Vancouver councillor pitches 'blueway' from False Creek to Fraser River

A Vancouver councillor has put forward a motion to create a plan to restorea waterway from False Creek to the Fraser River.

Green Party Coun.Michael Wiebe's motion calls for the China Creek watershed and the Brunette watershed, much of which runs through the Central Valley Greenway and the B.C. Parkway, to be formally connected.

The waterway would run through the cities of Vancouver, Burnaby and New Westminster.

"[This] would increase access to water for local residents across three of B.C.'s largest communities," the motion reads.

Daylighting streams

The City of Vancouver hasdozens of streams and creeks that have been long buried or diverted through pipes due to development.

The process of bringing long-buried streams up to the surface known asdaylighting has been part of the city'surban renewal process for decades.

According to the motion, restored streams "can reviveand protect ecosystems within our urban communities to help cities deal with the impacts of climate change. They improve water quality, absorb carbon and heavy rainfall, buffer floods, protect and expand urban forestsand increase biodiversity and wildlife habitats."

This motion, Wiebe explained, will helpformalize and streamlinethe work doneto restore different stream networks in the region.

Ultimately,Wiebe said, he would love to be able to swim again in False Creek.

The motion goes before councilon May 14.