Resources for planners

SOSCP is committed to influencing sustainable and responsible use of land through establishing a community of practice, sharing ideas and professional development, expertise, and capacity building.

SOSCP

Local Government Ecological Standards Capacity Building Initiative

Wesley Miles- Local government shared environmental planner

In 2009 SOSCP established a regional environmental planning roundtable that encourages information sharing and developing regionally consistent approaches to land use that are responsive to the needs of communities. Through this collaborative process, SOSCP and local government partners have embarked on a capacity building strategy to garner technical and planning support.

Matching support by local governments and SOSCP partners and funders has created the contract position of a shared Environmental Planner. The partners work together to guide the activities of the shared environmental planner and manage the project details. Now in her second year, Anna McIndoe provides hands-on assistance to the communities of Summerland. Oliver, Keremeos, and Penticton. Anna McIndoe was the planner for years one and two. Wesley Miles now provides ecosystem mapping information and technical language to facilitate new bylaws that define and protect sensitive natural areas.

Here’s what our local government partners are saying about the collaborative effort:

T. Szalav“What makes the South Okanagan distinctive is that several local governments have pooled our resources to share the services of an environmental planner. This has resulted in consistency and a ‘made in the South Okanagan’ approach to a proven planning tool.”

- Tom Szalay, Chief Administrative Officer with the Town of Oliver


D. DeGagne“Almost 2,000 hectares of land have this permit designation which allows for careful consideration of ecological values during the development application and approval process. This is the culmination of 10 months of cooperation, learning and sharing resources.”

- Don DeGagne, District of Summerland Chief Administrative Officer.

I. McIntosh“We would never have accomplished our OCP work without the support and leveraging of this partnership. The highlight of this project is my new understanding of the uniqueness, sensitivity and importance of the natural environment of the South Okanagan.”

- Ian McIntosh, District of Summerland, Manager of Development Services.

Information resources for planners

British Columbia government agencies and conservation organizations have worked together to produce the following on-line publications for planners and developers. Just click on the titles to go to the web link.

Green Bylaws Toolkit for Conserving Sensitive Ecosystems and Green Infrastructure

A comprehensive document designed to provide municipal and regional governments with practical tools for protecting the green infrastructure within their jurisdictions. The toolkit contains examples of bylaw provisions for Regional Growth Strategies, Official Community Plans, Development Permit Areas, zoning, tax exemptions, environmental assessment, stormwater management and other regulatory tools.

The toolkit is available to municipal and regional districts free of charge in pdf, printed, or CD format.

Develop with Care: Environmental Guidelines for Urban and Rural Land Development
Developed by the BC Ministry of Environment, the document is intended to assist people who are involved in planning, implementing, reviewing and/or approving land developments in British Columbia’s urban and rural areas. Its primary purpose is to provide province-wide guidelines for the maintenance of environmental values during the development of urban and rural lands. It also provides information on ways that environmental protection and stewardship can benefit the community, the property owner and the developer, as well as the natural environment.

Environmental Best Management Practices: An annotated bibliography and searchable database.

An easily accessible and searchable bibliography and database of existing information sources that provide guidance on how to manage for a wide range of environmental values – practices termed ‘best management practices’.

Species at Risk and Local Government: a primer for local government

Information about BC species at risk is searchable by regional district. This web site will help you  learn about species at risk and the threats they face, which species at risk are in your area, how to search for species at risk by name or ecosystem type, and learn how local governments can manage for species at risk.

 

 

Wetland Ways: Interim Guidelines for Wetland Protection and Conservation in BC

Written primarily for people who are planning development near wetlands, as well as those looking for guidance on ways to best maintain the high ecological values in these areas. Wetlands are integral to the functioning of many BCs ecosystems. They also provide people with a wide range of beneficial services, from flood control and water supply to recreational opportunities. Often, these services are unrecognized and undervalued, leading to the loss or impairment of wetlands—and thus the services they had provided are either costly or impossible to replace.

 
 

© 2012 South Okanagan-Similkameen Conservation Project

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