Although Greater Vancouver currently experiences good regional air quality relative to most other urban areas in North America, health impacts still occur at current levels and particulate matter, sulphur oxides, ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions are forecast to increase as a result of predicted growth in population, trade and transportation. Localized “hot spots” can also exist even though regional air quality may remain acceptable.

To support efforts to maintain and improve air quality in the Lower Fraser Valley airshed, Metro Vancouver adopted its second Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP) on October 28th, 2005. The 2005 AQMP is very strategic in nature providing a vision, goals, strategies, new health-based ambient air quality objectives and actions that will guide air quality management in the region over the next decade. The Plan strives to minimize the risk to human health from air pollution, improve visibility and reduce Greater Vancouver’s contribution to global climate change.

Partnerships

Lower Fraser Valley Airshed
The Lower Fraser Valley Airshed is an area made up of Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley Regional District stretching from Horseshoe Bay to Hope. Key air contaminants are monitored continuously through a 27-station air quality monitoring network. Air quality information is provided to the public in the form of the Air Quality Health Index. Reports on the status of air quality within the Lower Fraser Valley Airshed are produced annually.

The Lower Fraser Valley is part of a larger regional airshed called the Georgia Coast Cascade Air Basin. This larger airshed is a triangle-shaped area that includes the Lower Nooksack Valley Airshed. The entire region is bordered by the Strait of Georgia to the west, the Coast Mountains to the north and the Cascade Mountains in Washington State to the south.

Agencies in Canada and Whatcom County (Washington State) meet regularly as the Lower Fraser Valley Air Quality Co-ordinating Committee to share ideas, co-ordinate air quality programs and initiatives, and plan ongoing air quality improvements for this larger regional airshed.

Georgia Basin/Puget Sound International Airshed Strategy
The Georgia Coast Cascade Airshed, along with neighbouring areas such as Puget Sound, encompasses an area that stretches from the Cascade/Coast Mountains to the east and the Olympic Mountains and Vancouver Island to the west. Containing the major cities of Vancouver, B.C., Seattle WA and Tacoma WA, this region shares common features including air quality issues.

The regional, provincial and federal government agencies as well as First Nations and US Tribal Nations of these areas are preparing an overall air quality management plan for this international airshed. The partners also share information and are working on a common approach to reducing emissions in general, and greenhouse gases (GHGs) in particular.

Georgia Basin Futures Project
Metro Vancouver is a partner in the Georgia Basin Futures Project, a five-year research project being conducted at the University of British Columbia. The project is aimed at increasing the level of public and expert understanding of how complex ecological, social and economic systems work together and to look at new ways of achieving a sustainable future for the Georgia Basin region. The Georgia Basin includes the Lower Mainland and southeastern Vancouver Island.