METRO VANCOUVER REGIONAL DISTRICT FLOOD RESILIENCY TASK FORCE
REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, April 20, 2022
1:00 pm
Meeting conducted electronically pursuant to the Procedure Bylaw 28th Floor Boardroom, 4515 Central Boulevard, Burnaby, British Columbia
Webstream available at http://www.metrovancouver.org
A G E N D A1
1. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
1.1 April 20, 2022 Regular Meeting Agenda
That the Flood Resiliency Task Force adopt the agenda for its regular meeting scheduled for April 20, 2022 as circulated.
2. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES
2.1 February 23, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes
That the Flood Resiliency Task Force adopt the minutes of its regular meeting held February 23, 2022 as circulated.
3. DELEGATIONS
4. INVITED PRESENTATIONS
4.1 Spencer Coyne, Mayor, Town of Princeton
Subject: Flood Experience from the Town of Princeton 4.2 Henry Braun, Mayor, City of Abbotsford
Subject: Flood Experience from the City of Abbotsford
4.3 Jason Lum, Chair of the Board, and Graham Daneluz, FVRD Director of Planning &
Development, Fraser Valley Regional District
Subject: Flood Experience from the Fraser Valley Regional District 4.4 Steve Litke, Director, Water Programs, Fraser Basin Council
Subject: Lower Mainland Flood Strategy Update
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Flood Resiliency Task Force Regular Agenda April 20, 2022 Agenda Page 2 of 2
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5. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEE OR STAFF
5.1 Process for First Nations Engagement with the Flood Resiliency Task Force
That the MVRD Board authorize staff to proceed with the First Nations engagement process as presented in the report dated April 12, 2022, titled “Process for First Nations Engagement with the Flood Resiliency Task Force.”
5.2 Manager’s Report
That the Flood Resiliency Task Force receive for information the report dated April 12, 2022, titled “Manager’s Report”.
6. INFORMATION ITEMS 7. OTHER BUSINESS
8. BUSINESS ARISING FROM DELEGATIONS 9. RESOLUTION TO CLOSE MEETING 10. ADJOURNMENT/CONCLUSION
That the Flood Resiliency Task Force adjourn/conclude its regular meeting of April 20, 2022.
Membership:
Dingwall, Bill (C) – Pitt Meadows Hodge, Craig (VC) – Coquitlam Guerra, Laurie – Surrey Harvie, George – Delta
Hillman, Mike – Burnaby
McCutcheon, Jen – Electoral Area A Morden, Mike – Maple Ridge Puchmayr, Chuck – New Westminster
Richter, Kim – Langley Township Steves, Harold – Richmond West, Brad – Port Coquitlam Wiebe, Michael – Vancouver
pg. 8
pg. 10
METRO VANCOUVER REGIONAL DISTRICT FLOOD RESILIENCY TASK FORCE
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Metro Vancouver Regional District (MVRD) Flood Resiliency Task Force held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 in the 28th Floor Boardroom, 4515 Central Boulevard, Burnaby, British Columbia.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chair, Mayor Bill Dingwall*, Pitt Meadows
Vice Chair, Councillor Craig Hodge*, Coquitlam (arrived at 1:04 p.m.)
Mayor Brad West*, Port Coquitlam (arrived at 1:02 p.m., departed at 2:24 p.m.) Mayor Mike Morden*, Maple Ridge
Councillor Mike Hillman, Burnaby
Councillor Mike Wiebe, Vancouver (arrived at 1:12 p.m.) Councillor Harold Steves*, Richmond
Councillor Laurie Guerra*, Surrey
Councillor Kim Richter*, Township of Langley Director Jen McCutcheon*, Electoral Area A Mayor George Harvie*, Delta
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Councillor Chuck Puchmayr, New Westminster OTHERS PRESENT:
Board Chair, Sav Dhaliwal STAFF PRESENT:
Neal Carley, General Manager, Parks and Environment Jerry W. Dobrovolny, Chief Administrative Officer
Natalia Melnikov, Legislative Services Coordinator, Board and Information Services
OPENING REMARKS
Councillor Sav Dhaliwal, Board Chair and Ex Officio committee member, acknowledged what has been a challenging time for the region due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic along with unprecedented weather events and recognized the vital role this Committee will play in moving forward.
