New ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING · 2014. 8. 21. · July 4, 2011 / December 12, 2013 NOTICE OF REGULAR MEETING ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY COMMITTEE . 9:00 a.m. Tuesday,

AGENDA

ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

9:00 a.m. 2nd Floor Boardroom

4330 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC

Committee Members: Chair, Director Joe Trasolini, Port Moody Vice Chair, Director Linda Hepner, Surrey Councillor Brent Asmundson, Coquitlam Director Kim Baird, Tsawwassen Councillor Linda Barnes, Richmond Director Heather Deal, Vancouver Director Sav Dhaliwal, Burnaby Director Ralph Drew, Belcarra Director Catherine Ferguson, White Rock Director Gayle Martin, Langley City Councillor Lorrie Williams, New Westminster

Please advise Georgeta Stanese at (604) 432-6269 if you are unable to attend.

THIS PAGE LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY.

July 4, 2011 / December 12, 2013

NOTICE OF REGULAR MEETING

ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY COMMITTEE

9:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 12, 2011

2nd Floor Boardroom, 4330 Kingsway, Burnaby, British Columbia.

A G E N D A R E V I S E D 1. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

1.1 July 12, 2011 Regular Meeting Agenda Staff Recommendation: That the Environment and Energy Committee adopt the agenda for its regular meeting scheduled for July 12, 2011 as circulated.

2. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES

2.1 June 14, 2011 Regular Meeting Minutes Staff Recommendation: That the Environment and Energy Committee adopt the minutes of its regular meeting held June 14, 2011 as circulated.

3. DELEGATIONS

3.1 Stephen R.J. Sheppard, Ph.D., ASLA Professor, Director of Collaborative for Advanced Landscape Planning (CALP)

Subject: CALP’s Community Climate Change Solutions (3Cs) Program

Late Delegation – Executive Summary provided on table 3.2 Ross Buchanan, Designated speaker for The 32nd Avenue Alliance Subject: Clean air for life....Metro Vancouver

Late Delegation – Executive Summary provided on table 3.3 Helen Spiegelman, Citizen Subject: Supporting the differential treatment of landfills and incinerators in BC legislation 4. INVITED PRESENTATIONS

No items presented.

5. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEE OR STAFF

Coloured copies of the Plan provided on table 5.1 Draft of the Metro Vancouver Ecological Health Action Plan

Designated Speakers: Erin Embley, Environmental Planner, Policy and Planning Department Ann Rowan, Senior Policy Analyst, Policy and Planning Department Craig Sobering, Park System Planner, Regional Parks Recommendation:

That the Environment and Energy Committee direct staff to conduct a process to receive feedback on the proposed projects in the draft Metro Vancouver Ecological Health Action Plan, dated July 12, 2011 and report back on the results at its September meeting.

5.2 Attachment 1 Replacement document provided on table 5.2 Integrated Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Management Plan Designated Speakers:

Roger Quan, Division Manager Laurie Bates-Frymel, Air Quality Planner Jason Emmert, Air Quality Planner

Policy and Planning Department Recommendations:

a) That the Board adopt the Integrated Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Management Plan, dated June 22, 2011. b) That the Plan be forwarded to member municipalities, the Provincial Minister of Environment, Federal Minister of Environment, the region’s Chief Medical Health Officers, First Nations, the Fraser Valley Regional District, the Northwest Clean Air Agency, and other key partners indicating the Board’s continuing interest in working with them to maintain good air quality in the Lower Fraser Valley airshed and reduce the region’s greenhouse gas emissions.

5.3 Implications of Provincial Greenhouse Gas Cap-and-Trade Program on Metro Vancouver Operations

Designated Speakers: Trudi Trask, Senior Project Engineer Jeff Carmichael, Senior Economist Policy and Planning Department Recommendation:

That the Board write to the Provincial government to request that it correct inequitable greenhouse gas policies for waste disposal, by either charging for greenhouse gas emissions from both landfill and waste-to-energy facilities, or by excluding all waste disposal facilities from greenhouse gas emission charges.

5.4 Local Governments and Carbon Neutrality Designated Speakers: Trudi Trask, Senior Project Engineer Jason Emmert, Air Quality Planner

Policy and Planning Department Recommendation:

That the Environment and Energy Committee request that REAC/RAAC forward the “white paper” summarizing REAC’s concerns regarding the Provincial Government’s framework on local government neutrality outlined in the “Becoming Carbon Neutral Guidebook” for the Committee’s consideration and possible Board endorsement.

5.5 Manager’s Report Designated Speaker: Roger Quan, Division Manager Policy and Planning Department Recommendation:

That the Environment and Energy Committee receive for information the report dated June 28, 2011, titled “Manager’s Report”. 6. INFORMATION ITEMS

No items presented.

7. OTHER BUSINESS No items presented.

8. RESOLUTION TO CLOSE MEETING

No items presented. 9. ADJOURNMENT

Staff Recommendation: That the Environment and Energy Committee conclude its regular meeting of July

12, 2011.


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MINUTES

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Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the GVRD Environment and Energy Committee held on Tuesday, June 14, 2011 Page 1 of 6

GREATER VANCOUVER REGIONAL DISTRICT ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY COMMITTEE

Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) Environment and Energy Committee held at 9:04 a.m. on Tuesday, June 14, 2011 in the 2nd Floor Boardroom, 4330 Kingsway, Burnaby, British Columbia. PRESENT: Chair, Director Joe Trasolini, Port Moody Councillor Brent Asmundson, Coquitlam Councillor Linda Barnes, Richmond (departed at 10:52 a.m.) Director Heather Deal, Vancouver Director Sav Dhaliwal, Burnaby Director Ralph Drew, Belcarra (arrived at 9:05 a.m.) Director Catherine Ferguson, White Rock (arrived at 9:05 a.m; departed at 10:52 a.m.) Councillor Lorrie Williams, New Westminster ABSENT: Vice Chair, Director Linda Hepner, Surrey Director Kim Baird, Tsawwassen Director Gayle Martin, Langley City STAFF: Roger Quan, Air Quality Planning Division Manager, Policy and Planning Department Janis Olsen, Assistant to Regional Committees, Board Secretariat and Corporate

Information Department 1. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

1.1 June 14, 2011 Regular Meeting Agenda It was MOVED and SECONDED That the Environment and Energy Committee adopt the agenda for its regular meeting scheduled for June 14, 2011 as circulated.

CARRIED 9:05 a.m. Director Drew arrived at the meeting. 2. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES

2.1 May 10, 2011 Regular Meeting Minutes

It was MOVED and SECONDED That the Environment and Energy Committee adopt the minutes of its regular meeting held May 10, 2011 as circulated.

CARRIED

2.1

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3. DELEGATIONS No items presented.

9:05 a.m. Director Ferguson arrived at the meeting. 4. INVITED PRESENTATIONS

4.1 James Mack, Head, Climate Action Secretariat

James Mack, Climate Action Secretariat, provided members with a presentation on British Columbia’s Climate Action Plan. Request of Staff Staff was requested to forward by email the PowerPoint presentation titled “BC’s Climate Action Plan” to the Environment and Energy Committee.

Regarding BC’s Climate Action Plan, members raised concerns regarding:

· Double taxation of taxpayers through the requirement of local and regional governments to pay for carbon offsets

· The Province considering the Climate Action Charter voluntary for local governments but offers carbon tax rebates only to those who sign on

· A lack of communication by the Province regarding neutrality aspects and proof that the current tax is successfully reducing emissions

· Municipalities experiencing rapid growth that will face expensive carbon offset costs

· The need for carbon tax revenue to be reinvested: o Into communities that pay into it o Into transportation and projects directly reducing emissions

· The cap and trade system: o Not being widely supported by local governments o Is industry-focused allowing trading and selling of offsets o Not effectively changing polluter behaviour

In response to concerns, members were informed that:

· The carbon tax is revenue neutral imposing a price on carbon but reducing property taxes

· The status of the carbon tax after 2012 is currently unknown · The Province is working on how to address local governments not

ready to achieve carbon neutrality · Cap and trade evidence from Europe and the North East show an

impact over the long-term and provides more flexibility to industry Mr. Mack agreed to forward the Environment and Energy Committee a website link to provide further information on Carbon Tax revenue neutrality. Members were informed that Committee concerns were also expressed at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities and the Committee was encouraged to submit concerns in writing to the Climate Action Secretariat.

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Members commented that: · Maximum offset limits should be set as small as possible with no

ability to purchase for future pollution · There is a need for the Province to consult with local and regional

governments regarding the investment of carbon tax revenue and cap and trade

· Local governments need a free, standard tool to measure and track emissions

It was MOVED and SECONDED

That the Environment and Energy Committee direct staff to present the Committee with a report, including a written response from Metro Vancouver to the Climate Action Secretariat, expressing concerns regarding the proposed cap and trade system and Metro Vancouver’s commitment to the 2012 Greenhouse Gas Emissions targets.

CARRIED Presentation material titled “BC’s Climate Action Plan” is retained with the June 14, 2011 Environment and Energy Committee.

4.2 Doug Richardson, Chief Executive Officer, and Michael Delage, Vice

President, Business Development - General Fusion Inc. Doug Richardson and Michael Delage, General Fusion Inc., provided members with a presentation regarding Fusion Energy Development and requested assistance from Metro Vancouver in finding a site location to house a full scale demonstration system for 2019. It was suggested that General Fusion forward building specifications for the required 2019 facility to the Environment and Energy Committee for forwarding to respective municipal staff for information. It was MOVED and SECONDED That the Environment and Energy Committee receive the June 14, 2011 presentation from General Fusion for information.

CARRIED Presentation material titled “General Fusion” is retained with the June 14, 2011 Environment and Energy Committee agenda.

5. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEE OR STAFF

5.1 North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrading and Integrated Resource Recovery Report dated May 9, 2011 from Fred Nenninger, Project Manager, Wastewater Secondary Treatment Upgrades, updating the Environment and Energy Committee on next steps related to the upgrading to secondary treatment of the Lions Gate Wastewater Treatment Plant and the further investigations of integrated resource recovering opportunities for the North Shore.

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In response to a question, members were informed that while the focus is on the treatment plant upgrade, consideration must be given now to identifying other opportunities (such as biogas production) to leverage future project funding and support. Presentation material titled “North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrading and Integrated Resource Recovery” is retained with the June 14, 2011 Environment and Energy Committee agenda. It was MOVED and SECONDED That the Environment and Energy Committee receive for information the report dated May 9, 2011, titled “North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrading and Integrated Resource Recovery”.

CARRIED

5.2 2010 Lower Fraser Valley Air Quality Summary Report Report dated May 25, 2011 from Geoff Doerksen, Air Quality Planner, Policy and Planning Department, updating the Environment and Energy Committee on air quality conditions in the Lower Fraser Valley during 2010 and providing the 2010 Lower Fraser Valley Air Quality Summary Report. In response to questions, members were informed that:

· The 2011 Air Quality Management Plan builds on the 2005 Plan with additional actions, a principle of continuous improvement, and a lower concentration objective for fine particulate matter

· Staff are currently reviewing reports regarding effective strategies to improve ozone levels and are meeting with researchers in July to discuss policy implications

· Portable air quality monitoring devices may assist with monitoring localized wood smoke in affected municipalities

· Staff aim to present the Committee the results of the New Westminster air quality study in September

It was MOVED and SECONDED That the Environment and Energy Committee receive for information the report dated May 25, 2011, titled “2010 Lower Fraser Valley Air Quality Summary Report”.

CARRIED 10:52 a.m. Director Ferguson and Councillor Barnes departed the meeting.

5.3 Update on Fisheries Initiatives in the Capilano, Seymour and Coquitlam Watersheds Report dated May 31, 2011 from Albert van Roodselaar, Division Manager, and Derek Bonin, Planning Forester, Policy and Planning Department updating the Environment and Energy Committee of the fisheries initiatives that are underway in collaboration with agencies to mitigate the impacts to the fisheries resource within the Capilano, Seymour, and Coquitlam Watersheds.

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Request of Staff Staff was requested to email the Environment and Energy Committee the PowerPoint presentation titled “Update on Fisheries Initiatives in the Capilano, Seymour and Coquitlam Watersheds”. It was MOVED and SECONDED That the Environment and Energy Committee receive for information the report dated May 31, 2011, titled “Update on Fisheries Initiatives in the Capilano, Seymour, and Coquitlam Watersheds”.

CARRIED

5.4 Manager’s Report Report dated June 8, 2011 from Roger Quan, Air Quality Planning Division Manager, Policy and Planning Department, updating the Environment and Energy Committee on the 2011 Workplan, Draft Integrated Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Management Plan and Carbon Neutrality. Members commented that:

· Municipalities require more time to consult on the draft updated 2011 Air Quality Management Plan

· The Metro Vancouver Board should express concerns, in writing, to the Climate Action Secretariat regarding cap and trade and the Carbon Tax

It was MOVED and SECONDED That the Environment and Energy Committee receive for information the report dated June 8, 2011, titled “Manager’s Report”.

CARRIED 6. INFORMATION ITEMS

It was MOVED and SECONDED That the Environment and Energy Committee receive for information the following Information Item: 6.1 2010 UBCM Resolutions – Correspondence dated April 20, 2011 from

Barbara Steele, President, Union of British Columbia Municipalities addressed to Chair Lois E. Jackson, Metro Vancouver Board responding to the 2010 resolutions put forward by Metro Vancouver endorsed by the Province.

CARRIED 7. OTHER BUSINESS

No items presented.

8. RESOLUTION TO CLOSE MEETING No items presented.

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9. ADJOURNMENT

It was MOVED and SECONDED That the Environment and Energy Committee conclude its regular meeting of June 14, 2011.

CARRIED (Time: 11:01 a.m.)

____________________________ ____________________________ Janis Olsen, Joe Trasolini, Chair Assistant to Regional Committees 5221240 FINAL

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DELEGATIONS

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COMMUNITY CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTIONS (3CS) PROGRAM

Presentation-Environment and Energy Committee 1

REPORT ON LAST 3 YEARS OF FUNDING/REQUEST FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT Dr. Stephen Sheppard, Collaborative for Advanced Landscape Planning (CALP), UBC

Goals of the 3CS Program The Community Climate Change Solutions (3CS) program is a collaboration between the CALP applied research group at UBC and over 25 other groups and agencies attempting to enhance & accelerate the transition to more resilient low-carbon communities. Phase I objectives were to:

• Apply compelling science-based visual media to synthesize and convey crucial technical and planning information on climate change to communities, in order to engage the public, build climate/energy literacy and capacity, and better inform policy-makers.

• Conduct 2-3 community case studies which envision climate change solutions to meet GHG reduction targets (mitigation), adapt to impacts, & maintain/enhance quality of life.

• Develop a guidance manual and tool-kit for communities to operationalize the visioning process and support outreach.

Phase I Work completed Over the first 3 years (2008-2011) of the partnership with Metro Vancouver, with leveraging of other funded research, CALP has met these goals by completing the following deliverables:

• Provision of visual data sets (including iconic visualisations of alternative adaptation and mitigation options in Lower Mainland neighbourhoods) as presentations and a web-gallery (http://www.calp.forestry.ubc.ca/media/ ) which have received widespread exposure through: o Contributions to Metro’s television documentary series “The Sustainable Region” on

northshore snowpack and other climate change issues, and the 2011 Sustainability Congress media displays, in coordination with Metro media staff

o Several other broadcast media presentations (eg. CTV, CBC, Global TV). o Over 60 lectures, slide-show presentations, and workshops to schools, public groups,

practitioners, councils, ENGOs, and government o Course materials on regional climate change futures for university courses & capacity-

building programs (also supported by UBC and Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions). • Continued local climate change visioning case studies within Metro Vancouver to map

renewable energy resources across the Northshore and develop detailed response scenarios to climate risks in Delta.

• Producing & disseminating a Visioning Guidance Manual (also supported by BC’s Ministry of Community and Regional Development and Climate Action Secretariat).

Outcomes of research and extension to date The above activities support municipal efforts to meet Climate Action Charter commitments on carbon neutrality and building compact sustainable communities, & to achieve provincial targets.

• Long-term research with decision-makers involved in early case studies shows that visioning techniques helped build support for mitigation and adaption polices, and iconic local visualisations (eg. snowpack reduction, sea level rise, low-carbon neighbourhoods) continue to resonate with the public, the media, and policy-makers.

• Visioning processes have enriched the dialogue and enabled/accelerated local government consideration of previously unfamiliar or controversial topics such as community retrofits, “managed retreat”, densification, and biomass energy systems.

• Visioning methods are starting to be mainstreamed in planning and outreach through training workshops, incorporation in Provincial adaptation guidance, and local projects.

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COMMUNITY CLIMATE CHANGE SOLUTIONS (3CS) PROGRAM

Presentation-Environment and Energy Committee 2

Proposed Phase II activities enabled by continued Metro Vancouver support The next 5 years represents the critical period for shifting to pathways that attain 2020 targets of 33% reduction in regional GHGs, as well as other Metro Vancouver Strategic Priorities and Action Plan goals such as energy neutrality and corporate carbon neutrality. Phase II of the 3CS program (2011-2016) will foster better public engagement and build ‘buy-in’ on such policies, targets, and plans. Specific activities planned or underway include:

• A new project (partly funded by Neptis Foundation and the GEOIDE Research Network, with local partners Richmond & Surrey and parallel Toronto study) for building public literacy to support policy change on community energy solutions across Metro Vancouver.

• Community workshops in the BC Hydro Decision Theatre in the Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability (CIRS) at UBC: a forum for public and decision-maker engage-ment using immersive visualisation as a “window on the future of the region”. This cutting-edge facility opens in the fall. It offers a neutral space for stakeholders, governments, and researchers to explore future scenarios with climate change solutions and to test new engagement tools. It will provide access to advanced spatial modelling, interactive visual media, and collaborative processes such as digital charrettes. We hope to work closely with Metro Vancouver staff to exchange spatial and 3D datasets and enhance regional planning and policy efforts.

• A continuing outreach and support program for: o capacity-building and social learning on community climate change solutions o training in visioning methods for practitioners and communities wishing to implement

these tools and processes, based on rigorous testing and effectiveness evaluation.

Phase II of the 3CS Program is consistent with both Metro Vancouver’s Action Plan and UBC’s new Sustainability Initiative, where the university acts as an “agent of change in the community”. We see it as a key bridge between UBC and Metro Vancouver on outreach and planning issues of mutual interest. We therefore are requesting a renewal of the existing agreement with Metro, with a suggested contribution of $30,000 per year in funding (approximately 10% of the total required) for Phase II. Other partners who have provided support over the last 3 years are listed in the attachment and slide presentation.

CALP and UBC are very appreciative of the past support from Metro Vancouver, and value the opportunity to interact over time with your dedicated professional staff and media groups. We hope that we can continue this highly productive and mutually beneficial partnership.

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Clean air for life....metro vancouver The purpose of this document is to request the opportunity to present to the Environment and Energy Committee of Metro Vancouver on July 12, 2011. My contact information is.....Ross Buchanan, 604-531-0009, [email protected] Ross Buchanan is the designated speaker for The 32nd Avenue Alliance.

The 32nd Avenue Alliance...We are Citizens of Surrey, living in the neighborhoods of Kensington Prairie, Grandview Heights, Morgan Creek and Rosemary Heights who are deeply committed to halting the expansion of 32nd avenue to a five lane thoroughfare and securing a ban of highway trucks from 32nd avenue in order to preserve and protect the Public Health and Public Safety of our Families!

The committee I wish to address is the Environment and Energy Committee. The date of the meeting I wish to speak at is July 12, 2011 Subject of Presentation Air Quality and looming environmental disaster along the 32nd avenue corridor in Surrey BC relative to the commitment of Metro Vancouver to “ensure clean, clear and healthy air for current and future generations.” Summary of Presentation The subject of my presentation is Metro Vancouver’s commitment to “ensure clean, clear and healthy air for current and future generations” relative to what the citizens of the communities of Grandview Heights, Morgan Creek, Kensington Prairies and Rosemary Heights are currently experiencing along the 32nd Avenue Corridor in Surrey. We wish to advise the committee of both the immediate and the future impact of upwards of 7000 diesels highway trucks being channeled to 32nd Avenue and jammed through a narrow opening in the heart of our high density residential neighborhoods where no setbacks are provided. All of this is despite the fact that adequate and acceptable highway truck routes are already provided for with setbacks that meet the Best Practice Guidelines for Public Health on Highway10 and Highway 15. The Best Practice Management Guidelines of the Ministry of Environment for the Province of BC for busy roads like 32nd avenue is 150 meters. Surrey’s setbacks are 4.5 meters. Special concern needs to be given to the fact that we are being gassed! Diesel exhaust kills. Given that diesel is a known carcinogen, mutagen and teratogen we believe that it is both immoral and foolish to ram what may well be the highest concentration of diesel highway trucks in BC (exceeding Deltaport by 291%) through the heart of our

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3.2 Late delegation On table item - ENV - July 12, 2011

neighborhoods within mere meters of our pre-schools, nursing homes, playgrounds and yes, our homes and our families. We believe that administrative fairness is not being served and that reasonable alternatives are being ignored to serve other purposes and that our lives and the lives of our children are being sacrificed to serve these other purposes. Make no mistake about it. Air Quality matters! Just talking about it isn’t good enough. We need to take action to protect the lives of the citizens of Metro Vancouver. We are what we breath. It is not reasonable to jam thousands of diesel highway trucks through this narrow opening in the heart of our high density neighborhoods and it is unreasonable not to direct the diesel highway trucks onto the highways that we have already built for them at a cost of hundreds of millions of dollars and which provide adequate setbacks to protect the health and public safety of the citizens of Metro Vancouver. Specific Action Request The specific action we are asking the committee to take is that relative to Metro Vancouver’s Sustainable Region Initiative and Metro Vancouver’s “commitment to the well being of current and future generations and the health of our planet, in everything we do,” and the stated purpose of “ensuring clean, clear and healthy air for current and future generations,” we respectfully request that the committee act to protect our lives and direct staff to conduct an environmental assessment of the air quality along the 32nd avenue corridor in Surrey, especially between 152nd and 160th which is about to be expanded to a five lane thoroughfare with no setbacks to further accommodate rapidly increasing diesel highway trucks in and out of the City of Surrey’s mega (2000 acres) industrial complex. The City of Surrey, through their wholly owned subsidiary Surrey Development Corporation, is the anchor developer of this project. This situation gravely endangers the health and safety of the residents of Surrey living in the 32nd avenue corridor. In our opinion this looming environmental disaster needs to be halted immediately, the data collected and analyzed and administrative fairness be served with a decision by an independent, impartial, objective committee that protects the health all of our families...especially our children. We call on the members of this committee to take the leadership role and conduct an assessment of the current and future impact of deadly diesel exhaust on the citizens of Metro Vancouver residing along the 32nd Avenue Corridor in Surrey. .


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Executive Summary: application of Helen Spiegelman, citizen, to speak to the Metro Environment and Energy Committee July 12, 2011:

When you apply please include:

o It is important to provide a summary of your presentation for inclusion in the agenda package so that board members are familiar with your subject. The Summary can be up to two pages (single sided). Copies of presentations or other handouts cannot be distributed at meetings however, you may submit to the Secretary a copy of your complete presentation or other relevant background material for the record.

I will advise the Committee that I will be sending a letter to the Provincial Government regarding the groundless concerns raised in this Metro Staff Report. I will say in the letter that I support the differential treatment of landfills and incinerators in BC legislation.

The provincial policy is justified for the following reasons:

• GHG emissions are unavoidable in the operation and design of incinerators. Combustion is by its nature a process that instantly ejects GHGs into the atmosphere

• GHG emissions are preventable at landfills. They can be prevented by changing the operation and design of landfills. This is why provincial policy imposes a requirement on landfills that they

. This is why provincial policy imposes a cost on incineration to reflect the instant and irreversible losses that are inevitable in the process. Burning plastic is no different than burning gasoline in your car.

• I would like to see the Metro Board call on the province to establish acapture GHGs as part of their normal operation.

province-wide ban on disposal of organic materials to landfill, as Metro intends to do within the region by 2015

• The common objective of both Metro and the Province should be to and as the province of Nova Scotia did in the 1990s.

drive materials up into their highest and best end use. Incinerators lock in bad design

• In addition to emitting GHGs, cinerators irreversibly destroy materials that may have future use. A well-managed landfill, on the other hand, could end up providing temporary storage for materials that can later be dug up and used once scarcity of raw and refined materials becomes severe.

by providing publicly subsidized management systems that provide a justification for producers continuing to sell wasteful products and packaging.

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REPORTS

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Environment and Energy Committee Meeting Date: July 12, 2011

Parks Committee Meeting Date: September 7, 2011

To: Environment and Energy Committee Parks Committee From: Erin Embley, Environmental Planner, Policy and Planning Department

Ann Rowan, Senior Policy Analyst, Policy and Planning Department Craig Sobering, Park System Planner, Regional Parks

Date: June 29, 2011 Subject: Draft of the Metro Vancouver Ecological Health Action Plan Environment and Energy Committee Recommendation: That the Environment and Energy Committee direct staff to conduct a process to receive feedback on the proposed projects in the draft Metro Vancouver Ecological Health Action Plan, dated July 12, 2011 and report back on the results at its September meeting. Parks Committee Recommendation: That the Parks Committee receive for information the report dated June 29, 2011, titled “Draft of the Metro Vancouver Ecological Health Action Plan”. 1. PURPOSE To present the draft Ecological Health Action Plan (EHAP), dated July 12, 2011, that describes how ecological health has been incorporated into Metro Vancouver plans and projects in addition to proposing 15 introductory projects to expand this work. Action on this item will meet a key deliverable in the 2011 Metro Vancouver Action Plan. 2. CONTEXT In its Sustainability Framework, Metro Vancouver commits to “protect and restore an interconnected network of habitat and green space, account for ecosystem services, and enhance the connection between people and nature”. This Ecological Health Plan (EHAP) represents an important next step in meeting this commitment. The Attachment to this report is the draft EHAP. The EHAP describes how the suite of regional management plans and strategies have incorporated ecological health into their goals, strategies and actions as well as in a wide range of Metro Vancouver initiatives and projects.

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Draft of the Metro Vancouver Ecological Health Action Plan Environment and Energy Committee Meeting Date: July 12, 2011 Parks Committee Meeting Date: September 7, 2011 Page 2 of 3 To make further progress, the document describes four areas of opportunity for improving the ecological health of the region. These areas of opportunity are:

• Making connections – Develop a common vision for regional ecosystem connectivity to guide actions by regional partners.

• Supporting Salmon in the City – Coordinate actions to protect and enhance critical spawning and rearing habitat for salmon.

• Reducing Toxics – Develop a proactive approach to reducing the exposure and risk associated with toxic substances in the region.

• Using Green Infrastructure – Improve the function of rural and urban landscapes through increasing tree cover, expanding pollinator populations and increasing on-site rainwater infiltration and detention through better landscaping.

