Key Findings and Recommendations (cont d)

Transcription

1 Key Findings and Recommendations (cont d) A Natural Resources Practices Board can be timely and cost effectively created by expanding the mandate of the current Forest Practices Board Opportunity with the inclusion of wetlands in the WSA s definition of streams Other key findings? Towards a Healthy Nechako: Nechako Watershed Roundtable Update on activities and progress Theresa Fresco Assistant Regional Manager, Fraser Basin Council Coordinator, Nechako Watershed Roundtable Prince George Council Presentation October 16, 2017

2 Milestones and Accomplishments MILESTONES Launch of the Nechako Watershed Roundtable (2015) Nechako Watershed Health Report (2015) ACCOMPLISHMENTS Consensus on the vision, mission, goals, objectives, guiding principles and governance structure from diverse interests in the watershed First report on the state of health of the watershed Establishment of the Technical Advisory Committee Nechako Watershed Strategy (2016) Nechako Watershed Strategy Implementation and NWR Governance ( ) Overview of issues, concerns and proposed actions. List of projects and initiatives in the watershed. Water Portal, UNBC Data Assessment, SFU, NWR Citizen Science, UNBC Relationship Building, NWR, First Nations Watershed Planning, NWR Core Committee Recruitment of new Core Committee members Sustainable Funding Project, NWR

3 NWR Organizational Development Scoping and creation of the NWR Pursuit of shorter term development funds Completion of foundational research Strategic plan developed Partial implementation of the Strategy Convening of diverse interests in the watershed NEXT STEP: Pursuit of sustainable funding

4 NWR Estimated Annual Operational Expenses Labour (part time coordinator with support by a $60,000 Manager) Meeting Expenses (venues, teleconference, $6,000 refreshments, audio visual) Travel Expenses (mileage, meals, accommodation) $7,000 Miscellaneous (printing, office equipment and supplies, $7,000 etc.) Overhead / Administration (office, telephone, internet, $10,000 computer) Total $90,000 NWR Estimated Annual Project Expenses Labour (part time coordinator with support by a $60,000 Manager) Consultants $30,000 Project Travel Expenses (mileage, meals, $3,000 accommodation) Other Project Related Expenses (project equipment, $10,000 supplies) Overhead / Administration (office, telephone, internet, $10,000 computer) Total $110,000

5 WORKPLAN NWR CORE OPERATIONS 2 Roundtable meetings 4 Core Committee meetings Up to 6 Technical or Project Committee meetings NWR PROJECT DELIVERY (Strategy Implementation) Engaging Decision Makers To explore priorities and alignment with jurisdictions, organizational mandates, capacity and resources Implementation of Priority Actions Actions will be identified as decision makers are engaged. The NWR will provide financial support to leverage resources to enable implementation. (e.g. beneficial management practices, environmental restoration projects, voluntary stewardship projects, supporting citizen science initiatives, etc.) Public Education and Awareness Raising Building the capacity and watershed IQ of residents within the watershed. TOTAL COST OF DELIVERY $110,000

6 Revenues for SECURED Secured Revenues Real Estate Foundation of BC ( , contingent on matching funds) $35,000 Proposed Revenue Sources PROPOSED SOURCES Local Government ($1700 x 12 communities) $20,400 Province of BC $20,000 Fraser Basin Council $12,550 Other $22,450 TOTAL $47,550 TOTAL $62,850

7 Local Government Contributions $1700 x 12 communities within the Nechako 5 municipalities Prince George, Vanderhoof, Fraser Lake, Fort St. James, Burns Lake Electoral Areas A and C Fraser Fort George Regional District Electoral Areas B, C, D, E and F Bulkley Nechako Regional District Total Local Government Contributions = $20,400

8 Why is the NWR important? COORDINATE initiatives at the watershed scale for efficiencies and to avoid duplication ENGAGE local groups in 26 communities to establish mutual interests through a safe table and to explore leveraging opportunities through collaboration Provide an INFORMATION HUB e.g. watershed health reports, valuation of the Nechako, actions to improve watershed health, public inquiries GO TO GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE for provincial processes and priorities Water Use Plan, Water Sustainability Plan, Landscape Level Planning, Water Sustainability Act

9 Alignment with Local Government Priorities (1) Alignment with Local Government Objectives and Policies OCPs (5 municipalities, 7 electoral areas) Regional District strategic priorities (2) Value of economic activities in the Nechako watershed $ value of key economic activities that depend on watershed health forestry, mining, agriculture, tourism

10 (1) mypg Clean Water Community Goal Priorities: Better water quality and quantity Restore riparian areas and wetlands Facilitate learning opportunities and build community capacity Healthy Communities Declaration

11 (2) Value of a healthy watershed Data on watershed health and ecosystem services Economic activities that depend on a healthy watershed (preliminary data) Forestry (Stumpage Fees) = $47 million, Prince George Tourism = 22% of outdoor businesses in northern BC 17% of BC outdoor tourism dependent on freshwater

12 Fostering Strategic Partnerships FFGRD Electoral Area C and FLNRO Monitoring station on the Chilako River Restoration projects to mitigate erosion NEWSS, School District 91, UNBC, CNC Environmental education program with elementary and high school students Students and faculty partnering with NEWSS on restoration projects and research Lakes Monitoring Proposal NWIPC, BC Lakes Stewardship Society, Yekooche FN, Bednesti Lake Community Association and others

13 What We ve Heard. The Roundtable has united everyone behind the same conversation. It is a place where people s voices and concerns can be heard. Brian Frenkel, District of Vanderhoof The Roundtable has demonstrated that there is a need and a momentum for watershed work. It connects and enables groups to forge strategic partnerships with stakeholders and funders. Wayne Salewski, NEWSS The greatest value of the Roundtable is communications and knowledge sharing amongst individuals, agencies and communities who live and work in the watershed. Lara Beckett, Fraser Fort George Regional District

14 Discussion Financial Request Update The NWR has applied for $1700 through the mypg Community Grants stream. These funds would be the City s contribution to support NWR operations and activities in If needed, the NWR will apply to the mypg Community Grants stream in Support for Sustainable Funding Mechanism Does the City of Prince George support NWR s ask for a sustainable funding mechanisms at the Regional District Board table?

15 Thanks! Theresa Fresco Assistant Manager, Upper Fraser Region Coordinator, Nechako Watershed Roundtable