Development of a Watershed Governance Strategy Phase III
The Phase III Summary Report is now available online!
Phase III marks the third year of a multi-phase process to develop a governance framework for the Coquitlam River watershed. The purpose of Phase III follows through with the development of a watershed governance strategy, including building the foundations for watershed governance and stewardship planning. The aim is to get agreement on terms of reference for a watershed body.
The project aims for Phase III are to:
- Review the results and findings of Phase II and inform, by example the principles, benefits and implications of developing a governance structure;
- Through public meetings and workshops and the use of a new Coquitlam River watershed web site, develop elements of a governance structure, including draft terms of reference for a new watershed body;
- Communicate and consult on a draft terms of reference with key watershed stakeholder to seek input and support; and,
- Based on stakeholder support and subject to available resources, move forward in the next steps to a Phase IV Implementation phase.
The first step in Phase III was a conference, “Communities of Practice in Watershed Management: Lessons towards a Governance Strategy for the Coquitlam Watershed Strategy” held in Port Coquitlam on October 30th and 31, 2009. A detailed conference report includes full notes on the presentations and discussions provided during the public kick off event.
On February 2, 2010 the first of two scheduled workshops for Phase III was held in Coquitlam. Entitled “Governance for a healthy Coquitlam River watershed (CRW): Getting Started on Terms of Reference for a New CRW Team,” the evening workshop focus was to review input gathered from Phase II and gather additional information from participants and from the project team to develop a draft of parts of the terms of reference for a new governance body for discussion and refinement at a second workshop to be held on March 18, 2010 in Port Coquitlam. A detailed workshop summary includes full notes on the presentations and discussions provided during Workshop #1.
On March 18, 2010, the second workshop for Phase III was held in Port Coquitlam, entitled “Continuing the Dialogue on the Terms of Reference for a Coquitlam River Watershed Governance Body”. The workshop aim was to seek agreement on terms of reference for the new governance body. A proposal for a roundtable was also brought forth based on ideas generated from the February 2 workshop for the governance body. A detailed workshop summary includes full notes on the presentations and discussions during Workshop #2.
To view further information about the Coquitlam River Watershed Strategy, please visit the new web site.
www.coquitlamriverwatershed.ca
Community Engagement & Visioning Phase II
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Prepared by Golder Associates Limited, June 2009
In developing a Coquitlam River Watershed Strategy, the purpose of Phase II was to bring together a multifaceted group of stakeholders to engage in a series of community workshops to establish a Common Vision for the Coquitlam River and to develop guiding principles to gain broad support for decision making. A public meeting and three visioning workshops were held during February and March 2009. The outcomes of the meeting series are provided in the Phase II Summary report.
A Common Vision and Values were drafted and signed by the stakeholders as follows:
Coquitlam River Watershed
Our Common Vision is:
A healthy watershed supported and enjoyed by the community in a manner that respects our common values through:
- Partnerships and collaboration;
- Education, stewardship, and monitoring
- Conservation and green economics; and
- Responsible decision making
In perpetuity.
Our Values for the watershed
- Spiritual qualities;
- Ecosystem integrity;
- Natural beauty;
- Native bio-diversity;
- Natural resources;
- Public access;
- Home/Heritage/Culture;
- Responsibility to protect;
- Recreation;
- Protected areas; and
- Sustainability.
Kwikwetlem known as Coquitlam – “Red fish up the river” – a living river that reveals its spirit
A draft Mission Statement was approved, but will be reviewed and signed at the beginning of Phase III. The FINAL draft Mission Statement is:
Mission Statement
Our Mission is:
To restore and improve the health of the Coquitlam River watershed by creating and supporting a community that recognizes and promotes [the watershed] through:
- Communication,
- Coordination,
- Collaboration, and
- Education
Governance Discussion
As a part of Phase II, options for a Governance Framework were discussed, though not concluded. Participants were actively engaged in discussions, clearly demonstrating a keen interest in potential governance structures. Further development of a draft framework will be addressed when the project moves forward to Phase III, Governance and Strategy Development.
Ongoing input to the Coquitlam River Watershed Strategy multi-phase initiative is always welcome!
If you have questions for the Project Team about the Phase II project, please contact Margaret Birch as noted below, or e-mail the project team at info@coquitlamriverwatershed.ca
Coquitlam River Watershed Strategy - Background Research Phase I
Prepared by Jahlie Houghton, JR Environmental - April 2008
Updated by Coquitlam River Watershed Workgroup - October 2008
During 2007, the City of Coquitlam and the Kwikwetlem First Nation were successful in receiving grants with the Pacific Salmon Foundation's Fraser Salmon and Watersheds Program and Fisheries and Oceans Canada to undertake the Coquitlam River Watershed Strategy project, a four-phase planning process for achieving a multi-interest governance structure for the Coquitlam River watershed that would collectively address the long-term sustainability of the Coquitlam River. Phase I, Background Research was completed during fall 2007 through summer 2008. Funding has now been secured for Phase II, Stakeholder Engagement and Visioning. Phases III, Governance and Strategy Development Phase, and Phase IV, Implementation are subject to future funding.