Within this draft Action Plan, 15 proposed introductory projects are described that would demonstrate Metro Vancouver’s commitment to improving the ecological health of the region as well as provide tools and best practices useful for other local governments, the private sector and community groups. These projects are operational within the mandate of Metro Vancouver, are short-term in nature and are intended to produce measurable results. Maintaining and improving the ecological health of the region is an on-going effort requiring the efforts and resources of many partners. Further iterations of the EHAP could be expanded to describe the projects and efforts of local governments, the federal and provincial governments and their agencies, the private sector, universities, environmental organizations and community groups that contribute to the ecological health of the region. Consultation Pending Committee approval, it is proposed that the draft EHAP be made available for public comment. This would include: posting the document on our website, organizing an open house at the Metro Vancouver offices and hosting a webinar to elicit comments and input. In addition, input will be sought from the relevant advisory committees (i.e., Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and Regional Engineers Advisory Committee (REAC)). Tentative details for this consultation are:

• an Open House scheduled for Monday, July 25th at the Metro Vancouver Head Office, 6:00 to 8:30 pm

• a webinar on Wednesday, July 27th, 12:30 to 1:30 pm. To publicize this consultation, we will advertise in newspapers and on the Metro Vancouver website as well as directly inviting interested parties. 3. ALTERNATIVES That the Environment and Energy Committee may: a) Direct staff to conduct a process to receive feedback on the proposed projects in the

draft Metro Vancouver Ecological Health Action Plan, dated July 12, 2011, and report back on the results at its September meeting;

or b) refer this report back to the staff with comments; or c) receive this report for information.

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Draft of the Metro Vancouver Ecological Health Action Plan Environment and Energy Committee Meeting Date: July 12, 2011

Parks Committee Meeting Date: September 7, 2011 Page 3 of 3

That the Parks Committee may: a) receive for information the report dated June 29, 2011, titled “Draft of the Metro

Vancouver Ecological Health Action Plan”. 4. CONCLUSION In its Sustainability Framework, Metro Vancouver commits to “protect and restore an interconnected network of habitat and green space, account for ecosystem services, and enhance the connections between people and nature”. The draft Ecological Health Action Plan represents a pragmatic next step in meeting this commitment. In addition to describing how ecological health has been incorporated in the plans and projects of Metro Vancouver, it also proposes 15 introductory projects that will make positive contributions to the region’s ecological health. These proposed projects are within Metro Vancouver’s mandate and implementable in the short-term. ATTACHMENT Draft Ecological Health Action Plan dated July 12, 2011 – Coloured copies provided under separate cover (Doc. # 5266125). 5161836

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Ecological Health Action Plan Working towards a Sustainable Region

Draft – July 12, 2011

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5.1 ATTACHMENT Coloured copies provided under separate cover

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5266125

Ecological Health Action Plan Working towards a Sustainable Region

Draft – July 12, 2011

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5.1 ATTACHMENT ENV - July 12, 2011

2 ECOLOGICAL HEALTH ACTION PLAN DRAFT JULY 12, 2011

DRAFT JULY 12, 2011 ECOLOGICAL HEALTH ACTION PLAN 3

Figures

Figure 1: Diagram of Ecological Services .................................................................................7

Figure 2: The Region’s Natural Assets .....................................................................................9

Figure 3: Ecological Health Feedback Loop ..........................................................................17

Table of Contents

PREFACE ...................................................................................................................................5

WHAT IS ECOLOGICAL HEALTH? ...........................................................................................6Ecosystem Services ........................................................................................................6

Natural Assets of Metro Vancouver ................................................................................9

ECOLOGICAL HEALTH IN METRO VANCOUVER’S SUITE OF PLANS ..................................10

OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVING ECOLOGICAL HEALTH .................................................17Making Connections ....................................................................................................18

Supporting Salmon in the City .....................................................................................19

Reducing Toxics ............................................................................................................21

Using Green Infrastructure ............................................................................................22

PROPOSED INTRODUCTORY PROJECTS ............................................................................25Making Connections .....................................................................................................25

Supporting Salmon in the City ......................................................................................27

Reducing Toxics ............................................................................................................32

Using Green Infrastructure ............................................................................................34

CONCLUDING COMMENTS ..................................................................................................39

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PREFACE

In its Sustainability Framework, Metro Vancouver commits to “protect and restore an interconnected network of habitat and green space, account for ecosystem services, and enhance the connection between people and nature”. This Ecological Health Action Plan (EHAP) represents an important next step in meeting this commitment.

Over the past decade, Metro Vancouver has been working towards expanding and aligning regional efforts to improve our quality of life while supporting the integrity of our natural environment. The wide range of services Metro Vancouver provides the region and its related investment in public infrastructure and lands creates a unique opportunity for us to promote and support actions that improve our ecological health.

The EHAP describes how the suite of regional management plans and strategies have incorporated ecological health into their goals, strategies and actions as well as in Metro Vancouver initiatives and projects. In addition, Metro Vancouver has participated in high level strategic collaborations like the Biodiversity Conservation Strategy Partnership that endeavoured to identify opportunities to overcome the fragmented nature of jurisdictional responsibility for protecting and restoring biodiversity in the region.

The EHAP is a pragmatic next step – it is based on short-term actions clearly within Metro Vancouver’s mandate that will contribute to the ecological health of the region. The document describes four major opportunities for improving ecological health and 15 initial projects. The proposed projects represent investments in maintaining and improving the services provided by nature in the region, doing so will yield positive social and environmental benefits. They are introductory projects and so represent just a component of a much broader and on-going effort by many stakeholders within Metro Vancouver to improve ecological health.

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WHAT IS ECOLOGICAL HEALTH?

Ecological health reflects the essential link between human health and well-being and the health of the natural environment. Healthy, properly functioning natural systems are the foundation to the region’s economic prosperity, our collective quality of life and personal well-being. We rely on nature to provide a wide range of services, including the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat.

The natural environment is an important determinant of population health. The environmental burden of disease is a measure of the proportion of human disease attributed to environmental causes and the World Health Organization has made a preliminary estimate that the environmental burden of disease for Canada is 13 per cent. Therefore, a commitment to ensuring the health of natural systems should translate into healthier populations in addition to environmental benefits. For example, actions that improve air quality will lead to a decrease in respiratory problems, improved personal health for affected individuals, and reduced stress on our healthcare system. In addition to the essential services provided by nature, there is a growing body of evidence of the benefits associated with proximity to nature and include enhancing self esteem, creating close-knit communities, and contributing to a healthy and active lifestyle.

While the ecological health of the Metro Vancouver region is relatively good at present, the stress on some ecosystems has been significant and will only increase in response to anticipated population growth and climate change. All indications are that we must begin to do things differently.

Ecosystem Services Ecosystem services are the vast range of benefits nature provides that support and enhance our quality of life (Figure 1). They are generally ordered into four sub-classes:

• Supporting services are the processes that are necessary for the production of all other ecosystem services, like pollination, production of atmospheric oxygen, soil formation and retention, nutrient cycling, water cycling, provision of habitat, and photosynthesis.

• Provisioning services are the products obtained from ecosystems, including genetic resources, food, fibre and fresh water.

• Cultural services are the non-material benefits people obtain from ecosystems through spiritual enrichment, cognitive development, recreation, and aesthetic enjoyment.

• Regulating services are benefits obtained from the regulation of ecosystem processes such as: carbon storage, climate regulation, water purification, and waste treatment.

Using a forest ecosystem to illustrate the varied goods and services we receive from nature, a forest provides the following: wood fibre (provisioning), photosynthesis (supporting), recreation (cultural), and carbon storage (regulating).

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Figure 1: Diagram of Ecological Services

In 2005, the United Nations Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA) published the first broad-based scientific assessment on the state of the world’s ecosystems and their services. Involving more than 1,360 experts from around the globe, the objective of this assessment was two-fold:

• Expand the understanding individuals and decision-makers have of how conceptions of human well-being are reliant on services provided by nature and ecosystems; and

• Provide a science-based assessment of the state of these ecosystems in order to guide policy to alleviate the stress that human activity has placed on these systems.

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In a strongly worded conclusion, the Millenium Ecosystem Assessment Board wrote “human activity is putting such strain on the natural functions of the Earth that the ability of the planet’s ecosystems to sustain future generations can no longer be taken for granted”. While nature and ecosystem services provide the conditions for a decent, healthy and secure life, the growing demand in recent decades for food, fresh water, fibre, and energy have compromised and destroyed ecosystems. This has resulted in declining fish stocks, loss of wetlands, forests, and other natural landscapes that provide essential habitat for a wide range of species including natural pollinators. In addition, the continual build up of nitrogen and phosphorus in lakes, estuaries and enclosed seas as well as carbon in the atmosphere will likely lead to abrupt changes in environmental conditions that will have devastating impacts on human communities.

The MEA calls for urgent and transformative changes to reverse the current trend towards decreasing ecological health. Achieving this requires policies that strive to satisfy human needs while “exacting a far smaller cost on natural systems”. The report’s authors propose that can be accomplished if the economic value of ecosystem services is better incorporated into decision-making at all levels. While it appears that these goods and services are “free”, the costs are borne either by distant communities or by future generations.

The value of natural capital in the Lower MainlandThe stunning coastal and mountain landscapes along with the ability to enjoy a range of outdoor activities have long been associated with the appeal of living in Metro Vancouver. However, a recent study provides a new perspective on the value of natural systems in Metro Vancouver. It estimated that the annual economic value of the services provided by the forests, wetlands, grasslands, and croplands in B.C.’s Lower Mainland is $5.4 billion. This is a conservative estimate since it does not value resident’s access to nature or the significant value marine or other aquatic ecosystems.

Compared to other parts of the world, particularly in developing countries, the ecological health of the Metro Vancouver region is good. But this is a situation that cannot be taken for granted. The MEA’s call for action should lead to changes in decision-making by governments, businesses and households so that the effect of our activities on natural systems is taken into account.

Within Metro Vancouver, many important initiatives are underway demonstrating that we can reduce our impact on nature and natural systems: streamkeeper groups are active in restoring salmon habitat, businesses are switching to less toxic substances, home-owners are creating pollinator-friendly gardens, and governments are implementing policies that reduce contaminant loadings associated with storm run-off. But this effort needs to be accelerated and expanded if we are to conserve the rich natural legacy of the region and the economic and social benefits of healthy and functioning natural systems.

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Natural Assets of Metro VancouverMetro Vancouver is the meeting place of the river, ocean and mountains. Our region is comprised of three main landscapes – the coastal mountains, the gently rolling uplands found higher up the Fraser Valley and the flat delta lowlands located where the Fraser River flows into the Salish Sea. This topography also influences the climate. Warm moist air from the Pacific Ocean releases its moisture, as rain or snow, at it rises over the North Shore Mountains during most the year though the summer months can be much drier. The climate is temperate as a result of the ocean currents and the shelter provided by the mountains on Vancouver Island.

Figure 2 indicates the range of natural assets in the developed and undeveloped areas of the region.

Figure 2: The Region’s Natural Assets

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ECOLOGICAL HEALTH IN mETRO VANCOUVER’S SUITE OF PLANSSince 2002, Metro Vancouver has formally put the concept of sustainability at the centre of its operating and planning philosophy and advanced its role as a leader in creating a sustainable future. This comprehensive endeavour became known as the Sustainable Region Initiative, or more familiarly as the “SRI”. In 2008, Metro Vancouver’s Board adopted the Sustainability Framework outlining its vision, mission, values, sustainability imperatives and principles.

Ecological health is one of the ten strategic priorities identifi ed by the Metro Vancouver Board. The Ecological Health Action Plan is one among a suite of interconnected regional management plans and strategies that together comprise a comprehensive and sustainability driven approach to regional responsibilities and initiatives. However, actions to maintain and improve ecological health are incorporated into the relevant Metro Vancouver plans and in many of our initiatives. The synergies between our existing management plans and the Ecological Health Action Plan are described below.

Regional Parks and Greenways PlanThe Regional Parks and Greenways Plan gives direction to the Regional Parks Department. Ecological health is a strong component of the Plan. Highlights are:

• A goal to “protect regional landscapes, biodiversity and heritage features” by securing and enhancing regionally signifi cant landscapes, habitats and environmental corridors and managing parklands to protect biodiversity, environmental and cultural integrity.

• Key actions related to ecological health include:

o Secure critical and sensitive habitats and environmental corridors.

o Complete and adopt management plans for each park and greenway.

o Restore and enhance critical habitats in regional parks and greenways.

o Implement integrated policies and strategies to manage health, user confl icts and environmental issues.

o Build community capacity to undertake stewardship activities, restoration, and species recovery and biodiversity enhancement projects.

o Collaborate with agencies to promote active living and healthy lifestyles.

Brae Island Campground Ecological Drainage and Infi ltration System

This project involves creating a drainage and retention system at the campground that replicates the natural hydrology of the Brae Island. As a result of the work done, only during extremely heavy storms is there runoff into the Fraser River from the site. A new network of infi ltration cells allows rain water to permeate the sandy soils, providing on-site water retention. To mitigate fl oods during spring thaw, a small drainage pump and pipes store excess waters.

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Regional Growth Strategy (in ratifi cation process)Regional planning has greatly contributed to approximately two-thirds of the land in Metro Vancouver being devoted to agricultural, recreational and conservation uses. The Regional Growth Strategy (RGS) establishes land use designations and the policies that manage the multiple objectives of accommodating population growth, enhancing economic prosperity, and maintaining the environmental qualities that ensure the livability and sustainability of the region. Specifi cally the RGS:

• Creates an urban containment boundary that will contain most new urban development to areas already designated for development.

• Emphasizes that new growth should be focused on complete communities that are walkable, mixed use, and transit-oriented. This will support regional efforts to reduce the level of pollutants associated with personal travel.

• Protects agricultural, recreational and conservation lands that provide a fl ow of valuable ecosystem services from urban development.

• Supports a collaborative approach to developing a connected network of ecosystems, natural features, and corridors that enhance recreational connectivity and ecosystem functions.

• Encourages lands use and transportation infrastructure that reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions and improves air quality. In addition, the RGS identifi es that decisions related to land use and public infrastructure should improve the capacity of developed and undeveloped lands to withstand climate change impacts and natural hazards.

Sensitive Ecosystem Inventory

In 2010, Metro Vancouver initiated a Sensitive Ecosystem Inventory to identify and map at-risk, fragile and ecologically important ecosystems throughout the region and Abbotsford. This ambitious project will provide data required to support sustainable land management practices and conserve ecological diversity. When the inventory is complete, it will be a valuable resource for achieving the goal of protecting endangered wetlands and creating a Regional Protected Areas Network, as well as informing further analyses on ecosystem services and conservation.

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Drinking Water Management Plan (under review)Ecological health and the Drinking Water Management Plan (DWMP) are closely linked. The DWMP articulates how Metro Vancouver will provide clean, safe drinking water to the region’s residents by:

• Minimizing human access and activities in the three drinking water watersheds. Doing so signifi cantly reduces the risk of microbiological or chemical contamination to our drinking water.

• Managing the watersheds with a minimum interventionist approach that protects, restores and enhances the natural capital of the North Shore mountains.

The DWMP also maps out the sustainable use of water resources, focusing on demand management strategies. Metro Vancouver is working to ensure an adequate supply of water for the region’s residents, now and in the future, while also managing for fi sh and other wildlife in the watersheds.

Kwikwetlem Salmon Restoration Program

Since the 1890s, Coquitlam Lake has been used as a drinking water source and as spawning and rearing habitat for Sockeye. With the construction of the dam for generating hydroelectricity, salmon were blocked from the upper reaches of the Coquitlam River. In 2003, BC Hydro, Kwikwetlem First Nation and Metro Vancouver began work to examine the feasibility of restoring Sockeye populations in this watershed while protecting drinking water quality. After an absence of nearly 100 years, an initial population were released in the Reservoir for further study. This is an example of a collaborative approach of all parties to contribute to the conservation of salmon, restore a culturally and ecologically important fi sh while ensuring the Reservoir’s functions in providing clean, safe drinking water and electricity to the region.

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Integrated Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Management Plan (in preparation)

The regional air quality in Metro Vancouver is generally good but elevated levels of some pollutants may exist near local emission sources. Regionally, particulate matter and greenhouse gas emissions are forecasted to increase as a result of growth in population, trade and transportation.

Climate change will have signifi cant impact in our region increasing water temperatures in oceans and rivers, making them less hospitable to salmon and other fi sh. In addition, drier and hotter summers will introduce more stress on impacted habitats, agriculture and increase the heat island effects in built up urban areas.

Recognizing that clean air is essential to the health of all residents of the region as well as to our local ecosystems, the Integrated Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Management Plan will:

• Protect public health and the environment by reducing the emissions of particulate matter and the precursors to ozone.

• Improve visual air quality by reducing emissions of particulate matter and other contaminants that will improve visual air quality.

• Minimize the region’s contribution to global climate change.

Metro Vancouver is also involved in initiatives that will support the goals of this plan. Contaminants such as ozone can reduce plant productivity, including crop yields and tree growth. Particulate matter and nitrogen oxides from vehicle emissions contribute to the acidifi cation of local waters. The AirCare program helps to reduce particulate matter and nitrogen oxides, which is a precursor to ozone. To improve air quality in the region, Metro Vancouver has also established regulations and a permit system to control emissions from industrial and commercial sources.

The Air Quality Health Index uses data from the network of Metro Vancouver’s air quality monitoring stations to calculate an hourly index. The index provides guidance to individuals on how to adjust their exposure and physical activities in relation to local air pollution levels.

Reducing Emissions from Non-Road Diesel machines

Metro Vancouver, in cooperation with private and public sector stakeholders, is taking a leading role in addressing emissions from non-road diesel machines. Metro Vancouver has adopted a non-road diesel bylaw that will come into effect in 2012 to reduce particulate matter (PM) emissions from diesel engines. Non-road diesel machines – including construction and industrial equipment – are a leading source of regional diesel PM emissions. Although the primary impact of these emissions is on human health, PM emissions from diesel machines settle and could have long-term ecological impacts on specifi c ecosystems within the region.

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Integrated Liquid Waste and Resource Management PlanThe long term vision for liquid waste management in Metro Vancouver is to recover all energy, nutrients, water or other usable materials in the liquid stream that can effectively and efficiently be recovered, while the rest is returned to the environment in a manner that protects public health and the environment. Towards this goal, actions have been initiated that will:

• Reduce pollution through source management at the point of pollution, fewer sewer overflows and improving wastewater treatment.

• Release effluent that is safe for marine ecosystems through extensive environmental assessment programs and quality control work on existing infrastructure.

• Reduce the occurrence of sewer system overflows and their environmental impacts.

• Pursue liquid waste resource and energy recovery in integrated context.

In addition to sanitary sewage, the Plan deals with drainage issues related to storm and rain water. Better stormwater management is important for improving the water quality and biological integrity of the streams in the region’s more than 100 watersheds that provide habitat for fish and other wildlife as well as recreational opportunities. The development and implementation of Integrated Stormwater Management Plans (ISMP’s) are municipal requirements in the regional Plan. Metro Vancouver provides an important coordination function through the Stormwater Interagency Liaison Group and the Environmental Monitoring Committee.

Similcoe Mine, Princeton BC. Smelter lake tailings before (2005) and after biosolids application (2006)

Recovering Resources from Liquid Waste: Biosolids

Since 1990, Metro Vancouver has beneficially used over one million tonnes of biosolids through a variety of actions to restore and enhance the natural environment in British Columbia. Biosolids, a valuable and renewable resource of nutrients and organic matter produced at Lower Mainland wastewater treatment plants, are used in projects such as mine reclamation, landfill rehabilitation and methane mitigation, forest fertilization, and in the creation of high-quality landscaping soils.

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Integrated Solid Waste and Resource Management Plan (awaiting Ministerial approval)

The overriding principle of the Integrated Solid Waste and Resource Management Plan is to avoid the need for disposing of waste. This will be accomplished through an intensive effort to avoid the creation of waste in the fi rst place and then to minimize materials that need to be disposed of through material and energy recovery from the waste stream.

The plan will contribute to the ecological health through three key actions:

• Reduce or eliminate materials entering the solid waste system that may exacerbate environmental impacts of the waste that goes to landfi ll or waste-to-energy facility.

• Divert food scraps and other organic materials from disposal. The decomposition of organic materials in the anaerobic conditions of landfi lls results in the emission of methane gas. Methane gas is a much more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide so expanded composting programs will reduce regional emissions of greenhouse gases.

• Continue to improve the environmental performance of the existing waste-to-energy facility with improved technologies and performance monitoring to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and objectives. Any new facilities will be designed to outperform environmental standards.

Safely Disposing of medications

Metro Vancouver is partnering with the BC Pharmacy Association in a public awareness campaign on the importance of disposing of medications safely. The key message is how easy it is to drop off unused and expired medications, non-prescription drugs, and vitamin, mineral and herbal supplements to local pharmacies. While medications constitute a very small part of the region’s total waste stream, their potential environmental impact is disproportionately high. Medications and health-care products from a dispensary have been banned from Metro Vancouver landfi ll sites since 2009. In that year, twenty percent of residents were aware that medications should and could be returned to pharmacies. In 2011, this awareness had grown to fi fty percent.

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Regional Food System StrategyThe objective of the recently adopted Regional Food System Strategy is to create a sustainable, resilient and healthy regional food system through the collaboration of all levels of government and their agencies, the private sector, public institutions, community groups, and consumers. Healthy, functioning ecosystems are essential for agricultural production and productive near shore fisheries. The Regional Food System Strategy supports ecological health through actions that:

• Protect and enhance ecosystem goods and services. This will be achieved by exploring opportunities to develop programs to reward good stewardship initiatives on the part of farmers who contribute to the ecological health of the region.

• Support for efforts that reduce waste at every step in the food system. Facilitate the adoption of environmentally sustainable practices in fisheries and agriculture.

• Communicate to consumers how their food choices can support environmental sustainability. Empowering consumers with relevant information about how their food choices affect their own health and the health of important ecosystems can make a positive difference.

Affordable Housing StrategyThe Affordable Housing Strategy was adopted to address some of the critical housing challenges in the region. It does not address the issue of ecological health directly, but does recognize the linkage between housing and sustainability.

Metro Vancouver Housing Corporation (MVHC) owns and operates more than 50 affordable rental housing sites across the region and is working to incorporate landscaping that supports natural systems and habitat into its operations. For example, MVHC is looking to increase the amount of “edible” landscape through the introduction of berry bushes at their housing sites. Also, about a third of the sites participate in the MVHC Community Gardens Project. Almost all of the community garden sites use composters to reduce food waste and enrich the soil.

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR ImPROVING ECOLOGICAL HEALTH

As a metropolitan region, developing an approach to maintain and improve the region’s ecological health is very different than it would be for wilderness or rural areas. Our approach has been to deal with the intersection between ecosystems in a ‘natural’ setting and those in an urban, built environment. The dynamics of this situation are depicted in Figure 3.

Figure 3: Ecological Health Dynamics

ECOSYSTEM DEGRADATION

ENVIRONMENTAL& NATURAL HAZARDS

ECOSYSTEM SERVICES

GOOD URBANDESIGN

SAFETY & COMFORT

STEWARDSHIP

HEALTHPROBLEMS

BUILDING DISREPAIR &

DECAY

BU

ILT E

NV

IRO

NM

EN

T

NA

TU

RA

L E

NV

IRO

NM

EN

T

Ecological Health Feedback Loop

POSITIVE

NEGATIVE

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Within this context, Metro Vancouver has adopted a project-based pragmatic approach in developing an Ecological Health Action Plan, one that will add value to current initiatives in the region. Through an informed process, four areas of opportunity were identified that would contribute to the ecological health of the region:

• Making Connections

• Supporting Salmon in the City

• Reducing Toxics

• Using Green Infrastructure.

From these opportunities, proposals for 15 results-oriented projects operational in the short term were identified.

Making Connections An ecologically healthy region is made up of a mosaic of landscapes and natural features that provide essential ecosystem services. This network can include a variety of land types. Together, parks, conservation areas, schools, greenways, riparian areas, individual gardens and street trees form a network of large intact ecosystems or hubs and corridors connecting them. Metro Vancouver contributes to this system through its lands owned for parks and greenways as well as land use decisions for the conservation and recreational lands defined in the Regional Growth Strategy. Connectivity is particularly important for ecological health in a fragmented urban landscape as it enables species to move between larger intact habitats as part of their normal migration and in response to environmental disruptions like climate change. Connected landscapes allow for ecological processes to occur and, ensuring connectively is the result of an intentional and strategic process.

Developing a common vision for regional ecosystem connectivity will guide actions of the range of partners involved in creating a network system that ensures resiliency of natural systems and provision of natural services into the future. In its 2011 Action Plan, Metro Vancouver made a commitment to identify a regional ecological network in collaboration with local and senior levels of government and other agencies. This network should support the provision of a range of ecological services, continuous habitat that facilitates species movement, and when appropriate, trails and rivers for recreational use. Developing a regional Green Infrastructure Network (GIN) will facilitate an on-going process to strategically address the negative implications of urban growth and landscape fragmentation on ecological health in a way that pursues multiple benefits. This is in contrast to conservation initiatives which are focused on solving one environmental problem and are not normally well integrated with other environmental initiatives and land use planning.

The strategic identification, establishment and management of the GIN will require the collective action of all regional stakeholders and the use of a variety of existing and new land use tools. Metro Vancouver is currently developing an inventory of sensitive ecosystems that will further inform the development of a regional GIN.

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What is needed:

1. Identify and map well established, functioning ecosystems where resilient ecological hubs and corridors remain through the Sensitive Ecosystem Inventory (SEI) and other initiatives within the region, prioritize these and surrounding sites for protection and restoration.

2. Improve riparian vegetation. This will contribute to both stream and wetland health and water quality while also contributing to ecological connectivity.

3. Identify physical barriers to biological connectivity, like roads, weirs or fencing, in and around sensitive ecosystems.

4. Expand the role of recreation and transportation corridors to better integrate opportunities for ecosystem services and species migration.

5. Elaborate on the range of tools that can be used to create a regional Green Infrastructure Network (GIN).

Supporting Salmon in the City Of all the species that occupy Metro Vancouver, salmon are arguably the best illustration of our ecological, economic and social sustainability and the link between human and ecological health.

Most of the landscape of what is now Metro Vancouver was once dominated by conifer forests that towered over an elaborate network of streams that drained the landscape. It is within our clear, cold, shady streams that salmon returning from their distant migrations spawn and their spent bodies decompose into nutrients that sustain, in part, the rearing of the next generation of salmon before their journey to the Pacific to continue the natural cycle of life.

Salmon are central to the forest food web. In addition to nourishing their own offspring, returning salmon are the food for eagles, heron and otters. As their bodies decompose, nutrients leach back into the stream systems and riparian areas, providing nutrients for some 190 species of plants and animals including the trees that provide necessary cover to the streams.

The economic history of Metro Vancouver is also tied to salmon. The legendary abundance of salmon supported a vibrant fishing and canning industry once vied for space along the rivers and inlets with shipping, log booms and mills. While fishing has declined as an economic activity, a remnant fishing sector and processing industry continues to operate in Metro Vancouver handling an increasing amount of farmed salmon. Salmon continues to be part of everyday meals and important occasions for families and wild salmon can still be purchased in fish markets, grocery stores, and directly from boats docked at local wharfs.

The emergence of complex First Nation societies on the Coast rich in myths, art and trading was supported in part on the abundance of salmon. The importance of salmon is strongly reflected in their oral histories, art and celebrations. The continuing importance of salmon is reflected by First Nation involvement in policies on fisheries management and conservation.

