What is this engagement about?
The Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship (WLRS) invites you to provide written feedback to advance Provincial flood policy guidance. The B.C. Flood Strategy was released publicly March 21, 2024.
Different types of guidance are being contemplated to advance collaboration among communities, nature-based solutions, and other topics towards integrated flood management planning. Four “background” documents speak to the guidance topics being contemplated. Feedback on these backgrounders will inform new policy, or further refine and update existing research to form Provincial policy in the future.
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Background documents and written submission guidelines
Wise Practices for Advancing First Nations and Local Government Partnerships for Integrated Flood Management
Feedback from the B.C. Flood Strategy engagement and discussions with the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) reflect that First Nations and local governments need better guidance on how to collaborate in their shared watersheds to advance integrated flood management. This guidance is aimed at developing “wise practices” on relationship building, sharing examples of success, and understanding how First Nations and local governments can collaborate to help reduce flood risks across B.C.
Design Guidelines for Nature-Based Solutions for B.C. Flood Infrastructure
Engagement related to the B.C. Flood Strategy showed a growing interest in Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) to manage coastal and riverine flood as well as erosion risks. These solutions mimic natural processes and provide environmental and societal benefits.
Integrated Flood Management Planning
Developing Integrated Flood Management Plans is a comprehensive and proactive way to manage flood risks across entire regions, like river basins or watersheds. The goal is to create a holistic flood management approach that considers the entire watershed and how different factors interact with flood risks and impacts.
Economic Assessments and Decision-Making for Managed Retreat in British Columbia
Community-led Managed Retreat (CLMR) involves relocating people and structures from high-risk areas, often including ecological restoration and land use changes, and is gaining attention as a viable option where traditional methods fall short. Guidance would support communities to carefully consider when, where and how to use CLMR in a way that increases community resilience, addresses equality, enhances ecosystems and minimizes negative impacts.
Written Submission Guidelines
Written submissions were accepted until December 20, 2024 at 4 pm.
Read the What We Heard Reports from the B.C. Flood Strategy engagement
From October to December 2022, the Province met with First Nations and local governments together, through seven in-person and four virtual engagement sessions to seek feedback on the B.C. Flood Strategy Intentions Paper. Representation was inclusive of B.C.’s nine major watersheds and Indigenous language families.
Between October 2022 and January 27, 2023, a public survey was conducted and written submissions were accepted to gather feedback on the B.C. Flood Strategy Intentions Paper. The survey summary identifies the priority program areas of the Intentions Paper.
In November 2022, the Province engaged with industry, non-governmental associations, academia, professional associations, and the public through two virtual workshops to inform and receive feedback on the B.C. Flood Strategy Intentions Paper.
Next steps
Feedback on these backgrounders will inform new policy, or further refine and update existing research to form Provincial policy in the future.
Commitment to Anti-Racism
The Government of B.C. is committed to taking action against racism and to working to ensure this engagement process is anti-racist and safeguards human rights. Disrespectful and racist comments will not be accepted or considered and will be removed from the engagement record.
Launch of engagement
August 29, 2024
Written submissions open for feedback
Written submissions close
December 20, 2024
Written submissions period closes at 4 pm
Engagement summary report released
Summer 2025
Release of our engagement summary report