Vancouver
Island is a hot-bed of watershed-based strategies and programs. Now, four
regional districts and municipal members are aligning their efforts to advance
the Vancouver Island Inter-Regional
Education Initiative. The program will help everyone go farther, more
efficiently and effectively.
On
June 19-20, the Capital Regional District concludes the first round of inter-regional
“sharing and learning” events. The CRD is hosting a 2-day course on how to
develop outcome-oriented Watershed
Blueprints and incorporate innovation and
efficiency into Integrated Stormwater Management Plans (ISMPs). The course
informs and supports the goals of the region’s IntegratedWatershed Management Implementation Strategy.
“Local governments have many competing priorities and
everyone is challenged to achieve more with the same resources in order to reduce
risk, improve watershed health and comply with regulatory requirements,” states
the CRD’s Dale Green. He is Supervisor of the Stormwater, Harbours and
Watershed Program.
“Moving to a
watershed-focused program will allow the CRD to support the municipalities and
electoral areas with new strategies for environmental protection, including an
increased focus on dealing with watershed stressors near the source rather than
at the infrastructure or receiving environment level.”
“Additionally, the
strategy will support efforts in watersheds that cross municipal boundaries and
provide guidance towards measuring watershed and receiving environment health
to better assess program efforts.”
“The 2-day course has
been developed by local government for local government. It will guide land
use, infrastructure and environmental professionals through the stages and
steps in developing a balanced, truly integrated and
financially sustainable plan that protects and/or restores watershed function
over time,” concludes Dale Green.
TO LEARN MORE:
For a
CURRICULUM PREVIEW, click on Integratingthe Site with the Watershed and Stream: Capital Regional District hosts “AnIntroductory Course on Developing Effective Watershed Blueprints”.
E-Blast #2012-21
May 29, 2012
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