Salmon continues to be an important cultural icon in the region. This importance is reflected in the efforts of streamkeepers, other conservation groups, and local governments to reclaim salmon streams and implement programs to augment native stocks. Within the region, events are organized to celebrate the return of the spawning salmon and a variety of information events, displays and permanent fixtures in museums, hatcheries, and aquariums are dedicated to the species.

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What do we mean by salmon?

In this report we use salmon as shorthand to refer to all of the anadromous fish species that use Metro Vancouver to complete a portion of their life cycles. Anadromous fish travel up rivers from the sea to breed. In addition to the five Pacific Salmon species (Chinook, Chum, Coho, Pink, and Sockeye) other anadromous species in Metro Vancouver are Steelhead and Cutthroat Trout.

Declines in salmon stocks are primarily attributed to poor marine survival. However, while efforts to address these challenges continue, actions to protect and enhance critical spawning and rearing habitat are an important part of rebuilding salmon populations.

The salmon’s continued transference of nutrients from the Pacific Ocean to the people, wildlife and landscape of the Coast requires the creation of positive conditions for all elements of the salmon food web – robust habitat, abundant clean water and the thriving web of insect populations that salmon feed on. In a 1997 study Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) estimated that over 100, almost a third, of the streams in the Metro Vancouver area had been lost and that of the remaining 238 streams, 221 were either threatened or endangered. Industrial, transportation and shipping activities as well as urban development along the Fraser River have significantly altered the river’s riparian areas and estuaries while dredging alters its dynamics. The quality of water in urban streams, the Fraser River and coastal areas is affected by high concentrations of chemical and natural elements transported by runoff from urbanized and agricultural areas into storm sewers and ditches in combination with effluent discharges from regional wastewater treatment plants and industrial operations.

What is needed:

To reverse this trend, coordinated action to protect and enhance critical spawning and rearing habitat is required. Specific strategies to achieve these broad goals include:

1. Protect biological integrity of existing watersheds

2. Protect the integrity of aquifers

3. Protect in-stream flows

4. Protect quality of surface waters

5. Protect riparian corridor vegetation

6. Restore historic native fish distributions

7. Restore the hydrological regimes of watersheds

8. Restore habitat and productive capacity for native salmon.

While improving the ecological health of salmon is a shared responsibility, Metro Vancouver has opportunities available to it via its regional parks, sewerage and drainage functions to act in partnership to incrementally improve salmon habitat in some key regional streams.

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Reducing ToxicsHuman health can be negatively affected by exposure to toxic substances. Contaminants in the air we breathe, the water we drink and play in, and the food we eat may come from pollution or through exposure to toxics in products we use at home or at work. Depending on the toxic substance and the exposure, there can be risks to human health and also to the species that share our environment.

Health experts and scientists are particularly concerned about the effects of contaminants that are persistent, bio-accumulative, and are toxic at low levels of exposure. Persistent substances break down slowly or not at all in the environment. Some contaminants accumulate in the tissues of organisms of a food chain, meaning those at the top, including humans, have higher concentrations in their system.

Toxic contaminants reach the Strait of Georgia through a variety of sources and human activities. Among them are: industrial and wastewater effluent, storm sewers, atmospheric deposition, and disturbances to coastal and river sediments. Run-off from agricultural fields can also cause water pollution problems such as high nutrient loadings. Pollution can lead to problems in aquatic food chains and water quality problems at some beaches and other recreational areas. Contaminant concentrations tend to be highest near urban and industrial areas but these have decreased during the last two decades as a result of clean-ups of contaminated-sites and efforts to control contaminants at their source. For example, it seems that the return of Pacific white-sided dolphins in Howe Sound can be attributed to the covering of creosote-covered pilings with material. The creosote is particularly toxic to herring eggs and in reducing exposure, the food chain has recovered.

The precedence for local governments taking the initiative to reduce the use of toxics was set by the town of Hudson in Quebec -- the first community in Canada to ban the use of cosmetic application of pesticides. The by-law was challenged but the Supreme Court of Canada confirmed that local governments may take steps to regulate or prohibit the use of toxic substances that are harmful to public health or safety.

Reducing toxics that are used and disposed of in Metro Vancouver would be beneficial to the health and resiliency of ecosystems and nature’s food chains. Preventing pollution and harmful exposures to humans and other living things will prove to be less expensive than clean-ups and treating related health problems in the long-run.

What is needed:

A comprehensive approach to reduce the risk of exposure to toxic substances in our lives and environment will require much more than the initiatives of local governments, it will also involve:

1. More rigourous testing of new chemicals before they are approved for use.

2. National and international bans of the most dangerous toxic substances.

3. Continued expansion of programs that require manufacturers and importers of products containing toxic substances to assume the full costs of proper disposal.

4. Increased monitoring efforts to track changes in environmental health and success of source control programs along with continued research into potential effect of toxics on human and wildlife health.

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Reducing the amount of toxic substances in our environment is an on-going challenge, Metro Vancouver makes a contribution through its role in developing management plans for liquid waste, solid waste and air quality, in implementing these plans and through regulation.

Using Green InfrastructureGreen infrastructure is the name given to natural systems which provide services to human populations that might otherwise require the creation and use the manufactured, or grey, infrastructure. Green infrastructure can assist, and in some cases, replace conventional engineered solutions or grey infrastructure. For example, green infrastructure uses soils, vegetation and trees to help manage our rainwater. Green infrastructure provides a variety of ecosystem services and generally is less expensive than grey infrastructure.

In this plan, improving urban and rural landscapes is focused on increasing tree coverage, expanding pollinator populations, and increasing on-site rainwater infiltration and detention. These are important individual objectives and may also have important synergistic benefits.

Pollinators It is estimated that up to 90 per cent of all plants and a third of our food supply relies on pollination services provided by nature. Natural pollinators include: bees, butterflies, humming birds and bats. Declines in the health and populations of pollinators pose a significant threat to our food supply as well as natural food webs.

Pollinator populations are in decline. This loss is attributed to many factors, including degradation of habitat in urban, rural and agricultural areas. Pollinators need habitat that includes a rich array of flowering plants that provide food and minerals in the form of nectar and pollen. Pollinators also require sites for mating, nesting, roosting, and opportunities for migration. Other factors contributing to the decline of pollinators include the reduction in floral diversity, and increase in hybrid ornamental flower varieties where food sources are reduced or inaccessible. Pollinator populations are also under stress from the effects of disease, predators, parasites, climate change and pesticides. Due to the chemical properties of pesticides and their application, non-target species such as pollinators are negatively affected.

What is needed:

1. Eliminate the cosmetic application of pesticides.

2. Restore and protect existing pollinator habitats.

3. Supplement existing habitat with new and enhanced habitat. Different pollinator species have different requirements so a variety of ground and tree habitats is needed, and this could include artificial shelters such as: bird nests, bee boards, and bat houses.

4. Support changes in agricultural practices that are pollinator-friendly including the expansion of buffer strips when pesticides are used and more targeted application of pesticides.

5. Expand the number and range of flowering plants that can provide food for pollinators throughout the year in parks, roadways, field hedgerows, around public buildings and in private gardens.

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In order to focus our efforts while supporting a wide variety of pollinator species, the western bumble bee will be targeted in pollinator habitat and creation efforts. The western bumble bee has been one of the most abundant pollinators in Metro Vancouver but there are indications of a dramatic decline in their populations. Efforts to improve the food and habitat requirements of this species will benefit other pollinators and species who share similar requirements.

Urban TreesPlanting trees is often cited as the single most effective way to improve ecological health in non-forested areas. Benefits include: mitigating urban heat island effects, improving air quality, reducing energy use for air conditioning, promoting physical and mental well-being, contributing to the management of rainwater and increasing real estate values.

Rainwater Detention Whereas green infrastructure in the form of natural vegetation and soils allows the gradual absorption and slow movement of rain and snowmelt, paved streets and buildings speed the delivery of both water and pollutants into pipes and out into our waterways. Pollutants from commercial, industrial and residential activities are moved by rain and snowmelt into storm drains that flush into rivers, lakes, or marine waters. Stormwater runoff accounts for 30 per cent of the pollution of water bodies across North America and the runoff includes toxic metals, oils solvents, pesticides, herbicides and leaded paint chips. Even a relatively small proportion of impervious surfaces can radically degrade salmon habitat and the volume of polluted waters can thwart local stream restoration efforts.

Climate change is also posing new threats to hydrologic systems, specifically to the flows and water quality of local streams and aquifers. Soils in the region have the capacity to store large amounts of moisture during the winter months and release it slowly as temperatures rise. This process is important in recharging aquifers and maintaining stream base flows during the summer. On-site water management will protect and expand this function which will be especially important in light of higher levels of precipitation during the winter and hotter summers associated with climate change.

Managing rainwater on-site means this water will be used as a resource to nourish trees and flowers instead of relying on pipes to carry away stormwaters that contain a toxic mix of chemicals. Minimizing the rate and volume of stormwater runoff are objectives of the Integrated Stormwater Management Plans that municipalities are developing and implementing to better protect the watersheds in their jurisdiction.

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What is needed:

1. Increase ecological connectivity and overcome habitat fragmentation by building links between urban and rural areas as well as natural landscapes.

2. Support a working landscape that can moderate heat islands in built up areas, filter air, diminish noise pollution, capture and store rainwater and carbon from the atmosphere, as well as improve the aesthetics of urban areas.

3. Support robust ecosystems for the management of basic resources such as: water, clean air, soil, and the maintenance of biodiversity.

4. Support pollinator populations through habitat creation and reduced use of pesticides to enhance food production in the region.

5. Improve water quality in lakes, streams, rivers and marine environment through the sustainable management of water resources.

6. Increase the permeability of urban surfaces to reduce the frequency and likelihood of high, quick flows of stormwater.

Improving the way we manage landscapes by planting more trees, protecting and enhancing habitat for pollinators and supporting on-site rainwater management will reduce the need to expand grey infrastructure in the years ahead while we reap the benefits of a more lush, inviting and healthy region.

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PROPOSED INTRODUCTORY PROJECTS

In the Sustainability Framework, Metro Vancouver commits to “protect and restore an interconnected network of habitat and green space, account for ecosystem services, and enhance the connections between people and nature”. To start down this path, the following pages describe a set of 15 introductory projects that Metro Vancouver can initiate in the near term that will make positive contributions to the region’s ecological health. They are grouped under the opportunity areas described above.

These proposed projects are intended to be the next steps in a much broader effort to improve the ecological health of Metro Vancouver – an effort that includes many partners.

Making Connections

Vision

A robust network of ecosystem hubs and corridors providing an abundance of ecosystem services to the region.

The goal of the Making Connections introductory project is to identify and expand the network of green infrastructure that supports Metro Vancouver. Implementing this initiative will be a shared task that Metro Vancouver is well positioned to coordinate.

In a dynamic metropolitan region where the price of land is high creating a regional Green Infrastructure Network (GIN) from the acquisition of large pieces of land is not viable. Supplementing the strategic management of existing protected and conservation areas will be an innovative and incremental approach to creating corridors so that remnant habitats can facilitate connectivity and enhance important habitats such as riparian areas and wetlands. The objectives in the on-going work associated with a regional GIN will be to support the provision of ecosystems services and associated economic, social and recreational values. This will involve actions to support the functioning and resiliency of natural systems to adapt to climate change.

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Project 1: Identifying a Regional Green Infrastructure Network (GIN)

In collaboration with local and senior levels of government and other agencies, Metro Vancouver will lead the identification of a regional GIN. The initial product will be a small scale regional map identifying the existing hubs and corridors of green infrastructure in the region and broad, preliminary objectives in expanding the regional GIN. This preliminary network will be updated upon completion of the regional Sensitive Ecosystem Inventory (SEI) in 2012. The SEI will help identify the gaps in the network and establish priorities for improving connectivity within the regional GIN.

Objectives

• Create a shared vision for a regional green infrastructure network.

• Identify what role Metro Vancouver is best positioned to play in protecting, restoring and enhancing the regional GIN.

• Develop an ongoing commitment by all regional partners to implement the regional GIN and its on-going role in land use management decisions within the region.

• Identify the range of tools that can be used in creating and maintaining the regional GIN.

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Supporting Salmon in the City

Vision

An abundance of healthy spawning salmon in streams throughout Metro Vancouver.

The goal of the Salmon in the City introductory projects is to incrementally improve the ecological health of a selection of the region’s lost and damaged salmon streams. Metro Vancouver has some level of legal authority or responsibility for the streams identified in this plan but not sole jurisdiction so a

partnership-based approach is required. These projects will complement the work of Integrated Storm Water Management Plans developed and implemented by municipalities across the region.

The proposed projects will enhance damaged fish habitat, create new habitat to replace degraded or destroyed habitat and re-establish fish access to existing salmon streams through habitat enhancement, removal of access barriers and day-lighting projects.

Project 2: Restoring Lower Brunette River

The lower Brunette River Project encompasses the lower reaches of this urban river located between North Road and the stream’s historic mouth at the Fraser River near Sapperton Landing. It is a salmon stream that has been severely affected by urban development and flood prevention projects, particularly in the lower reaches below Brunette Avenue. A bypass channel constructed to mitigate flooding in the Braid Industrial Area significantly compounded habitat degradation in the River. Salmon habitat in the project area is limited by poor water quality, low summer base flows, a poor distribution of areas suitable for rearing, as well as relatively poor in-stream cover and habitat diversity.

Metro Vancouver has responsibilities for managing the drainage in this watershed and owns property along various reaches of this river. The Brunette Basin Watershed Plan was developed collaboratively by Metro Vancouver and other regional partners in 2001. In addition to management responsibilities, Metro Vancouver maintains the Brunette-Fraser Regional Greenway and owns lands along the Lower Brunette for liquid waste and drainage management activities.

Partners to the watershed plan include the Brunette Basin Coordinating Committee with a mandate to coordinate municipal and stewardship activities as well as the Sapperton Fish and Game Club who have been instrumental in returning salmon to this river.

In addition to the existing and potentially expanded greenway along the lower Brunette, outdoor recreationalists suggest that a revitalized Brunette River could support a “blueway” for canoes, kayaks and other paddle vehicles.

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Objectives

Implementing proposed enhancements will:

• Increase base water flow levels in the historic channel which will improve in-stream rearing and spawning habitat for Coho, Chum, Pink and Steelhead.

• Provide better habitat through the use of large woody debris that will provide cover for returning salmon, food sources for young salmon and shade for reducing water temperatures.

• Improve water flows and the remove navigational barriers to enhance use of the Brunette River as a recreational “blueway”.

• Enhance the aesthetics of the river corridor which would augment the connection of the Brunette-Fraser Regional Greenway between the Braid Station area and Sapperton Landing on the east bank and help advance the development of parkland at Cold Point for recreational use.

• Include interpretive signing to explain the work of Metro Vancouver in restoring salmon habitat.

Possible Habitat Enhancements:

1. Explore opportunities and implement a strategy to increase flows in the historic river channel.

2. Implement strategy to improve fish habitat below Brunette Avenue using log boulder cover structures and pool-riffle habitats.

3. Explore opportunities to create new tidal off channel rearing habitat on Metro Vancouver land near the river’s mouth.

4. Implement a strategy to improve riparian habitat via weed control and the re-establishment of appropriate species in various locations along stream.

5. Review potential encroachment on Metro Vancouver lands and reclaim for habitat enhancement and recreational access.

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Project 3: Restoring Upper Brunette River

The salmon habitat in the upper reaches of the Brunette River has also been affected by urbanization though less than further downstream. A number of restoration projects have been completed or are actively under development in the upper Brunette River in 2011. These include an upgrade to the fish ladder on the Cariboo Dam and an enhanced weir that will provide improved access to Burnaby Lake and other tributaries for migrating salmon.

Metro Vancouver has drainage responsibilities within the Brunette River watershed and maintains the Brunette-Fraser Regional Greenway. In addition, there is a sanitary sewer in this stream corridor.

Objectives

• Enhance riparian and in stream habitat to benefit coho, pink, chum, steelhead and cutthroat trout.



1. Replace stop-log structures with weirs.

2. Construct side channel on the north bank using water from existing stormwater detention pond.

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Project 4: Enhancing Acadia Creek

Located in Pacific Spirit Regional Park and flowing in a northerly direction, Acadia Creek discharges into English Bay near Spanish Banks. The headwaters of the stream are located in the vicinity of the University Golf Course and much of the watershed is located within Pacific Spirit Regional Park. The stream is adjacent to University Hills Elementary School.

It appears that the limitations to establishing salmon in Acadia Creek are the diversion of its lower reaches to a pipe, access restrictions at the culvert on Marine Drive, and low summer flows. The creek’s habitat will be mapped and assessed during the spring and summer of 2011 as a BCIT student project with the results being supplied to Metro Vancouver.

Just to the east of Acadia Creek is Spanish Creek which was recently enhanced through a daylighting and habitat enhancement project. It now provides spawning and rearing habitat for Chum and Coho salmon. Reports indicate it also provides secondary biodiversity enhancing benefits to a variety of species in the area including heron and otter. The Spanish Banks Streamkeepers are active in the area and may participate in an Acadia Creek enhancement project.

Objectives

• Enhanced access to high quality natural habitat for Coho.

• Engage students in ecological health initiatives.

• Include interpretive signing to explain the work of Metro Vancouver in restoring salmon habitat .


1. Provide salmon access to new habitat through fish ladder or other means.

2. Create new habitat at culverted sections of the creek with daylighting and habitat engineering.

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Project 5: Restoring Lower Seymour River

A dam and drinking water reservoir are located 19 kilometres upstream from mouth of the Seymour River. A number of tributaries feed into the Lower Seymour and a volunteer supported fish hatchery is located just below the dam.

Surrounding urban development cause flows in the main stem to be erratic – high after intense storms and much lower the rest of the time. The mouth of the Seymour River has been dredged and modified resulting in a heavily degraded estuary. Polluted storm runoff has been a problem, including low dissolved oxygen levels in Maplewood Creek. The dam has also limited gravel recruitment for spawning habitat.

Metro Vancouver is developing a joint water use plan for the Capilano and Seymour systems involving a number of stakeholders who are interested in salmon restoration and enhancement. In addition to existing stewardship partnerships, greenway corridor planning is enhancing Metro Vancouver’s network in this community. The Seymour Salmonid Society is heavily involved in this watershed.

Objectives

• Mitigate flashiness of the main stem from surrounding urban development.

• Enhance natural gravel recruitment processes.

• Create new rearing habitat for all fish.

• Increase spawning habitat for Pinks.

• Replicate and re-establish lost marine salmon habitat.



1. Create back channels that will reduce the impact of flow fluctuations.

2. Establish off channel rearing habitat near spur 4 in the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve.

3. Place spawning quality gravel where warranted.

4. Explore opportunity for salt water habitat enhancement at the southern terminus of the Seymour River Regional Greenway at Metro Vancouver’s North Vancouver Beach Yard.

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Reducing Toxics

Vision

Metro Vancouver becomes a healthier place to live for humans and other living things.

With responsibilities for managing liquid and solid waste as well as air quality, Metro Vancouver is in a unique position to contribute to efforts to reduce the risks to human and environmental health by implementing actions to reduce exposure to toxic substances. The goal of these projects is to develop a proactive approach to the elimination or reduction harmful toxics within the region and to engage the public in these efforts.

Project 6: Targeting Harmful Toxics

In a proactive approach to reduce the amount of toxic substances used and disposed in the region, Metro Vancouver possesses a range of tools including: source controls, regulations, bans and public education. Examples of previously successful initiatives to reduce toxics in the region include the reduction of mercury by the adoption of amalgam separators in dental offices and the reduction of surfactants through a public education campaign that involved member municipalities.

Copper and molybdenum in the liquid waste stream will be the next targets. Monitoring in the Fraser River indicates that ambient levels of copper are already high and are elevated from the effluent of regional wastewater treatment plants. Copper is toxic to plankton, the base of the aquatic food chain, as well as interferes with a salmon’s sense of smell. The copper in the effluent is likely the result of the naturally acidic nature of regional waters leaching copper from pipes in the drinking water system

Concentrations of molybdenum in the region’s biosolids are high. Chemical used to control corrosion in the heating and cooling systems of older commercial buildings lead to the production of higher than optimum levels of molybdenum. High levels of molybdenum can be toxic to animals feeding off the vegetation benefitting from the application of biosolids.

In both cases, the next step is to identify the most effective tools for reducing the release of these toxic substances into the wastewater stream and to implement the solution in conjunction with municipal partners and other stakeholders.

Objective

• To develop an effective and proactive approach to reducing toxic substances in Metro Vancouver.

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Project 7: Building Public Engagement in Reducing Toxics

The improper disposal of toxic substances used in homes contributes to amount of contaminated loadings in the region’s wastewater and stormwater systems as well as in the landfill and Waste-to-Energy facility. Household items of concern include: cleaning agents, pesticides, used paints, solvents, compact florescent lights, medications, and rechargeable batteries. Directions on the proper recycling or disposal of most of these items can be found on the Metro Vancouver Recycles website. There is an opportunity to engage the public in a proactive approach to reducing toxic substances in the region by developing a campaign to provide information on the particular health or environmental risks associated with exposure to these toxic substances on the website as well as more environmentally benign substitutes.

Objectives

• Build public engagement in reducing the purchase of household products that contain toxics.

• Support the proper recycling and disposal of household toxic substances.

• Build public support for the broader effort to reduce harmful toxics in Metro Vancouver.

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Using Green Infrastructure

Vision:

Metro Vancouver is enveloped by a lush and active landscape that captures, filters and stores rainwater while supporting abundant pollinator populations.

The goal of the Using Green Infrastructure introductory projects is to change the way we approach managed landscapes in the region. The sites chosen are ones where Metro Vancouver has some legal authority or responsibility for managing but this may be a shared responsibility that will require

collaboration with others. These projects will provide environmental and social benefits on a small scale, but will have value in contributing to best practices in using and enhancing green infrastructure.

Project 8: Enhancing the Ecology at Centennial Beach

Centennial Beach is currently being redeveloped to increase access and provide improvements and enhancements to park facilities. A new building is being constructed that will house the washrooms, change rooms and concession. The building is designed to meet a range of sustainability criteria but there are no formal plans to redesign the adjacent parking lot, pond or landscaping. The Centennial Beach parking lot is currently a mix of asphalt and gravel with limited vegetation. It could be redesigned to include bio-swales to capture run-off, and rain gardens and increased tree cover and plantings which would improve the aesthetics, provide shade and habitat for pollinators, with specific focus on the Western Bumble Bee.

We specifically propose improving the ecology of the pond by creating habitat for pollinators and other native species. This will require removing invasive plant species and sediments from the pond area, installing a solar aerator and increasing the diversity of native aquatic and non-aquatic plants. Improved pond ecology will contribute positively to visitor experiences in the park while providing habitat for pollinators.

Objectives

• Develop an ecologically sound parking with extensive tree cover and stormwater being filtered and turned into a resource for a nearby pond.

• Revitalize the existing pond and provide much needed pollinator habitat.

• Create a green infrastructure learning opportunity in a very visible, high traffic area.

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Project 9: Augmenting Habitat at Boundary Bay Regional Park

Renovating old field sites in Boundary Bay Regional Park, adjacent to actively farmed land will benefit both pollinators and local raptors. The area will be seeded with a mix of grass, clover and native flowering annuals, which will provide some long-season, diverse nectar sources for various pollinators. We will also look for opportunities to preserve and create the habitat components needed by pollinators: food, water, protective cover, space, a place to reproduce and nesting material. This will help compensate for agricultural practices that frequently remove pollinator habitat from the edges of their fields. The site allows good public visibility and access to the site for building educational and awareness projects.

Objectives

• Re-vegetate old agricultural fields to enhance biodiversity by focusing on pollinators and raptors.

• Trial different approaches and species compositions to find the appropriate mix for the site and targeted Western Bumble Bee.

• Show leadership to the local agricultural community on old field management.

Project 10: Enhancing Capilano Regional Park Facilities

Capilano Regional Park is the site of the Cleveland Dam and Capilano Reservoir. The parking lot is busy with visitors interested in the numerous recreational and educational opportunities for hikers, cyclists, kayakers, as well as the fish hatchery, dam and picnicking sites. The park is also frequently used as a location for film and television production. Currently, the site is a large paved area with some small trees and surrounded by limited mature vegetation to the north and south as well as large areas of turf. We propose redevelopment of the parking lot that would include deep and/or shallow rooting trees and bio-swales. Increased tree coverage would reduce temperatures on site and in combination with bio-swales would maximize absorption of rainwater. This site could be a showcase of the role of green infrastructure in better water management.

Objectives

• Improve site aesthetics and shading while reducing the heat island effect of the asphalt surface.

• Reduce water entering the storm drains connected to the site.

• Provide on-site capture of contaminants or limit the transportation of pollutants off-site.

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Project 11: Re-landscaping Wastewater Treatment Plants

The sites of Metro Vancouver operations, particularly the wastewater treatment plants, represent an opportunity to demonstrate how industrial sites can be re-landscaped to contribute to the region’s green infrastructure. This could include: planting trees and shrubs, developing rain gardens and constructing bio-swales. Concurrent with increasing habitat for pollinators, like the Western Bumble Bee, would be reducing the habitat for less desirable species like mosquitoes. The proximity of these sites to agricultural lands would increase the ecological and economic values of enhanced pollinator populations.

Objectives

• Re-vegetate industrial sites to enhance biodiversity by focusing on flowering shrubs for pollinators and trees for rainwater detention.

• Show leadership by investing in green infrastructure in industrial areas.

• Contribute to research opportunities.

Project 12: Expanding Initiatives at Metro Vancouver Head Office

The roofs, decks and grounds around the Metro Vancouver head office is a prime location for green infrastructure enhancement. Aesthetic and ecological objectives can be achieved in landscaping that takes into account trees, shrubs and flowers that do well in our climate and will support better on-site water management and the creation of pollinator habitat. The possibility of reducing energy costs through green roofs should also be explored. The ambitious element of this project would be to completely redesign the plaza area in front of the Kingsway building to showcase attractive landscaping for a commercial site in Metro Vancouver that uses green infrastructure.

Objectives

• Showcase best practices for green infrastructure landscaping.

• Increase the habitat value of a highly visible urban space.

• Provide on-site capture of rainwater.

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Project 13: Expanding Beekeeping at Metro Vancouver Sites

Beekeepers or apiarists may be able to produce honey, support pollination services and create an opportunity for education and interpretation at some of Metro Vancouver’s operations. Opportunities for beekeeping in Metro Vancouver may be unique in Canada, including a relatively long growing season and proximity to farmland that require pollination. More work would be required to identify sites where beekeeping would be appropriate and not detract from actual operations and maintenance requirements. Possible locations include: Colony Farm Regional Park, Campbell Valley Regional Park and the Air Quality Monitoring Stations.

Objectives

• Increase pollinator populations in landscaped urban environments.

• Explore beekeeping as an interpretation opportunity to support our pollinators.

