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Bridgepoint Market : an application of No Net Loss

University of British Columbia

This thesis undertakes an examination and assessment of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans application of No Net Loss of Fish Habitat at the Bridgepoint Market Development in Richmond, British Columbia. Of specific interest is the process through which No Net Loss was applied. The approach used in this study is essentially empirical, drawing upon more than 120 documents, supplemented by interviews with ten individuals having direct knowledge of the case. Using this information, a detailed descriptive account is provided of what occurred and in what context, who was involved, and what the major outcomes were. An analytical framework based on Fisher and Ury's theory of Principled Negotiation is developed and used as a standard against which to assess the Bridgepoint case. Based on this assessment it was concluded that although progress was made in achieving a number of significant agreements over the four year exchange, it was also apparent that these outcomes were, for the most part, derived through concessions to positional bargaining rather than through the employment of principles which have been shown to improve the likelihood of reaching a fair, equitable, and efficient agreement. Three key recommendations were made in the thesis. The first, is that the four principles of separating the people from the problem, inventing options for mutual gain, insisting on objective criteria, and focusing on interests not positions, should be employed in most negotiations over the application of No Net Loss of fish habitat. Second, consideration should be given to building in to the No Net Loss process, provisions to allow for qualified third party intervention to assist in the negotiations. Third, DFO's hierarchy of preferences for evaluating development applications should be replaced with a non-hierarchical system that permits rejection of proposals at an early stage in the process.

Thesis/Dissertation

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2008-12-20

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/3249

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University of British Columbia

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