What value is there to local water resources and how should they be looked after?
Those questions and more will addressed next weekend by streamkeeper groups, city officials, business organizations, BC Hydro, Metro Vancouver and the provincial government as the Coquitlam River Watershed Roundtable meets to discuss the future of water in the region.
The annual event brings people and groups interested in protecting the Coquitlam River together to talk about the latest initiatives in watershed management, and the public is also invited, said Melissa Dick, who is the roundtable co-ordinator.
"That's the power of the roundtable," she told The Tri-City News. "We have all these people talking to each other."
Key among the topics to be discussed is how to fund future work of the roundtable, which is working on plans to improve storm water practices, reduce the impact of new development on the river, prevent invasive species from getting a toehold and encouraging water conservation, among other things.
Reliant on grants from agencies, foundations and the real estate industry, and in-kind support from the cities of Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam, the roundtable is considering other sources of funding and is looking to other jurisdictions for ideas. One idea would be to implement a property tax to pay for the work and the June 10 meeting will be an opportunity to to discuss the option and hear from experts about ideas for sustainable funding.
"This is the first time we are going to be bringing this proposal to the public," Dick said, adding that a parcel or property tax is used in other regions to fund work in watersheds.
Speakers drawn from the fields of environmental law, watershed planning and drinking water protection will also be offering their viewpoints on a variety of topics, including B.C.'s new Water Sustainability Act.
It's likely concerns about the effect of climate change on local water resources will be discussed as well, with Corree Tull, organizing director of the Canadian Freshwater Alliance, speaking about her experience.
Tull, who grew up in Vernon, spent her childhood "swimming in turquoise lakes and skiing on the powder of fresh snowfalls" while watching creeks "teem with salmon." In 2003, she was a witness to the effects of a low snowpack, a severe drought and wildfires.
"I learned quickly about the connectivity of our water systems and the important role water plays in our lives," Tull states in her biography.
Dick said those who attend the free public event will also learn about progress being made on the watershed plan to keep the river healthy and salmon populations sustainable in the face of increasing density.
MEETING INFO
• The Coquitlam River Watershed Roundtable community meeting takes place Saturday, June 10 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (doors open at 8:30 a.m.) at the Outlet, Leigh Square, 1100-2248 McAllister Ave., Port Coquitlam. Displays, information, coffee and snacks will be available upon arrival and lunch will be provided. Register online at Eventbrite under Community Roundtable Meeting or contact Melissa Dick at 604-345-9482. Email: info@coquitlamriverwatershed.ca. For information, visit www.coquitlamriverwatershed.ca.