Project 14: Redeveloping Greenspaces at Metro Vancouver Housing Sites

Metro Vancouver Housing Corporation manages a number of large housing sites. We propose working with existing and emerging tenant associations in a pragmatic approach to redevelop green spaces to address existing landscape management challenges and help focus on new landscaping that supports ecological health objectives while meeting resident requirements. This could include efforts to remove invasive species, restore wetland and stream corridors, increase tree cover and develop pollinator gardens.

Objective

• Provide a visually appealing landscape at regional housing sites that contribute to green infrastructure.

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Project 15: Building Public Engagement in Green Infrastructure

Expanding public knowledge about the value of green infrastructure and how individual homeowners can contribute to the regional effort will help extend the benefits of our projects across the region.

Objectives

• Engage residents and community groups with activities consistent with maintaining and improving ecological health.

• Educate residents and visitors about the green infrastructure and other ecological health initiatives of Metro Vancouver with interpretive signs and viewing areas.

• Share our experiences and successes with other local governments, businesses and residents within the region. This would be accomplished primarily through developing a landscaping/gardening portal on the Metro Vancouver website that provides practical advice on how to create pollinator-friendly gardens, facilitate natural drainage systems with rain gardens, and expand tree coverage in urban areas to reduce energy costs, provide shade and habitat while improving urban aesthetics. The protocol will be informative but loaded with pictures, diagrams and “how to” information (e.g., www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/design/).

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CONCLUDING COmmENTS

This Ecological Health Action Plan attempts to do two things:

First, it describes how Metro Vancouver as an organization is already involved in initiatives and efforts to that support the maintenance and improvement of ecological health in the region. This involves the operations of regional utilities as well as other activities associated with regional parks and other services provided to the public.

Secondly, this is a project-based approach to expanding our efforts to improve the ecological health of the region. To implement these projects, a significant level of additional development work is required to prioritize the projects, refine the concepts, undertake outreach, complete designs, obtain permits, secure funding and build the necessary regional partnerships. Not all the projects may prove to be feasible as more detailed plans are developed.

We suggest that this plan be reviewed in three years to allow for assessment of progress within each of these projects and adjustment of objectives in the light of experience.

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GStanese

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To: Environment and Energy Committee From: Laurie Bates-Frymel, Air Quality Planner

Jason Emmert, Air Quality Planner Policy and Planning Department

Date: June 22, 2011 Subject: Integrated Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Management Plan Recommendations: a) That the Board adopt the Integrated Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Management

Plan, dated June 22, 2011. b) That the Plan be forwarded to member municipalities, the Provincial Minister of

Environment, Federal Minister of Environment, the region’s Chief Medical Health Officers, First Nations, the Fraser Valley Regional District, the Northwest Clean Air Agency, and other key partners indicating the Board’s continuing interest in working with them to maintain good air quality in the Lower Fraser Valley airshed and reduce the region’s greenhouse gas emissions.

1. PURPOSE To provide the Environment and Energy Committee and Board with a summary of outreach and communications activities related to the draft Integrated Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Management Plan and resultant revisions to the Plan. To present the new Integrated Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Management Plan to the Environment and Energy Committee and Board for their consideration. 2. CONTEXT The Provincial Environmental Management Act gives Metro Vancouver the delegated authority to “provide the service of air pollution control and air quality management and, for that purpose, the board of the regional district may, by bylaw, prohibit, regulate and otherwise control and prevent the discharge of air contaminants”. The provision of services related to air quality management has been guided by regional air quality management plans adopted by the Board, including previous plans adopted in 1994 and 2005.

One of the key items in the Environment and Energy Committee’s 2011 work program and priorities is an update to the air quality management plan. Staff presented a draft of a new Integrated Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Management Plan (IAQGGMP) to the Committee at its April 12, 2011 meeting, and described the continuation of goals and actions from the 2005 plan, but also outlined new priority areas, strategies and actions related to visual air quality and greenhouse gases.

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Integrated Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Management Plan Environment and Energy Committee Meeting Date: July 12, 2011 Page 2 of 6 With regard to greenhouse gas emissions management, it is acknowledged that there is shared responsibility for both Metro Vancouver and municipalities. Under the Provincial Local Government (Green Communities) Statutes Amendment Act (Bill 27) local governments are required to set greenhouse gas emission targets, policies and actions in Official Community Plans and Regional Growth Strategies (i.e., municipalities and Metro Vancouver, respectively). This requirement extends to the Official Development Plan provisions in the Vancouver Charter. Outreach and Communications Overview At its April 12th, 2011 meeting, the Environment and Energy Committee provided staff with feedback and guidance on the draft Integrated Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Management Plan, and the proposed outreach and communications process. Since that time, the Committee has been kept apprised of outreach and communications activities throughout May and June. Metro Vancouver staff discussed the draft IAQGGMP with approximately 350 interested parties. Specifically, staff: • Presented to regional committees, including TAC, REAC, MRTAC, Agricultural Advisory, • Presented to several air quality-focused working groups, • Hosted 6 half-day workshops with government partners and other interested parties, • Held one public open house, • Hosted two webinars, and • Posted the draft plan on its website with an on-line feedback form.

A list of the organizations that provided feedback via workshops, letter, e-mail or online feedback is provided in Attachment 1. Major Comments and Responses Previous air quality management plans and consultation processes have demonstrated the importance that the citizens of this region place on good air quality. It has long been acknowledged that while Metro Vancouver has delegated authority for air quality within this region, it is located within a shared airshed. There are multiple levels of jurisdiction - international, national, provincial, regional and sub-regional – with different responsibilities for air quality, environment, energy, health, transportation, etc., over the myriad of sources that influence air quality in our region. With this in mind, Metro Vancouver has been able to establish a well developed network to facilitate inter-agency collaboration on air quality and climate change programs. This network was drawn upon to consult on and confirm the vision, goals, strategies, actions, roles and responsibilities in the new IAQGGMP. Metro Vancouver received comments from many interested parties and made a number of revisions to the draft plan in response. In general, there was significant support for many aspects of the plan, including: • the IAQGGMP Vision and Goals, • enhanced public outreach and communications related to air quality and climate change,

and • the development of an Air Quality and Climate Change Academy in collaboration with

existing academic institutions. A detailed listing of comments specific to the actions in the draft plan and responses is provided in Attachment 1.

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Integrated Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Management Plan Environment and Energy Committee Meeting Date: July 12, 2011

Page 3 of 6 Highlighted comments of a more general nature on the Plan and its goals, principles and implementation processes are provided in Table 1 below: Table 1: Highlighted Comments and Staff Responses Stakeholder – Comments Staff Response Business Council of BC – we are broadly supportive of the three high-level goals outlined in the Draft Plan. The challenge lies in determining the measures that can and should be adopted at the regional level to advance these goals, and in ensuring that such measures are not in conflict with the requirements for developing a sustainable, prosperous and competitive economy in Greater Vancouver. BC Trucking Association – supports the IAQGGMP’s primary goals…has to balance the proposed strategies and actions to improve air quality and address climate change with their economic impact. BC Ministry of Agriculture – In many cases we are already engaged with Metro Vancouver in these program areas and look forward to continuing to work with you. Moving forward, it may be worthwhile to add a cost-benefit analysis component for each strategy.

Acknowledged. These comments match well with the Sustainable Region Initiative sustainability principles of protecting and enhancing the natural environment, providing for ongoing prosperity, and building community capacity and social cohesion. The IAQGGMP is a strategic plan which identifies high level actions for further exploration and refinement. As has been Metro Vancouver’s practice in the past, development of specific regulatory actions and programs would include consultation, as well as an evaluation of costs and benefits. In terms of a cost-benefit analysis at the strategy level, the benefits associated with air quality programs and actions that lead to reduction in emissions or ambient concentrations generally far outweigh the costs. This is generally a result of the avoided health impacts and health care costs. Notwithstanding this, as noted above, the development of specific actions and programs typically includes an analysis of benefits and costs.

City of Burnaby and West Coast Environmental Law – The plan lacks timelines with respect to the implementation of the strategies and actions that are proposed

Clarification in the plan has been added. It is intended that most of the actions in this plan will be further refined and implemented over the next five years. Metro Vancouver will develop more action-specific implementation schedules in collaboration with our partners. As outlined in the plan, Metro Vancouver will take an adaptive management approach, responding to technological advances, changing regulatory regimes, air quality episodes and other issues.

Municipalities and Provincial Government - Include a matrix that clarifies the role of other agencies for each action and whether the action will provide any co-benefits

Agreed. This matrix will be developed in consultation with partners over the coming months and then will form an accompanying implementation plan to the IAQGGMP.

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Integrated Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Management Plan Environment and Energy Committee Meeting Date: July 12, 2011 Page 4 of 6 Stakeholder – Comments Staff Response Several stakeholders – It is not clear whether the actions in the IAQGGMP will meet the region’s greenhouse gas emission reduction targets

Due to the strategic nature of the IAQGGMP it is not possible to determine whether the actions in the IAQGGMP will meet the region’s greenhouse gas emission reduction targets at this time. However, as part of its ongoing emissions inventory work, Metro Vancouver staff will forecast future emissions and attempt to quantify the range of the emission reductions that could be achieved with the implementation of the IAQGGMP. Emissions inventory data is a key component of ongoing performance measurement for the IAQGGMP, which in turn informs adaptive management.

Burke Mountain Naturalists – Concerned about the cumulative air quality impacts of biomass energy generation Business Council of BC - Metro Vancouver should encourage renewable cogeneration of heat and power

In 2008 Metro Vancouver established the Boilers and Process Heaters Emission Regulation Bylaw to recognize the role of renewable energy sources (such as biomass), but also ensure good air quality. Improvements to biomass combustion and pollution control technology have brought biomass emissions close to levels achieved by natural gas combustion. However, Metro Vancouver also considers cumulative impacts in its permit approval process to ensure that local air quality remains acceptable. In response to a number of stakeholder comments, the following statement has been added under the IAQGGMP’s Achieve Co-benefits Guideline: “Actions will be developed carefully and in collaboration with stakeholders to avoid unintended consequences”.

City of Burnaby – Please extend the consultation period to include review of the final draft plan before submission to the Metro Vancouver Environment and Energy Committee and the Board City of Coquitlam - Consultation on the draft Plan has been limited City of Vancouver - Timeline to finalize the plan should be extended

To accommodate these concerns, municipal staff were provided with an advance summary of the comments and revisions on June 20th. The comment period for municipal staff was extended to June 30th, 2011.

In addition, it should be recognized that Metro Vancouver staff has worked with municipal staff over the past two years through the Regional Engineers Advisory Committee – Climate Protection Subcommittee (REAC-CPS) to identify several greenhouse gas emission reduction actions under the umbrella of the Regional Energy and Climate Action Strategy. Most of those actions have now been incorporated into the IAQGGMP.

As noted above, the IAQGGMP is a strategic plan which identifies high level actions for further exploration and refinement.

A number of the actions to be led by Metro Vancouver include “work with municipalities to…”, and other actions “requested of other governments” make requests to the municipalities. In all cases, these will be further developed in collaboration with our partners through the Lower Fraser Valley Air Quality Coordinating Committee, the REAC-CPS, and other groups.

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Integrated Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Management Plan Environment and Energy Committee Meeting Date: July 12, 2011

Page 5 of 6 The New Integrated Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Management Plan The 2011 Plan is attached for the Committee’s consideration. It proposes new strategies and actions under each of three goals, and some of the key new areas are as follows:

Goal 1: Protect human health and the environment • Continued emphasis on reduction in diesel particulate matter emissions,

identified as a key health priority subsequent to the 2005 AQMP. Goal 2: Improve visual air quality

• The 2005 Plan included a goal to “improve visibility” and the IAQGGMP builds on that with new actions to reduce emissions of pollutants that contribute to visibility degradation and to develop a visual air quality program for the region.

Goal 3: Minimize the region’s contribution to global climate change

• Since 2005, Metro Vancouver has adopted targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and the Provincial government has enacted several significant pieces of climate action legislation. As a result, several new strategies and actions related to reducing greenhouse gas emissions are included in the IAQGGMP.

• An enhanced focus has emerged on short-lived climate forcers, which are substances that are now known to contribute to global climate change but do not persist in the atmosphere for as long as carbon dioxide. The IAQGGMP includes a strategy that focuses on short-lived climate forcers, including black carbon (e.g., diesel soot), ground level ozone and methane. The reduction of these potent yet short-lived pollutants can provide benefit in the near term while longer term actions to mitigate emissions and effects of long-lived greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide take effect.

The IAQGGMP also includes an expanded set of performance measures and provides direction on ongoing improvements to Metro Vancouver’s capabilities in monitoring and assessing air quality trends and identifying areas for improvement, and improving outreach and communication on air quality and climate change issues. The IAQGGMP follows the format of other recent plans such as the Integrated Solid Waste and Resource Management Plan, Integrated Liquid Waste and Resource Management Plan, and the Regional Growth Strategy. It has the title “Integrated Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Management Plan”, recognizing the importance of the new actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The plan incorporates suggestions made by various partners and other interested parties during the outreach and communications process, as outlined in Table 1 and Attachment 1. Financial Implications At this time, the actions in the IAQGGMP that are to be led by Metro Vancouver can be accommodated within existing budgets. The Committee and Board will be kept apprised of progress on implementation of the Plan and will have oversight of Plan implementation costs as part of the annual budgeting process. Significant new initiatives that involve senior levels of government will seek funding from those levels of government.

ENV - 29 -

Integrated Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Management Plan Environment and Energy Committee Meeting Date: July 12, 2011 Page 6 of 6 Next Steps Metro Vancouver staff will work with partners to develop an implementation matrix which clarifies the priorities for 2011-2016, as well as the roles of other agencies for each action. As part of the 2010 Lower Fraser Valley Emission Inventory and Forecast, Metro Vancouver staff will forecast future emissions and attempt to quantify the range of the emission reductions that could be achieved with the implementation of the IAQGGMP. 3. ALTERNATIVES The Board may: a) Adopt the Integrated Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Management Plan, dated June

22, 2011, and direct staff to forward the Plan to member municipalities, the Provincial Minister of Environment, Federal Minister of Environment, the region’s Chief Medical Health Officers, First Nations, the Fraser Valley Regional District, the Northwest Clean Air Agency, and other key partners indicating the Board’s continuing interest in working with them to maintain good air quality in the Lower Fraser Valley airshed and reduce the region’s greenhouse gas emissions.

b) Direct staff to undertake further work before resubmitting the Plan for consideration by

the Board. 4. CONCLUSION Residents of Metro Vancouver and our neighbouring areas place a high value on the quality of the air we breathe, and how our air quality can impact on our ability to view the scenic vistas in our region. A new Integrated Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Management Plan has been developed to continue to make progress in improving the air quality in Metro Vancouver, and also to respond to new challenges since the 2005 Air Quality Management Plan was adopted. The most significant of these new challenges is climate change. Accordingly, the new Plan incorporates a number of new strategies and actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, along with new strategies and actions to build on and enhance previous work on smog-forming pollutants, health and environmental protection, and visual air quality. Staff has undergone an outreach and communications process on a draft Integrated Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Management Plan for the region and discussed the draft with other government partners, businesses, non-government organizations and the public from April to June 2011. These discussions have been largely very supportive of the draft plan, but with an understanding that we live in a shared airshed, and that ongoing collaboration is needed at the implementation phase of the Plan. ATTACHMENTS 1 Integrated Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Management Plan - dated June 22, 2011

(Doc. #5250111). 2 Summary of Communications and Outreach Process (Doc. #5249363). 5248942

ENV - 30 -

Integrated Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas

MAnAGeMent PlAn

www.metrovancouver.org

JULY 2011

Metro Vancouver

SUSTAINABLE REGION INITIATIVE... TURNING IDEAS INTO ACTION

DRAFtENV - On table items - 5 -

GStanese

Text Box

REPLACEMENT 5.2 ATTACHMENT 1 On table item - ENV - July 12, 2011


TabLe of ConTenTs

VIsIon .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................1

PARt one: PlAn oVeRVIew .............................................................................................................................................................................................2

Metro VancouVer SuStainability FraMework ....................................................................................................2

regional ViSion ................................................................................................................................................................2

context For the integrated air Quality and greenhouSe gaS ManageMent Plan ........................4

history ................................................................................................................................................................................4

trends, challenges, opportunities ..................................................................................................................................4

Partners: roles and responsibilities ................................................................................................................................5

aligning with other government initiatives ....................................................................................................................6

coordinating with other Metro Vancouver Plans ............................................................................................................9

PARt two: GoAls, stRAteGIes AnD ACtIons ............................................................................................................................12

goal 1: Protect Public health and the enVironMent ..................................................................................13

Strategy 1.1 reduce emissions of and public exposure to diesel particulate matter ..............................................13

Strategy 1.2 reduce air contaminant emissions from industrial, commercial, institutional (ici) and agricultural sources at both the regional and local level .........................................................15

Strategy 1.3 reduce air contaminant emissions from residential sources .................................................................17

Strategy 1.4 reduce air contaminant emissions from cars, trucks, and buses ..........................................................18

Strategy 1.5 increase public understanding of air quality issues and public engagement in clean air programs ....................................................................................................................19

goal 2: iMProVe ViSual air Quality .........................................................................................................................20

Strategy 2.1 reduce emissions of air contaminants and precursors that can degrade visual air quality ...............21

Strategy 2.2 develop a visual air quality management program for the lower Fraser Valley airshed in partnership with other government agencies ...........................................................21

goal 3: MiniMize the region’S contribution to global cliMate change ............................................22

Strategy 3.1 reduce emissions of short-lived climate forcers ....................................................................................23

Strategy 3.2 Support the region’s municipalities, businesses and residents to reduce their carbon footprints ....24

Strategy 3.3 reduce the carbon footprint of the region’s transportation system .....................................................26

Strategy 3.4 explore opportunities for carbon sequestration ....................................................................................28

Strategy 3.5 increase public understanding of climate change issues and encourage personal action ................28


table 1 Metro Vancouver Management Plan linkages ...............................................................................................10

table 2 Metro Vancouver’s ambient air Quality objectives .......................................................................................31

table a-1 Past trends in emissions and air Quality in the lower Fraser Valley airshed 1990—2010 .....................33

table a-2 Forecasted lower Fraser Valley airshed emission trends 2010– 2020 ....................................................35

table b-1 Potential impacts associated with air contaminants in the lower Fraser Valley airshed ......................37

Figures and tablesFigure 1 Metro Vancouver’s Sustainability Framework ..................................................................................................3

Figure 2 Metro Vancouver’s interconnected Management Plans.................................................................................9

PeRFoRMAnCe MeAsuRes .............................................................................................................................................................................................29

targets ..............................................................................................................................................................................29

Measuring and Monitoring .............................................................................................................................................30

ambient air Quality objectives .....................................................................................................................................31

emission Standards for regulated Sources ..................................................................................................................32

adaptive Management ...................................................................................................................................................32

APPenDIx A: AIR QuAlIty AnD GReenhouse GAses ......................................................................................................33

APPenDIx B: PotentIAl IMPACts AssoCIAteD wIth AIR ContAMInAnts ..............................37

APPenDIx C: Roles AnD ResPonsIBIlItIes oF otheR GoVeRnMents ...........................................40


1integrated air Quality and greenhouse gas Management Plan JULY 2011DRAFT

Vision

inTegraTed air QUaLiTY and greenhoUse gas ManageMenT PLan

Healthy, clean and clear air is a foundation of the high quality of life, the robust and creative economy, and the spectacular natural beauty we enjoy in Metro Vancouver. Maintaining high standards for air quality in our region, for both current and future generations, is a key part of Metro Vancouver’s long-term vision. Clean air is essential to the health of all residents of the region, as well as to our local ecosystems which provide food, jobs, and recre-ational opportunities for all of us. Clear air provides us with unfettered views of the region’s natural beauty and some of our most iconic places. Metro Vancouver is committed to monitoring and continuously improving the air quality of the region. As a region we are also committed to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions to fulfill our obligation of minimizing our impact on the global climate.

This Integrated Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Management Plan recognizes the inextricable link between air quality, climate change and energy issues, and accordingly, integrates goals, strategies and actions related to both air contaminants and greenhouse gases.

The long-term vision for air quality and greenhouse gas management in Metro Vancouver is:

Healthy, clean and clear air for current and future generations.


integrated air Quality and greenhouse gas Management Plan JULY 20112 DRAFT2

ParT one: PLan oVerView

Metro Vancouver is a political body and corporate entity operating under provincial legislation as a

‘regional district’ and ‘greater boards’ that delivers regional services, planning and political leadership on

behalf of 24 local authorities. It comprises of:

city oF

coQuitlaM

corPoration oF delta

city oF langley

electoral area a (unincorPorated

area)

city oF

abbotSFord

Village oF

anMore

Village oF

belcarra

bowen iSland

MuniciPality

city oF burnaby

townShiP oF

langley

Village oF

lionS bay

diStrict oF

MaPle ridge

city oF new

weStMinSter

city oF north VancouVer

diStrict oF north VancouVer

city oF

Pitt MeadowS

city oF Port coQuitlaM

city oF

Port Moody

city oF richMond

city oF Surrey

tSawwaSSen FirSt nation

city oF

VancouVer

diStrict oF weSt VancouVer

city oF

white rock

Metro Vancouver sustainability FrameworkSince 2002 Metro Vancouver has formally put the concept of sustainability at the centre of its operating and planning philosophy and advanced its role as a leader in the attempt to make the region one which is explicitly committed to a sustainable future. This comprehensive endeavour became known as the Sustainable Region Initia-tive, or more familiarly as the ‘SRI’. In 2008, Metro Vancouver’s Board adopted a Sustainability Framework outlining its vision, mission, values, sustainability imperatives, and sustainability principles. Depicted in Figure 1, the Sustainability Framework provides the foundation for Metro Vancouver’s suite of plans, including the Integrated Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Management Plan (IAQGGMP).

Regional VisionMetro Vancouver has an opportunity and a vision to achieve what humanity aspires to on a global basis – the highest quality of life embracing cultural vitality, economic prosperity, social justice and compassion, all nurtured in and by a beautiful and healthy natural environment.

We will achieve this vision by embracing and applying the principles of sustainability, not least of which is an unshakeable commitment to the well-being of current and future generations and the health of our planet, in everything we do.

As we share our efforts in achieving this vision, we are confident that the inspiration and mutual learning we gain will become vital ingredients in our hopes for a sustainable common future.



...these are the foundation for Metro Vancouver’s three interconnected roles:

regionaL Vision the highest quality of life embracing cultural vitality, economic prosperity, social justice and compassion, all nurtured in and by a beautiful and healthy natural environment. achieved by an unshakeable commitment to the well-being of current and future generations and the health of our planet, in everything we do.

MeTro VanCoUVer roLe and Mission Serve the region and attain excellence in meeting these responsibilities. Plan for the future by developing and using an integrated system of plans. Facilitate collaboration with local governments and citizens.

VaLUes integrity is our foundation. Passion for our work and pride in our accomplishments are our drivers. respect for the public and compassion in our relationships are our guideposts.

sUsTainabiLiTY iMPeraTiVes have regard for local and global consequences and long-term impacts. recognize and reflect the interconnectedness and interdependence of systems. be collaborative.

sUsTainabiLiTY PrinCiPLes Protect and enhance the natural environment. Provide for ongoing prosperity. build community capacity and social cohesion.

the Metro Vancouver sustainability Framework

MeTriCs, TargeTs and KeY deLiVerabLes

Progress towards a sustainable region is measured by

which establish strategic priorities and key activities

figure 1 Metro Vancouver’s Sustainability Framework

Physical & Social developmentenvironmentutilities

servicesProviding services to local governments and their communities

PolicyDeveloping and using an integrated system of plans; includes some regulatory responsibilities

Political forumBuilding and facilitating collaborative processes among governments and citizens

Drinking

Water

Liquid

Waste

Solid

Waste

Parks and

Greenw

ays

Air Q

uality

Clim

ate Chang

e and E

nergy

Eco

log

ical Health

Gro

wth M

anagem

ent

Reg

ional E

merg

ency Manag

ement

Foo

d System

Affo

rdab

le Ho

using

Other issues including:

Transportation Policing Economic Dev’t Ports

1

2

3

Cultural G

rants and

Inform

ation


integrated air Quality and greenhouse gas Management Plan JULY 20114 DRAFT

Trends, Challenges, OpportunitiesMetro Vancouver currently experiences good regional air quality relative to most other urban areas in North America. However, as the region’s population increases, it is expected that emissions of several key air contami-nants will also rise in the region over the next decade. Our challenge will be to develop and implement air quality management actions that reduce emissions in the face of regional growth, and allow us to meet our health-based air quality objectives. A detailed discussion of trends and forecasts can be found in Appendix A, and potential impacts in Appendix B.

The region’s fine particulate matter emissions are expected to rise as more buildings require heating, and marine vessel transport increases over the next decade. Fine particulate matter is associated with significant health problems, including hospital admissions and emergency room visits, aggravated asthma, acute respi-ratory symptoms, chronic bronchitis, decreased lung function and premature death. Children, the elderly and people with pre-existing lung and heart conditions are particularly at risk. Fine particulate matter can also impair visual air quality, making it difficult to see our beautiful vistas. Poor visual air quality can have a nega-tive impact on the well-being of residents and reduce tourism revenues.

Programs aimed at reducing particulate matter from diesel engines are just beginning to take effect. Emis-sions of diesel particulate matter are responsible for 67% of the lifetime cancer risk from air pollution in Metro Vancouver. It is now understood that, in addi-tion to providing significant health benefits, reducing black carbon (a component of diesel particulate matter) will help to mitigate climate change in the short-term.

Context for the Integrated Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Management Plan

HistoryIn 1971, the Pollution Control Act and the GVRD Let-ters Patent established the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD, now Metro Vancouver) as the single agency under which all provincial and municipal air pollution control activities in the Greater Vancouver urban area would be recognized. Section 31 of the Provincial Environmental Management Act gives the GVRD the authority to “provide the service of air pol-lution control and air quality management and, for that purpose, the board of the regional district may, by bylaw, prohibit, regulate and otherwise control and prevent the discharge of air contaminants”.

In October 2005, the Metro Vancouver Board adopted its second Air Quality Management Plan which included goals to minimize the risk to public health, improve visual air quality and minimize the region’s contribution to climate change.

Since the 2005 Air Quality Management Plan was adopted, several events have provided Metro Vancouver with additional tools for action. The Provincial govern-ment enacted several significant pieces of climate action legislation which mandated regional districts and municipalities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Under the Local Government (Green Communities) Statutes Amendment Act (Bill 27, 2008) regional districts are required to include targets, policies and actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in their Regional Growth Strategies. The Metro Vancouver Board adopted greenhouse gases targets as part of its Sustainability Framework and associated action plans.

In recognition of the strong connections between air quality and climate change, this Plan integrates actions to manage air quality with actions to manage green-house gases.


5integrated air Quality and greenhouse gas Management Plan JULY 2011DRAFT 5

Increased agricultural production will cause ammonia and methane emissions to rise over the next decade. Ammonia has a pungent smell and can react with nitrogen oxides and sulphur oxides in the air to form fine particulate matter, which impacts health and visual air quality. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas which contributes to global climate change.

Sulphur dioxide can also cause breathing problems in people with asthma, and may increase hospital admis-sions and premature deaths. Marine vessels are currently the largest source of sulphur dioxide emissions in the Lower Fraser Valley airshed. New International Mari-time Organization regulations will be implemented in 2012 that will help to reduce local sulphur dioxide levels and associated health risks.

