For more information on programs in this region, contact:
Regional Manager: Marion Robinson
Telephone: 604-826-1661
Email: mrobinson@fraserbasin.bc.ca
- Former Mayor Sylvia Pranger, District of Kent
Agassiz Farmers' Market
In 2004 the Fraser Basin Council partnered with the District of Kent Agriculture
Advisory Committee to undertake the Kent Small Lot Agriculture Land Use Survey.
The Survey looked at current and possible future land use primarily on small-scale
acreages in the District of Kent (Agassiz and Harrison Mills).
Besides gathering some useful information about land use in the area, the Survey acted as a catalyst for small-scale agricultural landowners and others in the community to think about value-added and diversification opportunities for many of the properties. That in turn led to a community request to help these same landowners, many with products or product ideas to identify and capture markets and to enhance their marketability.
As strengthening agriculture is synonymous with strengthening communities in the District of Kent, the Fraser Basin Council assisted the community to access funding and has facilitated two projects for the area.
Spotlight on Kent Small Scale Agriculture, with funding from the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC, Small Lot Agriculture fund administered by the Fraser Valley Farm Direct Marketing Association has been working on developing sustainable business clusters and adding marketing capacity to the small-scale producers. The Enhance Markets for Small Scale Agriculture in Kent project funded by Western Economic Diversification Canada, assisted with identifying markets including five star restaurants like Raincity Grill and Nu in Vancouver, the Ramada Inn and Conference Centre and Medazona Restaurant in Abbotsford. This project spawned the Agassiz Producer’s Group, an ad hoc gathering of the small-scale producers who have increasingly worked together to service the new customers and have been soliciting additional business and new local products.
Through all of this work interest quickly grew in the concept of a new Farmers’ Market for Agassiz. The Farmer’s Market question had been circulating for some time. The area had a successful Farmers’ Market in the early 90’s. With the five-fold increase in the number of Farmers’ Market in British Columbia since 2000, the timing seemed right.
And so the project coordinator undertook several one-on-one interviews with community stakeholders, facilitate two well-attended and very positive workshops and researched Farmers’ Markets in BC and around North America.
The result of that work is the formation of a community steering committee and this Business Plan for a Farmers’ Market in the area.
Download the Agassiz
Farmers' Market Business Plan 
530KB
Business Environmental Pledge Programme (BEPP)
Abbotsford's BEPP initiative was based on a model used in Whatcom County in the State of Washington. The primary goal of BEPP is to improve the health of the internationally significant Abbotsford-Sumas Aquifer. Abbotsford businesses, together with the City of Abbotsford and the Chamber of Commerce, have formed the BEPP Committee to develop and implement the Programme. Together with Community Futures of the South Fraser, the FBC is facilitating the implementation of BEPP.
The concept is for businesses to "pledge'" to undertake actions that benefit the ecosystem. Pledged businesses are recognized in a number of ways, including regular exposure in local media. Currently 45 businesses from many different sectors are undertaking environmental actions. The goal is to help create changes in business management practices that benefit the ecosystem while also demonstrating economic viability, and to develop a model of cooperation on sustainability-related activities in the Fraser Valley that can be exported to other communities in the Basin.
BEPP is a model of how the business community can take part in ensuring that our environmental legacy is secured.- Fiona Harris, Advertising Manager, Abbotsford News
Canadian National Energy Board (NEB) Hearings
Now in the third year of the quasi-judicial process, the National Energy Board is undertaking to hear the Environmental Effects Motion regarding the proposed gas-fired, 660 kilowatt power generating plant in Sumas Washington, known as Sumas Energy 2 or SE2. Citizens, businesses, agencies and governments have expressed concerns about the amount of water to be used at the plant, the effects of power lines running through communities and potential pollution. The FBC was asked to provide basic information and to help district residents, including local First Nations, understand how to access the process.
Celebration of Community
The purpose of this initiative is to make citizens aware of services and volunteer opportunities in their community and encourage them to get involved. The Celebration takes place in Mission on the 3rd Saturday in September to combine BC River's Day with other social, economic and environmental initiatives. Organized by the FBC, Mission Parks and Recreation, Mission Association For Community Living and Fraser River Heritage Park Society, it is a cost-free day for citizens to meet over 100 groups, agencies or clubs. Sponsors supply food and entertainment. Evaluations indicate that this annual event has increased rates of volunteerism and citizen engagement.
Fraser River Management Plan (FRMP): Hope to Mission
Significant amounts of gravel are deposited each year in the "gravel reach" of the lower Fraser River during the spring runoff. Gravel movement and build-up in some areas of the river reduces the ability of local communities to protect themselves from floods; it also affects commercial navigation in the river. In addition, the removal or movement of in-river gravel has implications for fish habitat as well as in-river infrastructure such as bridges, pipelines and bank protection.
The FBC has been working closely with a group of representatives from First Nations, federal, provincial and local governments to address river management issues in the Fraser River gravel reach (Chilliwack and Agassiz area), with gravel removals for flood protection being one issue of concern.
Some challenges were faced recently when decisions by the federal and provincial governments allowing gravel removal were disputed by the Cheam First Nation due to concerns around accommodation of their aboriginal rights and title. To address these concerns, the Cheam First Nation and Land and Water BC recently reached a short-term agreement that allowed some gravel to be removed in spring 2003. Land and Water BC set aside funds equivalent to the gravel royalties in a fund for First Nations that have asserted aboriginal rights and/or title interests in the gravel removal areas. This fund will be used to support First Nations capacity building and flood management projects.
