Future of Howe Sound Forum 2013
Lewis/Williams family start the day with a Sḵwx̱ wu7mesh Ú xwumixw welcome.
Not since the 1990 Howe Sound Roundtables has the community come together to discuss a common vision for Howe Sound. On Saturday, April 13th, 2013 over 130 people representing 65 various organizations attended. The purpose of the day was to:
Find common ground between all levels of government, non-profits, First Nations, industry and business toward building a vision for Howe Sound
Engage interested parties in dialogue about the values in the Howe Sound region
Discuss a way forward toward the development of an overall comprehensive management plan
A community dialogue
Participants included Local, Provincial and Federal Government representatives, First Nations, industry and business associations and non-profit organizations that have a connection to the region, who came together for a dialogue on moving forward with a common vision for Howe Sound. The event took place on the unceded territory of the Squamish Nation people in the Great Hall at the Gleneagles Community Centre close to the Chaxy.
Presenters:
M/C Sandra Bicego, Mayor Michael Smith, District of West Vancouver, Peter Finley, President, Future of Howe Sound Society, Bob Turner, Howe Sound Environmental Network, Ruth Simons, Future of Howe Sound Society and Grant Lawrence, Broadcaster, Author
Panelists
Represented various sectors in Howe Sound. Jaime Martin, Squamish Windsport Society, Dr. Jeff Marliave, VP Marine Science, Vancouver Aquarium, Don Prittie: President of BC Marine Trades Association, Edith Tobe, Squamish River Watershed Society and John Smith, TV Producer - The BeachcombersThey were asked to tell about their organization’s connection to Howe Sound and, based on their experience and knowledge, what is important for future planning for the Sound. In addition to those shown below: Kevan Ridgway: President & CEO Vancouver Coast & Mountains Tourism Region, Tim Turner: Executive Director of Sea to Sky Outdoor School, Mike Wallace: Retired Professional Forester, President of the Sea to Sky Forestry Society and the Squamish Valley Rod and Gun Club.
Members of the audience asked questions. The key messages resulting:
Create a comprehensive management plan that is collaborative; is stakeholder-driven – involves all key players, including youth; is sustainability-based, science based.
Build awareness of the issues
Establish an appropriate marine or terrestrial park or protected area.
Presentations:
Steve Olmsted, General Manager Planning and Development, Sunshine Coast Regional District. gave an overview of existing plans governing Howe Sound. Steve had been employed in regional district planning for over 30 years in two of the three regional districts. He has been involved with most of the major projects and planning processes over these years, including the West Coast Gas Services LNG, rezoning at McNab Creek, the SLRD Regional Growth Strategy, SLRD policy framework for independent power production, the Sea to Sky LRMP, the Sea to Sky Highway upgrade and major rezonings and development proposals for Porteau Cove, Britannia Beach, the Callaghan Valley Winter Olympic site and the Garibaldi at Squamish resort.
Stephen Foster, Howe Sound Team Lead, The David Suzuki Foundation presented a proposal for a marine and terrestrial protected area in Howe Sound. His map was created with the support of the Wilderness Committee and the David Suzuki Foundation, and shows a study area boundary meant to stimulate conversation, enthusiasm and food for thought. Through Stephen’s involvement in land use issues on Bowen Island, he deeply engaged with Parks Canada’s effort to establish a National Park Reserve on Bowen in 2010-11. Stephen led a broad campaign, with the support of the Wilderness Committee, that sponsored numerous public events and culminated in the creation of ‘Partners for the Park’. This coalition supported the park initiative but was eventually rejected by the community. In the forming of that vision, the idea of creating a significant protected area in Howe Sound was born. Stephen’s background was in film and television, owning his own production company.
Words of Wisdom from Provincial representatives:
Retiring Liberal MLA Joan McIntyre and NDP MLA Nicholas Simons shared their thoughts, summarized as follows:
Bring your voice to the Government
Speak with a unified voice
Integrate First Nations into all planning
Be inclusive of all groups
Find balance between environment and economic activity
Treat Howe Sound as you would your own backyard.
Round Table Discussions
Participants were asked two questions 1) What do we value? 2) How will we move forward with an overall plan to protect those values? 3) Who will do this? Tables facilitators collected the key themes that were summarized and captured in a visual record.
See summary here for the key themes from the Roundtable discussions.
A Visual Record - Professional recorder Avril Orloff captured all that was heard throughout the day.
Conclusions
How will we move forward with an overall plan to protect our values?
• Create a comprehensive, collaborative management plan; is stakeholder-driven - involves all key players, including youth; is sustainability-based, science-based.
• Build awareness of the issues
• Establish an appropriate marine or terrestrial park or protected area.
Who will do this?
• Howe Sound Community Forum members
• a grassroots committee
• An organization or coalition or committee to be created to initiate and move forward in developing this proposal and obtaining coordinated government support
And so it was resolved:
We will actively participate and collaborate with all key players, including youth, in developing a comprehensive land and water use plan that is sustainability-focused and science-based.
We will actively engage our members by building awareness of the issues regarding Howe Sound.
We will engage in the development of a plan that protects a holistic, healthy ecosystem, continues to provide a natural community for future generations of families and preserves the pristine wilderness in harmony with nature.
About the Organizers:
Ruth Simons, Executive Director of The Future of Howe Sound Society initiated and hosted the event. The Future of Howe Sound Society is a not-for-profit organization committed to the conservation and stewardship of Howe Sound for current and future generations.
The event was grassroots people-powered. Volunteers included Darlene Reigh, table facilitators Jeff Gau, Sara Gau, Troy Speedie, Tracy Wachmann, Lani Johnson, Ione Smith, Iva Dietrich, Barb Finley, Lee Bancroft and Peter Snell.
Photography by Lani Johnson.
Reference documents: Notes from the Roundtables Key Themes and Ideas Forum in Review
Media: Pique News