1:02 p.m. Mayor West arrived at the meeting.
1:04 p.m. Vice Chair Hodge arrived at the meeting.
*denotes electronic meeting participation as authorized by Section 3.6.2 of the Procedure Bylaw
2.1
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the MVRD Flood Resiliency Task Force held on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 Page 2 of 5 1. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
1.1 February 23, 2022 Regular Meeting Agenda It was MOVED and SECONDED
That the Flood Resiliency Task Force adopt the agenda for its regular meeting scheduled for February 23, 2022 as circulated.
CARRIED 2. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES
No items presented.
3. DELEGATIONS No items presented.
4. INVITED PRESENTATIONS
4.1 Steve Litke, Fraser Basin Council
Steve Litke, Bob Purdy, and Frances Woo, Fraser Basin Council (FBC), provided members with a presentation regarding the Lower Mainland Flood Management Strategy highlighting Strategy phases, challenges, flood protection and risk, emergency management, and infrastructure gaps.
1:12 p.m. Councillor Wiebe arrived at the meeting.
Also highlighted was FBC’s role, partners and efforts related to the lower mainland dike assessment, regional flood vulnerability assessment, and the Lower Fraser Flood Model tool for modeling and mapping flood hazards.
Discussion ensued regarding involving Indigenous communities in the developing flood management strategies and related emergency planning in the region.
Request of Staff
Staff were requested to report back at the April 20, 2022 Flood Resiliency Task Force meeting with options for First Nations engagement in Task Force efforts.
Members discussed engaging local governments on any dike analysis and risk assessments conducted to date noting the need for more data on flood vulnerability and assessment.
Request of Staff
Staff were requested to:
a) engage with local governments to determine the status of any efforts related to dike analysis and risk assessment; and
b) report back to the Task Force with the Metro Vancouver flood risk assessment.
Presentation material titled “Lower Mainland Flood Management Strategy” is retained with the February 23, 2022 Flood Resiliency Task Force agenda.
It was MOVED and SECONDED
That the Flood Resiliency Task Force receive for information the February 23, 2022 presentation from Steve Litke, Fraser Basin Council, regarding the Lower Mainland Flood Management Strategy.
CARRIED 5. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEE OR STAFF
5.1 2022 Flood Resiliency Task Force Meeting Schedule and Work Plan
Report dated February 14, 2022, from Neal Carley, General Manager, Parks and Environment, providing the Flood Resiliency Task Force with its Terms of Reference, the 2022 Work Plan and the Annual Meeting Schedule.
Discussion ensued about:
• exploring opportunities to engage First Nations in Task Force activities
• amending the Work Plan to include engagement with other diking committees and non-local government diking authorities
• exploring options to reschedule the Task Force’s October meeting
• inviting local Members of the Legislative Assembly to Task Force tours to inform about challenges facing local governments
Request of Staff
Staff were requested to explore rescheduling the October 26, 2022 Flood Resiliency Task Force meeting.
Request of Staff
Staff were requested to consider extending an invitation to local Members of the Legislative Assembly in any Task Force tours of diking systems being planned.
It was MOVED and SECONDED That the Flood Resiliency Task Force:
a) receive for information the Flood Resiliency Task Force Terms of Reference and the 2022 Annual Meeting Schedule, as presented in the report dated February 14, 2022, titled “2022 Flood Resiliency Task Force Meeting Schedule and Work Plan”; and
b) endorse the 2022 Work Plan, as presented in the report dated February 14, 2022, titled “2022 Flood Resiliency Task Force Meeting Schedule and Work Plan”.
