News/Events
Event calendar
We've added an event calendar to our website.
29 Apr 2012: Dr. Alexandra Morton speaks on the plight of the West Coast's wild salmon
On April 29, Dr. Alexandra Morton will present a talk on the plight of the West Coast's wild salmon, and her work to convince the public, the fish farm industry and various government agencies to take measures before it is too late.
Dr. Morton is a registered professional biologist who was living in a remote archipelago studying whales when the fish farmers came to her town. Dr. Morton was recently interviewed by Paul Kennedy for CBC's Ideas radio program. The episode was broadcast in early 2011 and is well worth hearing: besides being an interesting topic, Dr. Morton is a great speaker
Since all her work for the salmon is done without pay, donations will be welcome. Dr. Morton's book “Listening to Whales, what the Orcas have taught us“, other items of interest, and H.C. Behm's limited edition print “Salmon are Sacred” will be available for purchase.
Where: The Gallery at Artisan Square
When: Sunday, April 29th, at 1:00 pm (the talk will finish in time for those who wish to attend the Concert at Cates Chapel
More information: (604) 947-9447
24 Apr 2012: An evening discussion: Protecting Marine Life in Howe Sound and off Bowen's Shores
On April 24, we have been invited to participate in a session with Roy Mulder from the Marine Life Sanctuaries Society (MLSS), who will lead a discussion on strategies for rockfish protection.
Topics will include:
- Welcome & Introduction
- Video & Presentation
- General discussion on how can we help MLSS achieve their objectives throughout Howe Sound, developing a Bowen-specific strategy, organizing our efforts, action plans
Of particular importance is identifying exactly who is fishing for rock fish in Howe Sound, so that we can develop specific tactics to communicate to them and change their behaviour. We have to talk to those who are a threat so that we can make a difference and save rock fish. While protection must go on forever, in business terms it would be helpful if we can develop a plan with goals which follow ‘SMART’ criteria – Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Responsibilities Identified, Timelines.
Where: Salmon Hatchery Teaching Room
When: 6:30 to 8:30 PM
More information: Tim Pardee (604) 512-5245
07 Mar 2012: Our position on the proposed moorage development at Cape Roger Curtis
(The deadline for public comments on these applications is April 2nd.)
Senior Land Officer
Ministry of Forest Lands and Natural Resource Operations
200 – 10428 153rd Street
Surrey, BC V3R 1E1
The Board of the Bowen Island Conservancy opposes the above applications for the following reasons:
-
As part of the subdivision approval for these lands in 2009, the owners were required to provide expanded street end accesses, with paved parking and turnarounds at the end of Lighthouse Lane (beside lot 15) and at the end of Roger Curtis Lane (between lot 11), for the public enjoyment of and access to the beaches and associated foreshore at each. As noted in the consultant planner's report submitted to the Bowen Island Municipality in September of 2011 (attached to this letter): “Each of the accesses was intended to facilitate public access to the ocean and the development of these accesses will be an instant draw to the public once they are open for use.” Included in this same report is the following recommendation: “In addition, the Municipality should apply for a Crown grant from the Province for the Cape itself and a foreshore reserve, for the use, recreation and enjoyment of the public, fronting the road end in order to facilitate management and use.” The proposed tenures would, if granted, preempt this action by the municipality.
Anything that might limit public access and use and enjoyment of this beach is an important issue for the Bowen Island Municipality as a community within the Islands Trust, with its preserve and protect mandate. As an island, our beaches are very significant elements in our community's sense of place.
Also as part of the subdivision approval process, a covenant was placed on each of the ocean fronting properties, including the prescribed lots. The covenant area for ocean fronting lands applies to those private and public lands within 30 meters from the natural boundary of Howe Sound. Within that area, owners are generally obligated not to build any structures, disturb soil, cut vegetation, plant any non-native species or use any deleterious substances such as pesticides on their land. The intent of the covenant is to keep the area along the oceanfront in a natural condition.
-
A moorage of the size and width as proposed in these applications is not appropriate for an area intended to be used by the public as a beach. The size of these proposed wharves and breakwaters are completely out of proportion to any existing private moorage facilities on the island. The magnitude of what is proposed is completely contrary to the spirit and intent of the subdivision approval and the beach accesses. Pebbly Beach (in front of lot 11) is a popular spot used by many. Although the lot 10 application (file no.2410699) is not mentioned in the March 2 ad in the Undercurrent, it is included on your website. The proposed private moorage for this lot combined with the private moorage for lot 11 will make this small bay completely incompatible with its use as a public swimming beach. The beach areas in front of lots 11 and 15 are favourite pull-up access points for kayakers from all points in the lower mainland. The presence of these large moorage facilities will reduce or eliminate this opportunity for many kayakers and will certainly destroy the aesthetic element of the beach. There are few low bank accessible beaches on Bowen and this is one of them.
