Creating safer cities for salmon: A policy analysis of the Lower Fraser Watershed

Rapid urbanization in the Lower Fraser Watershed (LFW) of British Columbia (BC) directly and indirectly degrades the health of aquatic ecosystems that are home to the ecologically, culturally, socially, and economically significant Pacific Salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.). Using the scientific standards of the Salmon-Safe BC urban program as an evaluative framework, this study undertakes a comparative review of government policies and offers a series of recommendations that could facilitate the use of green infrastructure (GI) to mitigate adverse impacts on wild salmon. During consultations with LFW experts, the disparities in policy objectives and requirements were cited as a major barrier to their effective implementation. Addressing these gaps in policy requires development of well-defined statutory foundations and enforcement, and awareness-raising among developers, the public, and politicians to understand GI solutions. This approach can garner the support needed for the use of GI systems to protect wild salmon and ensure long-term watershed health.