Released in June, the formal rollout of Beyond the Guidebook 2010: Implementing a New Culture for Urban Watershed Protection and Restoration in British Columbia will commence at the annual convention of BC elected representatives on September 27^th in Whistler.

In October, the rollout of Beyond the Guidebook 2010 will continue with feature presentations at the Vancouver Island Economic Summit in Nanaimo, the BC Hydro Power Smart Forum in Metro Vancouver, and the Okanagan From Rain to Resource Workshop in Kelowna.

“A decade ago, we realized that changing the way we develop land depends on establishing higher expectations and challenging practitioners to embrace shared responsibility,” states Glen Brown, Executive Director with the Ministry of Community & Rural Development.

“Beyond the Guidebook 2010 is the ‘telling of the stories’ of how local governments have responded to the challenge; and how a water-centric approach to green infrastructure and community development is taking root in BC.”

To learn more visit UBCM Annual Convention provides platform for rollout of “Beyond the Guidebook 2010″.

The sales summary data from the Multiple Listing Service for August 2010, released by the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board (VIREB) indicates a decline in Vancouver Island unit sales in comparison to 2009, but the numbers are very close to 2008.

In August 2010, there were a total of 320 Vancouver Island single family properties sold in the VIREB area. This number is down 38% from the 516 sold in August 2009; but is mirroring the August of 2008 numbers, wherein there were sales of 327 Vancouver Island homes.

The numbers of newly listed Vancouver Island properties continues to slow down with only 653 single family homes coming on the market in August, as compared to 745 Vancouver Island homes being listed in July.

Cliff Moberg, VIREB President says that the number of Vancouver Island homes sold, are better than expected and that pricing seems to be firm.

The average sale price based on a 12-month average across the VIREB region for August 2010 was $335,775; this indicates a 1% increase from the $332,090 posted a year ago.

From the end of August 2009 to August 2010, the average sale prices for Vancouver Island real estate across VIREB’s six zones rose in all but one market:

• Campbell River increased 2 % to $286,653;
• The Comox Valley was up 4% to $325,369;
• Nanaimo slipped 1% to $349,974;
• Parksville/Qualicum was up 3% to $390,562;
• Port Alberni grew 18 % to $266,028; and
• The Cowichan Valley inched up 1% to $366,502.

To read more on Vancouver Island real estate sales visit VIREB.

The public is invited by the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency to comment on the environmental assessment of the Raven Underground Coal Mine Project on Vancouver Island.

The potential effects of the project during the technical stages of the environmental assessment, is currently being identified by the Agency. This Vancouver Island project is in the preliminary design stage phase and must complete a federal and provincial environmental review and apply for appropriate permits before it can proceed.

The proposed project is located on mainly private land approximately six kilometers west of the Buckley Bay Ferry terminal on Vancouver Island. The Raven Underground Coal Project proposes a 200 hectare mine site, which will house all mine buildings and facilities and a 3100 hectare underground mine. It is estimated that the property could produce up to 1.4 million tons of coal per year. The project could create about 250 jobs in the Comox Valley and Port Alberni. The provincial government is expected to consider this project for approval in early 2011.

To read more on the project visit the Compliance Energy Corporation.

The Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) unveiled an updated website in order to inform and educate planners, builders, developers, landscape architects, designers, engineers, stormwater managers, and elected officials about creative new ideas on sustainable rainwater and stormwater practices.

Rainwater and stormwater best management practices are gaining recognition as effective, flexible, and environmentally sound ways for controlling the quantity and improving the quality of rainwater and stormwater runoff, while also adding amenity to a wide variety of development projects.

Considering we live on Vancouver Island wherein we receive a fair amount of rain and where there are are also many Vancouver Island home developments being constructed, the above would be something worth practicing and in creating livable Vancouver Island communities by using rainwater.

Excerpted from 1stView.ca.

Mayor Fred Bates has been invited by the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance (VIEA) to speak at this year’s Island Economic Summit. There will be approximately 500 political and business leaders that are expected to attend the fourth annual event held in Nanaimo.

Cumberland located in the Comox Valley, is planning some significant development which will include a residential and commercial development along the highway on Vancouver Island. Mayor Bates will talk about this development and the long term goals of Cumberland.

In addition to the presentation from Mayor Bates, the summit will include a presentation on the collaboration with the First Nations, sustainability and Vancouver Island’s economy. The summit will take place on October 25 and 26 at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre in Nanaimo.

Excerpted from 1stView.ca.

BC Hydro is providing funding to cover approximately 90% of the cost towards EnerGuide labeling, when building a new Vancouver Island home. There is a time frame in regards to this funding and it will only be available until the BC Building Codes changes in 2011. Changes in the BC Building Codes could result in mandatory EGH labeling of all new construction on Vancouver Island.

In the City of Vancouver, it is now mandatory to have EGH labeling on all new construction in order to obtain an occupancy permit.

In order to gain a competitive market edge on Vancouver Island, why not prove that the construction of your new Vancouver Island home is energy efficient through a Natural Resources Canada EGH label on your breaker panel.

Cristi from Elemental Energy Advisors on Vancouver Island, can assist you on EGH labeling, air leakage testing and help Build Green Builders register their homes.

Excerpted from 1stView.ca.

The 2010 State of the Island Economic Summit celebrates the innovative and courageous leaders on Vancouver Island who are tackling the economic downturns in the resource sectors with creative thinking and inspiring leadership. One of this year’s summit highlights will be a panel presentation of these Vancouver Island leaders.

Theses leaders are hands-on workers, entrepreneurial, innovative, work with others, able to handle public scrutiny, willing to share their experiences, not afraid of being judged, and are adding value to the Vancouver Island organizations they are associated with.

This Vancouver Island Summit is being held on October 25 & 26, 2010 at Vancouver Island Conference Centre in Nanaimo, BC. Registration forms are available at www.viea.ca/summit. The cost to attend is $200 for members and $250 for non-members.

To read more on the Summit, visit viea.ca.

The Strathcona Regional District is accepting Tenders from general contractors that are qualified to perform work in order to complete the Aquatic Centre renovations in Campbell River. Tenders for this Vancouver Island project closes on July 15^th, 2010 at 2pm.

Read more about Campbell River at 1stView.ca.

The British Columbia Inter-Governmental Partnership (BCIGP) and the Alberta Low Impact Development Partnership (ALIDP) have completed the Water Balance Model Technical Manual.

This manual is an online text that is navigable and organized in a way which allows users to understand a variety of aspects of the Water Balance Model in varying degrees of detail. The user can drill down into data variables, equations and other components of the system.

To learn more and access the online manual visit Technical Manual enables Water Balance Model users to “follow the numbers”.