Agency Coordination: Fraser River Estuary Management Program [FREMP] 1985-2003

1. Agency Coordination:Fraser River Estuary Management Program [FREMP] 1985-2003 2003 Georgia Basin/Puget Sound Research Conference 3 April 2003 Vancouver, BC

3. Fraser River Estuary Management Program1985-2003 • Geographic context of the Fraser River estuary • Jurisdictional context for managing the Fraser River estuary ecosystem • Nature of the FREMP partnership • Estuary Management Plan: A Living Working River • Conditions for success

4. Jurisdictional Context • Canada is a federal state where legislative powers are divided between two levels of government – federal and provincial. Local governments exercise powers delegated by provincial governments. • Constitution (1867) provides federal and provincial governments with distinct spheres of authority. • Regulatory confusion about matters not foreseen by Fathers of Confederation.

5. Fraser River Estuary Management Program FREMP • FREMP is a partnerships for integrated management working toward sustainability • FREMP emphasizes co-operative ‘made-in-the-region’ policy solutions • FREMP coordinates the environmental review of project proposals that can affect the environment

6. Partners in FREMP • Environment Canada • Fisheries and Oceans Canada • British Columbia Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection • Greater Vancouver Regional District • Fraser River Port Authority • North Fraser Port Authority

7. Environment Canada • Protects migratory birds Migratory Birds Protection Act • Conducts research and regulates environmental contaminants Canadian Environmental Protection Act • Environmental Assessment Canadian Environmental Assessment Act -- CEAA • Manages water bodies and ocean disposal Canada Water Act and Oceans Act • Controls deposition of deleterious substances Fisheries Act

8. Fisheries and Oceans Canada • Protects physical habitats for fish, and water quality for fish and fish habitats Fisheries Act • Environmental Assessment Canadian Environmental Assessment Act -- CEAA • Protects the public right of navigation [Canadian Coast Guard] Navigable Waters Protection Act

9. BC Ministry of Water, Land & Air Protection • Manages discharge of pollution to air, water and land BC Waste Management Act • Manages contaminated sites Waste Management Act • Protects resident or migratory wildlife and their habitats BC Wildlife Management Act • Environmental Assessment BC Environmental Assessment Act

10. Port Authorities • Manage land and water lots • Maintain navigation • Administer environmental policy Canada Marine Act and Port Operations Regulation

11. Greater Vancouver Regional District • Air Quality management BC Waste Management Act • Regional Utilities: liquid waste and solid waste management BC Waste Management Act • Contributes on behalf of municipalities who regulate land use BC Local Government Act -- Regional Growth Strategy and Official Community

12. FREMP Business Categories • Policy development, overall priority setting and strategic management • Operational issues requiring coordinated decision making

13. Partnerships Governed by Memoranda of Understanding • Since 1996, BIEAP and FREMP have been jointly administered, providing effective coordination of the programs while addressing the distinct needs and priorities of the two individual areas • Two-level management structure

14. Overall Management and Policy Direction • Steering Committee comprising principals of signing partners, meets annually to discuss progress on programs and provides direction on matters unresolved at other levels • Management Committee meets monthly to deal with overall management and policy issues

15. Operational Management • Management Committee can establish subcommittees and work groups • Management Committee annually develops five-year business plans and annual budgets and work plans • Manager, supported by staff, reports routinely to Management Committee to provide functional direction to programs

16. FREMP Achievementswww.bieapfremp.org

17. BIEAP and FREMP Achievements • Reform package implemented for Coordinated Project Review -- new three phase, four track process [160 projects in 2002] • Liquid Waste Management Plan process to develop a long-term made-in-the-region plan with partner input mediated with program resources

18. FREMP Achievements • FREMP Estuary Management Plan [EMP]: A Living, Working River 1994 • EMP endorsed by FREMP municipalities • Area Designation Agreements • Sediment Budget to manage dredging • Habitat classification and GIS capability • Indicator Monitoring Report on the Estuary Management Plan 2001

19. The Estuary Management Plan • Vision, Goals, and Action Programs • Habitat colour-coding system • Area Designation Agreements

20. Estuary Management Plan ACTIONS Environmental Protection • Water Quality Management • Fish and Wildlife Habitat Human Activities • Navigation and Dredging • Log Management • Industrial and Urban Development • Recreation

22. Summary and Conclusions • There has been steady progress on program priorities and improvements to project review procedures • The innovative, linked management structure is a suitable vehicle for partners to shift their environmental focus - from permits and approvals to a performance based regime of standards and monitoring compliance

23. Conditions for Success • Broad recognition of the need for integrated management • Effective communications within and between agencies • Commitment to resolve conflicts • Ability to learn and adapt • Public support