Preparing for the Impacts of Climate Change on Local Government Flood Management in the Lower Mainland

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1 Preparing for the Impacts of Climate Change on Local Government Flood Management in the Lower Mainland Local Government Management Association Conference June 18, 2015 Calgary Steve Litke, Senior Manager Fraser Basin Council

2 About the Fraser Basin Council Charitable, non-profit organization that works to advance sustainability in BC 38-member Board of Directors comprised of the four orders of government, private sector and civil society interests An impartial convener and facilitator to help resolve complex inter-jurisdictional sustainability issues Since 1998, has facilitated the Joint Program Committee for Flood Hazard Management (JPC) The Lower Mainland Flood Management Strategy is an initiative of the JPC

3 Flood Hazards Flood events occur annually in BC causing significant social, economic, and environmental impacts: Damage to public and private property (Lower Fraser floodplain includes dozens of communities, 327,000+ people, and 100,000+ homes (2001) Loss of agriculture (crops, livestock, food security) Damage and disruption to critical infrastructure (transportation, communications, energy, water, waste) Calgary

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5 Trans Canada Highway 1 Canmore

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7 Establishing a Lower Mainland Flood Management Strategy Lower Mainland Flood Management Strategy

8 Goal of the Lower Mainland Flood Management Strategy To strengthen flood hazard management policies, practices and infrastructure to reduce the impacts of a large Lower Mainland flood To help adjust practices and policies to evolving flood risks

9 Geographic Scope Lower Mainland region: Hope to Richmond and White Rock to Squamish

10 Scope of Flood Risks Large, regional-scale flood risks associated with: Fraser River flooding Coastal storm surge Sea level rise Not tsunamis, debris flows, nor extreme rainfall as impacting local streams or drainage systems

11 Scope of Management Options Proactive management options, focusing on preventing or reducing flood impacts: Structural (e.g. diking, sea walls, erosion protection) Non structural (e.g. land use, flood proofing, policies, etc.) Not emergency planning, preparedness, response and recovery (the strategy could inform emergency planning and preparedness)

12 Focus Area Flood Scenarios Goal Better understand how high will the water get in current and future flood scenarios? Where and how deep will floodwaters be?

13 Focus Area Flood Vulnerability Goal Identify the greatest vulnerabilities, impacts and costs of major floods (both river and coastal) What is vulnerable to flooding and what are the predicted impacts, costs, and consequences?

14 Focus Area Flood Infrastructure, Policies and Practices Goal Assess current flood management infrastructure, policies and practices How are we doing in terms of dikes and land use decisions?

15 How can a changing climate, sea level rise and severe weather be factored in? Sea level is predicted to rise by about 0.5 m by 2050 and 1.0 m by 2100 (and higher beyond 2100). Lower Fraser River freshet flows are predicted to be higher (about 20%) and more frequent than historical flood events.(from 1:500 to 1:100 year AEP) Severe weather can exacerbate both coastal flooding (storm surge) and freshet flooding (high heat and/or heavy rain during the snowmelt)

16 How can a changing climate, sea level rise and severe weather be factored in? Flood protection structures, land use decisions, and other policies and practices will need to evolve to keep pace with changes in flood risk. Consider longer time horizons and life cycle costs. Consider opportunities to reduce future flood damages during redevelopment cycles. Talk about risk tolerance Talk about land use change or retreat (over time)

17 Who is collaborating? 42 Partners + City of Abbotsford Village of Belcarra City of Burnaby City of Chilliwack City of Coquitlam Corporation of Delta Fraser Valley Regional District District of Hope District of Kent Township of Langley Village of Lions Bay District of Maple Ridge District of Mission 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 District of Squamish City of Surrey City of Vancouver Metro Vancouver District of West Vancouver City of White Rock

18 Who is taking action? Government of Canada Province of British Columbia Ministries of Justice (Emergency Management BC); Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations; Transportation and Infrastructure; and Environment Other Regional Interests Greater Vancouver Gateway Council BC Wharf Operators Association Canadian National Railway Canadian Pacific Railway Pacific Institute of Climate Solutions Port Metro Vancouver Simon Fraser University (ACT) TransLink Trans Mountain Vancouver International Airport Authority BC Agriculture Council

19 What more remains to be done? Develop the Strategy based on the information and analysis of phase 1 (flood scenarios, vulnerability and management) and additional consultation Evaluate and recommend management options Identify priorities across the region Review financial and governance models for strategy implementation (who decides what is invested where and when?) Recommend management options for a range of circumstances across the region

20 Thank you For more information: Steve Litke, Senior Manager (604)