Shuswap Lake Integrated Planning Process (SLIPP)

Shoreline Care Workshop

for Shuswap contractors, builders, developers,

strata managers, and real estate agents

November 24, 2011

22

Workshop Objectives

Building partnership with you to ensure a healthy Shuswap watershed

Share information on process for working near Shuswap Shorelines

Establish a common understanding of expectations when working near shorelines

33

Agenda

Shuswap Shoreline Information 15 minutes

Shoreline Management Guidelines 1 hour

Riparian Area Regulations 15 minutes

Question and Answers 1 hour

44

SLIPP Website: New Shoreline Page www.slippbc.com

Observed a shoreline

violation? Report it to the RAPP Line

Observed a shoreline

violation? Report it to the RAPP Line

55

The Importance of Shorelines

The shoreline areas of the Shuswap watershed are critical to:

– Sustainability and liveability of the region

– Economic opportunities

– Fish and wildlife populations

– Water quality for drinking and recreation

Shorelines are unique ecosystems that have developed over thousands of years

We all share the responsibility for keeping our shorelines healthy

66

SLIPP’s Strategic Approach to Shoreline Health

 Enforcement & Restoration

Outreach and Education

 Compliance Promotion/ Voluntary Restoration

SLIPP’s first priority is outreach and education, followed by compliance promotion and finally enforcement, when necessary

77

Shuswap Restoration Project

Strategic shoreline restoration is a key element of SLIPP’s Strategic Approach

What will it achieve?

– Restore shorelines

– Raise awareness and educate

– Deter future shoreline contraventions and promote voluntary compliance

Shoreline sites identified for restoration in 2012, based on:

– Impact on high-value habitats

– Trespass on Crown Land

– No work on private property

Aim for voluntary compliance; use enforcement tools as needed

2 restoration phases: Spring and Fall 2012

88

Shuswap Restorations

BEFORE

BEFORE

99

Shuswap Restorations

AFTER

AFTER

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Shuswap Restorations – Eagle River Floodplain

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Shuswap Restorations

•Guilty plea by Old Town Bay Development

•Settlement of $375,000 for illegally altering fish habitat:

•$300,000 for restoration

•$5000 fine

•$70,000 to FBC for SLIPP

•Site preparation and fencing complete and planting will be completed in spring 2012

•Guilty plea by Old Town Bay Development

•Settlement of $375,000 for illegally altering fish habitat:

•$300,000 for restoration

•$5000 fine

•$70,000 to FBC for SLIPP

•Site preparation and fencing complete and planting will be completed in spring 2012

RESULT

RESULT

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Shuswap Restorations

BEFORE

BEFORE

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Shuswap Restorations: Planned for Spring 2012

AFTER

AFTER

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Working Around Water in the Shuswap: An Overview of Regulations, Best Practices, and Shore Management Guidelines

Presented by:

Jason Schleppe, M.Sc., R.P.Bio

Prepared by:

Sarah Evanetz & Jason Schleppe

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What is the shoreline area?

• The shoreline is the most sensitive part of the lake

• The shoreline consists of 30 m above the high water level to ~ low water level:

- Foreshore is the area from High Water Level to the Low Water Level and is Crown Land

- Crown Land is a public resource, not private property- Riparian areas (areas within about 30 meters of the high water mark)- Floodplain areas are important for water quality, fish and wildlife habitat,

and flood control

1616

Planning for a healthy shoreline

• Riparian buffers/setbacks

• Planning to avoid impacts to critical habitats

• Protection of wetlands and floodplains

• Protection of drinking water intakes

• Good storm water management planning

versus

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What do fish and wildlife need?

• Spawning Areas

• Juvenile Rearing /Foraging Areas

• Migration Corridors

• Clean, cool water

• Nesting / Mating / Wintering Areas

versus

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What is needed for healthy drinking water and recreation?

versus

• Vegetation to filter contaminants

• Erosion control to prevent sediments from entering the lakes

• Protection of drinking water intakes

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Planning a Project near Shuswap Shorelines?

versus

Key Steps to Follow:

• Contact your Local Government and Front Counter BC

• Consult a Qualified Environmental Professional

• Follow the Shoreline Management Guidelines

DFO

Crown Lands - MFLNRO

Interior Health Authority

Ministry of Environment - Environmental Protection Water Stewardship

- MFLNRO

Transport Canada – Marine Safety – Navigable Waters

Protection

Who’s Managing Shoreline Areas?

How Are They Doing It?

How Are They Perceived to be Doing It?