CARRIED
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the MVRD Flood Resiliency Task Force held on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 Page 4 of 5 5.2 Member Discussion on the impacts of the November Atmospheric River Event
Members commented on:
• impacts from COVID and 2021 flood events, and mitigation
• the need for additional resources and equipment to effectively respond to future emergency events
• the Local Mainland Government Association’s upcoming executive conference including a panel of communities affected by the 2021 flooding events
• unaffordable costs being associated with provincial diking requirements needing to meet seismic standards
2:24 p.m. Mayor West departed the meeting.
Request of Staff
Staff were requested to extend an invitation to the Fraser Valley Regional District, Town of Princeton and City of Merritt to present to the Flood Resiliency Task Force at the April 20, 2022 meeting on impacts from the November 2021 Atmospheric River events.
It was MOVED and SECONDED
That the Flood Resiliency Task Force receive for information the February 23, 2022 members’ roundtable discussion on impacts from the 2021 November Atmospheric River Event.
CARRIED 6. INFORMATION ITEMS
6.1 Presentation to the Mayors Committee, from Steve Litke, Fraser Basin Council, and Samantha Maki, City of Pitt Meadows, dated July 5, 2019 re A Collaborative Regional Flood Management Strategy
7. OTHER BUSINESS No items presented.
8. BUSINESS ARISING FROM DELEGATIONS No items presented.
9. ADJOURNMENT/CONCLUSION It was MOVED and SECONDED
That the Flood Resiliency Task Force conclude its regular meeting of February 23, 2022.
CARRIED (Time: 2:32 p.m.)
____________________________ ____________________________
Natalia Melnikov, Bill Dingwall, Chair
Legislative Services Coordinator
50995922 FINAL
5.1
51643822
To: Flood Resiliency Task Force
From: Neal Carley, General Manager, Parks & Environment
Date: April 12, 2022 Meeting Date: April 20, 2022
Subject: Process for First Nations Engagement with the Flood Resiliency Task Force RECOMMENDATION
That the MVRD Board authorize staff to proceed with the First Nations engagement process as presented in the report dated April 12, 2022, titled “Process for First Nations Engagement with the Flood Resiliency Task Force.”
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Flood Resiliency Task Force directed staff to prepare a plan for First Nations engagement in order to hear directly from First Nations on any challenges and priorities that Indigenous communities within the Metro Vancouver region are facing related to flood resiliency. The proposed engagement process outlined in this report includes an introductory meeting and a meeting with the Flood Resiliency Task Force.
PURPOSE
To seek MVRD Board authorization to proceed with First Nations engagement for the Flood Resiliency Task Force.
BACKGROUND
At its inaugural meeting on February 23, 2022, the Flood Resiliency Task Force directed staff to prepare a First Nations engagement plan. The intent is to provide a forum for First Nations, whose communities are located within the Metro Vancouver region, to engage with the Task Force.
There are nine (9) First Nations with lands located within the region:
First Nations with Lands in the Metro Vancouver Region
Indian Reserves or Treaty Territories within the Metro Vancouver Region
Total Land Area (ha)
Katzie First Nation 5 Indian Reserves 335.2
Kwantlen First Nation 3 Indian Reserves 356.0
Kwikwetlem First Nation 2 Indian Reserves 84.5
Matsqui First Nation 1 Indian Reserve 24.3
Musqueam Indian Band 3 Indian Reserves 254.2
Semiahmoo First Nation 1 Indian Reserve 129.1
Squamish Nation 4 Indian Reserves 265.1
Tsawwassen First Nation 1 Treaty Territory 724.0
Tsleil-Waututh Nation 3 Indian Reserves 110.7
Process for First Nations Engagement with the Flood Resiliency Task Force Flood Resiliency Task Force Regular Meeting Date: April 20, 2022 Page 2 of 2
FIRST NATIONS ENGAGEMENT PROCESS
Given the ambitious work plan for the Flood Resiliency Task Force, the following First Nations Engagement Process is proposed:
Early May Letters to First Nations notifying them that engagement is being sought and providing information on opportunities for engagement;
Early June Introductory meeting with Task Force Chair, Vice-Chair, Metro Vancouver staff, and First Nations’ representatives;
June 22, 2002 Flood Resiliency Task Force Meeting with First Nations’ representatives.
