LOWER FRASER FLOODPLAIN COALITION
The Lower Fraser Floodplains Coalition (formerly Build Back Better Together Collaborative) is a group of experts working alongside the Indigenous-led Emergency Planning Secretariat. Our expertise ranges from floodplain management, law, ecology, and systems change with the shared goal to work towards a more principled and collaborative approach to flood resilience for the Lower Mainland.
5 Guiding Principles:
1) Reduce risk and adapting to climate change
2) Advance reconciliation
3) Help salmon and ecosystems where they live to thrive
4) Support sustainable economies and resilient communities into the future
5) Ensure everyone is part of the solution
3 Action Areas:
1) Advocate for institutional change
2) Convene people from across the Lower Fraser collaboration and capacity building
3) Catalyze projects through supporting leaders on the ground
Build Back Better Together Forum 2022: On July 14th, 2022 we hosted a forum bringing together Lower Fraser First Nations, Local Governments, and many provincial and federal ministries to advocate for a place-based, locally empowered Building Back Better Together approach. We were joined by 108 in person and 50 online participants.
Read the Forum Report published on September 9th and Executive Summary
July 14 Forum Information Package including Presentation Slides, Briefing Note, and Agenda
Below is a graphic illustration of the forum and a recording of a pre-forum information session on June 27th, 2022 that provides an introduction to the initiative and principles.
Media:
CBC The Current - November 25, 2021 - How Floods - and how we fight them - affect salmon
Chilliwack Progress - December 8, 2021 - Indigenous-led action plan focused on flood management for entire Lower Mainland
Vancouver Sun - May 5, 2022 - Why B.C. can't always build its way out of risks
CBC On the Coast - June 14, 2022 - Stó:lō Tribal Council Chief Tyrone McNeil joins us to discuss the Abbotsford long-term flood mitigation and the work that's needed for the region.
CBC - June 12 2022 - Rebuild or retreat? B.C. communities face tough choices after catastrophic floods
Vancouver Sun - July 13, 2022 Local governments, First Nations on lower Fraser seek regional flood strategy
Agassiz Harrison Observer - July 15, 2022 - Flood recovery forum in Abbotsford focused on ‘breaking down silos’
Narwhal - September 12, 2022 - Restoring salmon habitat could help B.C.’s flood problems
APTN - October 27, 2022 - Senate report on B.C. flooding outlines flood mitigation and infrastructure issues
Narwhal - November 14, 2022 - More dikes and bigger dams could be a multi-billion dollar mistake: here’s how B.C. could ‘build back better’
Vancouver Sun - November 30, 2022 - Still no pathway to fund $165 million flood mitigation plan in hard-hit Merritt
Tyee - December 2, 2022 - First Nations Want Overhaul of Emergency Planning and Response
Times Colonist - December 8, 2022 - Premier David Eby creates new ministry to make sure B.C. is 'ready to go' for next disaster
Build Back Better Together for Lower Fraser - June 27th Info Session
We are a collaborative group of B.C.-based organizations and experts with the shared goal of helping B.C.’s flood recovery and management efforts achieve the best possible outcomes. We offer support from a diverse range of interests, experience and networks, including Indigenous groups, conservationists, farmers, environmental legal specialists, researchers and natural resource professionals.
We hope to see B.C. move towards a more holistic, collaborative, and just approach to flood recovery and resilience that benefits people and other species, like salmon.
Organizations include:
Emergency Planning Secretariat (Indigenous-led)
UBC Coastal Adaptation Lab, School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture
West Coast Environmental Law
Ebbwater Consulting
Sto:lo Tribal Council
Watershed Watch Salmon Society
Resilient Waters Project
Floodplains by Design
Kerr Wood Leidal Consulting Engineers
WITH SUPPORT FROM
