For more information on programs in this region, contact:
Regional Manager: Marion Town
Telephone: 604-488-5365
Email: mtown@fraserbasin.bc.ca
Regional Work
Britannia Mine Reclamation and Remediation
The Britannia Mine, which operated from 1902 to 1974, has been described
by Environment Canada as "the largest single point source metal contamination
problem in North America." Acid Rock Drainage (ARD) effluent from the
mine severely impacts marine life in Howe Sound, including some 4.5 million
salmon that migrate up the eastern side of Howe Sound each year. ARD,
combined with contaminated soil and sediments at the site of the former
mine, has for many years posed a significant obstacle to the long-term
economic and social development of the Britannia area.
Due to the efforts of the FBC, the leadership demonstrated by its federal, provincial and local government partners, and the sustained focus on the issue by citizens and non-government organizations, a solution is now in sight at Britannia. Since 1998, the FBC has acted as catalyst, facilitator and conflict resolution agent to encourage cooperation among all orders of government, the private sector and the community toward a sustainable solution at Britannia. Remediation activities are now underway, with the construction of an ARD treatment plant scheduled for late 2004 and removal of contaminated soils planned in late summer 2003. During the 2002/03 fiscal year, the FBC continued to assist Britannia Beach residents to build capacity to pursue long-term tenure arrangements, and contributed towards a report released in summer 2003 by the NAFTA Council for Environmental Cooperation. With clean-up activities underway, a sustainable future for the town of Britannia Beach and the surrounding area can now be realized.
Building Sustainable Enterprises
A growing number of companies across Canada are recognizing that sound
environmental and social policies and practices can contribute positively
to their overall performance. In 2002, the FBC co-hosted a workshop in
Vancouver with federal government partners and the National Round Table
on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE) to present ways that businesses
can help ensure their long-term sustainability through minimizing energy
use, reducing waste production and enhancing purchasing, product design
and reporting practices. The FBC will continue to raise awareness of
sustainability principles and practices among the region's businesses
through other FBC projects and through its participation on an interagency
Eco-efficiency Partnership Steering Committee.
Changing Face of the Lower Fraser River Estuary
The Fraser River Estuary, which stretches from Langley to the sea, is a
critical gateway to the Fraser Basin. A growing population looks to the
estuary to satisfy demands for housing, commercial and industrial development,
port expansion, transportation and recreation. Recent scientific research
suggests that geophysical and biological changes are occurring in the
estuary –changes that may have implications with respect to the
social, economic and environmental sustainability of the region.
In spring 2002, the FBC and a community organization, the Fraser River Coalition, partnered with the Fraser River Estuary Management Program and the GVRD to co-host a symposium entitled The Changing Face of the Lower Fraser River Estuary. Participants discussed recent physical, biological and institutional changes in the Fraser River Estuary, and the implications of these changes for sustainability in the region. The event helped set the stage for more informed and inclusive dialogue and cooperative action to enhance the sustain-ability of this globally significant estuary.
"The Estuary Symposium achieved a great balance between science, policy, decision-making and citizenry. Thanks!"- Susan Haid, Senior Policy Advisor, Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD)
Cities PLUS –Greater Vancouver 100 Years Hence
As part of an international competition, Greater Vancouver represented
Canada in developing a 100-year plan for a sustainable region. Cities
Planning for Long-Term Urban Sustainability (Cities PLUS) is supported
by a broad range of private and public sector partners, including the
GVRD, Liu Centre for the Study of Global Issues, Duke Energy and BC Gas.
The FBC participated in a number of Cities PLUS events and assisted the
initiative with the development of a foundation paper that examined regional
sustainability governance challenges and potential solutions. Subsequent
to 2002/03 fiscal year, on June 4, 2003, Canada, represented by the Cities
PLUS team, was awarded the grand prize at the World Gas Conference in
Tokyo.
Fraser River Estuary Management Program
The Burrard Inlet Environmental Action Program (BIEAP) and Fraser River
Estuary Management Program (FREMP) are inter-governmental partnerships
established to coordinate the environmental management of two significant
aquatic ecosystems in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia –Burrard
Inlet and the Fraser River Estuary. The FBC has a Memorandum of Understanding
with BIEAP/FREMP that provides a framework for complementary actions
in support of the sustainability of these ecosystems. During the year,
the FBC assisted FREMP with its update to its Estuary Management Plan.
In addition, the FBC participated in the development of the Consolidated
Environmental Management Plan for Burrard Inlet, which was finalized
and released by BIEAP in April 2002.