Fish & Wildlife – MFLNRO

Front Counter BC Environmental Stewardship -

MFLNRO

Ministry of Transportation

Transport Canada - Boating Safety

South Shuswap Parks Commission

TNRD

CSRD

NORD

Incorporated Areas

RCMP

Environment Canada

BC Parks

First Nations

Dept. of Aboriginal Affairs &

N. Development

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Shoreline Management Process for BC Lakes

Step 1 Foreshore Inventory and Mapping

Step 2 Aquatic Habitat Index

Step 3 Shoreline Management Guidelines• Integrate regulation and policy requirements for protection

of fish habitat with best available habitat information

2222

FIM and AHI: Key Shoreline Information

versus

2323

Modifications Summary of Shuswap Lake

versus

• 2,789 docks @ 6.86/km

• 1,529 retaining walls @ 13% of shoreline or ~52,000 m

• 1,170 groynes @ 25% substrate modification or ~101,000 m

• 186 boat launches, 51 marinas, and 120 marine rails

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Shoreline Management Guidelines

versus

What are they?

• Guidance for design standards, assessment and agency review process for activities that may affect fish habitat

• A tool for inter-agency planning and reviews

What are the benefits?

• Streamline applications for low-risk activities

• Provide a clear and predictable process for planning and implementing projects

2525

Key Steps in Shoreline Management Guidelines

versus

Step 1Identify the “Aquatic Habitat Index” and any “Sensitive Site Types” for the property

Step 3

Step 2Identify the “Activity Risk Rating” for the proposed activity

Identify design, assessment and review process for the proposed activity

Step 4Follow process outlined through SMG. Questions? Ask FrontCounter BC or your QEP

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Shoreline Management Guidelines: Aquatic Habitat Index

versus

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Shoreline Management Guidelines: Maps

versus

Where can I get this data?

•SLIPP – www.slippbc.com

•Establish a relationship with a Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP) that can quickly inform you

•Contact Front Counter BC and request the information

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Shoreline Management Guidelines: Activity Risk Rating

Boat LaunchesConstruction of new hard surface boat launch or repair/upgrade of existing hard surface boat launch without land tenure

VH VH VH H H H

DocksDesign and Assessment Flow Chart for Private Moorage

on the System5

Water Withdrawal and UseWaterline - directional drilling

H H MDFO Pacific : Directional

Drilling2

Waterline - open excavation

VH VH VH H M L6

Activity

Activity Risk by Spawning Location and Rank1

Known Char or Sockeye Spawning

(9.6% of total shore length,

2.6% in Moderate and

Low ) 1

Very High(13% of total

shore length

High(34% of total shore length)

Moderate(38% of total

shore length)

Low(14% of total

shore length)

Very Low

(0.7% of total

shore length)

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Design, Assessment and Review Process

versus

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Operational Statements and Best Management Practices

• Proven methods or practices that can mitigate impacts to fish habitat

• Links available in the SMG

• A QEP is knowledgeable about BMPs and OS

• If you are working near shorelines, you are responsible for:

• Implementing BMPs

• Following Shoreline Management Guidelines

• Meeting requirements of Front Counter BC and your local government

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Low and Moderate Risk Activities

• Repairs to an existing boat launch with a Crown Land Tenure in Moderate to Very Low Value areas

• Construction of a boat rail launch within High to Very Low Habitat Value areas

• Construction of a dock following recommended design options

• Construction of a bioengineered retaining wall using joint plantings or a combination of rock and joint plantings in Moderate to Very Low value areas outside of known shore spawning locations

• Directionally drilled waterlines in areas of Moderate to Very Low Value

• Open excavation waterline in Low and Very Low Value areas All of these activities must incorporate Best Management Practices for

design and construction and use of a QEP is either required or strongly encouraged

Activities labelled like this in the SWARM Table

Low Risk Activities

Moderate Risk Activities

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High and Very Risk Activities

• Removal of Native Aquatic Vegetation (perceived as weeds)

• Dredging

• Construction of Groynes or Beach Grooming

• Lake infill or beach creation below the High Water Level

• Construction or repair to a Hard Surface Boat Launch without a Crown Land Tenure

• Vertical Retaining Walls or Erosion Control structures that do not use bioengineering

• Large scale geothermal lake loops

• Pile supported boardwalks, decks, or other structures over the water

All of these activities will require DFO review, costs of planning and assessment will be high, and there is no guarantee DFO will approve the works

because the risk of harm to fish may be unacceptable

High Risk Activities

Very High Risk Activities

Activities labelled like this in the SWARM Table

3333

An Example of the different Risk Activities

High Risk

Moderate Risk1 and allowable with a QEP designation of No Harm to fish

1. Some habitat values, such as shore spawning, increase the risk of this activity to high. Always ensure you refer to the SMG’s, Site Sensitivity types on the Maps or

ensure that you QEP has before beginning works.