Due to these challenges, not as much gravel was removed for flood hazard purposes as had been planned. Hopefully, the relationships that have begun to be built will facilitate more significant progress towards the goals everyone agrees on, such as improving traditional fishing sites and fish habitat and reducing the flood risk. Work is now beginning on a five-year gravel management plan to define the timing, quantity and location of gravel removal from the river for flood protection, while maintaining, protecting and/or enhancing traditional fishing sites and fish habitat.
Contact Project Coordinator Jim Vanderwal for more information at 604-488-5359 or jvanderwal@fraserbasin.bc.ca.
A management plan that addresses habitat concerns, flood hazard management and commercial gravel extraction needs to be put in place. The (Fraser Basin) Council is well positioned to undertake a key role in facilitating inclusive planning discussions and consultations.- Charles Littledale, former Regional Manager, BC Assets and Land Corporation
Mission Community Justice Council
Fraser Basin Council has been working with the District of Mission's Advisory Committee to develop a social development perspective with early intervention as a strategy to address crime issues. This committee is called the Mission Community Justice Council and consists of agencies, service providers and members at large. Its mandate is to advise Council re public safety and social well-being and also acts as a catalyst, facilitator and conflict resolution agent. Results include Services to Families of Prisoners, Downtown Coalition, Youth Development, Agency networking, A Family Place and many other positive outcomes in this region of the Fraser Valley. Social actions are linked to environmental work through Mission of Streams, watershed stewardship activities and community events.
Mission of Streams Resource Centre
In a groundbreaking show of environmental commitment, community support and partnership, more than 30 prominent businesses, community organizations, First Nations and government agencies have teamed up to promote the stewardship of freshwater streams in the Mission watershed. This project was initiated by the manager from VanCity Credit Union who felt that a classroom type aquarium would broaden the environmental theme of the Changes Recycling Centre located in the same mall as VanCity. Very quickly, a core group of people from many organizations became involved and the initial idea evolved into a "stewardship showcase and volunteer recruitment centre."
The FBC, together with Community Futures, provided the Chair and secretariat for this unprecedented partnership that links companies such as VanCity Savings, Overwaitea Foods Group, London Drugs and Genstar Development with the stewardship community. The goal of the project is to provide a storefront access point for information and volunteer recruitment to restore or enhance streams and watersheds.
Nutrient Management
The Fraser Valley is one of North America's most productive food-producing regions and accounts for almost 75% of BC's total farm income. However, some agricultural practices generate pollution and require management to prevent degradation of soils and water. Oversupply or inappropriate application of commercial fertilizers or manure from livestock and poultry may pollute the groundwater and surface water with nitrates and phosphates.
The FBC worked with the agricultural sector and federal and provincial government agencies to develop a Nutrient Management Planning Strategy (NMPS) for the Fraser Valley. The long-term goal is the management of agricultural nutrients in a way that supports the economic viability of farming and the social and environmental objectives of government and communities. The Sustainable Manure Management Program has been the catalyst for farmers to invest more than $10 million in manure storage to protect surface and groundwater from agricultural runoff. The Sustainable Poultry Farming Group Program has resulted in poultry farmers trucking excess manure to other areas where it is needed, while protecting the local aquifer.
"The Fraser Basin Council is playing an important role in bringing together diverse interests to pro-actively address a very important and difficult issue. This is a useful process."- Steve Thompson, Executive Director, BC Agricultural Council
Social Sustainability
The FBC Fraser Valley Regional Coordinator has provided facilitation to the District of Mission's Community Justice Council. The focus has been to develop a Crime Prevention Plan using social development models. This Plan is now complete and the Justice Council acts as an advisor to the City as well as receiving delegations on district-wide issues. The community-building actions are collaborative and use asset-based approaches. In addition, the FBC has been asked to facilitate the Abbotsford Coalition for Social Development through the initial forming stages and the development of the Terms of Reference.
Strengthening Communities
Strengthening agriculture was the focus of the Strengthening Communities sessions with the District of Kent City Council and the Kent Agricultural Advisory Committee. Small lot agriculture is a sector with the most potential for economic, social and environmental change that benefits the larger community. The aim is to strengthen the local market opportunities to stimulate small lot agriculture, economic activity and community development. FBC will work with agriculture groups and producers to identify ways to strengthen agriculture in Kent and Seabird Island First Nation.
Sustainability and Agriculture
Since the completion of the Nutrient Management Planning Strategy in May 2001, FBC has facilitated dialogue on many agricultural issues. For example, FBC has provided information and organized tours to local and national groups regarding the rural/urban interface challenges and opportunities, enhanced communications between agriculture and urban communities, and taken part in major agricultural conferences.
Regional and Community Support
The FBC supports and provides direction and services for many ongoing community, regional district and other activities and programs to advance sustainability in the Fraser Basin. Over the past year, the Fraser Valley Regional Coordinator:
- Supported Fraser Valley Regional District interests in both solid waste management and wildlife protection.
- Provided input to the development of the FVRD Regional Growth Strategy.
- Chaired the Sto:lo Agriculture Conference.
- Assisted many local watershed stewardship groups.
- Liaised with many agriculture groups, First Nations and industry associations.
- Facilitated sessions with many citizen groups to understand process and goal setting.
- Worked with many community organizations developing ideas and accessing resources.
- Took part in the Abbotsford Air Quality Initiatives Group.
- Worked with Genstar Development Corporation regarding sustainability components in their development proposals.
- Networked with fish habitat interests such as the Aboriginal Fisheries and Sto:lo Nation Environmental Conference.
- Explored economic and environmental actions in regards to transportation.