The objective of this engagement process is to hear directly from First Nations in the Metro Vancouver region on any challenges and priorities that Indigenous communities are facing related to flood resiliency.
ALTERNATIVES
1. That the MVRD Board authorize staff to proceed with the First Nations engagement process as presented in the report dated April 12, 2022, titled “Process for First Nations Engagement with the Flood Resiliency Task Force.”
2. That the MVRD Board receive for information the report dated April 12, 2022, titled “Process for First Nations Engagement with the Flood Resiliency Task Force” and provide staff with alternate direction.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
If the MVRD Board approves Alternative 1, engagement will be conducted with up to $4,500 in total meeting fees for First Nations’ participation for the two meetings.
If the MVRD Board approves Alternative 2 and provides additional input, staff will report back with updated financial implications.
CONCLUSION
The Flood Resiliency Task Force directed staff to prepare a First Nations engagement plan to hear directly from First Nations located within the Metro Vancouver region on any challenges and priorities that First Nations communities are facing related to flood resiliency. Engagement with First Nations, as proposed in this report, includes an introductory meeting and a meeting with the Flood Resiliency Task Force.
51643822
51635058
To: Flood Resiliency Task Force
From: Neal Carley, General Manager, Parks & Environment
Date: April 12, 2022 Meeting Date: April 20, 2022
Subject: Manager’s Report RECOMMENDATION
That the Flood Resiliency Task Force receive for information the report dated April 12, 2022, titled
“Manager’s Report”.
Flood Resiliency Task Force 2022 Work Plan
The attachment to this report sets out the Task Force’s Work Plan for 2022. The status of work program elements is indicated as pending, in progress, or complete. As directed by the Task Force at the February 23, 2022 meeting, the following items were added to the work plan:
- Identify the high level status of Metro Vancouver infrastructure for flood resiliency - Identify the high level status of flood risk assessments by member jurisdictions
- The addition of diking authorities/committees to the outreach and feedback opportunities item
Lower Mainland Flood Management Strategy Update
Following the release of Draft 1 of the Lower Mainland Flood Management Strategy in January 2021, several issues emerged that require additional effort before proceeding with the next draft. While feedback on Draft 1 indicated broad and strong support for many of the draft recommended actions, there were differing perspectives on several strategic issues including:
- Enhancement of the development process with leadership having greater decision-making roles in the strategy development
- Common direction on the purpose, scope, and how to determine regional priority areas (who decides, with what criteria, at what scale, with what linkage to funding decisions)
- More significant First Nations participation and more formal alignment with key articles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
- Common direction on funding and decision-making arrangements for Strategy implementation.
Over the past few months, the Fraser Basin Council team has been focused on the first three items noted above, as resolution of these issues is needed before work can proceed with further drafting of the strategy.
In addition, the November 2021 Atmospheric River flooding impacted many communities and caused regional-scale impacts, heightening the urgency for short-term action and investment in parallel with more comprehensive action to reduce flood risk across the region over the medium and longer-terms.
5.2
Manager’s Report Flood Resiliency Task Force Regular Meeting Date: April 20, 2022 Page 2 of 3
The events also required the existing capacity of many participating organizations to focus on response and recovery efforts. The Lower Mainland Flood Management Strategy initiative is intended to add value for the long-term and should not delay urgently needed actions and investments. In November and February, the Leadership Committee discussed ways for the work to date to inform short-term actions and investments.
Dike Vulnerability Assessment Update
The Provincial government recently provided funding to the Fraser Basin Council to undertake additional analysis to improve understanding of dike vulnerability under a range of flood scenarios including the following:
- Update the current information on dike conditions and flood risk provided by local governments and diking authorities
- Additional modelling to compare different flood levels with current dike elevations and freeboard to estimate potential for overtopping or breaching and to inform future upgrades to reduce the likelihood of overtopping or breaching
The above analysis is expected to result in a “heat map” based on a combination of the status of flood protection infrastructure and the probability and consequences associated with potential dike failures. Other flood resilience measures could potentially be included in this analysis.
