Welcome to Metro Vancouver Updatehttp://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-9/111/Welcome to Metro Vancouver UpdateWelcome to Metro Vancouver Update<div class="ExternalClass06C7F72BA0764A90B6FD94418F749160"><p>Welcome to the Metro Vancouver Update, bringing you news and information from around the region. This month we highlight: the completion of the $820 million <a href="/services/water/WaterPublications/SCFiltrPlant2010.pdf" target="_blank">Seymour-Capilano Filtration Project</a>, the opening of the hiking mecca Grouse Grind, an update on the Port Mann Water Supply Tunnel, short sea shipping in Metro Vancouver, a number of waste-reduction projects, volunteer appreciation in our Regional Parks, a study on transit and housing affordability as well as information on Metro Vancouver TV programs and events. Since mid-March, Board Chair Greg Moore has provided information on the connection between investing in transit and achieving the goals laid out in our regional growth strategy. You can read his blog posts <a href="http://metrovancouverblog.org/category/chair-update/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br><br>Metro Vancouver is a partnership of 21 municipalities, one Electoral Area and one Treaty First Nation that collaboratively plans and delivers services throughout the region. Our core services are drinking water, wastewater treatment, and solid waste management – garbage and recycling. Metro Vancouver also regulates air quality, plans for urban growth, manages a regional parks system, and provides affordable housing. Metro Vancouver is governed by a Board of Directors of elected officials from each local authority.<br><br></p></div>Welcome0 0

 

In this issue

 

 

