Coquitlam River Watershed Project

Year 2009
Proponent City of Coquitlam and Kwikwetlem First Nation
Project type Governance
FSWP funding source Living Rivers
Grant amount $40,300
Total project value $83,400
ID number 09-LR102-G

Location: Greater Vancouver

Project Summary

Overview

The purpose of the four-phase initiative is to produce a watershed management strategy for the Coquitlam River. The resulting strategy would ultimately provide the tools and direction for activities in the Coquitlam River, and provide for better decision-making amongst the many stakeholders within the watershed.  The rationale for this project is consistent with the watershed-based Fish Sustainability Planning process as prescribed by Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Ministry of Environment; and it has been adapted to suit the specific context of the watershed, local conditions and a variety of interests within this urban river. This project also satisfies of the 2009 priority activities program areas: watershed governance and planning.

During Phase I (2007-08) an accountability framework was developed; research and review of documents available on the overall health of the river were completed; and, identification of the watershed interests to build on common interests and perspectives.

Phase II (2008-09) involved consultants with the Project Team, including staff, the Kwikwetlem First Nation and DFO to deliver a community stakeholder engagement and visioning process through spring 2009; and, to develop options for a governance framework for how the many stakeholders can work together to support a common vision. The vision, goals and objectives developed will help improve watershed health for the Coquitlam River.

Phase III (2009-10) involves the development and assessment of a Coquitlam River Governance Strategy, including the outlining the next steps of a multi-year Implementation Plan, including priorities, resource and legislative requirements. Provided consensus can be reached for a Coquitlam River watershed Governance Strategy, the partners will seek stakeholder and City support for its implementation during a subsequent Phase IV.

Objectives
1. Based on the outcomes from the Phase II stakeholder engagement & visioning exercise, the Watershed Coordinator and the Project Team, including City staff, Kwikwetlem First Nation & DFO will review the findings in order to draft a Governance Strategy for the Coquitlam River watershed.
2. Through additional workshops and stakeholder dialogue, review/refine a draft Governance Strategy; and, from further consensus, produce a Final Strategy. A draft summary of proposed Next Steps for its implementation will also be started, and for consideration during a future Phase. 
3. Formalize the communications web-based hub, developed, tested and piloted during Phase II as an operational tool; and, promote and encourage its use by the Coquitlam River community as one of the mechanisms to engage in a dialogue about the river.
4. Through outreach opportunities and established communications tools (Objective # 3), communicate the progress work of the Coquitlam River Governance Strategy and Development project to inform and gain support for moving forward to its implementation through Phase IV, Implementation

Methods

The focus of this phase of the project, Year 3 will apply the options developed for a Governance Strategy framework during the Phase II community Stakeholder and Engagement Visioning process; and, building on the consensus achieved, move forward on drafting and finalizing a Coquitlam River Governance Strategy. Following an agreed-upon Governance Strategy, some scoping to its implementation for consideration during future phase would be started.

Main tasks and activities to support this approach include:
¥ Finalize the planning work of the Project Team tasks and administer contract work for renewal of the Watershed Coordinator.
¥ Through stakeholder engagement meetings and other communications approaches, strive to develop draft and a final Governance Strategy for the Coquitlam River.
¥ Communicate ongoing project progress through the communications web-based hub, other education tools and outreach opportunities, refined through Phase II, to share and exchange information about Coquitlam River; and, to promote the Governance and Strategy Development project, and the strategy progress as its being developed.
¥ Continue to enhance collaboration between the City of Coquitlam, Kwikwetlem First Nation, aggregate industry, environmental stewards and government agencies through their involvement with this project as well as on other related projects within the Coquitlam River watershed, i.e., Kwikwetlem Salmon Restoration Program, BC Hydro Coquitlam-Buntzen Water Use Plan delivery, Coquitlam River Aggregate Committee.
¥ Working with the many stakeholders, outline the Next Steps for developing a multi-year Implementation Plan to forward a Coquitlam River Governance Strategy forward for adoption.



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