Summary of Available Flood Information and Tools
For the Task Force’s reference, the following information resources are available to inform the Lower Mainland Flood Management Strategy and the work of Metro Vancouver’s Flood Resiliency Task Force:
- Lower Mainland Dike Assessment (2015) – This desktop study assessed 74 dikes across the Lower Mainland in terms of multiple performance criteria. Ratings were assigned on a scale of Good, Fair, Poor, and Unacceptable both for dike crest elevation and an aggregate score across many criteria such as vegetation management, erosion, seismic.
https://floodwise.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Lower_Mainland_Dike_Assessment.pdf - Regional Assessment of Flood Vulnerability (2016) – This project estimated the potential
impacts of flooding on people and vulnerable assets in the region, including buildings, agriculture, critical infrastructure, and essential facilities, for four major Fraser River freshet and coastal flood scenarios in present day and the year 2100.
Regional_Assessment_of_Flood_Vulnerability_April_25_2016_web.pdf (fraserbasin.bc.ca) - Lower Fraser Hydraulic Model (2019) – This model estimates flood depth and extent
associated with a variety of flow and ocean conditions. It provides insights on dike overtopping, dike breaches, and mitigation measures. The model has been shared with many local governments and others to support their own flood analysis and planning. Additional model runs could be undertaken to help inform prioritization of flood infrastructure projects, particularly if combined with the 2019 Dike Consequence Classification Study. Lower Fraser River 2D Flood Modelling and Mapping Project - FloodWise
Manager’s Report Flood Resiliency Task Force Regular Meeting Date: April 20, 2022 Page 3 of 3
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- Risk Assessment of BC’s Orphan Dikes (2020) – This includes information on the condition of orphan dikes in BC as well as the flood risk associated with a failure of those structures.
Preliminary design and cost estimates were developed for upgrading the structures to provincial standards. Assessment of Orphan Dikes - FloodWise
- Lower Mainland Flood Risk Assessment (2020) – Assessed flood risk across the Lower Mainland for 8 Fraser River and 8 coastal flood scenarios as well as estimates of average annualized damages. Results span 5 categories of flood risk and 20 sub-categories for which information was readily available at a regional scale. An online tool is available to explore the flood impacts and risks in different communities for select flood scenarios. Lower Mainland Flood Risk Assessment - FloodWise
- Geotechnical Investigations and Seismic Assessment (2022) – Field sampling, laboratory analysis and seismic hazard modelling were undertaken to estimate the subsidence (vertical lowering) of high consequence dikes in the Lower Mainland that could result from different earthquake events.
The Fraser Basin Council team is preparing a synthesis of the information developed from these projects. The synthesis work is scheduled to be completed in May.
Attachment
Flood Resiliency Task Force 2022 Work Plan, dated March 21, 2022.
51635058
ATTACHMENT
Flood Resiliency Task Force 2022 Work Plan Report Date: April 12, 2022
Priorities
1st Quarter Status
Review the Lower Mainland Flood Management Strategy Completed Review impacts on the region and Metro Vancouver Regional District members by
the severe flooding in November and December of 2021
Completed 2nd Quarter
Identify the high level status of Metro Vancouver infrastructure for flood resiliency In Progress Identify the high level status of flood risk assessments by member jurisdictions In Progress Identify risks and gaps in the existing infrastructure to mitigate flooding In Progress Identify estimated short term capital investment to repair damage to the
infrastructure from recent floods
Pending Identify outreach and feedback opportunities with MVRD members, Fraser Valley
Regional District, First Nations, diking authorities/committees, provincial government, and Federal government
In Progress
Identify estimated longer term capital investment to bring infrastructure to withstand predicted flooding due to climate change
Pending
Task Force Tour of Flood Resiliency Works In Progress
3rd Quarter
Consider Metro Vancouver regional priorities and issues for the Lower Mainland Flood Management Strategy
Pending 4th Quarter
Identify roles and responsibilities of all orders of government to financing, developing, and maintaining the infrastructure
Pending