Decade-Long Seymour-Capilano Twin Tunnels Filtration Project Completed http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-9/112/Decade-Long Seymour-Capilano Twin Tunnels Filtration Project CompletedDecade-Long Seymour-Capilano Twin Tunnels Filtration Project Completed <div class="ExternalClassEEF79C730DD548CFA1A4876C34AC896E"><p>May 14 was an auspicious day for Metro Vancouver when after more than ten years of underground and surface construction, we celebrated the commissioning of the <a href="/services/water/projects-initiatives/construction-projects/twin-tunnels" target="_blank">Twin Tunnels</a> beneath Grouse Mountain and Mount Fromme on the North Shore. </p></div>http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/PublishingImages/TwinTunnelsCompletion.jpgRead more...WaterFull
Grouse Grind Opened May 8http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-9/113/Grouse Grind Opened May 8Grouse Grind Opened May 8<div class="ExternalClass5926F79534564B4492ACD692D85D8A4D"><p>The Grouse Grind is a mecca for hundreds of thousands of people who want fresh mountain air while climbing their outdoor stairmaster, and on May 8 one of Metro Vancouver’s favourite hiking trails officially opened for the season.</p></div>http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/PublishingImages/issue09-grouse-grind.jpgRead more...Grouse GrindFull
Port Mann Water Supply Tunnel http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-9/114/Port Mann Water Supply TunnelPort Mann Water Supply Tunnel <div class="ExternalClassE946D5035AF94388BD5A4DDD535761E1"><p> Excavation of the new <a href="/services/water/projects-initiatives/construction-projects/port-mann-water-supply-tunnel" target="_blank">Port Mann Water Supply Tunnel</a> is scheduled to be completed this summer. A welded steel water main liner will then be installed in the tunnel and shafts to connect to the existing water transmission system with two new valve chambers that will be located at the top of each shaft. Construction of the $240-million project is scheduled to be completed in 2016.<br></p></div>http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/PublishingImages/issue09-port-mann.jpgRead more...Port MannFull
Update: Multi-Family Housing Recycling Took Kit http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-9/115/Update: Multi-Family Housing Recycling Took KitUpdate: Multi-Family Housing Recycling Took Kit <div class="ExternalClass02E310CD741C4CF2ACABCEEE61A39E8D"><div><p>Working with pilot projects at seven <a href="/services/housing/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Metro Vancouver Housing Corporation</a> (MVHC) complexes, the <a href="/services/solid-waste/apartments-condos/apartment-recycling-toolkit/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Multi-Family Recycling Toolkit</a> was developed to increase recycling rates in housing complexes.</p></div></div>http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/PublishingImages/issue09-multifamily.jpgRead more...Multi-FamilyFull
Love Food, Hate Waste Campaign http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-9/116/Love Food, Hate Waste CampaignLove Food, Hate Waste Campaign <div class="ExternalClass0FF340240C5E49E4AE617B5B430FA2A5"><p>​This month, Metro Vancouver launched its behavioural change campaign, <a href="/lfhw" target="_blank">Love Food Hate Waste</a>, to reduce avoidable food waste.</p></div>http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/PublishingImages/issue09-lfhw.jpgRead more...LFHWFull
Enhanced Transit Improves Housing Affordabilityhttp://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-9/117/Enhanced Transit Improves Housing AffordabilityEnhanced Transit Improves Housing Affordability<div class="ExternalClass76BFC5C8B6E94D53AD77C0844C1FF501"><p>​A new <a href="/services/regional-planning/PlanningPublications/HousingAndTransportCostBurdenReport2015.pdf" target="_blank">Metro Vancouver study</a> notes that while housing costs in our region are widely cited as among the most expensive in Canada, those costs alone are not what most often break a household’s budget.</p></div>http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/PublishingImages/issue09-costburden.jpgRead more...Regional PlanningFull