GVRD Sustainable Region Initiative
The Sustainable Region Initiative (SRI) is a comprehensive approach to
realigning current projects and practices and longer-term plans and strategies
to ensure a sustainable future for the Greater Vancouver region and its
citizens. Although initiated by the Greater Vancouver Regional District
(GVRD), a broad range of interests, including other orders of government,
non-government organizations, business, academia and individual citizens,
will play roles in the design and implementation of the SRI. In this
regard, the SRI embraces the inclusive governance model embodied by the
FBC; a model that recognizes that unprecedented collaboration across
organizations and individuals reflecting environmental, economic and
social perspectives is essential in order for sustainability to be achieved
on the ground.
In addition to participation in SRI-related public events, the FBC contributes to the SRI as a member of the SRI Partners Committee to help ensure that the SRI is broad-based, and fully integrates consideration of the three dimensions of sustainability. The FBC has assembled a group of experienced local leaders to provide advice to senior GVRD staff as the SRI is developed, and has also helped develop strategies and recommended actions as a member of the SRI Governance and Finance Task Group.
For more information on the SRI, check out the GVRD website: http://www.gvrd.bc.ca/sustainable/index/asp.
Collaborative leadership is a hot topic in management circles these days and is central to the approach to governance being explored in the GVRD's Sustainable Region Initiative (SRI). That is why it has been so useful to have the Fraser Basin Council as one of the initial four partners in the first phase of the SRI. The Council has blazed new paths in building partnerships for governance for sustainability, paths that we must all follow. Council staff have helped shape the SRI process through advisory committees, conferences, partnership building and participation in strategic planning sessions. They have been critical to the early success of the Initiative and their pledge of continued involvement is one of the reasons we are so optimistic about its future success.- Johnny Carline, Chief Administrative Officer, GVRD
Lower Mainland Water-Based Transportation Needs
The FBC worked with the Greater Vancouver Gateway Council's (GVGC) Major
Commercial Transportation Strategy Waterborne Working Group to examine
the need for new water-based transportation nodes to help alleviate congestion
on major road networks in the Lower Mainland. With the support of Transport
Canada, the FBC led a project to determine whether Geographic Information
System (GIS) data could be harnessed to improve awareness of the environmental,
economic and social issues and opportunities associated with potential
transportation nodes. Although GIS technology can be used for such a
purpose, the project highlighted the need for enhanced interagency cooperation
to improve the quality and consistency of GIS data across jurisdictions.
Marpole Gateway Initaitve:
Towards Common Ground
Where do you find riverside waterfront, an aboriginal village site stretching
back thousands of years, currently redeveloping land, a patchwork of jurisdictions,
and community members motivated to help plan the future? You find these
elements and more in south Vancouver. Informally named the Marpole Gateway,
the area roughly bounded by Hudson and Milton Streets, the Fraser River
and SW Marine Drive, has roles as a community place and working lands space.
At the request of several agencies and organizations interested in the
future of the Marpole Gateway, the Fraser Basin Council convened and facilitated
two workshops to help share ideas and potentially guide the way toward
some ‘common ground’.
The Marpole Gateway Community Ideas Exchange (January 8, 2005) provided an opportunity for close to 60 community participants to develop sustainability-informed principles, goals and objectives for the future of the Marpole Gateway area. The Marpole Gateway Information Exchange (January 12, 2005) provided a first opportunity for key agencies, governments and the public to outline their interests in a joint forum. The Final Report provides a synopsis of the outcomes of the two workshops.
Click here to download the Marpole
Gateway Initiative: Towards Common Ground Final Report 
6.6MB
Regional Debris Management
The FBC continues to play a leadership role in addressing funding uncertainty
and air quality issues associated with the Fraser River debris trap,
a critical waterborne debris facility situated near Hope. In 2006, for
the eighth year in a row, the FBC has helped ensure that funds were in
place to operate the debris trap during the Fraser River spring freshet.
Had the trap failed to operate during these years, enough woody material
to fill up to 13 Canadian football fields to a depth of three meters
could have flowed downstream each year, resulting in millions of dollars
of damage to vessels and infrastructure, destruction of sensitive fish
habitat, interference with navigation, loss of recreational enjoyment
of waterways and beaches, and possibly, even loss of life.
Through an agreement between NorskeCanada and the debris trap contractor, open burning has been largely eliminated as a debris disposal method, improving air quality in the Fraser Valley.
In late 2002, the federal and provincial governments expressed their support for a multi-year Business Plan for operating the debris trap prepared with the FBC's assistance by the Interim Operating Committee (IOC) of the Debris Management Partners Group. The plan includes a number of strategic research programs and partnership-building efforts focused on finding economically, environmentally and socially acceptable methods of processing captured wood debris. In order for this Plan to be realized, a multi-year debris trap funding agreement needs to be established between senior governments and the coastal forest industry.
