Maple Ridge staff got the go-ahead to get on with an enviro management strategy Monday – but only just.

Council voted 4-2 to proceed with a plan to create a blueprint that will protect ecosystems and respond to climate change.

A request for a consultant to prepare the plan has already gone out. Once the plan is ready, two open houses will take place while council will get at least three chances to review the document.

But Coun. Judy Dueck was concerned about the impact on the ordinary homeowner.

What would happen if a resident in Thornhill learned their property was part of a wildlife corridor?

“What does that mean?

“What does that mean to my individual property?

“That makes me nervous,” she said earlier.

“I think the average landowner does not realize the importance of this.”

Environmental planner Rod Stott, though, said that’s exactly what the public meetings and plan study sessions will address.

Coun. Al Hogarth suggested waiting until Metro Vancouver completes its Ecological Health Plan.

He worried that areas set out voluntarily as natural areas could become legally enforceable.

“We heard the same thing about the Green Zone, that it was voluntary, that everything was fine.”

While the district can lead in environment rules, sometimes it’s better just to follow other cities, he said.

But Coun. Cheryl Ashlie said creating the strategy is simply following the work plan set out in the OCP.

“Personally, I think we need to get on with this.”

However, she wanted the strategy to have precise language to clarify the impact on homeowners.

Mayor Ernie Daykin pointed out property is worth more to developers when environmental features are preserved, citing recent “daylighting” of two local streams that had been culverted and buried.

“I don’t see anything that increases the knowledge of the land base as a bad thing. I think it’s really a good thing,” said Coun. Craig Speirs.

Coun. Mike Morden wanted more information about the exact implications.

“I can’t support something that you can say for sure that that’s exactly what it is.

“I can’t support this as it currently stands.”

The plan will:

• point out gaps in bylaws in environmental protection,

• determine “ecological network hubs” as well as greenway corridors,

• review natural assets in the district and how they support economic and social goals,

• explore local stewardship, that is, partnering with local residents on protecting ecological areas.