Increased Recycling at the Coquitlam Transfer Stationhttp://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-9/119/Increased Recycling at the Coquitlam Transfer StationIncreased Recycling at the Coquitlam Transfer Station<div class="ExternalClassB27F6D29C7384BAE8C997F30DC02BE8F"><p>​The <a href="/services/solid-waste/garbage-recycling/transfer-stations/coquitlam-transfer-station" target="_blank">Coquitlam Transfer Station</a>, one of seven Metro Vancouver <a href="/services/solid-waste/garbage-recycling/transfer-stations/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">facilities</a> where residents, businesses, and garbage collection contractors dispose of waste for a fee, is recycling 50 percent more material than last year. This increase is due to changes made last September to accept more material types for recycling, and the addition of a dedicated entrance to the free recycling drop-off area, allowing people to avoid line-ups during busy times. </p></div>http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/PublishingImages/issue09-coquitlamtransfer.jpgRead more...Solid WasteFull
Study of Economic and Environmental Impacts of Extended Producer Responsibilityhttp://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-9/120/Study of Economic and Environmental Impacts of Extended Producer ResponsibilityStudy of Economic and Environmental Impacts of Extended Producer Responsibility<div class="ExternalClass893D0E70822A47D1B34C2F05CFF1154C"><p>​Metro Vancouver and the provincial Ministry of Environment conducted a <a href="/services/solid-waste/SolidWastePublications/AssessementEconEnvImpactsEPRPrograms-Feb2014.pdf" target="_blank">study</a> in order to help the Ministry improve existing <a href="http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/topic.page?id=BEBA70369C274C8FBA4FB42BE828A9EB" target="_blank">Extended Producer Responsibility</a> (EPR) programs through better performance measures, awareness campaigns, and service locations. The study also identified potential product categories to be included in future EPR programs, and the potential impacts of adding those categories.</p></div>http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/PublishingImages/issue09-epr.jpgRead more...EPRFull
Volunteer Appreciation @ Regional Parkshttp://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-9/121/Volunteer Appreciation @ Regional ParksVolunteer Appreciation @ Regional Parks<div class="ExternalClass47CE4D10E5EB44788D134B8824BDFF66"><p>​Every year, Metro Vancouver <a href="/services/parks/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Regional Parks</a> hosts a volunteer appreciation event for individuals and organizations that work to make Metro Vancouver Regional Parks among the most-enticing outdoor places in the Lower Mainland.</p></div>http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/PublishingImages/issue09-regionalparks.jpgRead more...ParksFull
Air Quality Monitoring http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-9/122/Air Quality MonitoringAir Quality Monitoring <div class="ExternalClass788543EE54E54A8E992D51E78888EAD7"><p>​To address air quality concerns raised by the Tsawwassen First Nation related to the Deltaport Terminal and rail and transportation activities in the Roberts Bank area, Metro Vancouver's mobile air monitoring unit (MAMU) was moved to the Tsawwassen territory to begin a four-month monitoring program on April 1.</p> </div>http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/PublishingImages/issue09-airquality.jpgRead more...Air QualityFull
Short Sea Shipping in Metro Vancouver http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-9/123/Short Sea Shipping in Metro VancouverShort Sea Shipping in Metro Vancouver <div class="ExternalClass1731D92A5F0F4B16B08CBFAEB0E00B25"><p>A new Metro Vancouver study explores the potential for expanding short sea shipping as a means to reduce truck traffic and congestion in our region, improve air quality, and relieve pressures on industrial land in the region.</p> </div>http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/PublishingImages/issue09-shortsea.jpgRead more...Short SeaFull
14th Annual Vancouver Landfill Open Househttp://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-9/127/14th Annual Vancouver Landfill Open House14th Annual Vancouver Landfill Open House<div class="ExternalClass15BC47ACE2FD427A9801B682FCCFC4AA"><p>​Who says the landfill can't be fun!</p></div>http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/PublishingImages/issue09-LandfillOpenHouse.jpgRead more...LandfillFull