Despite large reductions in emissions of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, concentrations of ground-level ozone in the region have remained stable over the past decade. Ongoing investigation of the most effective strategies for reducing ozone levels will provide Metro Vancouver with options and opportunities for improvement.

Greenhouse gas emissions contribute to global climate change including global warming. Although recent changes to provincial legislation provide Metro Van-couver and its member municipalities with mandates to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it will be particu-larly challenging to meet our greenhouse gas emission reduction targets as the region’s population increases.

The IAQGGMP seeks to reduce levels of these con-taminants to protect human health and the environ-ment, improve visual air quality and minimize our contribution to climate change.

Partners: Roles and ResponsibilitiesMetro Vancouver is situated within the Lower Fraser Valley airshed – an international airshed shared with the Fraser Valley Regional District to the east and Whatcom County in the State of Washington to the south.

Air quality and greenhouse gas management in Metro Vancouver requires close coordination between all levels of government, businesses, institutions and residents. Metro Vancouver works with other air quality, health, climate change and transportation authorities at the regional, provincial, federal and international levels to collaboratively plan and implement initiatives to improve air quality and address climate change. Metro Vancouver also works closely with municipal staff to coordinate air quality and climate actions at both the municipal and regional level.

Several partners have established legislation, policies and other initiatives which will assist Metro Vancouver in its efforts to protect human and environmental health, improve visual air quality and combat climate change. And conversely, many of the actions in this Plan will assist the work of other authorities, underscor-ing the need for a coordinated and collaborative approach.

The partner agencies listed below will continue to have key roles and responsibilities in the implementation of the Plan. Additional information on other governments is provided in Appendix C.



Aligning with other Government InitiativesgoVernMenT of Canada

The federal government regulates new vehicle perfor-mance and fuels, emissions from marine vessels, rail locomotives, non-road vehicles and engines, some industrial sources and toxic substances.

•Through a collaborative effort, the federal govern-ment and several provinces, industry and non-governmental organizations are developing the Air Quality Management System, a proposed frame-work for reducing air pollution in Canada that addresses emissions from all sources in a consistent manner with the flexibility to deal with regional differences in air quality. Metro Vancouver intends to work with the Government of Canada and other stakeholders in the development of new Canadian air quality standards, location-based air quality management and base-level emission requirements for industrial sectors which complement the actions in this Plan.

•Environment Canada’s efforts include, but are not limited to, regulations for: small gasoline powered engines (such as lawn and garden equipment); vola-tile organic compound concentration limits for automotive refinishing products, architectural coat-ings and other products; marine spark ignition engines such as personal watercraft and outboard engines; off-road recreational vehicles; and sulphur content limits for various grades of diesel fuel.

•The Government of Canada is committed to reduc-ing Canada’s total greenhouse gas emissions by 17 per cent below 2005 levels by 2020 - a target that is inscribed in the Copenhagen Accord and aligned with that of the United States. Within Canada, the federal government is taking action to reduce green-house gas emissions through a sector-by-sector approach. Regulatory initiatives have already been implemented or announced for the transport and electricity sector. Examples include new regulations for passenger automobile and light trucks, renewable fuel regulations, and initiatives under development for new heavy-duty trucks.



• In 2012 Transport Canada will begin enforcing the Canadian portion of the International Maritime Organization’s United States-Canada Emissions Control Area. Large ships within 200 nautical miles of the shoreline will be subject to strict standards to reduce both nitrogen and sulphur oxide emissions, as well as emissions of fine particles from exhaust.This action will significantly reduce sulphur dioxide and particulate matter emissions in the region, with associated benefits to human health.

ProVinCe of briTish CoLUMbia

The provincial government delegates air quality man-agement authority in the region to Metro Vancouver, but retains regulatory authority for the remainder of the province, including adjacent regional districts. Provincial legislation requires regional districts and municipalities in B.C. to reduce community greenhouse gas emissions. The Government of British Columbia is implementing several programs which will assist Metro Vancouver to improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the region.

•Programs under the B.C. Air Action Plan will assist local air quality improvement efforts by providing funding for on-road vehicle emission reduction programs such as BC SCRAP-IT® and AirCare-On-Road, greener ports and marine vessels initiatives, anti-idling and wood stove replacement programs.

•The B.C. Climate Action Plan established enabling legislation for municipalities and regional districts, creating provincial programs that stimulate low carbon economic development, transit investments, building code upgrades, and providing incentives for individual household efficiency improvements and forest carbon sequestration.

•By facilitating investments in infrastructure that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as district energy systems and integrated resource recovery, the IAQGGMP will assist the B.C. Energy Plan to meet its goals for energy conservation and effi-ciency, and clean or renewable electricity generation.

•The Provincial Transit Plan will provide partial funding for expansion of major transit infrastructure including SkyTrain extensions and rapid bus service in the region. Programs to increase transit ridership, reduce automobile use, and provide a foundation of transportation infrastructure to support the devel-opment of healthier communities in the future, will help to reduce local greenhouse gas emissions per capita over the long term.



TransLinK

TransLink administers the regional AirCare vehicle inspection and maintenance program, plans, manages and finances public transit, and shares responsibility for the major road network and regional cycling with the municipalities in Metro Vancouver.

TransLink’s Transport 2040 plan establishes programs to meet the regional transportation challenges of the coming decades. Transport 2040’s first goal seeks to aggressively reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation by investing in improvements in bicycle, pedestrian, and transit access, and connecting modes of travel. Programs under this plan will help to achieve regional greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.

LoCaL goVernMenTs

Under the Local Government (Green Communities) Statutes Amendment Act (Bill 27, 2008) all local govern-ments in B.C. are required to include targets, policies and actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in their Official Community Plans (OCPs). The IAQGGMP will help municipalities to achieve their greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.

Many municipalities have also included objectives to support and encourage regional airshed management initiatives to improve air quality in their OCPs. Many of the IAQGGMP’s air quality improvement strategies will improve the health and wellness of municipal residents.

With the assistance of the B.C. Ministry of Environ-ment, municipalities and regional districts in the Sea-to-Sky/Howe Sound corridor have created the Sea-to-Sky Air Quality Management Plan. The Fraser Valley Regional District is also revising its 1998 Air Quality Management Plan.

Continued partnerships with adjacent districts will avoid duplication of effort for mutual benefit.



Coordinating with other Metro Vancouver PlansThe Integrated Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Management Plan is one plan among a suite of interconnected management plans developed around Metro Vancouver’s Sustainability Framework. Table 1 Linkages Between Metro Vancouver Plans summarizes key links where actions identified in other Metro Vancouver plans affect the Integrated Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Management Plan, and conversely where actions in this Plan make a contribution to the goals of other Metro Vancouver plans.

Air Quality

Regional Growth

Finance

DrinkingWater

FoodSystem

LiquidWaste

Parks &Greenways

Housing SolidWaste

figure 2 Metro Vancouver’s Interconnected Management Plans



regionaL growTh sTraTegY

A compact urban area, including transit-oriented development, reduces regional greenhouse gas and air contaminant emissions from transportation.

Complete communities promote walking, cycling, transit and reduced trip distances, all of which reduce greenhouse gas and air contaminant emissions.

Protecting forests and green space sequesters carbon.

InteGRAteD AIR QuAlIty AnD

GReenhouse GAs MAnAGeMent

PlAn (IAQGGMP)

Minimizing air contaminant and greenhouse gas emissions will protect the region’s environment.

inTegraTed soLid wasTe and resoUrCe ManageMenT PLan

Minimizing solid waste generation will minimize the production of greenhouse gases from waste disposal.

Maximizing reuse, recycling, material and energy recovery from the solid waste stream will minimize the production of greenhouse gases from landfills and other waste disposal.

Air contaminant and greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy recovery from waste are to be managed in a way that minimizes air emissions that impact public health and the environment.

IAQGGMP

Implementing an odour management program for solid waste recycling, recovery and disposal options will minimize odours from waste processing, increase public acceptability and increase siting options.

Promoting the development of district energy opportunities will encourage energy recovery from the solid waste stream.

drinKing waTer ManageMenT PLan

Ensuring that drinking water is produced, distributed and used efficiently will minimize energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions.

IAQGGMP

Reducing deposition of air contaminants will minimize the contamination of water resources and foster the provision of clean, safe drinking water.

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Table 1 Metro Vancouver Management Plan Linkages

linkages Between Metro Vancouver Plans



ParKs and greenwaYs PLan

Protecting and enhancing regional landscapes and biodiversity sequesters carbon.

IAQGGMP

Reducing emissions of air contaminants and greenhouse gases will benefit natural systems and people enjoying recreational activities.

inTegraTed LiQUid wasTe and resoUrCe ManageMenT PLan

Energy recovery from sewage heat and biogas will reduce the need for additional energy production and associated greenhouse gas emissions.

Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from liquid waste management will contribute to the reduction of our total regional greenhouse gas emissions.

IAQGGMP

Implementing an odour management program will minimize odours from liquid waste.

Reducing emissions of air contaminants will improve water quality of storm runoff.

regionaL food sYsTeM sTraTegY

Pilot projects for the recovery of energy on farms, including biogas, may reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture.

Reduction of food scraps going to landfill reduces greenhouse gas emissions (in the form of methane).

By facilitating the adoption of environmentally sustainable practices, emissions of greenhouse gases, ammonia, fertilizers and pesticides may be minimized.

IAQGGMP

Improved regional air quality should lead to greater crop productivity.

Efforts to reduce targeted air emissions (e.g., air pollutants or odours) may effect the operations of food producers and others in the food sector.

Regional greenhouse gas emission reductions may encourage carbon sequestration in the agricultural sector.

CorPoraTe CLiMaTe aCTion PLan

Reducing Metro Vancouver’s corporate greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption helps reduce regional greenhouse gas emissions.

Recovering energy from Metro Vancouver utilities displaces fossil fuel-derived energy and therefore reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

Using Metro Vancouver facilities and lands to sequester carbon supports regional greenhouse gas reduction goals and targets.

IAQGGMP

Planning and developing regional energy use and demand opportunities supports shift to renewable energy and energy recovery in our corporate

operations.

Supporting the development of regional infrastructure for low carbon vehicles will enable a corporate switch to low carbon vehicles.

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linkages Between Metro Vancouver Plans



ParT Two: goaLs, sTraTegies and aCTions

GuIDelInes FoR AIR QuAlIty AnD GReenhouse GAs MAnAGeMent

This Plan outlines the goals, strategies, and actions for implementation within the Metro Vancouver region. Recognizing that air pollution knows no boundaries, the measures in this Plan will protect air quality in the Lower Fraser Valley and adjacent airsheds. Conse-quently, several initiatives will involve coordination and partnership with adjacent agencies. In addition to actions led by Metro Vancouver, this Plan identifies actions for other levels of government where appropriate.

The Integrated Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Man-agement Plan establishes three primary goals, which are addressed by 12 strategies and 82 actions for Metro Vancouver and its partners. The implementation of these actions requires collaboration and integration to ensure an informed and coordinated process.

aChieVe Co-benefiTs:

Reduce emissions of both air contaminants and green-house gases to improve health and visual air quality, while mitigating climate impacts. Actions will be devel-oped carefully and in collaboration with stakeholders to avoid unintended consequences.

shared resPonsibiLiTY:

Partner with public and private organizations to address common priorities and engage the public in Plan implementation.

innoVaTiVe aPProaChes:

Using market-based, community-based and other inno-vative approaches to complement conventional air quality management.

Although the strategies and actions in this Plan aspire to meet all three goals, they have been organized by their primary goal. Where actions provide benefit in more than one goal area that will be explained in the description of the action. The actions that fall under each strategy will be prioritized based on their potential to reduce public exposure to contaminants that pose the highest risk to human health, improve visual air quality and achieve greenhouse gas emission reductions.

Building on Metro Vancouver’s Sustainability Principles (Figure 1), the following guidelines will be used to develop and implement actions that effectively reduce air contaminants and greenhouse gas emissions. It is not imperative that each action meet all of the guidelines equally, however it is intended that implementation of this overall Plan will result in these guidelines being met.

PoLLUTion PreVenTion:

Encourage the use of processes, practices, materials and energy in ways that avoid or minimize the creation of contaminants at the source, rather than remedial efforts after contaminants have been released to the environment.

ConTinUoUs iMProVeMenT:

Reduce emissions towards the long-term goal of reduc-ing overall ambient concentrations to levels that do not pose health and environmental concerns.



goal 1: Protect public health and the environment

The freedom to breathe clean air is a basic human right. Metro Vancouver is committed to minimizing the risk to public health from air pollution and protecting the environment. Addressing air contaminants will gener-ally benefit both human health and the environment.

Reducing emissions of particulate matter (including diesel particulate matter) and its precursors, as well as ozone precursors from the major sources in the Lower Fraser Valley airshed, will protect the health of Metro Vancouver residents and the environment. The follow-ing strategies and actions will achieve this goal.

strategy 1.1 Reduce emissions of and public exposure to diesel particulate matterIn addition to increasing the risk of adverse heart and lung health outcomes, emissions of diesel particulate matter are responsible for 67% of the lifetime cancer risk from air pollution in Metro Vancouver. Diesel emissions often occur at ground level and close to where people live, work and play – resulting in higher expo-sures and increased health risk.

MeTro VanCoUVer wiLL:

1.1.1 Explore measures and financing mecha-nisms to promote retrofits of on-road diesel engines and accelerate the use of cleaner alterna-tive fuels in partnership with interested public and private on-road diesel fleet managers and senior levels of government.

1.1.2 Implement Metro Vancouver‘s regulatory requirements for older, in-use non-road diesel engines, and promote further emission reductions by exploring additional funding sources.

1.1.3 Work with the AirCare Steering Com-mittee and other partners to develop enhanced programs for inspection and maintenance of heavy-duty vehicles in the Lower Fraser Valley airshed.

1.1.4 Work with municipalities, health author-ities and TransLink to develop air quality-focussed land use planning and urban design guidelines that will minimize resident exposure to diesel emissions and other traffic-related air pollution.



1.1.5 Participate in the B.C. Marine Vessel Air Quality Work Group to develop and implement emission reduction measures for ocean-going vessels, harbour vessels and port operations, including, but not limited to:

a. piloting and testing of emission control technology,

b. installation of improved engine technology,

c. installation of shore-power for cruise ships, container and other marine vessels, and

d. support for Port Metro Vancouver’s clean air programs such as the North-west Ports Clean Air Strategy and the Blue Circle Awards.

1.1.6 Assist the B.C. Locomotive and Rail Air Quality Working Group in identifying and imple-menting appropriate measures to reduce emis-sions from diesel locomotives.

aCTions reQUesTed of oTher goVernMenTs and agenCies:

1.1.7 Provincial and Federal Governments to enhance programs and provide funding to increase effectiveness of on-road and non-road engine retrofits, increase the use of cleaner alter-native fuels and promote uptake of new heavy-duty diesel vehicles and fuel saving technologies, as per Actions 1.1.1, 1.1.2 and 1.1.3.

1.1.8 Provincial government to introduce an early retirement vehicle program for heavy-duty diesel vehicles, similar to the BC SCRAP-IT® Program, which provides incentives for truck drivers to replace higher-polluting vehicles with newer, cleaner units.

1.1.9 Federal Government to expedite the adoption of more stringent non-road engine and fuel emission standards to further reduce diesel particulate matter and greenhouse gas emissions.

1.1.10 Federal Government to enforce the Inter-national Maritime Organization’s Annex VI pro-tocol which contains air emission regulations, including more stringent Emission Control Area standards for marine vessels in Canadian waters.

1.1.11 Federal Government to adopt and enforce regulations that require the implementa-tion of stringent operational practices for the rail sector, such as railyard idling limits and manda-tory technology requirements.

1.1.12 Municipalities to consider potential air quality impacts of land use planning decisions by utilizing the land use planning and urban design guidelines to be collaboratively developed under Action 1.1.4.



strategy 1.2 Reduce air contaminant emissions from industrial, commercial, institutional (ICI) and agricultural sources at both the regional and local levelIndustrial, Commercial and Institutional sources emit 20% of the fine particulate matter and 16% of the sulphur oxides in Metro Vancouver. Metro Vancouver has direct authority over industrial, commercial and institutional sources within the region through the administration of bylaws which includes the issuance of permits, compliance promotion and enforcement.

Livestock, manure handling and storage, and fertilizer application contribute 76% of the total ammonia emis-sions in the Lower Fraser Valley airshed. Agriculture is also responsible for 11% of the airshed’s inhalable particulate matter emissions. With limited jurisdiction over agricultural operations, Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley Regional District must work with the Provincial government to reduce emissions from this sector.

It is possible that air quality at the local community or neighbourhood scale can become degraded while regional air quality remains acceptable. Developing and implementing local air quality management pro-grams will help to minimize the risk to public health from air pollution.


1.2.1 Deliver a fair, effective and efficient regu-latory program and follow the guideline of con-tinuous improvement, to minimize emissions, adverse health impacts and environmental degradation.

1.2.2 Continue to develop and implement local air quality action plans to address neigh-bourhood air quality priority areas, in partnership with other governments, industry and other interested parties.



1.2.3 Investigate and implement additional targeted measures to address emissions of con-taminants (e.g., volatile organic compounds, ammonia, nitrogen oxides and sulphur oxides) that contribute to ground-level ozone and sec-ondary fine particulate matter concentrations, in partnership with other governments, industry, academia and other interested parties.

1.2.4 Develop and implement an odour man-agement program including an odour manage-ment regulation that addresses key sources of odorous emissions, and effective complaint man-agement and communications processes.

1.2.5 Develop and promote the adoption of best management practices for local businesses, such as the construction/demolition industry and restaurants, including the use of solvents and solvent-containing products.


1.2.6 Federal Government to expedite ICI emission reduction programs which support con-tinuous improvement (e.g., reductions in the volatile organic compound content in consumer and commercial products).

1.2.7 Northwest Clean Air Agency and Wash-ington State Department of Ecology to continue to involve Metro Vancouver in the review of new industrial proposals and permit amendments as per the 1994 Interagency Agreement and require relevant facilities to upgrade to the best available technology whenever feasible.

1.2.8 B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and B.C Ministry of Environment to continue developing beneficial management practices to reduce emis-sions of particulate matter, ammonia, greenhouse gases, and odours from agricultural operations, in collaboration with the B.C. Agriculture Nutri-ent and Air Working Group.

1.2.9 B.C. Ministry of Agriculture to continue encouraging farmers/producers to adopt benefi-cial management practices that will reduce emis-sions of particulate matter, ammonia, greenhouse gases and odours from agricultural operations.



strategy 1.3 Reduce air contaminant emissions from residential sourcesOccasionally some Metro Vancouver neighbourhoods experience elevated levels of wood smoke from fireplaces or wood stoves. Wood smoke is composed of fine par-ticulate matter and a mix of chemicals which can be hazardous to human health. These substances can increase the risk of heart and lung diseases such as asthma and emphysema, and increase susceptibility to illness.


1.3.1 Work with partners to enhance residen-tial wood smoke emission reduction programs such as the wood stove exchange program, wood heat workshops, and other education and out-reach initiatives.

1.3.2 Work with municipalities, health author-ities, fire departments and other partners to explore regulatory options that will reduce resi-dential wood smoke emissions.

1.3.3 Explore incentives to encourage the removal of residential fuel oil devices where lower emission and more efficient options are available.

1.3.4 Investigate options and introduce mecha-nisms to reduce emissions from open burning.

1.3.5 Promote programs, such as the “Mow Down Pollution” program, that encourage resi-dents to exchange their old gas-fired lawn, garden and other household equipment for lower emis-sion models.


1.3.6 B.C. Ministry of Environment to explore regulatory and non-regulatory options to address residential wood burning and fuel oil devices at point of sale.



strategy 1.4 Reduce air contaminant emissions from cars, trucks, and busesCars, trucks and buses emit 35% of the nitrogen oxides and 17% of all man-made volatile organic compounds in the Lower Fraser Valley airshed. Reducing emissions from cars, trucks and buses will protect the health of drivers, passengers, pedestrians, cyclists and residents living close to transportation corridors.

The Actions under Strategy 3.3 will complement these health-related actions by reducing greenhouse gas emis-sions from vehicle travel.


1.4.1 Work with the provincial government, AirCare and the Fraser Valley Regional District to design and implement more effective and user-friendly emission inspection and mainte-nance programs for the most polluting light and heavy-duty vehicles.

1.4.2 Assist municipalities with adoption of Metro Vancouver’s model anti-idling bylaw and education campaigns.


1.4.3 TransLink to work with Metro Vancou-ver and municipalities to develop:

a. regional air quality targets and support-ing implementation strategies for inclusion in regional long-range trans-portation plans, and

b. air quality guidelines to optimize facility locations and fleet technology.

1.4.4 Municipalities to develop idling reduc-tion programs, including consideration of adopt-ing Metro Vancouver’s model anti-idling bylaw.



strategy 1.5 Increase public understanding of air quality issues and public engagement in clean air programsMetro Vancouver will inform the public about current air quality conditions and trends. A range of audience-appropriate engagement techniques will be explored, including community-based social marketing, to encourage the adoption of behaviours that will con-tribute to improving the quality of the air.


1.5.1 Work with partners to create a proactive adverse air quality episode mitigation program by developing voluntary and mandatory emis-sions reduction actions for municipalities, indus-try, businesses and residents, to be taken during air quality advisory periods.

1.5.2 Improve coordination with health authorities on air quality issues, including ensur-ing that adequate health protection information is available to the public during air quality advisories.

1.5.3 Work with the provincial government and other partners (such as health agencies, municipalities, non-government organizations) to create locally-relevant air quality and climate change materials for use by teachers and student environmental groups.

1.5.4 Develop and implement a communica-tions strategy to engage audiences which have been less accessible through Metro Vancouver’s existing air quality outreach programs.

1.5.5 Pursue the development of an Air Qual-ity and Climate Change Academy, in partnership with academic institutions and other partners, which will enhance air quality and climate change research, formal education, and public outreach within the region.



goal 2: Improve visual air quality

Clear, haze-free views improve the well-being of resi-dents and benefit the tourism industry. With improved visual air quality, the residents of Metro Vancouver and visitors can better enjoy the region’s magnificent scenery.

Visual air quality refers to our ability or inability to see through the atmosphere as a result of air quality condi-tions, excluding those associated with meteorological conditions like fog or rain. Reducing emissions of particulate matter and other contaminants, such as ammonia, that lead to secondary fine particulate matter formation, will improve visual air quality. Improving the clarity of views in the Lower Fraser Valley airshed will improve the well-being of residents and benefit the tourism industry. The following strategies and actions will achieve this goal.



strategy 2.1 Reduce emissions of air contaminants and precursors that can degrade visual air qualityEven when pollutant levels meet our health-based standards, visual air quality can still be impaired. To protect visual air quality, it may be necessary under certain conditions to reduce particulate matter to levels that are better than Metro Vancouver’s ambient air quality objectives, which will result in additional health co-benefits.


2.1.1 Investigate and implement measures that will reduce ammonia emissions in the Lower Fraser Valley airshed in partnership with other governments.

2.1.2 Investigate and implement measures that will reduce fine particulate to levels that improve visual air quality.

2.1.3 Implement actions under Strategy 1.1 to reduce emissions of diesel particulate matter and Strategy 1.3 to reduce wood smoke emissions.


2.1.4 B.C. Ministry of Agriculture to continue encouraging farmers/producers to adopt benefi-cial management practices that will reduce fine particulate matter and ammonia emissions from agricultural operations as per Action 1.2.8.

strategy 2.2 Develop a visual air quality management program for the Lower Fraser Valley airshed in partnership with other government agenciesCollaboration with federal, provincial and adjacent agencies will be necessary to develop, pilot and imple-ment an effective visual air quality program for the Lower Fraser Valley airshed.


2.2.1 Enhance monitoring and reporting of visual air quality conditions.

2.2.2 Implement a visual air quality pilot proj-ect, which includes:

a. developing a visual air quality index and a measurable visual air quality improve-ment target,

b. engaging interested parties and the public in improving visual air quality,

c. identifying potential visual air quality management approaches, and

d. evaluating visual air quality management options.


2.2.3 Environment Canada to continue sup-porting visual air quality monitoring and science in Metro Vancouver and adjacent districts.

2.2.4 Health Canada to continue supporting work that will enhance understanding of the link between improvements in visual air quality and health benefits.

2.2.5 B.C. Ministry of Environment and the Fraser Valley Regional District to continue sup-porting the development and implementation of the visual air quality improvement program in the Lower Fraser Valley airshed.



goal 3: Minimize the region’s contribution to global climate change

Climate change is occurring worldwide. The Metro Vancouver region has a global responsibility to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, thereby minimizing its contribution to global climate change.

Local actions are imperative to achieve regional green-house gas emission reduction targets and mitigate global climate change. In the process we can make the region more efficient and improve the quality of life for resi-dents by reducing our exposure to air contaminants, reducing the negative effects of rising global energy prices, and supporting the development of a regional green economy. The actions under Goal 3 are aligned closely with Metro Vancouver’s Corporate Climate Action Plan which outlines actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from Metro Vancouver’s own corporate operations, including the region’s drinking water, liquid waste, and solid waste systems. The following strategies and actions will achieve this goal.



strategy 3.1 Reduce emissions of short-lived climate forcersA great deal of policy and research effort has concen-trated on reducing the most prevalent greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, which can exist in the atmosphere for decades. Recent research has shown that ground-level ozone, black carbon (more commonly called soot), and methane have a larger impact on the global climate than previously understood. In contrast to carbon dioxide, these “short-lived” climate forcers last days to months in the atmosphere. By reducing these potent yet short-lived contaminants we can delay the worst impacts of climate change – effectively buying time in the next few decades while longer term actions to mitigate carbon dioxide emissions take effect. In addi-tion, reductions in emissions of black carbon and ground-level ozone precursors will also lead to air quality and health benefits.


3.1.1 Develop and implement strategies and actions listed under Goal 1 of this Plan to reduce diesel particulate matter and wood smoke which are key contributors of black carbon.

3.1.2 Develop and implement strategies and actions listed under Goal 1 to reduce the precur-sors to ground-level ozone including nitrogen oxides for cars, trucks, and buses and volatile organic compounds from industrial, commercial, institutional and agricultural sources.

3.1.3 Work with partners to develop and implement strategies and actions to reduce meth-ane emissions from landfills through organics diversion and methane capture.


3.1.4 B.C. Ministry of Agriculture to continue developing and implementing projects to reduce methane emissions from agricultural activities (e.g., methane recovery from livestock waste for use as biogas and other products).



strategy 3.2 Support the region’s municipalities, businesses and residents to reduce their carbon footprintsIndustrial, commercial, and institutional (ICI) sectors are significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions in the region. In order to reach regional greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets, greenhouse gas emis-sions need to be decreased across the economy. Reduc-ing emissions from the ICI sectors often generate additional cost and efficiency benefits for their operations.

Emissions from agricultural operations include carbon dioxide emissions from farm machinery and methane emissions from livestock operations including manure and cattle digestive processes.

Heating for buildings makes up approximately 30% of regional greenhouse gas emissions. Buildings can reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by installing more efficient and low carbon heating systems. Direct and future emissions associated with construction and land development can be reduced by designing and locating new buildings and developments in a way that minimizes greenhouse gas emissions.


