Shuswap Lake Integrated Planning Process
In 2007 the Province of BC, with assistance of the Fraser Basin Council, began a collaborative, multi-agency planning process for Shuswap and Mara Lakes: the Shuswap Lake Integrated Planning Process (SLIPP). The vision of this process is "Working together to sustain the health and prosperity of the Shuswap and Mara lakes."
SLIPP was launched in response to the intense pressure the surrounding area is experiencing as a result of increased development, wastewater discharge and conflicting demands on recreational resources. These challenges are set against a complicated regulatory environment where public agencies from every level of government have legal jurisdiction over some aspect of the region.
This process is designed to bring land and water use planning and governance issues relating to Shuswap and Mara Lakes to a single table and to identify cross-cutting issues in the region that could be addressed through collaboration.
SLIPP Partners
The Fraser Basin Council serves as secretariat to SLIPP, which includes the following partners: BC Ministry of Agriculture; BC Ministry of Environment, including BC Parks and Conservation Officer Service; BC Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations; Columbia Shuswap Regional District; City of Salmon Arm; District of Sicamous; Fisheries and Oceans Canada; Interior Health Authority; North Okanagan Regional District; Royal Canadian Mounted Police; Shuswap Nation Tribal Council; Thompson-Nicola Regional District and Transport Canada.
Highlights
- SLIPP Strategic Plan: The Shuswap Lake Integrated Planning Process Strategic Plan focuses on three key areas: water quality, foreshore development and recreation management. Implementation of the plan is underway, with priority emphasis on water quality and foreshore development. Recreation management will be a priority in the near future. See the strategic plan on the SLIPP website: Shuswap Lake Integrated Planning Process Strategic Plan (PDF).
- Water Quality Monitoring: There is now a comprehensive water quality monitoring plan for Shuswap Lakes and its tributaries. Work on the plan has begun, thanks to the commitment of 18 partners, including government agencies, First Nations, and non-government organizations. In the near future, monitoring results will be available on the SLIPP website. For background, see SLIPP Water Quality Monitoring Plan 2011-2014 and Integrated Water Quality Monitoring Plan for the Shuswap Lakes.
- Improved Development Application Process: A key SLIPP strategy is to improve the development application review process to reduce the burden on agencies and proponents, improve the flow of information and increase the timeliness of decision-making. The mandates of regulatory agencies would not change, but there is an opportunity to stream applications more efficiently according to the sensitivity of the area proposed for development: see Strategic Plan for details. For example, recent shoreline inventories have identified fish habitat values in the Shuswap to help guide decisions on conservation, habitat restoration and development. These habitat values are described in the Shoreline Management Guidelines for Fish and Fish Habitat: Shuswap, Mara and Little Shuswap Lakes and reflected in the Shuswap Watershed Atlas. The guidelines specify in what circumstances development applications for common, low-risk work may be expedited with respect to Fisheries and Oceans Canada requirements. To learn more, visit the SLIPP website.
- Educational Resources: The SLIPP team regularly hosts public meetings, workshops and other events to improve public understanding of the issues, the work of SLIPP and how individual residents, visitors and businesses can help improve the health of Shuswap Lake. Visit the SLIPP website for news, reports and strategies and to find helpful resources on such topics as greywater management, green boat cleaning and shoreline care.
Learn More
You are welcome to contact SLIPP anytime, care of:
Erin Vieira, Assistant Regional Manager, Thompson
Fraser Basin Council
Tel: 250 314-9660
Email: evieira@fraserbasin.bc.ca
SLIPP Website: www.slippbc.com