WELCOME TO National Student & Thought Leadership Awards IPAC/CAPPA

EXPLORING OUR SHORELINE AND SEA- LEVEL-RISE EXPLORING OUR SHORELINE AND SEA-LEVEL-RISE Town of Qualicum Beach Waterfront Community Planning Consultation Leila Willoughby-Oakes, University of Victoria 2015 National Student Thought Leadership Award 67th IPAC National Annual Conference, Halifax, NS

Leila- Introduction /What is sea-level-riseÉ Dick- Bob - Luke- Coastal Engineering (30 mins) -SNC Lavalin EXPLORING OUR SHORELINE AND SEA-LEVEL-RISE|QUALICUM BEACH SEA LEVEL RISE IN BC| Study LocationMean (cm)Low (cm)High (cm) Nanaimo, BC inches inches inches Town of Qualicum Beach Waterfront Community Planning Consultation Leila Willoughby-Oakes, University of Victoria 2015 National Student Thought Leadership Award 67th IPAC National Annual Conference, Halifax, NS TABLE 1 SEA LEVEL FORECASTS (Thomson, et al., 2008) Global sea levels are projected to rise 1 metre by Projections recommended for all shoreline planning in BC. (Province of BC, 2013)

Town of Qualicum Beach Waterfront Community Planning Consultation Leila Willoughby-Oakes, University of Victoria 2015 National Student Thought Leadership Award 67th IPAC National Annual Conference, Halifax, NS PROJECT CONTEXT|EAST VANCOUVER ISLAND Consultation with 140 property owners and residents along seven kilometres of public and private shoreline. Documents the social, environmental, and economic consequences of climate change and sea-level rise in the Town. Pre-cursor to the Waterfront Master Plan. (Qualicum Beach Information Services, 2012)

AREAS SUSCEPTIBLE TO IMPACTS Town of Qualicum Beach Waterfront Community Planning Consultation Leila Willoughby-Oakes, University of Victoria 2015 National Student Thought Leadership Award 67th IPAC National Annual Conference, Halifax, NS (Ausenco Sandwell, 2011; Thomson, et al., 2008; Qualicum Beach Information Services, 2013 )

PROBLEM & OBJECTIVE Town of Qualicum Beach Waterfront Community Planning Consultation Leila Willoughby-Oakes, University of Victoria 2015 National Student Thought Leadership Award 67th IPAC National Annual Conference, Halifax, NS Piecemeal Town initiatives used to protect waterfront homes, businesses, and public infrastructure proven ineffective. Research Questions What are the concerns of waterfront stakeholders? What is their perception or understanding of sea level rise and climate change?

CURRENT SITUATION | BEACH WALKS Town of Qualicum Beach Waterfront Community Planning Consultation Leila Willoughby-Oakes, University of Victoria 2015 National Student Thought Leadership Award 67th IPAC National Annual Conference, Halifax, NS (Stubbs, )

RESEARCH PROCESS Literature Scan- Academic/Grey Papers Annual shoreline survey by building inspector Review best available science on sea levels (Thomson, et al., 2008) Public engagement theories Shoreline regulations Town documents Town of Qualicum Beach Waterfront Community Planning Consultation Leila Willoughby-Oakes, University of Victoria 2015 National Student Thought Leadership Award 67th IPAC National Annual Conference, Halifax, NS

Qualitative Tools Open House Online Surveys Comment Cards Staff Discussions Focus Group Transcripts RESEARCH PROCESS|“TRIANGULATING METHODS” Town of Qualicum Beach Waterfront Community Planning Consultation Leila Willoughby-Oakes, University of Victoria 2015 National Student Thought Leadership Award 67th IPAC National Annual Conference, Halifax, NS (Creswell, 2013; Creswell, 2003; Day, n.d.; Denzin, 1978)

WHAT DID THE COMMUNITY SAY? Shoreline Protection Best Practices Recreation Public Investment for Private Property Protection Improving Community Cohesion Tourism & Economic Development Waterfront Locations of Concern Tangible Recommendations from the Community Help us with shoreline permitting (federal, provincial and local)! There are common locations of concerns. Fix our public walkway! 15 major themes were summarized across all three methods. Town of Qualicum Beach Waterfront Community Planning Consultation Leila Willoughby-Oakes, University of Victoria 2015 National Student Thought Leadership Award 67th IPAC National Annual Conference, Halifax, NS Emergency repairs process.

WHAT DID THE COMMUNITY SAY? Shoreline Protection Best Practices Recreation Public Investment for Private Property Protection Improving Community Cohesion Tourism & Economic Development Waterfront Locations of Concern Tangible Recommendations from the Community Why are we investing public $ for private property protection? We like participating, but how will you use this information? Seawalls impact neighbours. Major themes summarized across all three methods: Plan funding? We are 8,000 residents. Town of Qualicum Beach Waterfront Community Planning Consultation Leila Willoughby-Oakes, University of Victoria 2015 National Student Thought Leadership Award 67th IPAC National Annual Conference, Halifax, NS I think it’s more about extreme weather not sea level rise.

Enhance communication and outreach during the Waterfront Master Plan. Create a waterfront economic development strategy. Phased capital improvement plan for walkway replacement. RECOMMENDATIONS Town of Qualicum Beach Waterfront Community Planning Consultation Leila Willoughby-Oakes, University of Victoria 2015 National Student Thought Leadership Award 67th IPAC National Annual Conference, Halifax, NS

Monitor damaged waterfront locations. Create a Waterfront Plan Advisory Committee. Shoreline approval factsheets, providing regional contacts. Hold annual Town Hall waterfront property owner meetings. RECOMMENDATIONS Town of Qualicum Beach Waterfront Community Planning Consultation Leila Willoughby-Oakes, University of Victoria 2015 National Student Thought Leadership Award 67th IPAC National Annual Conference, Halifax, NS

LESSONS FOR COMMUNITIES Town of Qualicum Beach Waterfront Community Planning Consultation Leila Willoughby-Oakes, University of Victoria 2015 National Student Thought Leadership Award 67th IPAC National Annual Conference, Halifax, NS Provincial grants are essential for sea level adaptation planning when local government resources are limited. Constituents are the best source for longitudinal waterfront observations paired with meto-ocean engineering. Try different consultation methods, folks are busy. Remember to build positive relationships. Document everything!

Town of Qualicum Beach Staff, Residents, and Council Luke Sales MCIP, Director of Planning Heather Svenson, Corporate Administrator Trudy Coates, Corporate Administration Director, Lantzville Dick Stubbs, Contract Building Inspector Bob Weir, Director of Engineering Final Report ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS | University of Victoria Dr. Lynda Gagne CGA, Assistant Professor Allison Habkirk MCIP, Adjunct Professor Ministry of Environment BC Town of Qualicum Beach Waterfront Community Planning Consultation Leila Willoughby-Oakes, University of Victoria 2015 National Student Thought Leadership Award 67th IPAC National Annual Conference, Halifax, NS

Town of Qualicum Beach Waterfront Community Planning Consultation Leila Willoughby-Oakes, University of Victoria 2015 National Student Thought Leadership Award 67th IPAC National Annual Conference, Halifax, NS QUALICUM’S HISTORIC SHORELINE | THANK YOU Source: Kodachrome Photographs Published by The Coast Publishing Company Vancouver, B. C.

THANK-YOU National Student & Thought Leadership Awards IPAC/CAPPA