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Examples

• Waterline

• Open excavation occurring in a Very Low Habitat Value Area

• Retaining Wall

• An Erosion Control Structure - erosion occurs in a Very Low Habitat Value Area with no Site Sensitivity Types

• Dock

• A private moorage dock proposed in a Moderate Habitat Value Area with no Site Sensitivity Types

3535

versus

Step 1Identify the “Aquatic Habitat Index” and any “Sensitive Site Types” for the property

Step 3

Step 2Identify the “Activity Risk Rating” for the proposed activity

Identify design, assessment and review process for the proposed activity

Step 4Follow process outlined through SMG. Questions? Ask FrontCounter BC or your QEP

Reminder: Shoreline Management Guideline Steps

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Waterline: Step 1: Identify Aquatic Habitat Index

Subject Property

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Waterline: Step 2: Identify Activity Risk Rating

Water Withdrawal and UseWaterline - directional drilling

H H MDFO Pacific : Directional

Drilling2

Waterline - open excavation

VH VH VH H M L6

Activity

Activity Risk by Spawning Location and Rank1

Known Char or Sockeye Spawning

(9.6% of total shore length,

2.6% in Moderate and

Low ) 1

Very High(13% of total

shore length

High(34% of total shore length)

Moderate(38% of total

shore length)

Low(14% of total

shore length)

Very Low

(0.7% of total

shore length)

6. DFO supports installation of waterlines by experienced contractors using open excavation (i.e. trenching) techniques in shoreline segments of Very Low AHI rank because harm to fish habitat can be avoided in these areas by following Operational Best Practices detailed in the BC Ministry of Environment document Best Management Practices for Installation and Maintenance of Water Line Intakes (see http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wld/documents/bmp/BMPIntakes_WorkingDraft.pdf).

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• Contact your Local Government and Front Counter BC to determine which bylaws and regulations apply

• “Aquatic Habitat Index” is Very Low and juvenile rearing is Moderate

• “Activity Risk Rating” is Low

• Process and Permits:

• Apply under Section 9 Water Act to conduct works on the foreshore (at least 45 days approval timeline)

• Water License is not required if the use is for domestic purposes only

• Notify DFO 10 working days prior to works

• Follow Best Management Practices

Waterline Example Summary

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Retaining Wall: Step 1: Identify Aquatic Habitat Index

Subject Property

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Retaining Wall: Step 2: Identify Activity Risk Rating

Erosion Control and Foreshore Sediment Control Structures

New groyne construction or maintenance of existing groyne

VH VH VH VH H H

Erosion control (e.g. concrete, rip rap, vegetation, etc.)

Design and Assessment Flow Chart for Lakeshore Erosion Control on the System5

Activity

Activity Risk by Spawning Location and Rank1

Known Char or Sockeye Spawning

(9.6% of total shore length,

2.6% in Moderate and

Low ) 1

Very High(13% of total

shore length

High(34% of total shore length)

Moderate(38% of total

shore length)

Low(14% of total

shore length)

Very Low

(0.7% of total

shore length)

• No risk rating is assigned, so follow the flow chart in the Guidelines Document

4141

Retaining Wall Example Summary

• Contact your Local Government and Front Counter BC to determine which bylaws and regulations apply

• “Aquatic Habitat Index” is Moderate and there are no Site Sensitivity Types

• No “Activity Risk Rating” so follow “Erosion Control Flow Chart”

• Process and Permits:

• Use Engineer or Geoscientist to confirm source of erosion

• Use surveyor to confirm works are above HWL and don’t encroach on Crown Land

• Apply for and obtain Section 9 Water Act Approval

• Address other Front Counter Requirements, if applicable based on individual situation

• Notify DFO 10 working days prior to works

• Follow Best Management Practices

4242

Dock: Step 1: Identify Aquatic Habitat Index

Subject Property

4343

Dock: Step 2: Identify Activity Risk Rating

DocksDesign and Assessment Flow Chart for Private Moorage

on the System5

Activity

Activity Risk by Spawning Location and Rank1

Known Char or Sockeye Spawning

(9.6% of total shore length,

2.6% in Moderate and

Low ) 1

Very High(13% of total

shore length

High(34% of total shore length)

Moderate(38% of total

shore length)

Low(14% of total

shore length)

Very Low

(0.7% of total

shore length)

• No risk rating is assigned, so follow the flow chart in the Guidelines Document

4444

Dock Summary

• Contact your Local Government and Front Counter BC to determine which bylaws and regulations apply

• “Aquatic Habitat Index” is Moderate

• No “Activity Risk Rating” so follow “Flow Chart for Private Moorage”

• Process and Permits:

• Contacted Front Counter BC and learned no land tenure is required

• Apply for and obtain Section 9 Water Act Approval

• Notify DFO 10 working days prior to works

• Follow Design Criteria for private moorages in the Flow Chart

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Questions and Answers