Overcoming jurisdictional fragmentation to support naturally functioning shorelines and climate resilience in coastal BC communities
Presentation Abstract
In British Columbia, many coastal communities around the Salish Sea are highly vulnerable to sea level rise and increased storm surge as a result of climate change. Coastal ecosystems in those communities are also at risk. To date hard armouring responses have received the most attention as a protective measure for the built environment, but there is growing interest in exploring how natural and restored coastal ecosystems can buffer communities from climate change. However, legal authority over BC’s coasts is fragmented, involving multiple levels of government (local, provincial, First Nations and federal) and government agencies, all with limited or no coordination. An analysis of existing regulatory powers and land use decisionmaking authority through the lens of coastal ecosystem protection concludes that collaboration and coordination are essential to implement approaches that support naturally functioning shorelines. On the ground in BC, the results of a green waterfront design workshop examining options for addressing sea level rise in three neighbourhoods in Greater Vancouver provide further insight into implementation challenges and opportunities for ecosystem-based approaches.
Session Title
Protecting Natural Shoreline Functions with Existing Regulations and New Approaches
Conference Track
Shorelines
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2016 : Vancouver, B.C.)
Document Type
Event
Location
2016SSEC
Type of Presentation
Oral
Genre/Form
presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Climatic changes--Law and legislation--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Coastal ecosystem health--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Sea level--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Overcoming jurisdictional fragmentation to support naturally functioning shorelines and climate resilience in coastal BC communities
2016SSEC
In British Columbia, many coastal communities around the Salish Sea are highly vulnerable to sea level rise and increased storm surge as a result of climate change. Coastal ecosystems in those communities are also at risk. To date hard armouring responses have received the most attention as a protective measure for the built environment, but there is growing interest in exploring how natural and restored coastal ecosystems can buffer communities from climate change. However, legal authority over BC’s coasts is fragmented, involving multiple levels of government (local, provincial, First Nations and federal) and government agencies, all with limited or no coordination. An analysis of existing regulatory powers and land use decisionmaking authority through the lens of coastal ecosystem protection concludes that collaboration and coordination are essential to implement approaches that support naturally functioning shorelines. On the ground in BC, the results of a green waterfront design workshop examining options for addressing sea level rise in three neighbourhoods in Greater Vancouver provide further insight into implementation challenges and opportunities for ecosystem-based approaches.
