November 22, 2024: Galiano Island Local Trust Committee Authorizes Legal Action

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Bowen, Denman, Gabriola, Galiano, Gambier, Hornby, Lasqueti, Mayne, N. Pender, Salt Spring, Saturna, S. Pender, Thetis 
 
 
November 22, 2024 – for immediate release 2024-17-IT 
 
Galiano Island Local Trust Committee Authorizes Legal Action 
 
Lək
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 ʷəŋən, METULIYE/Victoria, B.C. – Islands Trust, on behalf of the Galiano Island Local Trust Committee, has filed a 
petition in BC Supreme Court in order to preserve the unique environment of Wise Island, an island within the Galiano 
Island Local Trust Area. The claim seeks remediation of a property on Wise Island where trees were cut without a permit 
in an area protected by a Shoreline and Marine Development Permit Area.   
 
The Galiano Island Local Trust Committee’s Shoreline and Marine Development Permit Area safeguards sensitive 
shorelines, and outlines regulations and guidelines for development. As required by the Galiano Island Official Community 
Plan, known as Bylaw 108, physical and ecological characteristics of shorelines in the Galiano Island Local Trust Area must 
be carefully managed to avoid potential negative impacts of development. The Galiano Island Local Trust Committee has 
been addressing this breach of Bylaw 108 with the property owner since 2022 and has provided several opportunities for 
compliance. Legal proceedings are the last course of action for Islands Trust, but are pursued where necessary. 
 
“The Islands Trust mandate is to preserve and protect the lands and waters in the Trust Area, including Galiano Island, 
and this includes sensitive shorelines,” said Tim Peterson, Galiano Island Local Trust Committee Chair. “While legal action 
is never taken lightly, in this instance, court-ordered remediation is the most effective step to safeguard these delicate 
ecosystems.” 
 
Islands Trust, like local governments, follows a complaint-based bylaw enforcement and compliance process. While most 
bylaw investigations are prompted by community complaints, staff may also initiate investigations when there are 
concerns related to health and safety or potential harm to environmentally sensitive areas. Both the Islands Trust Council 
and local trust committees can establish general bylaw compliance and enforcement policies to prioritize investigations. 
 
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Islands Trust is a special-purpose government representing over 30,000 people living within the Islands Trust Area and 
10,000 non-resident property owners. The Islands Trust Area is located within Coast Salish territory and is the homeland 
to many Coast Salish Peoples who have called this place home since time immemorial. Islands Trust is responsible for 
preserving and protecting the Islands Trust Area and its unique amenities and environment through conservation-
oriented land use planning and regulation, education, and cooperation with First Nations and other agencies. The Islands 
Trust Area covers the islands and waters between the British Columbia mainland and southern Vancouver Island. It 
includes 13 major

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