3.2.1 Explore the establishment of a Metro Vancouver Climate Action Fund (funded by a portion of the Provincial carbon tax, sale of carbon credits and other contributions from senior governments), and use those funds to implement a range of measures that will reduce community greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption.

3.2.2 Work with municipalities to establish a regional carbon credit ownership protocol to clarify the process of assigning carbon credit ownership among local governments in the region.

3.2.3 Assess the region’s low carbon energy (e.g., biomass, geothermal, etc.), waste heat recov-ery, and district energy opportunities and risks, and where appropriate work with municipalities to coordinate public and private investment in supporting infrastructure.

3.2.4 Provide greenhouse gas management training for the region’s small and medium-sized enterprises and link training to other related initiatives such as LiveSmartBC and the Trans-Link Travel Smart program.

3.2.5 Develop a model procurement policy which includes greenhouse gas emission reporting requirements, and promote adoption by munici-palities and businesses.


3.2.7 Federal Government to support the development of an International Maritime Orga-nization regulation for greenhouse gas emissions from commercial marine vessels.

3.2.8 Federal Government to support the International Civil Aviation Organization’s cer-tification of sustainable low carbon fuels for use in aircrafts.

3.2.9 Fortis BC and BC Hydro to continue to assess energy efficiency improvement oppor-tunities for major energy users and implement effective incentive programs.

3.2.10 Provincial Government to earmark a portion of the carbon tax revenues for local gov-ernments to fund actions that will reduce com-munity emissions.



3.2.11 Provincial Government to continue to increase the carbon tax provided that:

a. impacts to low income households are mitigated, and

b. a portion of the funding is dedicated to a Metro Vancouver Climate Action Fund for greenhouse gas emission reduction projects in the region.

3.2.12 Provincial Government to investigate regulatory and incentive options for greenhouse gas emission reductions from heaters and boilers.

3.2.13 Provincial Government to continue set-ting high energy and greenhouse gas performance standards for buildings, develop standards for on-site renewable energy systems through the B.C. Building Code, and promote best practices in building energy performance.

3.2.14 B.C. Ministry of Agriculture to continue investigating renewable energy technologies and low carbon farming techniques, in collaboration with Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley Regional District and other partners.



3.3.5 Work with municipalities, the Provincial Government, TransLink, and the utility providers to coordinate planning and investment in low carbon vehicle infrastructure (e.g., plug-in electric vehicles, natural gas vehicles).

3.3.6 Work with municipalities, TransLink, and the Provincial Government to improve data collection and sharing to inform transportation-related emission reduction strategies.


3.3.8 Provincial and Federal Governments to enact enabling legislation that generates addi-tional revenues for transit infrastructure.

3.3.9 Federal and Provincial Governments to enhance financial incentives to promote cleaner, fuel-efficient heavy and light duty vehicle pur-chases and the adoption of new low-carbon and efficient vehicle technologies.

3.3.10 Provincial Government to expand sup-port of Sustainable Fleet Management Programs (such as E3 and GreenFleets BC, IdleFree BC) as a central source for reducing emissions from private and public vehicle fleets.

strategy 3.3 Reduce the carbon footprint of the region’s transportation systemOn-road vehicles are responsible for one-third of the region’s greenhouse gas emissions. Improving the effi-ciency of vehicles and reducing the number and length of vehicle trips can reduce the region’s impact on the global climate. Vehicle efficiency is largely driven by policies of senior levels of government, but the region can enable new low carbon technologies such as electric vehicles by providing supportive infrastructure. Simi-larly, Metro Vancouver’s role for planning regional growth will have a direct impact on the length and number of vehicle trips.


3.3.1 Work with municipalities to implement elements of the Regional Growth Strategy that support land use patterns that reduce vehicle trips and increase walking, cycling, and use of public transit and support the efficient movement of goods.

3.3.2 Work with municipalities to develop model bylaws that facilitate low carbon transpor-tation choices, such as pedestrian-oriented design, road space allocation, cycling infrastructure, car sharing, low carbon vehicle infrastructure, etc.

3.3.3 Provide detailed greenhouse gas emission analysis of the regional transportation system in support of regional and municipal transportation planning, and jointly develop strategic actions to reduce transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions.

3.3.4 Promote TransLink ’s TravelSmart trip reduction program through Metro Vancouver’s public outreach programs.



3.3.11 Provincial Government to extend the Greenhouse Gas (Vehicle Emissions Standard) Act to 2017 through 2025 and incrementally increase the stringency of these standards.

3.3.12 The Provincial Government to investigate combining air contaminants and greenhouse gases into a coordinated vehicle emission standard and increase its stringency.

3.3.13 The Provincial Government to review the B.C. low-carbon fuel standard to ensure pro-visions are meeting desired greenhouse reduction goals and are not creating unintended economic and environmental consequences.

3.3.14 The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, in consultation with TransLink and other stakeholders, to investigate an equitable distance-based insurance option that helps encourage drivers to drive fewer kilometres.

3.3.15 The Provincial Government, TransLink, and municipalities to enhance transportation demand management measures, including user road pricing, fuel efficient vehicle incentives and outreach programs.

3.3.16 TransLink and municipalities work with the private sector to improve the efficiency of goods movement through better logistics coor-dination between ports, carriers, shippers, and their customers.



strategy 3.4 Explore opportunities for carbon sequestrationOpportunities to increase the carbon sequestration capacity of the region can create carbon credits which can be used towards Metro Vancouver’s goal of corporate carbon neutrality, or sold in a carbon market to generate revenues for the region. Sequestration projects can also have associated benefits by restoring green spaces and creating new areas with enhanced ecological services.


3.4.1 Explore carbon sequestration opportunities on Metro Vancouver’s corporate lands, such as:

a. reforestation,b. ecosystem restoration, andc. biochar.

3.4.2 Develop a regionally specific carbon storage and sequestration guide to aid in site specific land use and landscape decision making in Metro Vancouver.

strategy 3.5 Increase public understanding of climate change issues and encourage personal actionPublic understanding and support for climate change actions is critical to their effectiveness over the long term. Even though Metro Vancouver and other govern-ments are leading many initiatives, action by individu-als, businesses, and community organizations will be necessary to meet aggressive greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.


3.5.1 Produce a consolidated climate change action guide which outlines public actions which will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

3.5.2 Raise public awareness and uptake of low carbon building and transportation options through Metro Vancouver’s outreach programs.

3.5.3 Pursue the development of an Air Qual-ity and Climate Change Academy, in partnership with academic institutions and other partners, which will enhance air quality and climate change research, formal education, and public outreach within the region.



Goal 3: Minimize the region’s contribution to global climate change

1. Percentage change in regional greenhouse gas emissions compared to 2007 baseline

2. Percentage change in greenhouse gas emissions per source sector

3. Percentage change in greenhouse gas emissions per capita and per vehicle

TargetsMetro Vancouver has adopted the following regional targets as part of its Sustainability Framework and associated action plans.

dieseL ParTiCULaTe MaTTer:

•Reduce diesel particulates from vehicles, equipment and rail in the region by 50 percent by 2015 (com-pared to 2005).

greenhoUse gases:

•Reduce regional greenhouse gases 15 percent by 2015 and 33 percent by 2020 from 2007 levels.

PerforManCe MeasUresThe following performance measures will be used to monitor progress toward the Plan’s goals over the next decade.

Goal 1: Protect public health and the environment

1. Percentage change in annual emissions of air contaminants (region-wide and by sector)

2. Number of exceedances of regional and national objectives and standards

a. Metro Vancouver’s Ambient Air Quality Objectives

b. Canada-wide Standards for PM2.5 and Ozone

3. Percentage change in annually-averaged air contaminant concentrations at long-term

monitoring network stations

4. Percentage of hours with the Air Quality Health Index in the HIGH and LOW health risk

categories

5. Number of days that the region is under an air quality advisory

Goal 2: Improve visual air quality

1. Number of impaired visual air quality events

2. Number of days with visual air quality index in the worst and best categories



Measuring and MonitoringMetro Vancouver collects data related to air quality, greenhouse gases and energy use which can be used to identify priority areas for action in the IAQGGMP, and to allow measurement of the performance of the Plan. Air quality monitoring data, emissions inventories and forecasts, and Metro Vancouver’s public air quality complaint database provide the on-going information necessary to track progress.

The quality of our air is often described in terms of the amount of contaminants released by emission sources, and the concentrations measured at ambient (outdoor) monitoring stations. It is important to make a distinc-tion between the emissions themselves and the resultant ambient air quality. While the emissions released from industrial stacks, motor vehicle tailpipes, residential chimneys and the myriad of sources in the region do contribute to ambient air quality, some air contaminants discharged into the atmosphere undergo transforma-tions or reactions, leading to secondary pollutants. Two examples are the reaction of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds in the presence of sunlight to form ground-level ozone, and the reaction of nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides and ammonia to form secondary fine particulate matter.

To track the region’s emissions, Metro Vancouver com-piles detailed emission inventories of common air contaminants (including smog-forming pollutants) and greenhouse gases every five years. Emission inven-tories describe the types and amounts of air contami-nants released into the air by different sources. This information provides a baseline against which progress can be measured, and a projection of future emissions which helps to identify significant emerging regional sources.

To track ambient air quality levels, Metro Vancouver operates the Lower Fraser Valley Air Quality Monitor-ing Network in partnership with Environment Canada, Fraser Valley Regional District and the B.C. Ministry of Environment. The network includes over 25 air quality monitoring stations located from Horseshoe Bay to Hope. Air quality and weather data is collected on a continuous basis and used to calculate the public air quality health index (AQHI). The network also allows staff to: collect information about air contami-nants that contribute to human health risk; track air quality trends; and evaluate the effectiveness of actions in the IAQGGMP.

Metro Vancouver also conducts specialized air quality monitoring studies to investigate problem areas, mea-sure the impact of specific emission sources and support regulatory decisions. These specialized studies are con-ducted using portable monitoring equipment to supple-ment the permanent monitoring network, and provide information about air quality at the neighbourhood level which may be used to develop local air quality action plans. Metro Vancouver has been upgrading its capabilities for undertaking specialized air quality studies.

Metro Vancouver also collaborates with other agencies and academic institutions to conduct air quality research, which allows us to better understand current and future trends, and develop effective programs to support the goals of the IAQGGMP.



Ambient Air Quality ObjectivesMetro Vancouver establishes Ambient Air Quality Objectives (AAQOs) based on current knowledge about air quality and health science, with consideration of other relevant objectives world-wide and local achiev-ability. Recognizing that health evidence suggests that there is no safe level for some contaminants, the AAQOs are a step towards the lowest observable effects levels. Metro Vancouver’s AAQOs are revised from time to time, consistent with the continuous improvement guideline. Metro Vancouver reviews its AAQOs when new information becomes available and when the federal or provincial government modifies their objectives.

air contaminant averaging timeambient air Quality objectives

μg/m3 parts per billion

Carbon monoxide1-hour 30,000 26,500

8-hour 10,000 8,800

nitrogen dioxide1-hour 200 107

annual 40 22

sulphur dioxide

1-hour 450 174

24-hour 125 48

annual 30 12

ozone1-hour 160 82

8-hour 126 65

inhalable particulate matter (PM10)24-hour 50 -

annual 20 -

fine particulate matter (PM2.5)24-hour 25 -

annual 8 (6)* -

Table 2 Metro Vancouver’s Ambient Air Quality Objectives

While it is intended that air quality throughout Metro Vancouver region will always be better than Metro Vancouver’s AAQOs, natural events such as forest fires may result in unavoidable exceedances. Metro Vancou-ver’s AAQOs are part of an integrated management program comprising, but not limited to, the following components:

•Long-term surveillance monitoring,

•Reporting on the quality of the air,

•One of several decision factors in permit evaluation and regulation development, and

• Input to determining the need for and developing air quality management programs for area and mobile sources.

* Metro Vancouver adopted ambient air quality objectives for PM2.5 as part of the 2005 Air Quality Management Plan, based on the most stringent standards at the time and in advance of any Provincial objective. In 2009, the Provincial government adopted a 24-hour objective for PM2.5, as well as an annual PM2.5 objective of 8μg/m3 and a planning goal of 6 μg/m3. The 2011 IAQGGMP aligns Metro Vancouver’s objectives with those of the Province.

The potential impacts associated with each of these contaminants are described in more detail in Appendix B.



Emission Standards for Regulated SourcesMetro Vancouver has the delegated authority and responsibility to provide the service of air pollution control in the region. Regulatory services are delivered through development and administration of bylaws, emission regulations and permits for industrial, com-mercial and institutional emission sources, as well as compliance promotion and enforcement. The regulatory program aims to minimize emissions, thereby avoiding adverse health impacts and environmental degradation.

Regional emission regulations and permits typically include emission limits, which are emission standards applied at the “point of emission”. Permits generally are used to regulate larger industrial sources, and emis-sion limits in permits are legal requirements that restrict the quantity and quality of air contaminants emitted to the environment from a specific emission point (e.g., an industrial stack). In order to meet required emission limits and reduce their emissions, permit holders can be required to operate and maintain emission control works (such as technology like a baghouse or electro-static precipitator that reduces emissions of particulate matter). Permit holders may also be required to perform regular testing to demonstrate compliance with emis-sion limits.

Metro Vancouver also administers emission regulations which stipulate emission limits and other requirements for groups of smaller sources, such as service stations and industrial boilers. Emission limits are also imposed by other levels of government, including vehicle tailpipes (e.g., AirCare), and paints and solvents (federal limits).

Recalling the distinction between emissions and ambi-ent air quality, regulatory emission limits are used to manage emissions at the point of discharge from a particular source, while ambient air quality objectives are used to manage the end result of those emissions in the regional airshed.

Often, an emission limit will be prescribed for a given emission source at a facility to ensure that there are no adverse impacts beyond the facility’s boundaries. In particular, stringent emission limits on hazardous sub-stances can be stipulated in a permit or regulation to ensure there are no adverse health or environmental impacts from a facility on the neighbouring community.

Adaptive ManagementImplementation of the strategies and actions in the Integrated Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Manage-ment Plan will be reflected in annual work programs and budgets, and the annual Action Plan under the Sustainability Framework.

A key feature of the IAQGGMP is adaptive manage-ment – monitoring progress, identifying challenges and finding solutions to overcome those challenges. Through monitoring, assessment and collaboration with partners, Metro Vancouver will continue to adapt its programs in response to technological advances, changing regulatory regimes, air quality episodes, and other issues.



aPPendix a AIR QUALITy AND GREENHOUSE GASES – PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

Metro Vancouver currently experiences good regional air quality relative to most other urban areas in North America. The quality of our air is often described in terms of the amount of contaminants released by emission sources, and the concentrations measured at ambient (outdoor) monitoring stations.

PAst tRenDsPast trends, based on these two measures of performance, are shown in Table A-1. Efforts to reduce emissions of most air contaminants in the Lower Fraser Valley airshed have been relatively successful over the past 20 years. Similarly, improvements in carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, volatile organic compounds and particulate matter levels have also been observed at regional air quality monitoring stations.

Table a-1 Past Trends in Emissions and Air Quality in the Lower Fraser Valley Airshed 1990—2010

* Based on global carbon dioxide concentration measurements at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra-tion’s Mauna Loa observatory.

Pollutant Regional

Emission Trend

Regional Air Quality

Monitoring Trend

Inhalable particulate matter (PM10)

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5)

Sulphur oxides (SOx)

Ammonia (NH3)

No discernible trend

Diesel particulate matter

Insufficient monitoring record

Ground‐Level Ozone (O3) Not emitted Short term peaks

Annual averages

Oxides of nitrogen (NOx)

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Carbon monoxide (CO)

Greenhouse gases (GHG)

*



Smog-forming pollutants emissions are the sum of nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, volatile organic com-pounds, fine particulate matter and ammonia emissions.

CuRRent eMIssIonsThe following diagrams summarize the main sources that contributed to smog formation and greenhouse gas emissions in the Metro Vancouver region in the year 2010.

16% 14% 13% 10% 7% 4% 4% 3%22%

Car

s an

d T

ruck

s

Ag

ricul

ture

Plan

es a

nd T

rain

s

Hea

ting

Ind

ustr

ial*

Solv

ents

Mar

ine

Vess

els

Non

-roa

d E

qui

pm

ent

Tree

s an

d V

eget

atio

n

7%

Mis

c**

2010 Smog-Forming Pollutant Emissions inthe Metro Vancouver Region by Source

Plan

es a

nd T

rain

s

Hea

ting

Ind

ustr

ial*

Mar

ine

Vess

els

Car

s an

d T

ruck

s

Land

fills

Mis

c**

2010 Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Metro Vancouver Region by Source

32% 32% 21% 2%3% 2% 2%

Non

-roa

d E

qui

pm

ent

6%

*Permitted industrial sources

**Miscellaneous smog-forming pollutants are from burning, waste, and other sources.

the total smog-forming emissions for 2010 were 100,005 tonnes.

*Permitted industrial sources

**Miscellaneous greenhouse gas emissions are from burning, refueling, agriculture and other sources.

the total greenhouse gas emissions for 2010 were 16.3 megatonnes.

Greenhouse gas emissions are the weighted sum of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, expressed as carbon dioxide-equivalents.



FutuRe tRenDsDespite recent air quality improvements, emissions of particulate matter, carbon monoxide, ammonia and green-house gases are predicted to rise as a result of projected increases in population, agricultural activity and trans-portation, as illustrated in Table A-2.

Table a-2 Forecasted Lower Fraser Valley Airshed Emission Trends 2010– 2020

* This trend includes the implementation of an International Maritime Organization Emission Control Area on the coasts of Canada and United States.

** Percentage of Canadian Lower Fraser Valley total. Diesel particulate matter emission trends are not available for Whatcom County.

Pollutant Forecasted Trend Forecasted Change

from 2010 to 2020

Major Sources in the Lower Fraser Valley

Airshed

Inhalable particulate

matter (PM10)

+7%

Miscellaneous area sources, building heating,

agriculture, burning, non‐road engines, wood products

industries, marine vessels

Fine particulate

matter (PM2.5)

+4%

Space heating, burning, miscellaneous area sources,

non‐road engines

Sulphur oxides (SOx)

( )*

+17% (‐51%)* Marine vessels, petroleum products industries,

primary metal industries

Ammonia (NH3)

+9% Agriculture, miscellaneous area sources, light‐duty

vehicles

Diesel particulate

matter ‐15%** Non‐road engines, marine vessels, heavy‐duty vehicles

Oxides of nitrogen

(NOx)

‐15%

Light‐duty vehicles, non‐road engines, marine vessels,

heavy‐duty vehicles, space heating, railways, non‐

metallic mineral processing

Volatile Organic

Compounds (VOCs) Levelling off ‐3%

Vegetation, solvent evaporation, light‐duty vehicles,

non‐road engines

Carbon monoxide

(CO)

+4% Light‐duty vehicles, non‐road engines

Greenhouse gases

(GHG)

+5%

Light‐duty vehicles, building heating, petroleum

products, non‐metallic mineral processing



Current health research indicates that even low levels of fine particulate matter exposure are harmful to human health. Particulate matter also impairs visual air quality. Reducing regional emissions of particulate matter and its precursors (nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides and ammonia) will continue to protect the health of residents and improve visual air quality in the region.

Programs aimed at reducing diesel particulate matter are just beginning to take effect. Given the significant risk to human health and its role as a short-term climate forcer, Metro Vancouver will continue to implement and enhance programs to reduce emissions of diesel particulate matter.

Metro Vancouver will continue to partner with other governments and organizations to reduce emissions of sulphur oxides and ammonia. The largest source of sulphur dioxide emissions in Metro Vancouver is marine vessels, but the pending implementation of the Inter-national Maritime Organization’s Emission Control Area on the North American coasts will reduce sulphur oxides emissions significantly. Ammonia emissions are predicted to rise as a result of increased agricultural activity.

The severity of ground-level ozone episodes has dimin-ished since the 1980s and early 1990s. However, this trend has been mainly unchanged during the last ten to fifteen years, despite large reductions in emissions of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, which lead to ground-level ozone formation. Ongoing investigation of the most effective strategies for reducing ozone levels will provide Metro Vancouver with options and opportunities for improvement.

Despite recent efforts from governments, organizations, businesses and individuals in B.C. to combat climate change, emissions of greenhouse gases in Metro Van-couver continue to increase. Continued commitment and an expansion of efforts to engage the public will be key to achieving future reductions.



aPPendix b POTENTIAL IMPACTS ASSOCIATED wITH AIR CONTAMINANTS Health, visual air quality and climate change issues arise when contaminants are emitted into the air at concentrations that may be harmful to human health and the natural and built environments. These contaminants can also undergo chemical reactions in the air to produce other contaminants, called secondary contaminants, which can additionally affect our health and environment. Table B-1 provides a summary of the possible effects associated with air contami-nants and greenhouse gases.

Table b-1 Potential Impacts Associated with Air Contaminants in the Lower Fraser Valley Airshed

Pollutant Description Health impacts Ecosystem impacts Climate impactsOther socio-

economic impacts

Inhalable particulate matter (PM10)

PM10 refers to microscopic solid and liquid particles, 10 micrometres or smaller, that are suspended in the atmosphere.

Aggravates respiratory and cardiovascular disease, reduces lung function, increases respiratory symptoms and can lead to premature death.

Contributes to acidification and nutrient enrichment of soil and surface water.

Affects radiative balance and climate.

Contributes to poor visual air quality, which affects the well-being of residents.

Poor visual air quality impacts tourism.

Damages or discolours structures and property.

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5)

PM2.5 refers to microscopic solid and liquid particles, 2.5 micrometres or smaller, that are suspended in the atmosphere; can be emitted directly from sources or formed secondarily in the atmosphere.

Aggravates respiratory and cardiovascular disease, reduces lung function, increases respiratory symptoms and can lead to premature death.


Affects radiative balance and climate.

Contributes to poor visual air quality, which affects the well-being of residents.

Poor visual air quality impacts tourism.


Sulphur dioxide (SO2) *

Colourless gas with pungent odour that smells like a struck match.

Aggravates asthma and increases respiratory symptoms.

Contributes to acidification of soil and surface water and mercury methylation in wetland areas.


Ammonia (NH3)*

Ammonia is a colourless gas with a pungent smell.

Irritates eyes, nose and throat, and may induce coughing.

Contributes to nutrient enrichment of soil and surface water.

Odours affect the well-being of residents.




economic impacts

Black carbon (BC)*

Black carbon (or soot) comes from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, biofuel, and biomass.

Black carbon absorbs radiation from the sun, increasing the rate of global climate change.

Health impacts of black carbon are closely linked with diesel particulate matter, which is responsible for 67% of the lifetime cancer risk due to air pollution in Metro Vancouver.

Higher water temperatures in oceans and rivers make them less hospitable to salmon and other fish.

Drier and hotter climates make it more difficult for species accustomed to coastal rainforests.

Black carbon has been identified as a short-lived climate forcer and cited as the second biggest contributor to global climate change after carbon dioxide, although its effects are not as long-lived.

Climate refugees may begin arriving in the region because of climate induced flooding, desertification, loss of drinking water, and other impacts.

Damage from increased frequency and intensity of storms.

Carbon monoxide (CO)

An odourless gas which, when inhaled, reduces our body’s ability to use oxygen.

Decreases athletic performance, aggravates cardiac symptoms, increases hospital admissions for cardiac diseases, and can lead to premature death.

Ground-level ozone (O3)

Very reactive oxygen species. Formed in the atmosphere from reactions involving NOx and VOCs in the presence of sunlight.

Aggravates respiratory and cardiovascular disease, decreases lung function and increases respiratory symptoms, increases susceptibility to respiratory infection and can lead to premature death.

Damages vegetation and impacts tree growth.

Ground-level ozone is identified as a short-lived climate forcer.

Reduces crop yields.

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) ♠*

Group of highly reactive gases that include nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2); NO2 is an odorous, brown and highly corrosive gas.

Aggravates respiratory disease and increases susceptibility to respiratory infections.


Volatile organic compounds (VOC) ♠*

A group of carbon-containing compounds that tend to evaporate quickly at ordinary temperatures.

Some VOCs are carcinogenic, such as formaldehyde and benzene.

Some VOCs are odourous, which affects the well-being of residents.




economic impacts

Methane (CH4)

A combustible gas, sometimes called natural or biogas.

Sources are decomposition of waste in landfills, manure from livestock, and digestive processes in cattle.

No direct health impacts, but climate change is expected to cause more high heat days during the summer months which can stress those with pre-existing heart and lung conditions.



Methane is a relatively potent greenhouse gas.

Compared with carbon dioxide, it has a higher global warming potential, but has been identified as a short-lived climate forcer, persisting in the atmosphere for around 10 years.



Carbon dioxide (CO2)

A colorless, odourless, and tasteless gas that is the by-product of combustion of fossil fuels. Also released through processes of deforestation and other land-use change.

No direct health impacts, but climate change is expected to cause more high heat days during the summer months which can stress those with pre-existing heart and lung conditions.



CO2 is the most abundant greenhouse gas and causes global climate change.

CO2 is long-lived in the atmosphere often remaining for more than 100 years.



* Contributes to PM2.5

formation with associated impacts

♠ Contributes to ground-level ozone formation with associated impacts

Based on:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2008) National Air Quality Status and Trends Through 2007. Report EPA-454/R-08-006, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Air Quality Assessment Division, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, November 2008.



aPPendix C ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF OTHER GOVERNMENTS

Recognizing that Metro Vancouver does not have regu-latory authority over all air emission sources in the region, partnerships with other levels of government will be necessary in the following areas.

federaL goVernMenT:

•Environment Canada regulates emissions from on-road vehicles through standards for new vehicle performance and fuel composition, in-use fuel stan-dards, the quality of fuel produced, imported and sold in Canada, and emissions from marine vessels, non-road vehicles and engines, and some industrial sources across Canada. The Government of Canada and the Government of the United States of America are signatories to the US-Canada Air Quality Agree-ment, a commitment to controlling transboundary air pollution between the two countries.

•Environment Canada and Health Canada share responsibility under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) to assess and manage threats posed by toxic substances.

•Transport Canada has the mandate to enforce the International Maritime Organization’s regulations for marine vessels under the authority of the Canada Shipping Act. Transport Canada is also the authority responsible for Canadian railways.

•Port Metro Vancouver manages all port operations and mitigation of environmental impacts related to development and expansion proposals. Port Metro Vancouver is a non-shareholder, financially self-sufficient corporation which was established by the Government of Canada in January 2008 pursuant to the Canada Marine Act. Port Metro Vancouver is accountable to the federal Minister of Transport.

ProVinCiaL goVernMenT:

•The government of British Columbia delegates air quality management authority to Metro Van-couver through the Provincial Environmental Man-agement Act, and the B.C. Ministry of Environment has regulatory authority for air quality management in the remainder of the Province.

