Environment as Infrastructure- Nature's Revenue Streams
Type of initiative
FCM Green Municipal Fund - Plans, Studies, Pilots
Sector
Water
Project value$835,000
Project Type
Plan
Sub Sector
Stormwater Management
Grant amount$350,000
Program type
GMF
Municipality
District of Saanich, BC
Status
Fully Disbursed
Population
117,735
Project timeline
2006 - 2011
Project number
7042
Description
Nature's Revenue Streams (NRS) is a 3-year public-private pilot project that will link stormwater infrastructure to the restoration of stream and watershed function. The project will demonstrate how urban development can be used as a catalyst to improve watershed and stream health, build/restore aquatic habitat and reduce infrastructure costs for developers and the municipality, while addressing stormwater runoff. The project will result in the creation of an urban stream/wetland health assessment tool, the development of sustainable stormwater design criteria for retrofits and new developments, guidelines for ecological techniques for the operation and maintenance of stormwater facilities and recommendations for policy instruments and implementation options (e.g. bylaws, guidelines, codes of practice, legislation). The goal is to address the ecological, economic and social issues surrounding development and stormwater management, not merely the planning and/or technical ones. To accelerate adoption of new techniques, NRS will develop education and training modules for municipal councils, staff, builders and industry professionals to raise awareness and increase knowledge and will pilot the modules in workshops throughout the region.
Applicant
District of Saanich, BC