Environmental Development Permit Areas (DPA) Review
Project Update
Thank you for your continued interest in the Environmental DPA review and in particular the implementation of the provincial Riparian Areas Regulation. The revised draft bylaw of DPA4 - Lakes, Streams, Wetlands and Riparian Areas will be presented at the April 7, 2011 LTC Meeting for consideration of First Reading. Please see the three reports written for that meeting regarding this bylaw introduction. Please continue to stay involved in the process.
Project Scope
The Salt Spring Environmental Development Permit Areas Review was initiated in June 2010. The focus of the Offiicial Community Plan (OCP) review/update is on Development Permit Area 6 - Unstable Slopes and Soil Erosion Hazards, the implementation of the Riparian Areas Regulation and a review/update of Development Permit Area 4 - Lakes, Streams and Wetlands.
While the Local Trust Committee has reviewed staff reports on the topic of this review, no amending bylaws have been drafted at this time. The current phase of this review is to both inform and gather input from the public. This education and consultation phase is paramount to developing guidelines that will work for all.
At the January meeting, the Local Trust Committee directed staff to review the environmental DPAs with a view to addressing:
- DPA 6 using the existing soils mapping and the revised
C.N. Ryzuk (medium and high classifications)for slopes;
- DPA 4 Implementing Riparian Areas Regulation (RAR) through the RAR designated watersheds with exemptions for outside of the Riparian Assessment Area (generally 30 metres) and a "notwithstanding" clause for those watercourses that are not mapped;
- Community drinking water protection addressing six (6) major watersheds (primarily upstream of the water source).
Public Forums on the OCP's Environmental Development Permit Review are scheduled for February and March. At this time explanations of the various proposed Development Permit Areas will be presented along with an opportunity to hear from staff and/or experts as well as ask questions to help clarify your understanding of the proposals. Please see the notices on the Salt Spring Webpage under "Latest News" to identify the locations and subject areas of the public forums.
Below are linkages to relevant reports, maps, and background information and agency websites. All are important to gain a clear understanding of the review process and what is entailed. Of special mention is the January 14, 2010 report entitled, Official Community Plan Update - Riparian Areas Regulations Options for Implementation and Next Steps.
We welcome your participation in this review process. Please come back to this webpage to see updates as we continue with this review and development of amending bylaws to address the changes required.
Upcoming Events
Timeline
- Volume 2 - OCP - Environmental DPA Review Initiated - June 2010
- Preliminary background research and review, defining scope and review process - Summer - Fall 2010
- Community meetings and agency review - February - March 2011 (we are here)
- Identify, Draft and Introduce Official Community Plan Amendments - March - May 2011
- Bylaw Consideration and Adoption (Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development) - Scheduled completion June - July 2011
Reference Documentation
Riparian Areas Regulations (RAR)
Development Permit Area 4 - Lakes, Streams and Wetlands
Development Permit Area 6 - Unstable Slopes and Soil Erosion Harzards
Watershed Management Plan
Staff Reports
General
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