-
As part of the subdivision approval process, the owners were also required to build a coastal walkway. This walkway runs through lots 11, 13 and 15 and is intended as a scenic walkway overlooking a wild coastal environment with the opportunity to view sealife and bird life. This wild aspect will be severely impacted by these proposed applications.
-
An EIS does not appear to have been conducted to determine if the size and magnitude of these private moorages will have a serious impact on the ecological values of this foreshore area of Bowen Island. Local biologists have surveyed the bays at Cape Roger Curtis and have found them rich in eelgrass meadows, a critical habitat for young salmon, herring and other species suffering from habitat destruction in our oceans. Without the benefit of an EIS, moorage as proposed by these applications could negatively impact much of this sensitive ecosystem.
-
The numbers of these private moorages along this foreshore is contrary to the statements in the Official Community Plan for Bowen Island Municipality – Policy 241 states: “The sharing of private docks among property owners is encouraged.” This policy is consistent with your ministry's policy of grouping private moorage facilities (as per your Land Use Operational Policy – Private Moorage).
-
The Official Community Plan designates some of this coastal area of the Cape Roger Curtis lands as environmentally sensitive development permit areas. The map of these areas, Schedule B1, clearly indicates the coastal/inland bluff ecosystem along this foreshore. Objective 2 of the OCP states: “To ensure that new development incorporates a ‘no net impact’ strategy with respect to significant plant, wildlife, and fish habitats.” These proposed water lot applications do not meet this objective. In addition, section 2.11 of the OCP, Cape Roger Curtis Lands and Shoreline includes the following objective 40: “To encourage the retention of portions of Cape Roger Curtis in a natural state accessible to the public, including ecologically sensitive coastal bluffs, other sensitive ecosystems such as Arbutus and Douglas Fir Woodland, portions of the shoreline, archaeological features, viewpoints, and significant marine shorelines.”
-
The Bowen Island Municipality Land Use Bylaw regulates water use zones and specifically designates this coastal area as WG1 zoning which includes as a condition of use the following: “Community dock, neighbourhood dock and moorage shall be located such that it will not limit use of or physically divide a beach or negatively impact eelgrass meadows, kelp beds, clam beds or mussel beds.” These are all present in the proposed bays for this moorage.
The following is a quote from the Feasibility Assessment Report by Parks Canada (Bill Henwood, February 2010), as part of Parks Canada's assessment of Bowen Island for a proposed national park reserve:
“The Cape Roger Curtis area is known for its abundant beds of eelgrass and blue mussels and, that, in turn, attracts numerous seabirds, particularly surf scoters and Barrows goldeneye. Coastal seabird surveys have observed up to 3,000 surfs scoters at one time. In all, 35 species of marine or shoreline birds were recorded during these surveys. Northwestern crows and bald eagles, both of which forage frequently in intertidal habitats, were also recorded regularly. These marine waters are also frequented by two red-listed fish-eating birds, the double crested cormorant and marbled murrelet, as well as great blue herons and the occasional blue-listed rhinoceros auklet (Bowen Island Conservancy 2007).”
-
There are strong tidal currents and wave actions along the area of Cape Roger Curtis which will make maintenance of such large breakwaters and moorage facilities a challenge and a potential danger if they are broken up and become navigational hazards.
The Board members of the Bowen Island Conservancy strongly recommend rejection of the above applications for private moorage.
In anticipation of a group moorage application at some other location in the development,, the owners should be asked to conduct and submit an environmental assessment to determine the impacts on the foreshore environment, the sea and bird life and the ocean floor, a socio-community assessment to determine the impact on the public beaches and coastal walkway and an archeological assessment (there is evidence of Squamish First Nations use on these bays), prior to further consideration of a subsequent application.