Click
here to view the video that was aired by GVTV on December
7, 2005
GVTV is a video series about the issues, people and
ideas that have an impact on the Greater Vancouver region. Broadcast on
the Web and on Shaw Cable 4, the series provides citizens of the Lower
Mainland with information that gives context to the municipal policy decisions
that affect their lives.
would like to acknowledge the Fraser Basin Council's
on-going leadership and effectiveness in dealing with this important
issue.
- Dr. Jon O'Riordan, Deputy Minister, BC Ministry
of Sustainable Resource Management, on behalf of the Honourable Stan Hagen,
Minister
Squamish Lillooet Region –Enhancing Economic
Direction
The Squamish Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) Board of Directors believe
that there is a strong rationale to address the Region's economic priorities,
given the outstanding assets the Region has to offer and the importance
of the Region to the provincial economy. In 2001, the announcement of the
awarding of the 2008 Summer Olympics to Beijing, China marked a significant
milestone and renewed enthusiasm for the Vancouver/ Whistler bid for the
2010 Winter Olympics. Experience shows that a successful Olympics bid can
contribute significantly to the long-term economic vitality of the nation,
the province and the Squamish Lillooet Region.
The FBC was asked by the SLRD to work with its Board of Directors to establish future economic direction for the region in order to convey, to the provincial 2010 Olympic Bid Secretariat and others, the SLRD Board's consensus on key investment priorities. The FBC facilitated a series of workshops involving members of the SLRD Board of Directors, a review of various relevant economic studies undertaken both within and outside of the Region, and a discussion paper summarizing issues and opportunities and identifying priorities for investment.
Strengthening Communities - Squamish
Downtown Waterfront Initiative
On April 7 2004, FBC Director and Whistler Mayor Hugh O'Reilly presented
Squamish Mayor Ian Sutherland with an imaginative, sustainability-centred
concept plan for the Squamish downtown waterfront. The FBC played a pivotal
role in bringing many diverse interests together to develop the exciting
new plan.
In recent years, the community of 15,000 along the Sea-to-Sky Corridor has undergone rapid change as traditional industries suffered economic downturns while new opportunities, such as the 2010 Winter Olympics, have come to the fore.
Using sustainability principles to stimulate creative ideas for Squamish's downtown waterfront, the Fraser Basin Council, in partnership with the District of Squamish and with the assistance of the UBC Sustainable Communities Program, has been helping the community build a bright future for this town in transition.
Now, the community is reinventing itself with a distinctive "working waterfront" Concept
Plan that includes marinas, ocean walkways, seaside residences, parks,
a public market, restaurants, and a distinctive arts and culture centre,
in addition to traditional industrial uses and a deep sea port.
News Release April 7, 2004 - 120KB
Squamish Downtown Waterfront Iniative - Concept Plan - 28.1MB
Click here to learn more about this initiative.
Click here to view the summary of
questionnaire results (the questionnaire, circulated to the community Nov.27/03
- Jan.12/04, assisted in the development pf project goals and objectives).
Click here to view
the Design Brief which was developed through input from public consultation
meetings, survey responses from community members, and through review of
existing policy and planning documents. -
3.3MB
Click here to view the
Feb.12/04 final presentation of the charrette (design process) results. -
3.3MB
The file is in PDF format and will download to your computer for viewing
in Adobe Reader. If you would like a hard copy of this document email bpurdy@fraserbasin.bc.ca.
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 past years, the Greater Vancouver Sea to Sky
Regional team has:
- Convened the Changing Face of the Fraser River Estuary Symposium (April 18, 2002) and subsequent release of the proceedings. The event, hosted by the FBC in partnership with the GVRD and FREMP, raised awareness of biophysical changes occurring in the Estuary and encouraged collaborative efforts to ensure that such knowledge informed decision-making.
- Convened the Building Sustainable Enterprises workshop (April 25-26, 2002), in partnership with Environment Canada, Industry Canada and others, to educate businesses about leading edge tools and approaches to improve economic performance through eco-design, supply chain management, environmental management and other best practices.
- Participated on the Steering Committee of the EcoEfficiency Partnership, a multi-agency initiative to help small and medium-sized enterprises improve their profitability through reducing energy use, material consumption and waste/emissions production.
- Provided facilitation support, in partnership with the BC Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management, to the Governance for Sustainability Workshop, held June 3-4, 2002 in Whistler.
- Raised awareness of the FBC's innovative governance model through presentations at, for example, the National Round Table On The Environment and The Economy annual meeting, the Union of BC Municipalities Convention, and two environmental law conferences.
- Moderated a City of Vancouver all-candidate's meeting during the 2002 municipal election.
- Determined planning agency interest in a new process to examine cumulative effects of incremental development in the Marpole Basin, in response to a request by the Save Our Parkland Association.
- Provided advisory support to individuals and groups seeking to reduce conflict and enhance cross-sectoral collaboration in their organizations and communities.