• In 2007, the Government of British Columbia enacted the Greenhouse Gas Reductions Target Act which commits the Province to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 33 percent below 2007 levels by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050. Other provincial legislation, such as the Carbon Tax Act and other Greenhouse Gas Reduction Acts (Cap and Trade, Vehicle Emissions Standards, Renewable and Low Carbon Fuel Requirements); will assist the Province and local governments to meet their greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.

regionaL and LoCaL goVernMenTs:

•The South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority (or TransLink) administers the regional AirCare vehicle inspection and maintenance pro-gram; plans, manages and finances public transit; and shares responsibility for the major road network and regional cycling with the municipalities in Metro Vancouver.

•Municipalities are required under the Local Govern-ment (Green Communities) Statutes Amendment Act (Bill 27) to include targets, policies and actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in their Official Community Plans. Several municipalities within Metro Vancouver have also adopted and enforce municipal bylaws, such as fire and anti-idling bylaws, which improve air quality.



firsT naTions:

•First Nations have constitutional rights which must be taken into account in the planning process. In April 2009 Tsawwassen became a treaty First Nation member of the Metro Vancouver Board when a treaty signed and ratified by the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia and Tsawwassen First Nation came into effect.

adJaCenT regionaL disTriCTs and airshed ParTners:

•Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) has been given authority for air quality planning and moni-toring through a provincial Order-in-Council. The FVRD is currently working to acquire regulatory powers similar to those of Metro Vancouver.

•Squamish-Lillooet Regional District has an inter-est in air quality management as stated in its Regional Growth Strategy, but air quality management authority within this district lies with the B.C. Ministry of Environment.

•Northwest Clean Air Agency is the local air quality authority with responsibility for Whatcom County, and has similar powers to Metro Vancouver.


GStanese

Text Box

5304159



Summary of Communications and Outreach Process for Metro Vancouver’s Integrated Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Management Plan Since the April 12th, 2011 workshop with the Environment and Energy Committee, Metro Vancouver has discussed the draft Integrated Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Management Plan (IAQGGMP) with close to 350 interested parties. Specifically, Metro Vancouver staff:

• presented to regional committees (including TAC, REAC, MRTAC, Agricultural Advisory),

• presented to several air quality-focussed working groups: o Lower Fraser Valley Air Quality Coordinating Committee, o Air & Waste Management Association-British Columbia & Yukon Chapter, o British Columbia Marine Air Quality Working Group, and o Regional Clean Air Communications Team.

• hosted 6 half-day workshops with government partners and other stakeholders, • held one public open house, • hosted two webinars, and • posted the draft plan on its website with an on-line feedback form.

In addition, Metro Vancouver staff has worked with the Regional Engineers Advisory Committee’s Climate Protection Subcommittee (REAC-CPS) for over 2 years to identify and refine regional GHG emission reduction actions under the umbrella of the Regional Energy and Climate Action Strategy. Many of those actions have now been incorporated into the IAQGGMP. Key comments received and the staff responses/revisions to the draft plan are summarized below:

Comment Response / Revisions

Gen

eral

The plan should outline costs, benefits and timelines for implementation.

The IAQGGMP is a strategic plan which identifies high level actions for further exploration and refinement. As has been Metro Vancouver’s practice in the past, development of specific regulatory actions would include consultation as well as an evaluation of costs and benefits. It is intended that most of the actions in this plan will be further refined and implemented over the next five years. As outlined in the plan, Metro Vancouver intends to take an adaptive management approach, responding to technological advances, changing regulatory regimes, air quality episodes and other issues.

Include a matrix that clarifies the role of other agencies for each action and whether the action will provide any co-benefits.

Agreed. This matrix will be developed in consultation with partners over the coming months and then will form an accompanying implementation plan to the IAQGGMP.

5.2 ATTACHMENT 2

ENV - 73 -

Stra

tegy

1.1

Actions under Strategy 1.1 (reduce public exposure to diesel particulate matter) are only emission reduction focussed, not exposure reduction focussed.

In urban areas, diesel emission reductions will ultimately reduce exposure. However, the strategy has been changed to “reduce emissions of and public exposure to diesel particulate matter” to address this comment. Moved Action 1.4.2 (planning and urban design guidelines) under this strategy to reflect its exposure reduction focus, and revised wording to reflect focus on diesel and other traffic-related pollutants.

Add an action for municipalities to utilize the urban design guidelines developed in Action 1.4.2.

Added new action for “Municipalities to consider potential air quality impacts of land use planning decisions by utilizing the land use planning and urban design guidelines to be collaboratively developed under Action 1.4.2”.

Some support for financing of retrofits for on-road heavy-duty diesel vehicles. Suggestion that funding should go toward promotion of uptake of new heavy diesel vehicles and fuel saving technologies. Suggestion to add an action to request funding from provincial and federal government to increase uptake of diesel retrofits and cleaner fuels.

Added new action for the “Provincial and Federal Governments to provide funding to increase effectiveness of on-road and non-road engine retrofits, increase the use of cleaner alternative fuels and promote uptake of new heavy-duty diesel vehicles and fuel saving technologies, as per Actions 1.1.1 and 1.1.2”.

Introduce a scrappage program for heavy-duty diesel trucks.

Added new action for the “Provincial government to introduce an early vehicle retirement program for heavy-duty diesel vehicles, similar to the BC SCRAP-IT® Program which provides incentives for truck drivers to replace higher-polluting vehicles with newer, cleaner units”.

Stra

tegy

1.3

Broaden Strategy 1.3 (Reduce air contaminant emissions from residential heating sources) to include open burning, backyard burning and other residential sources.

Changed strategy 1. 3 to “Reduce air contaminant emissions from residential heating sources”.

ENV - 74 -

Divide Action 1.3.1 (residential heating wood smoke reduction) into two actions: one mandatory and one voluntary-focussed. Further consultation is needed to determine a regulatory path forward.

Action 1.3.1 now states that Metro Vancouver will: “Work with partners to enhance residential wood smoke emission reduction programs such as the wood stove exchange program, wood heat workshops and other education and outreach initiatives”. New action 1.3.2 states that Metro Vancouver will: “Work with municipalities, health authorities, fire departments and other partners to explore regulatory options that will reduce residential wood smoke emissions”.

Suggest deleting Action 1.3.3 “Municipalities to adopt and implement bylaws to reduce residential wood smoke”. Further consultation is needed to determine a regulatory path forward.

Agreed; deleted and replaced with new action 1.3.2 above.

Add action regarding open burning. Added new action to “Develop bylaws to reduce emissions from open burning”.

Add action to reduce emissions from lawn and garden equipment.

Added new action to “Promote programs, such as the “Mow Down Pollution” program, that encourage residents to exchange their old gas-fired lawn, garden and other household equipment for lower emission models”.

Add action for Provincial government regarding the Solid Fuel Burning Domestic Appliance Regulation.

Added new action for “Provincial Government to explore regulatory and non-regulatory options to address residential wood burning and fuel oil devices at point of sale”.

Stra

tegy

1.4

Suggestion to split Action 1.4.1 into heavy- and light-duty inspection programs to reflect the Committee’s desire to reduce diesel emissions from heavy-duty vehicles, although not all responses supported the need for an inspection program for heavy-duty vehicles.

Retained Action 1.4.1, but added new action under Strategy 1.1 for “Metro Vancouver to work with AirCare Steering Committee to develop enhanced programs for inspection and maintenance of heavy-duty vehicles in the Lower Fraser Valley”, which will focus on diesel particulate emission reductions.

Add action to assist municipalities with vehicle idling reduction bylaw adoption and education campaigns.

Added new action to “Assist municipalities with adoption of Metro Vancouver’s model anti-idling bylaw and education campaigns”.

Action 1.4.4 should be revised to reflect that some municipalities have adopted bylaws, while some are focussing on education.

Revised Action 1.4.4 to “Municipalities to develop idling reduction programs including consideration of adopting Metro Vancouver’s model anti-idling bylaw”.

Stra

tegy

1.5

Action 1.5.1 (air quality episode management) should mention how industry, businesses, residents and municipalities will be consulted.

Revised Action 1.5.1 to “Work with partners to create a proactive adverse air quality episode mitigation program by developing voluntary and mandatory emissions reduction actions for

ENV - 75 -

municipalities, industry, businesses and residents, to be taken during air quality advisory periods”.

Clarify “other partners” in Action 1.5.3. Revised Action 1.5.3 to “Work with the provincial government and other partners (such as health agencies, municipalities, non-government organizations) to create locally-relevant air quality and climate change materials for use by teachers and student environmental groups”.

Stra

tegy

2.1

Add new actions to reflect recent Environment Canada findings that black carbon (e.g., diesel soot) and ammonia-based particulates are the main contributors to visual air quality degradation.

Added new action to “Implement actions under Strategy 1.1 to reduce emissions of diesel particulate matter and Strategy 1.3 to reduce wood smoke”. Added new action “Provincial Government to continue encouraging farmers/producers to adopt beneficial management practices that will reduce fine particulate matter and ammonia emissions from agricultural operations as per Action 1.2.8”.

Add actions that reflect the contributions of other levels of government to the collaborative visual air quality improvement initiative.

Added new action “Federal Government to continue supporting visual air quality monitoring and science”. Added new action “Federal Government to continue supporting work that will improve understanding of the link between improvements in visual air quality and health benefits”. Added new action “Provincial Government and the Fraser Valley Regional District to support development and implementation of the visual air quality improvement program in the Lower Fraser Valley airshed”.

Stra

tegy

2.2

The Plan should include actions to reduce GHG emissions through opportunities with the region’s water, wastewater and solid waste.

Clarified that the Corporate Climate Action Plan is closely aligned with this Plan and addresses opportunities in these areas.

Stra

tegy

3.1

Action 3.1.3 to reduce methane from agriculture should be supported by MV (rather than MV-led). Actions would be more appropriately led by the Ministry of Agriculture.

Agreed. Moved agriculture components (b and c) from “Metro Vancouver will....” to new action “Provincial Government to continue developing and implementing projects to reduce methane emissions from agricultural activities (e.g., methane recovery from livestock waste for use as biogas and other products)”.

ENV - 76 -

Change “waste” to “organics” in Action 3.1.3.

Agreed. New wording: “Work with partners to develop and implement strategies and actions to reduce methane emissions from landfills through organics diversion and methane capture”.

Stra

tegy

3.2

Rename this strategy to reflect the fact that several sources of the region’s economy are included under other strategies (e.g., transportation, agriculture).

Revised Strategy to “Support the region’s municipalities, businesses and residents to reduce their carbon footprints”.

Action 3.2.1 needs clarification regarding the source of funding for the Metro Vancouver Climate Action Fund.

Revised Action 3.2.1 to “Explore the establishment of a Metro Vancouver Climate Action Fund (funded by a portion of the Provincial carbon tax, sale of carbon credits and other contributions from senior governments), and use those funds to implement a range of measures that will reduce community greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption”. Added new action for “Provincial Government to earmark a portion of the carbon tax revenues for local governments to fund actions that will reduce community emissions”. Moved Action 3.3.11 (regarding changes to the carbon tax) into this strategy, since it relates closely to the above action for the Provincial Government.

Action 3.2.2 (the regional carbon offset framework) should refer instead to a carbon ownership protocol for assigning ownership of carbon credits.

Revised Action 3.2.2 to “Work with the municipalities to establish a regional carbon credit ownership protocol to clarify the process of assigning carbon credit ownership among local governments in the region”.

Action 3.2.3 (renewable energy and waste heat recovery) should include reference to district energy opportunities and identify need to work with municipalities.

Action has been revised to explicitly reference district energy systems and reflect opportunities to support the work of municipalities.

Some support for Action 3.2.6 to develop low carbon farming techniques, but it may duplicate provincial work. Development of techniques through the Colony Farm Agricultural Academy is not supported. Unlink the low carbon farming techniques from Academy. Add municipalities to the list of partners for this new action.

Added new action for “Provincial Government to continue investigating renewable energy technologies and low carbon farming techniques, in collaboration with Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley Regional District, municipalities and other partners”.

ENV - 77 -

Stra

tegy

3.3

Revise Strategy 3.3 to reflect other forms of travel (not just vehicles).

Agreed. Revised Strategy 3.3 to “Reduce the carbon footprint of the region’s transportation system”.

Action 3.3.1 regarding car sharing model bylaws is far too narrow in scope.

Expanded action to: “Work with municipalities to develop model bylaws that facilitate low carbon transportation choices, such as pedestrian-oriented design, road space allocation, cycling infrastructure, car sharing, low carbon vehicle infrastructure, etc.”

Suggestion to include telecommuting and low carbon vehicles as transportation emission reduction options in Action 3.3.4.

Expanded action to: “Promote TransLink’s TravelSmart trip reduction program through Metro Vancouver public outreach programs, including options to reduce the number of trips, reduce trip length, and use of low carbon modes of transportation”.

Add an action to support the region’s desire to move toward low-carbon transportation.

Added new action to: ”Work with municipalities, the Provincial Government, TransLink, and the utility providers to coordinate planning and investment in low carbon vehicle infrastructure (e.g., plug-in electric vehicles, natural gas vehicles)”.

Distance-based insurance must acknowledge the potential affordability issues for people with long commuting distances and limited transit options.

Revised to: “The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, in consultation with TransLink and stakeholders, to investigate an equitable distance-based insurance option that helps encourage drivers to drive fewer kilometres”.

Add an action to increase access to vkt data and other sources of information.

Added new action to: “Work with municipalities, TransLink, and the Provincial Government to improve data collection and sharing to inform transportation-related emissions reductions strategies”.

Raising the low carbon fuel standard is not feasible.

Revised action to: “The Provincial Government to review the B.C. low-carbon fuel standard to ensure provisions are meeting desired greenhouse gas reduction goals and are not creating unintended economic and environmental consequences”.

Add action to enact enabling legislation to generate funds for transit infrastructure for example from TDM measures.

Added new action for: “Provincial and Federal Government to enact enabling legislation that will generate additional revenues for transit infrastructure (e.g., from TDM measures)”.

ENV - 78 -

Add action to reduce emissions by increasing the efficiency of goods movement.

Added new action for: ”Translink and the municipalities work with the private sector to improve the efficiency of goods movement through better logistics coordination between ports, carriers, shippers, and their customers”.

Workshops Feedback was gathered face-to-face during six workshops.

Workshop Date Organizations in attendance Environment and Energy Committee

April 12th, 2011 Chair, Director Joe Trasolini, City of Port Moody Vice Chair, Director Linda Hepner, City of Surrey Councillor Brent Asmundson, City of Coquitlam Director Kim Baird, Tsawwassen Councillor Linda Barnes, City of Richmond Director Heather Deal, City of Vancouver Director Sav Dhaliwal, City of Burnaby Director Ralph Drew, Village of Belcarra Director Gayle Martin, Langley City Councillor Lorrie Williams, City of New Westminster

Provincial Government (Victoria)

April 27th, 2011 BC Ministry of Environment – Environmental Management Branch BC Ministry of Environment – Climate Action Secretariat BC Ministry of Energy and Mines BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure

REAC – Climate Protection Subcommittee

April 28th, 2011 City of Coquitlam City of North Vancouver City of Port Moody City of Richmond City of Surrey City of Vancouver Corporation of Delta District of North Vancouver

Inter-governmental

May 9th, 2011 Environment Canada BC Ministry of Agriculture TransLink AirCare/EnviroTest Canada Coast Mountain Bus Company Vancouver Airport Authority Port Metro Vancouver Vancouver Coastal Health Fraser Health Authority BC Centre for Disease Control Fraser Valley Regional District Squamish-Lillooet Regional District

Municipalities May 13th, 2011 City of Burnaby City of Coquitlam City of New Westminster City of North Vancouver City of Port Moody City of Surrey City of Vancouver Corporation of Delta

ENV - 79 -

Interested Parties

May 16th, 2011 BC Trucking Association Business Council of BC Greater Vancouver Home Builders' Association

Letters Metro Vancouver received formal letters from:

• Business Council of British Columbia • British Columbia Trucking Association • Burke Mountain Naturalists • City of Burnaby • British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture.

E-mails The following organizations sent their comments via e-mail:

• Environment Canada (AQ) • Environment Canada (GHGs) • City of Vancouver • City of Port Moody • Port Metro Vancouver • Genesis Engineering • Shell Canada.

Online Comments Comments were received via our online feedback forms from:

• Community Energy Association • Pembina Institute for Appropriate Development • Sea-to-Sky Clean Air Society • Vancouver Area Cycling Association • West Coast Environmental Law • British Columbia Lung Association • Burns Bog Conservation Society/ Rivershed Society of British Columbia/ Soil

& Water Conservation Society - British Columbia Chapter • City of North Vancouver • City of New Westminster • City of Port Coquitlam • Chevron Canada Ltd • Vanport Sterilizers • British Columbia Agriculture Council • University of Alberta Campus Sustainability Office • Advanced Product Labs • Sunshine Coast Conservation Association • Hemmera • Public (5).

Metro Vancouver used two databases to inform interested parties about the outreach process. The first database consisted of the over 7,000 members of Metro Vancouver’s Sustainability Breakfast and Dialogue list serve. These individuals were invited to the public open house and webinars. The second database was developed by Air Quality Policy and Management Division staff, based on their experience with previous consultation processes. This database included over 600 individuals, businesses and organizations that fall within the categories described below.

ENV - 80 -

Government Agencies Federal • Environment Canada • Health Canada • Transport Canada.

Provincial • British Columbia Ministry of Environment • British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture • British Columbia Ministry of Economic Development • British Columbia Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources • British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure • British Columbia Centre for Disease Control.

Regional • Fraser Valley Regional District • Squamish-Lillooet Regional District • Sunshine Coast Regional District • TransLink • Vancouver Coastal Health Authority • Fraser Health Authority.

Metro Vancouver members • Bowen Island Municipality • City of Burnaby • City of Coquitlam • City of Langley • City of New Westminster • City of North Vancouver • City of Pitt Meadows • City of Port Coquitlam • City of Port Moody • City of Richmond • City of Surrey • City of Vancouver • City of White Rock • Corporation of Delta • District of Maple Ridge • District of North Vancouver • District of West Vancouver • Electoral Area A • Township of Langley • Tsawwassen • Village of Anmore • Village of Belcarra • Village of Lions Bay • Regional Engineers Advisory Committee • Regional Engineers Advisory Committee – Climate Protection Subcommittee • Technical Advisory Committee • Major Roads and Transportation Advisory Committee.

ENV - 81 -

United States • Northwest Clean Air Agency • Puget Sound Clean Air Agency • Washington State Department of Ecology • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

First Nations

• British Columbia Assembly of First Nations • Katzie First Nation • Kwikwetlem First Nation • Matsqui First Nation • Musqueam Indian Band • New Westminster FN / Qayqayt First Nation • Nlaka`pamux Nation Tribal Council • Semiahmoo First Nation • Squamish First Nation • Sto:lo First Nation • Tsawwassen First Nation • Tsleil-Waututh First Nation.

Crown Corporations

• Port Metro Vancouver • BC Housing • BC Hydro • Insurance Corporation of British Columbia • BC Transmission Corporation.

Not-for-profit Organizations

• Vancouver Airport Authority • Better Environmentally Sound Transportation • British Columbia Lung Association • British Columbia Sustainable Energy Association • Burke Mountain Naturalists • Burns Bog Conservation Society • Community Energy Association • David Suzuki Foundation • Eco Justice • Fraser Basin Council • Hub for Action on School Transportation Emissions (HASTE) • Jack Bell RideShare • Modo The Car Co-op • Pembina Institute for Appropriate Development • Rivershed Society of British Columbia • Sea to Sky Clean Air Society • Sierra Club of Canada - British Columbia Chapter/Kwantlen University • Society Promoting Environmental Conservation • Soil & Water Conservation Society - British Columbia Chapter • Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition • West Coast Environmental Law.

ENV - 82 -

Industry and Other Associations • Aggregate Producers Association of British Columbia • Association of Wall & Ceiling Contractors of British Columbia • British Columbia Automobile Association • British Columbia Chamber of Commerce • British Columbia Chapter of the Solid Waste Association of North America • British Columbia Construction Association • British Columbia Landscape & Nursery Association • British Columbia Ready-Mixed Concrete Association • British Columbia Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association • British Columbia Society Of Landscape Architects • British Columbia Trucking Association • Bowen Island Chamber of Commerce • British Columbia Construction Roundtable • British Columbia Environment Industry Association • Building Owners and Managers Association • Burnaby Board of Trade • Business Council of British Columbia • Canadian Construction Association - Green Building Resource Centre • Canadian Eco-Industrial Network • Canadian Federation of Independent Business in British Columbia & Yukon • Canadian Home Builders Association of British Columbia • Canadian Petroleum Products Institute • Cement Association of Canada • Coast Forest Products Association • Construction Safety Association of British Columbia • Construction Safety Network • Council of Construction Associations • Council of Forest Industries • Council of Tourism Associations of British Columbia • Delta Chamber of Commerce • Economic Development Association of British Columbia • Environmental Managers Association of British Columbia • Forest Products Association of Canada • Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce • Greater Vancouver Home Builders' Association • Homeowner Protection Office • Independent Contractors and Businesses Association • Landscape Committee for British Columbia Landscape Association • New Westminster Chamber of Commerce • Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows Chamber of Commerce • Richmond Chamber of Commerce • Roofing Contractors Association of British Columbia • Small Business British Columbia • Surrey Board of Trade • The Vancouver Board of Trade • Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce • Urban Development Institute • Vancouver Board of Trade • Vancouver Electric Vehicle Association • Vancouver Regional Construction Association

ENV - 83 -

• West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce • White Rock & South Surrey Chamber of Commerce.

Labour and Unions

• WorkSafeBC • International Union of Operating Engineers (Local 115) • British Columbia Federation of Labour • British Columbia Building Trades (British Columbia and Yukon Building and

Construction Trades Council). Private Industry and Businesses

• Envirotest Canada / Pacific Vehicle Testing Technologies Ltd. / AirCare • Coast Mountain Bus Company • British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. • Metro Vancouver permittees (148) • Canada Green Building Council, West Coast office • Canadian Bioenergy Corporation • Canadian Business for Social Responsibility • Centre for Integral Economics • Centre for Sustainable Community Development • Consulting Engineers of British Columbia • Greater Vancouver Gateway Council • Urban Development Institute • Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre • Vancouver Economic Development Commission • Various construction companies and developers • Canvas Energy • Methanex Corporation.

Agriculture

• Metro Vancouver’s Agricultural Advisory Committee • British Columbia Agricultural Council • British Columbia Farm Industry Review Board • British Columbia Greenhouse Growers' Association • British Columbia Landscape and Nursery Association • United Flower Growers Co-operative Association.

Academia

• University of British Columbia - School of Population and Public Health • University of British Columbia - Department of Geography • University of British Columbia - Earth & Ocean Sciences • University of British Columbia - Landscape Architecture • University of British Columbia - Sauder School of Business • University of British Columbia - School of Community and Regional Planning • Simon Fraser University - Department of Geography • Simon Fraser University - Faculty of Health Sciences • Simon Fraser University - Public Health • Simon Fraser University - School of Resource and Environmental Management • Simon Fraser University - Urban Studies • British Columbia Institute of Technology.

ENV - 84 -

Marine and Rail • Amtrak • Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway • Canadian National Railway • Canadian Pacific Railway • Railway Association of Canada • Rocky Mountaineer • Southern Railway of British Columbia • VIA Rail • West Coast Express • Neptune Terminals • Fraser Surrey Docks • BC Ferry Services Inc. • Chamber of Shipping of BC • Council of Marine Carriers • Seaspan International Ltd. • Vancouver Drydock Company Ltd. • Vancouver Shipyards • Washington Marine Group.

Air Quality Consultants and Contractors

• CD Nova • Envirochem Services Inc. • Genesis Engineering Inc. • Golder Associates • HBLanarc/Stantec • Levelton Consultants Ltd. • RWDI Air Inc. • SENES Consultants Limited • SNC-Lavalin Environment • Rescan Environmental Services Ltd. • Hemmera • IBI Group • RSS Consulting Ltd. • A. Lanfranco and Associates Inc. • Pottinger Gaherty Environmental Consultants. 5249363

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ENV - 86 -


To: Environment and Energy Committee From: Trudi Trask, Senior Project Engineer

Jeff Carmichael, Senior Economist Policy and Planning Department

Date: June 30, 2011 Subject: Implications of Provincial Greenhouse Gas Cap-and-Trade Program on Metro

Vancouver Operations Recommendation: That the Board write to the Provincial government to request that it correct inequitable greenhouse gas policies for waste disposal, by either charging for greenhouse gas emissions from both landfill and waste-to-energy facilities, or by excluding all waste disposal facilities from greenhouse gas emission charges. 1. PURPOSE This report describes the proposed provincial greenhouse gas cap-and-trade program, and concerns about how it could affect Metro Vancouver operations. 2. CONTEXT Background At the May 2011 meetings of the Environment and Energy Committee and Waste Management Committee, staff presented a report on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reporting for Metro Vancouver’s Waste-to-Energy Facility (WTEF), as required under provincial and federal reporting programs. GHG reporting is an initial step in the implementation of a proposed provincial cap-and-trade system in BC. The Environment and Energy Committee directed staff to invite a representative of the BC Climate Action Secretariat to make a presentation on the proposed system at a subsequent Committee meeting. Mr. James Mack, head of the secretariat, presented at the June 14 meeting. At that time, staff were then directed to prepare a report summarizing concerns about the proposed cap-and-trade system. This report responds to that request. Cap and Trade and Carbon Policy in BC Provincial carbon policy has five principal parts relevant to Metro Vancouver: a proposed cap-and-trade program, a carbon tax on fossil-based fuels, the Climate Action Charter, legislative requirements for Regional Growth Strategies and Official Community Plans (Bill 27); and the Landfill Gas Management Regulation. More details on these five parts are provided in the Attachment to this report.

5.3

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Implications of Provincial Greenhouse Gas Cap-and-Trade Program on Metro Vancouver Operations Environment and Energy Committee Meeting: July 12, 2011 Page 2 of 4 The creation of the Provincial GHG Cap and Trade program was dictated by the Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Cap and Trade) Act (2008) and will be/is supported by four regulations:

• Reporting regulation (2009), • Emissions Trading regulation (early 2011), • Offsets regulation (early 2011), and • Enforcement and Penalties regulation (late 2011).

Beginning in March 2011, the province requires facilities emitting more than 10,000 tonnes of GHGs per year to submit reports, under the Reporting Regulation – Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Cap and Trade) Act. Facilities emitting more than 25,000 tonnes of GHGs per year will be required to report and to reduce their emissions. Affected facilities and equity issues According to the current information on the proposed cap-and-trade program, the only current Metro Vancouver corporate facility that will be included in the program is the WTE facility in Burnaby. The WTE facility will be responsible for reporting and reducing GHGs emitted from processing solid waste. As noted in the May 2011 report, Metro Vancouver has reported on GHG emissions as required, in preparation for the full program implementation. Approximately 15 industrial facilities in the region will also be subject to cap-and-trade requirements. Any future WTE facilities would likely also fall under the program, and depending on annual emissions, some of the region’s wastewater treatment plants may be included as well. Landfill facilities are not included in the program, although they release significant amounts of greenhouse gases. Instead, they fall under the Landfill Gas Management Regulation, which requires landfills to install landfill gas capture equipment, if not already in place. Even the best designed landfill gas capture systems will capture only part of the greenhouse gases generated at a landfill, while the remainder escapes to the atmosphere. Moreover, the Regulation does not require beneficial use of the captured gas. This creates an economic disadvantage for waste-to-energy facilities. Staff have conveyed to the Climate Action Secretariat concerns over the lack of economic disincentives for landfilling. The inclusion of ongoing carbon-related costs for waste-to-energy facilities without the creation of a system for similar costs for landfill greenhouse gas emissions is unfairly punitive on waste-to-energy and inconsistent with the draft Integrated Solid Waste and Resource Management Plan. Known and unknown parts of the Provincial cap-and-trade program It is expected that the Province will use GHG reports from Metro Vancouver and other facilities to set the number of emission allowances to be distributed in 2012, when the program begins. At that time, each facility emitting more than 25,000 tonnes per year of GHGs must have one allowance for each tonne of CO2e (carbon dioxide-equivalent) emitted. Program participants like the WTEF can obtain allowances in three ways, as shown in Figure 1: free allowances given by the Province, auctioned allowances sold by the Province, and buying extra allowances from other participants (the “trade” part of cap-and-trade).

