Here are recent Fraser Basin Council program publications.
(Also see sustainability indicators reports and FBC and other reports — for additional resources.)
Environmental Protection in Flood Hazard Management
Report: Environmental Protection in Flood Hazard Management: A Guide for Practitioners (March, 2010)
There are 1,000 km of dikes, pumps and floodgates in communities across BC to protect homes, businesses and utilities from the risk of flood. Yet development of floodplain areas and traditional approaches to flood protection come at a cost — and that includes the toll they take on aquatic ecosystems through loss or degradation of habitat and disruption of fish passage. A new report from the Fraser Basin Council, Environmental Protection in Flood Hazard Management: A Guide for Practitioners (March, 2010), explores new choices in flood hazard management, with an eye to better environmental protection. Local authorities, regulatory agencies and water stewards will find in the Guide a useful synopsis of modern flood hazard management, including inspirational local innovations. See what improvements are possible through environmental assessments and monitoring, land use planning for floodplain areas, set-back dikes, fish-friendly pumps and floodgates, sediment ponds and habitat restoration. With many BC communities now looking to replace or upgrade flood protection works, the Guide offers a timely look at best management practices to better protect both communities and the environment. Environmental Protection in Flood Hazard Management: A Guide for Practitioners, was funded by the Fraser Salmon and Watersheds Program.
The Fraser: A Canadian Heritage River
10-Year Monitoring Report
Report: The Fraser: A Canadian Heritage River (10-Year Monitoring Report 1998-2008)
In 1998 the Fraser River was designated as a Canadian Heritage River in recognition of its exceptional natural, cultural and recreational values. In June 2010 the Canadian Heritage Rivers Board confirmed the Fraser's continued status as a heritage river on all three criteria. The Fraser: A Canadian Heritage River (10-Year Monitoring Report 1998-2008) was prepared by the Fraser Basin Council in collaboration with the BC Ministry of Environment, and submitted by the Ministry to the Canadian Heritage Rivers Board. The report summarizes the Fraser's first decade as a Canadian heritage river, positive influences on its environmental, cultural and recreational values and some of the key challenges for its future.
Annual Highlights Report
Would you like to know more about the Fraser Basin Council? Her is an overview of programs in each of the regions and across the Basin in the Annual Highlights Report 2008-2009.
Transportation Demand Management: A Small and Mid-Size Communities Toolkit
The TDM toolkit offers insights on how to expand transportation options and reduce overall vehicle use in your community. The toolkit is in the form of a manual. It is divided into reader-friendly sections, beginning with an introduction to transportation demand management (TDM) and what it takes to implement a TDM strategy. There are also 10 TDM case studies of small and mid-size BC communities. These illustrate successful bicycle and active transportation programs, intercommunity transit, carpooling, car-sharing and parking strategies. The toolkit shows how to start a TDM initiative and how to turn it into a comprehensive program, offering helpful resources and contacts throughout. See Transportation Demand Management [PDF].
Energy Efficiency and Buildings: A Resource Guide for BC's Local Governments
This manual supports BC local governments in improving energy efficiency in
their communities. It offers practical examples of how communities are using policy tools to make progress towards energy efficiency, and includes information on energy codes, building and equipment energy rating and labelling, energy management for civic buildings and operations.
See Energy Efficiency and Buildings: A Resource Guide for BC's Local Governments (2009 updated edition) [PDF].
2009 State of the Fraser Basin Report: Sustainability Snapshot 4
The Many Faces of Sustainability
The 2009 State of the Fraser Basin Report: Sustainablity Snaphot 4 was released February 19, the the fourth in a series of reports published by the Fraser Basin Council since 2003. The report covers 18 sustainability topics, describes four or five indicators for each topic and offers examples of sustainability action across the Fraser Basin. To download the report, visit our indicators reports page.
Upper Fraser Sustainability Snapshot: A Picture of Our Region
The Upper Fraser Sustainability Snapshot: A Picture of Our Region, released in November, 2008, is a must-read for everyone who wants to learn more about the state of sustainability in the communities of the Robson Valley, Prince George area and Stuart/Nechako.
For more on this report, visit our indicators reports page. Watch for the next regional report — Lower Mainland Sustainability Snapshot —- in May 2010.
The Fraser Basin Council
Interested in a concise snapshot of the Fraser Basin Council and its work? Take a look at this Fraser Basin Council briefing [PDF].
Sustainability Snapshot 3
Every two years since 2003 the FBC has published its groundbreaking Sustainability Snapshot report. The 2006 edition, Sustainability Snapshot 3, was released on November 16, 2006. It examines a wide range of environmental, social and economic indicators, and paints a picture of the health of the Basin and its communities.
Now available in html (with links to all features), the report is also available in PDF for download: see our indicators page.
Bridge Between Nations
Here is a popular "must read": Bridge Between Nations: A History of First Nations in the Fraser River Basin [PDF]. This publication is intended to help create greater understanding of the history and culture of First Nations in the Basin and the experience of First Nations people today.
For more information on Fraser Basin Council publications, please contact Denise Palmer Hoskins, Communications Manager.