Yours truly,
Bowen Island Conservancy Board members
Ellen Coburn
Peter Drake
Andrea Kaufman
Laura Koch
Owen Plowman
Nerys Poole
Adrian van Lidth de Jeude
Everhard van Lidth de Jeude
Alan Whitehead
Dave Witty
cc. Joan McIntyre
Bowen Island Municipal Council
Kathy Lalonde, acting CAO
Chair, Islands Trust Council
Squamish First Nation
Our position on extending Thompson Road
The Thompson Road road allowance terminates at the boundary of Crown Land Block 6, which contains the Fairy Fen Nature Reserve (owned by the Islands Trust Fund). Some years ago an application was submitted to the Provincial Government for a right-of-way from Thompson Road through the Crown land to provide access to the Cape Roger Curtis lands. This application was turned down by the Province, following consultation with the Bowen Island Municipality.
Recently, residents in the Tunstall Bay and Whitesails Drive areas have requested consideration of this potential access again, to limit construction traffic on Whitesails Drive. The Bowen Island Conservancy is sympathetic to the Whitesails residents’ concerns, but is also very sensitive to any action that could have negative impact on Fairy Fen and the Huszar Creek watershed.
The route that was originally proposed would have been at the upper levels of the slope that leads down into Fairy Fen, and lies well within the Huszar Creek watershed. A road in that location would create the potential for a negative impact on Fairy Fen and the watershed, as it is likely that run-off from the road would introduce pollutants into the area. This could occur both during initial road construction and also during long term use of the road.
A different road layout might be feasible, however: going West immediately—or even before—entering the Crown lands, and proceeding around the hillside outside of the watershed before turning South and down into the Cape Roger Curtis lands. Use of this route would minimize the risk to the Nature Reserve and the watershed, while still providing access to the Cape Roger Curtis lands.
Additional alternative routes may prove to be feasible in the future.
Newly-released study estimates economic value of the natural capital in BC's Lower Mainland
BC's Lower Mainland provides natural benefits in the order of $5.4 billion a year, or about $2,462 per person annually, according to a study released by the David Suzuki Foundation and Pacific Parklands Foundation. Nature provides a vast array of essential services we often take for granted. Trees clean our air. Forests and wetlands filter our water. Green urban spaces cool our cities and protect us from storms. And this doesn't even account for the health and spiritual benefits of time spent in nature.
Download the study (PDF, 4.3 Mb)
New maps available (PDF files)
Quarry Park (1.9Mb)
Headwaters Park (4.7 Mb)
Potential National Park Reserve lands (179Kb)
Past events
28 Dec 2011: Christmas Bird Count
The Christmas Bird Count, and post-count get-together at Pam's house, was held on Wednesday, December 28, 2011.
For more information, contact Pam at bobandpam@shaw.ca or 9558.
03 Dec 2011: Annual General Meeting
Our 2011 AGM will be held on Saturday, December 3, at 10:00 am in the Multipurpose Room at the Bowen Island Community School.
26 Nov 2011: Bird ID Workshop
Pam Dicer held a free Bird ID Workshop in the Library at the Bowen Island Community School on Saturday, November 26, from 10:00 am to noon.
24 Nov 2011: Elders and the Environment Forum 2011
The second Elders and the Environment Forum, sponsored by the Association of Suzuki Elders, took place on Thursday, November 24. This year's theme was built around the question “What can I do?” Our Forum's response: “Start Where You Are.”
This year, the forum was held from 9 am – 3:30 pm, in the Alice Mackay Room, Vancouver Public Library, Downtown Branch
01 Jul 2011: North Shore Hikers were on Bowen Island
The North Shore Hikers organized a hike and trail clearing event on Mt. Gardner on July 1, 2011.
You can learn more by visiting the North Shore Hikers website, or by contacting Natasha Suvorova (778.327.9232 or ns6485@gmail.com).
26 May 2011: Herring bring new life to Howe Sound
On 26 May 2011, at Collins Hall, Dr. John Matsen presented a lecture and slide show entitled Herring bring new life to Howe Sound.
This event was co-sponsored by the Bowen Island Conservancy, Bowen Island Fish & Wildlife Club, and the Squamish Streamkeepers.
15 May 2011: A family outing to discover where our drinking water comes from
Where does our drinking water come from? And what can we do to protect our water supplies?
On 15 May 2011, the Bowen Island Nature Club and the Conservancy co-sponsored a family outing in the form of a “Watershed Quest”. Participants discovered first hand where our island drinking water comes from, while celebrating BC's Drinking Water Week.
2010 AGM
Our 2010 Annual General Meeting was held on November 20th.