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Implications of Provincial Greenhouse Gas Cap-and-Trade Program on Metro Vancouver Operations Environment and Energy Committee Meeting: July 12, 2011

Page 3 of 4 Figure 1. Methods of obtaining allowances

The Province has not yet announced how many allowances will be available for free or through auction. The Province has proposed that it will release a distribution plan by September 30, 2011. The plan would specify the percent of allowances that they will auction in 2012 and the number of free allowances. The Province has not yet indicated the total planned number of available allowances in each year from 2012 to 2020. In the first year, the number of allowances will likely be equal to the number of emissions (meaning that no emitters are required to reduce their emissions). However, the number of allowances will decrease in the future, reducing the total amount of allowed emissions. This reduction will mean that emitters cannot all continue to operate as before: some must reduce their emissions. Others who are not able or willing to reduce their emissions must obtain part of their allowances by buying excess allowances from facilities where emissions have been reduced. Potential cost to Metro Vancouver’s existing Waste-to-Energy Facility and potential new facilities Details of the Provincial cap and trade system have not been announced, so it is unclear how much Metro Vancouver will pay for its WTE GHG emission allowances. The financial impacts could be significant. Without information on the reserve price or the auction market, it is difficult to estimate the price of allowances to Metro Vancouver or any other affected facility. Other carbon management program prices may help, though - for example, public sector organizations buy offsets at $25 per tonne of CO2-equivalent from the provincial Pacific Carbon Trust agency, and the BC carbon tax will be $30 per tonne as of July 1, 2011. If the Burnaby waste-to-energy facility were required to purchase 100% of its allowances at $25 per tonne, the cost would be $3.0 million. Any new waste-to-energy facility would be required to purchase cap-and-trade allowances as well. The uncertainty associated with the costs of greenhouse gas allowances impacts Metro’s Vancouver’s ability to gather competitive bids for any future waste-to-energy facilities. Given this uncertainty, potential operators of future facilities may provide high cost estimates or choose not to bid until there is more clarity.

Managed by the Province

Trading with Exchanges

Mechanisms to Obtain Allowance Units

Allocated for Free Obtained thru Quarterly Auction

ENV - 89 -

Implications of Provincial Greenhouse Gas Cap-and-Trade Program on Metro Vancouver Operations Environment and Energy Committee Meeting: July 12, 2011 Page 4 of 4 3. ALTERNATIVES The Board may: a) request that the Provincial government correct inequitable greenhouse gas policies for

waste disposal, by either charging for greenhouse gas emissions from both landfill and waste-to-energy facilities, or by excluding all waste disposal facilities from greenhouse gas emission charges;

or b) Receive this report for information and take no further action at this time. Option (a) is recommended. 4. CONCLUSION Metro Vancouver’s waste management system includes both landfills and waste-to-energy technology. The Province’s proposed cap-and-trade program puts additional costs on waste-to-energy facilities which landfills are not subject to, thus economically favouring landfills over waste-to-energy. This is not consistent with Metro Vancouver’s and the Province’s goals for integrated resource recovery. Cap and Trade could impose additional costs for the existing waste-to-energy facility of up to $3.0 million in 2012, which is equivalent to 30 percent of revenues. This cost would likely escalate in future years. Uncertainty in the cost for allowances may significantly affect the number and quality of bids that Metro Vancouver would receive for new waste-to-energy facilities, as cost certainty is needed to allow potential waste-to-energy facility operators to plan and bid effectively. Staff has had minimal success in communicating concerns to the Province through the Climate Action Secretariat. The engagement of elected officials will likely be helpful. In consideration of the inequitable treatment of waste-to-energy facilities versus landfill, the provincial and Metro Vancouver’s sustainability goals, and the necessity of the services provided by waste-to-energy, Metro Vancouver should request that the Provincial government correct inequitable greenhouse gas policies for waste disposal, by either charging for greenhouse gas emissions from both landfill and waste-to-energy facilities, or by excluding all such facilities from greenhouse gas emission charges. ATTACHMENT Overview of BC Carbon Policy and Provincial Greenhouse Gas Cap-and-Trade Program (Doc. # 5260675). 5228608

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Overview of BC Carbon Policy and Provincial Greenhouse Gas Cap-and-Trade Program Carbon policy overview Provincial carbon policy has five principal parts relevant to Metro Vancouver:

• a proposed cap-and-trade program, • a carbon tax on fossil-based fuels, • the Climate Action Charter, • legislative requirements for Regional Growth Strategies and Official Community Plans

(Bill 27); and • the Landfill Gas Management Regulation.

A brief description of each of these policy elements is shown in Figure 1. Figure 2 illustrates how each policy relates to local government’s jurisdiction including both corporate operations and influence on community activities. Focusing specifically on Metro Vancouver’s corporate operations, Figure 3 shows how Provincial carbon policy applies to the specific services provided by Metro Vancouver. The proposed cap-and-trade program applies to facilities generating over 25,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases (GHGs) annually. As a consequence, GHG emissions from the existing waste-to-energy facility are slated to fall under the proposed cap-and-trade program. While landfills are a significant source of GHGs, they will not fall under cap-and-trade; instead, they are required to install landfill gas capture equipment (as per the Landfill Gas Management Regulation). However, such equipment only captures a portion of the landfill gas, with the remainder escaping to the atmosphere. It is important to note that much of the escaping gas is methane, which is over twenty times more potent than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas. In addition, beneficial use of the captured landfill gas is not required. Metro Vancouver operations pay carbon tax on the purchase of gasoline, diesel, natural gas, and other fossil fuel sources. In this sense, both WTEF and landfill operations are subject to carbon tax for the fossil fuels used. As signatories to the Climate Action Charter, Metro Vancouver and most of its member municipalities receive refunds of carbon taxes paid. Metro Vancouver has adopted an internal policy whereby carbon tax rebates received are used specifically to fund climate action projects and activities. Cap-and-trade program The Provincial GHG Cap and Trade program is enacted by the Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Cap and Trade) Act (2008) and will be/is supported by four regulations: Reporting regulation (2009), Emissions Trading regulation (early 2011), Offsets regulation (early 2011), and Enforcement and Penalties regulation (late 2011).

5.3 ATTACHMENT

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Figure 1: Overview of key Carbon Policy in BC

Carbon Policy in BCCap and Trade Applies to large industrial facilities with GHG emissions > 25,000 t CO2E

Facilities must purchase allowances for all their emissions

Carbon Tax Residents, Businesses, and Government pay a tax on purchases of fossil fuelsLocal Government that have signed the Climate Action Charter receive a refund of this tax

Climate Action Charter (Carbon Neutral)

Local Government voluntary commitment to become carbon neutral in corporate operations by 2012Become Carbon Neutral by reducing and/or compensating for all GHG Emissions from Corporate “Traditional Services” (excluding solid waste disposal)

Bill 27 Provincial Legislation requiring Local Governments to set GHG emission targets for community-wide emissions and develop actions to reach those targets.

Landfill Gas Management Regulation

Provincial Legislation requiring municipal landfills to install landfill gas capture system designed to capture 75% of gases by 2016.

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Figure 2: How key Carbon Policy in BC relates to Local Governments

Where does BC Carbon Policy apply?

Cap and Trade Pay for allowances for GHG Emissions >25,000 t CO2E from Waste-to-Energy Facility

N/A N/A N/A Facilities pay for allowances for emissions >25,000 t CO2E

Carbon Tax Paid on purchases of fuels, refunded by Provincial gov’t

Residents and Businesses pay on purchase of fuels

Paid on purchases of fuels, refunded by Provincial gov’t

Residents and Businesses pay on purchases of fuels

Paid on purchases of fuels, may be refunded by Provincial gov’t


Reduce or Compensate for all GHG Emissions from Corporate “Traditional Services” (not SW)

Reduce or Compensate for all GHG Emissions from Corporate “TraditionalServices”

N/A

Metro Van. –Corporate

Metro Van. –Community (The Region)

Municipalities -Corporate

Municipalities-Community

Large Industry

Bill 27 N/A Set GHG Emissions Targets and develop actions for community

N/A Set GHG Emissions Targets and developactions for community

N/A


Must install landfill gas capture system designed to capture 75% of gases by 2016.

Must install landfill gas capture system

designed to capture 75% of gases by 2016.

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Figure 3: Effect of BC Carbon Policy on Metro Vancouver Corporate Operations

Cap and Trade Pay for allowances for GHG Emissions

>25,000 t CO2E from Waste-to-Energy

Effect of BC Carbon Policy on Metro Vancouver Corporate Operations

Carbon Tax Paid on purchases of fuels (not refunded)

Paid on purchases of fuels, refunded by Provincial government


Reduce or Compensate for all GHG Emissions from Corporate “Traditional Services”

Metro Vancouver – Corporate

Landfills Waste-to-Energy

Buildings DrinkingWater

Services

Liquid Waste Services

Fleet

Bill 27Does not apply to Corporate emissions


Must install landfill gas capture system designed to capture 75% of gases by 2016.

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Overview of BC Carbon Policy and Provincial Greenhouse Gas Cap-and-Trade Program Environment and Energy Committee Meeting: July 12, 2011 Page 5 of 6 The Provincial government is developing new greenhouse gas (GHG) cap-and-trade requirements. Beginning in March 2011, the province requires facilities emitting more than 10,000 tonnes per year of GHGs to submit reports, under the Reporting Regulation – Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Cap and Trade) Act. Currently, the only Metro Vancouver-controlled facility required to report emissions is the existing waste-to-energy facility in Burnaby. This requirement could potentially extend to some of our wastewater treatment plants in the future. In addition, approximately 15 industrial facilities in the region will be subject to cap-and-trade requirements. Under the proposed cap-and-trade system, facilities require permission to release any greenhouse gases; this permission is provided by units called allowances. The Province will not be regulating the number of allowances per facility, but instead will be regulating the total number of allowances available in the province. Starting in 2012, each facility emitting more than 25,000 tonnes per year of GHGs must obtain 1 “allowance” for each tonne of CO2e (carbon dioxide-equivalent) emitted. It is expected that the Province will use GHG reports from Metro Vancouver and other facilities to set the total number of emission allowances to be distributed within the Province in 2012. The number of 2012 allowances will likely be equal to the number of emissions. However, the number of allowances will decrease in the future, reducing the total amount of allowed emissions. This reduction will require facilities to reduce emissions or buy excess allowances from facilities where emissions have been reduced. The Province will distribute allowances by two mechanisms, by free distribution and by auction. The Province can also hold back a number of allowances from the auction in reserve. The Province has proposed that it will release a distribution plan by September 30, 2011. The plan would specify the percent of allowances that will be available by auction in 2012, the quantity of allowances to be distributed for free, and the quantity to be held in reserve. The Province also previously planned to announce in the first quarter of 2011 the total planned number of allowances to be released in each year from 2012 to 2020, but this information has not yet been released. The Province can allocate free allowances to compensate industries that compete for business in a global marketplace and where their competitors do not face the same carbon compliance costs. To be eligible to receive free allowances, operational information – such as economic, trade, production or emissions data or forecasts would have to be provided. It is unclear how such decisions will be made. The Province is required under agreement with the Western Climate Initiative to auction a minimum of 10 per cent of its annual allowance budget in 2012 (and a minimum of 25 per cent in 2020). B.C. may auction higher percentages than these minimums. The Province will set a minimum (reserve) price for auctioned allowances. They may announce the price in advance of or after the auction, or not at all. Auctions would be held on a single round, sealed-bid and uniform price basis starting in 2011. All successful bidders would pay the same clearing price for allowances, which would be calculated by the Province based on the bids received. Once the bidding window closes, the Province would announce the clearing price, the total quantity of allowances sold, the number or names of successful and unsuccessful bidders, and the quantity of allowances purchased by each successful bidder. Beyond the Provincial mechanisms to distribute allowances, facilities can also obtain further allowance by trading with other facilities or allowance exchanges.

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Overview of BC Carbon Policy and Provincial Greenhouse Gas Cap-and-Trade Program Environment and Energy Committee Meeting: July 12, 2011 Page 6 of 6

Current state of Cap-and-Trade The only portion of the Provincial GHG Cap and Trade program already enacted is the Reporting regulation (2009), which requires facilities emitting more than 10,000 tonnes of CO2e annually to report their emissions. The Province released consultation papers and conducted webinars on the Emissions Trading regulation and Offsets regulation in late 2010. Final adoption of these regulations depends not only on information received from consultation within British Columbia, but also on consultation and the current activities of the other partners of the Western Climate Initiative (WCI). B.C. is one of 11 partner jurisdictions in the WCI, and full adoption of Cap-and-Trade in B.C. is dependent on the adoption of the system by key partners. The Province has not yet announced the total number of allowances available in 2012, though it is expected to match the 2012 emissions amount. The Province has also not yet announced how many allowances will be available for free or through auction. The Province has proposed that it will release a distribution plan by September 30, 2011. The plan would specify the percent of allowances that they will auction in 2012 and the number of free allowances. The Province has not yet indicated the total planned number of available allowances in each year from 2012 to 2020. In addition to the number of free and auctioned allowances, no information has been released about the auction price. 5260675

Managed by the Province

Trading with Exchanges

Mechanisms to Obtain Allowance Units

Allocated for Free

Obtained thru Quarterly Auction

Figure 4: Mechanisms to Obtain Cap-and-Trade Emission Allowance Units

ENV - 96 -


To: Environment and Energy Committee From: Trudi Trask, Senior Project Engineer

Jason Emmert, Air Quality Planner Policy and Planning Department

Date: June 30, 2011 Subject: Local Governments and Carbon Neutrality Recommendation: That the Environment and Energy Committee request that REAC/RAAC forward the “white paper” summarizing REAC’s concerns regarding the Provincial Government’s framework on local government neutrality outlined in the “Becoming Carbon Neutral Guidebook” for the Committee’s consideration and possible Board endorsement. 1. PURPOSE To provide an update to the Environment and Energy Committee on the Provincial government’s development of a framework for local government signatories to the BC Climate Action Charter to meet the goal of carbon neutrality by 2012 and to provide information on how concerns expressed by staff and member municipalities about the proposed framework will be relayed to the Province. 2. CONTEXT Background Metro Vancouver, along with most member municipalities (and nearly 180 local governments throughout BC), have signed the BC Climate Action Charter. The Charter is a voluntary commitment that commits signatories to:

• be carbon neutral with respect to their corporate operations by 2012; • measure and report their community’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; and • create complete, compact, more energy efficient communities.

The signatories agree that these commitments would be implemented through the establishment of a joint Province-UBCM Green Communities Committee (GCC) and a number of Green Communities Working Groups, including the Carbon Neutral Steering Committee (CNSC). Provincial Government Framework on Local Government Carbon Neutrality On May 27, the GCC (see Attachment 1 for a description of the membership of GCC) released a draft version of the “Getting to Carbon Neutral Guidebook” which outlined the local government carbon neutral framework (defining how to measure, reduce, compensate, and report on local government GHG emissions).

5.4

ENV - 97 -

Local Governments and Carbon Neutrality Environment and Energy Committee Meeting Date: July 12, 2011 Page 2 of 4 In June, the Carbon Neutral Steering Committee (CNSC) held a series of workshops with local governments to receive comments on the draft guidelines and intend to present the final version of the guidelines at UBCM in the fall.

Staff from Metro Vancouver and its municipalities provided feedback on the draft guidelines to the CNSC at a June 9 workshop, organized through the REAC - Climate Protection Sub-committee. At the workshop the CNSC indicated that it was still considering further changes to the Guidebook that would address concerns raised earlier by local governments. However, the general sense from municipal and Metro Vancouver staff members is that the draft framework needs to be expanded and that more flexibility is needed to allow local governments to use its limited resources most efficiently to achieve the maximum reductions in both corporate and community greenhouse gas emissions. In advance of UBCM this fall, REAC-CPS has compiled a summary of outstanding issues that will be submitted to the Province as a “white paper” through REAC. REAC has considered a request from the REAC-CPS that the GCC delay finalization of the “Getting to Carbon Neutral Guidebook” until the issues raised by local governments have been resolved. The REAC-CPS will continue to work with the Carbon Neutral Steering Committee to find consensus solutions to address those issues raised by local governments while remaining committed to the Charter goals. A short summary of those issues can be found below. Implications for Local Governments in the Region Under the current draft framework, local governments can reach carbon neutrality by directly reducing their own corporate GHG emissions; and “compensating” for the emissions they are unable to reduce directly. The current guidelines include three types of compensation:

1. Undertaking pre-approved projects that reduce carbon emissions in areas outside of the scope of traditional corporate services, but within the local government’s jurisdiction (i.e., community emissions). Currently, the carbon neutrality framework provides specific protocols for four types of projects that are eligible for this consideration - organics diversion, solar hot water installation, fleet fuel switching, and building retrofits.

2. Other types of projects that are outside the traditional corporate boundaries and within the community would be considered but require protocol development and project verification.

3. Purchasing offsets from a recognized offset provider such as the Pacific Carbon Trust.

The credits created by reducing community emissions (options 1 and 2 above) under the framework could not be transferred (sold) outside the system and thus have no monetary value outside the Charter. To be recognized as carbon neutral, local governments would have to reduce, or compensate for all of their corporate emissions. Given the timing of release of the Guidebook in mid 2011, with the end of 2012 being the carbon neutrality target date, it will be extremely difficult for local governments to budget for and develop local compensation projects for 2012. As a consequence, most local governments would have to purchase offsets in 2012 to achieve carbon neutrality.

ENV - 98 -

Local Governments and Carbon Neutrality Environment and Energy Committee Meeting Date: July 12, 2011

Page 3 of 4 However, discussions at REAC-CPS indicate that many municipalities in the region would prefer to invest resources in local compensation projects rather than purchasing offsets from an outside provider. Members of the subcommittee feel that spending resources in the community can create the dual benefit of creating an incentive to reduce corporate emissions and reducing community emissions. This also contributes to local governments achieving the third commitment under the Charter, “to create complete, compact, more energy efficient communities”. In addition, these projects could provide opportunities to meet other community goals (e.g., biodiversity protection, infrastructure upgrade and investment, etc.). However, under the current guidelines options 1 and 2 provide limited opportunities to develop the types of projects that would be cost effective at reducing community emissions. Some members of the committee have suggested the GCC expand the list of compensation projects to include certain quantifiable policy initiatives, despite the difficulties of certifying that such policy steps create measurable, credible greenhouse gas reductions. Another suggested option is to provide formal recognition of the progress local governments have made under the other charter commitments. In recognition of the challenges with timing and the commitments made and efforts put forth by local governments, the CNSC announced the intention of establishing a “making progress” to carbon neutrality designation. The “making progress” option was presented and discussed at the June 9 workshop. Initial understanding of this option, is that it would allow local governments to get recognition for efforts made toward carbon neutrality and avoid penalties or repercussions for not being fully carbon neutral by the 2012 deadline. However, no written details have been released on this “making progress” option to confirm this understanding. An overall issue with the framework is the lack of clarity regarding the penalties or repercussions associated with failing to achieve carbon neutrality by 2012 and into the future. For example, local governments that have signed onto the Charter receive Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program (CARIP) funds each year, which are rebated carbon tax payments. There is some concern that failure to meet carbon neutrality could mean loss of CARIP funds. The Provincial Government needs to clearly state that there will be no penalty for failure to achieve carbon neutrality by the end of 2012 (first commitment year) and consult with local governments about the policy for penalties in future commitment years. A more detailed description of the REAC concerns will be outlined in the forthcoming summary from REAC. Implications for Metro Vancouver Since signing onto the Climate Action Charter in 2008, Metro Vancouver has developed a Corporate Climate Action Plan, which provides a framework for achieving carbon neutrality, including quantification of our corporate energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and opportunities for reduction through energy efficiency, energy recovery and generation, and carbon sequestration. Metro Vancouver’s corporate GHG emissions, as of 2009, are estimated at 12,200 tonnes of CO2e (total GHG emissions expressed as carbon dioxide equivalent), down slightly from the 2007 estimate of 12,900 tonnes. Under the current provincial guidelines, Metro Vancouver will have difficulty reaching carbon neutrality by the end of 2012 without buying offsets from an outside provider.

ENV - 99 -

Local Governments and Carbon Neutrality Environment and Energy Committee Meeting Date: July 12, 2011 Page 4 of 4 In Metro Vancouver, CARIP funds have been designated for climate action projects. That money could be re-directed to purchase offsets to achieve carbon neutral operations, but like municipalities, Metro Vancouver staff are concerned that taking this approach would simply send money out of the community. Alternatively, this money could be used locally to fund projects which meet multiple Metro Vancouver corporate and regional sustainability goals. 3. ALTERNATIVES None presented. 4. CONCLUSION Metro Vancouver and most member municipalities have signed the BC Climate Action Charter, and one of the main commitments for signatories is a voluntary pledge to be carbon neutral with respect to their corporate operations by 2012. Currently the Provincial Government has developed a framework for achieving carbon neutrality called “Getting to Carbon Neutral Guidebook” and has consulted with local governments on this framework. Local governments can reach carbon neutrality by directly reducing corporate GHG emissions and by “compensating” for any remaining emissions by undertaking local greenhouse gas reduction projects, or by purchasing offsets. Metro Vancouver and many member municipalities will have difficulty reaching carbon neutrality by the end of 2012 without buying offsets from an outside provider. Most municipalities do not want to purchase offsets. Instead, they are interested in the option of “compensating” reductions, but provincial rules on how to do so are limited. With less than a year before the carbon neutrality target deadline, it is imperative that the Provincial government clearly state that there will be no penalty for not achieving carbon neutrality in 2012 and continue to work with local governments to allow greater flexibility and expanded options in the framework to best achieve both corporate and community greenhouse gas reductions. Through REAC and the REAC Climate Protection Sub-Committee, a summary of concerns about the carbon neutrality framework is being developed as a “white paper” which will be forwarded to the Province. ATTACHMENT Green Communities Committee Organizational Chart (Doc. #5266025). 5112064

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Green Communities Committee Organizational Chart

Steering Team Carbon Neutral Working Group

Green Communities Committee

Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM)

Chair: Jared Wright – Senior Policy Analyst

Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development*

• Grant Main - Deputy Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development

Climate Action Secretariat (CAS)

Chair: Colleen Sparks - Director, Carbon Neutral Operations & Climate Outreach

Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM)

• Gary MacIssac – Executive Director of UBCM • Brenda Gibson – General Manager of UBCM,

Victoria office

Municipalities: • Metro Vancouver • City of Vancouver • Capital Regional District • City of Saanich • Cowichan • Whistler • Ladysmith

Climate Action Secretariat (CAS)

• Colleen Sparks - Director, Carbon Neutral Operations & Climate Outreach

• Ben Finkelstein - Manager, Green Communities

Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development*

• Lois-Leah Goodwin – Director, Intergovernmental Relations

• Jessica Brooks – Senior Planning Analyst

• Rejan Farley – Manager Intergovernmental Initiatives

5.4 ATTACHMENT

5266025 ENV - 101 -


ENV - 102 -


To: Environment and Energy Committee From: Roger Quan, Division Manager, Policy and Planning Department Date: June 28, 2011 Subject: Manager’s Report Recommendation: That the Environment and Energy Committee receive for information the report dated June 28, 2011, titled “Manager’s Report”. Environment and Energy Committee 2011 Workplan The Attachment to this report sets out the Committee’s work program and schedule for 2011. This does not include all items to be brought before the Committee but rather, the priorities previously determined by the Board and Committee. The list will be updated regularly to include new issues that arise, items requested by the Committee, and any changes in the schedule. The items highlighted in bold identify the work program elements that have been completed. The elements not highlighted in bold reflect the work program elements where work is still on-going. Solar Hot Water System at Metro Vancouver Head Office Metro Vancouver has installed a solar hot water heating system at its head office at 4330 Kingsway in Burnaby. While there are some medium-rise buildings in the region with solar heating systems, Metro Vancouver’s is the first such installation on a high-rise building in the region, and this presented some unique challenges. Rather than installing flat solar panels that could be broken or dislodged during heavy winds that the roof-top can be subjected to, the system uses a system of water-filled tubes which are also more efficient than solar panels. The captured heat is stored in large tanks and added to the building’s existing hot water system to supply hot water to sinks in washrooms on each floor of the building. Based on a full year of data since the system began operating in January 2010, natural gas use at Head Office has been reduced by 25 per cent, translating to a reduction of 4.5 tonnes of greenhouse gases per year. The installation of this system is one of several actions that Metro Vancouver is taking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its own corporate operations. ATTACHMENT Environment and Energy Committee 2011 Workplan (Doc. #5242332).

5242326

5.5

ENV - 103 -


ENV - 104 -

Environment and Energy Committee 2011 Workplan

1st Quarter

Key priorities • 2011 Committee priorities • Propose Non-Road Diesel Soot Emission Reduction Bylaw • Propose Air Emission Fee Regulation changes to discourage emission of

harmful air contaminants

2nd Quarter

Key priorities • Corporate Climate Action Plan reporting • Status report on wood smoke emission reduction program • Fisheries projects in Metro Vancouver’s drinking watersheds • Work with other levels of government to complete program design for AirCare

program beyond 2011

3rd Quarter

Key priorities • Draft Ecological Health Plan • Complete review of 2005 Air Quality Management Plan • Develop an annual “state of the air” report • Incorporate actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from solid waste

management into the Corporate Climate Action Plan (dependent on Minister of Environment review of Integrated Solid Waste and Resource Management Plan)

• Fraser River ambient water quality reporting • Initiate visibility management pilot project in Lower Fraser Valley airshed

5.5 ATTACHMENT

ENV - 105 -

4th Quarter

Key priorities • Establish a collaborative funding system for diesel emission reductions • Ecological Health Plan • Burrard Inlet ambient water quality reporting • Complete studies, strategies and frameworks for energy use or energy recovery in

utility operations • Complete first phase of 2010 airshed emission inventory report • Replace Mobile Air Monitoring Unit • Acquire and deploy new continuous fine particulate monitoring instruments to meet

new Federal requirements • 2012 Program and Priorities

Note: Bold – completed items 5242332

ENV - 106 -

Documents

New ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING · 2014. 8. 21. · July 4, 2011 / December 12, 2013 NOTICE OF REGULAR MEETING ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY COMMITTEE . 9:00 a.m. Tuesday,