoff,” states the Guide.

“Combining an environmental protection DPA with a climate action DPA can achieve broader rainwater management goals. A water conservation DPA might include strategies that reduce the demand for potable water (for example, low water use landscaping), and support on-site rainwater infiltration and rainwater capture for re-use,” adds the Guide in providing an example of proposed application.

TO LEARN MORE: To download a copy of the Guide, click here. And to read a story posted previously about the Water Balance Model, click on British Columbia Partnership announces that rebuilt “Water Balance Model” is now LIVE!

E-Blast #2012-12

March 27, 2012

Comox Valley Regional Board endorses Vancouver Island Inter-Regional Education Initiative

Rainwater Management in a 

Watershed Sustainability Context 

Vancouver Island is a hot-bed of progressive ideas and provincially significant initiatives. Regional districts and their partner municipalities are advancing watershed-based strategies and programs that integrate the site with the watershed and stream. These initiatives all recognize the importance of fostering a land ethic that respects water.

The Comox Valley Regional District board, representing four local governments, was the first region to formally endorse participation in an Inter-Regional Education Initiative. Organized under the umbrella of CAVI-Convening for Action on Vancouver Island, this inter-regional program is aligned with regional priorities and workloads. It is linking activities so that everyone can share experiences and benefit from lessons learned.

"The Comox Valley is a provincial demonstration region for a ‘regional team approach’. Everyone needs to agree on expectations and how all the players will work together. After that, each community can reach its goals in its own way," states Tim Pringle, President of the Partnership for Water Sustainability in BC. The Partnership is leading the Inter-Regional Education Initiative.

"BC's enabling philosophy has become a driver for a regional team approach to implementing a new culture for urban watershed protection and restoration in BC. We are seeing that the term 'regional team approach' is resonating. Insertion of the word team in 'regional approach' has had a profound impact on how practitioners view their world."

Convening for Action on Vancouver Island

In August 2011, the Comox Valley Regional Board passed a series of resolutions pertaining to an integrated watershed approach to rainwater management. These resolutions highlighted the need for province-wide action related to how drainage is regulated by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. These common interests provided the Partnership with the opportunity to bring together four Vancouver Island regions.

“Inter-regional sharing, collaboration, alignment and consistency will accelerate effective implementation of watershed protection objectives within each regional district. The regions are linked by common interests, but are not dependent on each other,” states Comox Valley Board Chair Edwin Grieve. 

“This important initiative will help assist the regional district as we move forward and address rainwater management issues in the Comox Valley. It also aligns with our Board strategic priority to develop a rainwater strategy.” 

  

 

2012 Program 

On March 28, the Cowichan Valley Regional District will host a forum on Sustainable Rainwater Management on Vancouver Island: What Does It Look Like? 

 

“The Forum is the kick-off for the Inter-Regional Education Initiative to be implemented in four regions over several years. Sharing of experiences, collaboration, alignment and a consistent approach on Vancouver Island will allow everyone to go farther, more efficiently and effectively," states Kate Miller, Chair of the Cowichan Valley Regional Team. Kate is Manager of the Regional Environmental Policy Division in the Regional District.

“Five local governments comprising the Cowichan Valley Regional Team will report out on how each has progressed since 2008. Our emphasis will be on “targets and criteria”, lessons learned, and practices necessary to protect stream health. Regulatory agencies and other local governments will also be sharing their insights at the WBM Forum.”

For registration information, click on http://www.civicinfo.bc.ca/event/WBMForum.asp. To download an AGENDA PREVIEW, click here.

To read a story previously posted on the Water Bucket website, click on Sustainable Rainwater Management on Vancouver Island: What Does It Look Like?

E-Blast #2012-11

March 20, 2012

Water Bucket Website hosts "homepage" for 2012 Cowichan Valley Forum on Sustainable Rainwater Management

Inter-Regional Education Initiative 
on Vancouver Island

On March 28, the Cowichan Valley is the host region for the 2nd Vancouver Island Water Balance Model Forum. To help tell the story of this event, and  connect the dots to the inaugural 2008 Forum, a homepage has been established on the Water Bucket website.

“The Forum is the kick-off for an Inter-Regional Education Initiative on Vancouver Island to be implemented in four regions over several years. Sharing of experiences, collaboration, alignment and a consistent approach on Vancouver Island will allow everyone to go farther, more efficiently and effectively," reports Kate Miller of the Cowichan Valley Regional District. Kate is Manager of the Regional Environmental Policy Division. She is also Chair of the Cowichan Valley Regional Team comprising five local governments, the Cowichan Tribes, and the Cowichan Watershed Board.

"The Water Bucket team is working with the Cowichan Valley Regional Team to help them capture their key messages about the 2012 Forum on Sustainable Rainwater Management in a conversational way,"  states Mike Tanner, Chair of the Water Bucket Website Partnership. "The Water Bucket provides a tangible way to record history as it is being created by those who are convening for action in British Columbia."

TO LEARN MORE: To access the Forum page, click here.