Howe Sound UNESCO biosphere initiative one step closer to reality

An initiative out of B.C.'s Howe Soundis one step closer to shedding parts of the region's industrial past in exchange for an environmentally friendly approach to economic growth.

Metro Vancouver's Climate Action Committee unanimously backed the Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative in a voteFriday.

Biosphere reserves are UNESCO-designated areas. There are nearly 700 of them around the world, including twoin B.C. Clayoquot Sound and MountArrowsmith, both on Vancouver Island.

VancouverCoun.AdrianeCarr, chair of Metro Vancouver's Climate Action Committee, says the designation would push sustainable development in the region to a higher set of standardswith more input from First Nations and more accountability.

"I think it's really, really great model and one that forces different practices that are in tune with where we're headed as a planet, which is to take better care of our natural ecosystems,"Carr said after the vote Friday afternoon.

Over the past few decades Howe Soundwhich includes parts of Metro Vancouver like Bowen Island and Lions Bay, as well as Squamish and the Sunshine Coast has seen heavy industrial use by pulp mills andmines.

The regionis also a sensitive ecological area frequented by marine mammals like killer whales and dotted with rare glass sponge reefs.

'Elevated sense of pride'

Lions Bay resident Ruth Simons, who has led the initiative for the past three years, says the UNESCO designation would bring "an elevated sense of pride in the region" as it brings together districts, municipalities and First Nations that govern Howe Sound.

"We've got a long history of trying to save Howe Soundand it always seems to be in reaction to things that we don't want," Simons said."This is about creating a framework and a commitment together ... for future generations."

"Biosphere Reserves are not about stopping anything," she said. "They are about ensuring that we strive for best practices and for projects that are going to sustain people in the region, the economy, the environment and the respect for the cultural values here."

Despite its reputation as a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, Howe Sound is still anindustrial area. It'sthe site of the yet-to-be-constructed Woodfibre LNG projectwhich has met with opposition from environmentalistsin the region.

In a written statement, the companysaidit intends to keep "environment protection of Howe Sound at the very heart of our project."

The company also pointed out thatit has spent the past four years cleaning up the remnants of a Western Forest Products pulp and paper mill at the site about seven kilometres southwest of Squamish.

Confirming support

The biosphere initiative has received preliminary support from most of the government partners, Simons says, and is now confirming that support in written form. It would need provincial and federalapproval before going to the Canadian Commission for UNESCO by the end of November.

Simons says she hopes the designation will be in place by 2021.

The Squamish District council has already thrown its support behind the project. Mayor Karen Elliott says "it just made intuitive sense to really look at this as an opportunity."

"The goals of the biosphere reserve alignvery much with where Squamish wants to go with its future," Elliott said. "Together we can start to find ways that industry can function within the Howe Sound region without damaging the land on which it operates."