The Integrated Watershed Management Program (IWMP) works with municipalities, First Nations and the community to maintain healthy watersheds and protect the near shore receiving environment.
IWMP takes a collaborative approach by involving the community, environmental and professional organizations and all levels of government.
Working in partnership, we monitor stormwater and watercourse quality, develop regulatory tools such as model stormwater bylaws and codes of practice, restore key areas within the harbours and watersheds, educate the public, and promote voluntary Best Management Practices.
Through its work, the Program effectively protects our local watersheds, and ultimately the marine receiving environment, through reducing stormwater contamination and improving overall watershed function.
The goals of the IWMP are:
- Pursue effective and collaborative watershed management and stewardship
- Protect clean water and effectively manage flows
- Protect and enhance terrestrial, aquatic and nearshore marine habitats
- Improve the resiliency and adaptive capacity of watersheds to a changing climate
See full program plan:
Authority
The Integrated Watershed Management Program delivers a service for all municipalities (except Highlands and Metchosin), six First Nations and electoral areas under three liquid waste management plans and eight bylaws each covering a different area:
- Bylaw 2567 - Core Area (Colwood, Esquimalt, Langford, Saanich, Oak Bay, Victoria, View Royal)
- Bylaw 3642 - Saanich Peninsula (Central Saanich, North Saanich, Sidney)
- Bylaw 2453 - District of Sooke
- Bylaw 2451 - Juan de Fuca Electoral Area
- Bylaw 2454 - Salt Spring Island Electoral Area
- Bylaw 2452 - Southern Gulf Islands Electoral Area
- Bylaw 3743 - Victoria and Esquimalt Harbours, Esquimalt Lagoon, Gorge Waterway and Portage Inlet
- Bylaw 3837 - Harbours Environmental Action Service Establishment Bylaw (amendment to Bylaw 3743)
Four bylaws that enable the service are derived from liquid waste management plans (in the Core Area, Saanich Peninsula and Sooke) and the minimum requirements for those services are defined in those plans.
The program works to bring municipalities, First Nations and electoral areas together to work collaboratively on watershed protection. Watersheds and the receiving environments have natural boundaries and as such, often involve multiple jurisdictions. In addition, the issues and concerns in one watershed are often the same as those in other watersheds in the region so when multiple jurisdictions work together they can share ideas and solutions and learn from each other.
Administration
The IWMP reports to the CRD Environment Services Committee, Saanich Peninsula Wastewater Commission, District of Sooke Council and the Electoral Area Directors. The program also interacts with municipal staff, First Nations and the public thorough working groups and area-based initiatives and special projects.
Funding
The Integrated Watershed Management Program's budget is provided through annual CRD tax requisition.