 

 

Check It Outhttp://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-9/124/Check It OutCheck It Out<div class="ExternalClass7A982F0133E844D195A933170D112A66"><div><p>​The summer edition of <a href="/services/parks/ParksPublications/CIO-Summer2015.pdf" target="_blank">Check It Out</a> is now available.</p><p> Register for programs or drop in to events that Metro Vancouver offers throughout the region.<br></p></div></div>Check It OutSummaryBottom
Upcoming Eventshttp://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-9/125/Upcoming EventsUpcoming Events<div class="ExternalClass64B77B07423C47979FA60495AF605EC7"><p> <strong>Metro Vancouver's Television Programs: The Sustainable Region & Metro Vancouver Close Up </strong> </p><p> <a href="/media-room/video-gallery/the-sustainable-region" target="_blank">The Sustainable Region</a> TV series examines how Metro Vancouver manages growth, protects the environment, and delivers vital services to residents of our region. This month features:</p><ul><li><p>Derby Reach Accessible Fishing Ramp: A new universally accessible fishing ramp at Edgewater Bar in Derby Reach Regional Park in Langley enables anglers with reduced mobility to experience the outdoors.</p></li><li><p>Wilderness At Your Doorstep: Every May long weekend, hundreds of people come to Lynn Headwaters Regional Park to attend Wilderness At Your Doorstep and see displays from North Shore community groups, and even music and art. You never know quite what you’ll find at Wilderness At Your Doorstep. The event also marks the season opening for BC Mills house, a volunteer-run museum located in a heritage building at the park entrance.</p></li><li><p>Forest Fairy Gathering at Burnaby Lake: The Forest Fairy Gathering celebrates the spring opening of the Burnaby Lake Nature House, and an enchanted family adventure with face-painting, fairy parade, storytime, and building your own fairy home with supplies from the ‘Gnome Depot’.</p></li><li><p>Spring into Nature Sense Tune-up: enjoy a walk in the park with a self-paced scavenger hunt at Aldergrove Regional Park and learn about local plants and animals. See how park interpreters and discovery stations set the stage for experiential learning.</p></li></ul><p>This month, Metro Vancouver Close Up looks at:</p><ul><li><p>Wearable art at the Port Moody Arts Centre where re-thinking textiles is included in a recycling category at the Centre’s internationally recognized <a href="/media-room/video-gallery/metro-vancouver-close-up/4180108839001" target="_blank">Wearable Art</a> show.</p></li><li><p>Solutions for <a href="/media-room/video-gallery/metro-vancouver-close-up/4200011746001" target="_blank">ending homelessness in Maple Ridge</a>. The regional Homelessness Solutions Task Force aims to end homelessness in ten years with goals focused on capacity building, housing, prevention, and support. The City of Maple Ridge has convened a local Task Force to develop solutions tailored to the municipality.</p></li><li><p>Green is the New Black at <a href="/media-room/video-gallery/metro-vancouver-close-up/4205131000001" target="_blank">Eco-Fashion Week</a>. Metro Vancouver aims to reduce the thousands of pounds of textiles that go to local landfills annually, and this year joined forces with Vancouver’s Eco Fashion Week and fashion designers who are finding innovative ways to minimize waste, be profitable, and create eye-catching clothing.</p></li></ul><p>These programs air back to back on Shaw TV4, Delta Cable 4 and Novus TV4 at these times:</p><p>Shaw TV 4: Wed 7:30pm; Sat 12:30pm; Mon 3:30pm; Tues 11pm<br> NVTV4: Sun, Mon, Wed, Fri at 8:30pm; Tues, Thurs, Sat at 9am & 3:30pm<br> Delta TV: Sun/Mon at 8am & 2pm; Mon-Fri at 11:30am</p><p>And they are always available <a href="/media-room/video-gallery/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">online</a>.</p><p><br><strong>Announcing the 2<sup>nd</sup> Annual Metro Vancouver Regional Parks Photo Contest</strong></p><p>Metro Vancouver invites amateur and professional photographers alike to share their best photos showing why they love Regional Parks. </p><p>Entrants are welcome to submit up to three photos for a chance to win great prizes including a limited edition Robert Bateman print (Catching the Light – Barn Owl). The contest is open to ages 13 and up. The entry deadline is August 31, 2015. People's Choice Award: Vote for your favourite photo Sept. 1-15, 2015.</p><p>For full contest details, entry and voting visit <a href="/parksphotocontest" target="_blank">metrovancouver.org/parksphotocontest</a>    </p><p> <strong><br>Sustainability Community Breakfast</strong></p><p> <strong>Emergency Management in Our Region</strong><br> June 4, 7:30-9 am, <a href="http://anvilcentre.com/" target="_blank">Anvil Centre</a>, 777 Columbia St., New Westminster</p><p> <strong>Speakers:</strong></p><ul><li><p>Chad Pacholik, Emergency Management Planning Coordinator, Integrated Partnership for Regional Emergency Management          </p></li><li><p>Dorit Mason, Director, North Shore Emergency Management Office</p></li><li><p>Rod Tulett, Emergency Program Coordinator, Safety, Security, and Emergency Management, Metro Vancouver</p></li></ul>  <a href="/events/community-breakfasts/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Information & Registration</a></div>EventsSummaryBottom
Did You Know?http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-9/126/Did You Know?Did You Know?<div class="ExternalClass8E7F0194EAE14628946BD9D373891B72"><ul><li><p>Every day, Metro Vancouver delivers over one billion litres of <a href="/services/water/sources-supply/drinking-water/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">water</a> to municipalities in our region. Water is collected from rainfall, snowmelt, creeks, and streams in the mountains of the Capilano, Seymour, and Coquitlam <a href="/services/water/sources-supply/watersheds-reservoirs/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">watersheds</a>. The water then flows through a <a href="/services/water/quality-treatment-testing/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">network</a> of reservoirs, treatment facilities, pumping stations, and water mains, and individual municipalities deliver the water to residents, businesses, and institutions.</p></li></ul><ul><li><p> <a href="/services/water/projects-initiatives/construction-projects/twin-tunnels" target="_blank">Twin tunnels</a> have been constructed beneath Grouse Mountain and Mount Fromme to allow water from the <a href="/services/water/sources-supply/watersheds-reservoirs/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank"> Capilano Reservoir</a> to be treated at the <a href="/services/water/quality-treatment-testing/treatment-facilities/drinking-water-treatment-facilities/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Seymour-Capilano Filtration Plant</a>. Each tunnel is 3.8 metres in diameter and 7.1 kilometres long. Water from the Capilano reservoir is pumped through the raw water tunnel to the filtration plant for treatment, and is then returned through the treated water tunnel to a pumping station adjacent to the Capilano reservoir for distribution.  </p></li><li><p>The <a href="/services/water/quality-treatment-testing/treatment-facilities/drinking-water-treatment-facilities/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Seymour Capilano Filtration Plant</a> is a state-of-the-art treatment facility completed in 2009. With the commissioning of the <a href="/services/water/projects-initiatives/construction-projects/twin-tunnels" target="_blank">Twin Tunnels</a>, every day up to 1.8 billion litres of drinking water will be treated using a combination of filtration and disinfection with ultraviolet light.</p></li><li><p>Lawn sprinkling regulations come into effect in Metro Vancouver on June 1. Remember, a healthy lawn only needs to be watered one hour a month or less if it rains. Here’s all you need to know about <a href="/services/water/water-conservation/lawn-sprinkling/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">water sprinkling</a> between June 1 and September 30.</p></li></ul></div>Did You KnowSummaryBottom