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News Release
November 16, 2005: Innovative tools announced by leading land use groups
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 16, 2005
key strategies for AG Land protection Unveiled in lead-up to Local elections
Innovative tools announced by leading land use groups
Vancouver - The conflict between urban expansion and the protection of agricultural land has developed into a major election issue for many BC communities. Both local governments and concerned citizens have increasingly important roles to play to ensure the protection of the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) and the continued viability of agriculture.
Two leading provincial land use organizations, Smart Growth BC and West Coast Environmental Law (WCEL) are co-releasing guides for citizens and local government officials who want to protect and enhance the ALR while planning for efficient urban growth.
Smart Growth BC's Citizens Guide to Protecting Agricultural Land in BC is designed to provide concerned citizens with tools for effectively engaging in the decision-making and planning processes involved in protecting farmland in their communities as well as in local ALR exclusion applications. The guide is being made available free of charge at www.greenbelt.bc.ca
WCEL"s report on Protecting the Working Landscape of Agriculture: A Smart Growth Direction for Municipalities in BC outlines specific policies and bylaws that local officials can adopt to protect the ALR while achieving urban growth goals. The web-based publication was released today on the organization’s website, www.wcel.org. This report is a new addition to WCEL’s 2003 Smart Bylaws Guide.
Both Smart Growth BC and WCEL agree that agriculture should be seen as an integral part of urban areas. "Our Agricultural Land Reserve is essential in providing British Columbians with locally grown food, as well as helping to restrict urban sprawl," says Cheeying Ho, Executive Director of Smart Growth BC.
Patricia Chew, WCEL’s Executive Director, agrees. "These reports demonstrate how farmers, citizens, local governments, the Provincial government and others can work together to maintain the ALR. Together these explain the most effective means of ensuring the integrity of the ALR over the long term."
West Coast Environmental Law is BC's legal champion for the environment. Through legal advice, education and advocacy, WCEL provides citizens and organizations with the knowledge, tools and innovative solutions needed to protect our environment and build sustainability locally, nationally and internationally.
Smart Growth BC is a provincial non-profit non-governmental organization devoted to fiscally, socially, and environmentally responsible land use and development with a mandate to create more livable communities in British Columbia.
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For more information, please contact:
Cheeying Ho, Executive Director, Smart Growth BC
604.915.5234 (office)
604.220.4675 (cell)
Patricia Chew, Executive Director, WCEL
604.684.7378 (office)
Topic(s): Enviro News Releases, Healthy Communities News, More Enviro News, policy news, Sustainable Living News
Posted By EcoBC
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