Salt Spring Island Climate Action Plan

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Land use and accompanying settlement
patterns play a key role in Salt Spring’s long-
term ability to lower emissions and adapt to
the dramatic changes being brought about
by the climate crisis. Scattered settlements in
forested areas are more difficult and expen-
sive to protect from forest fire, while roads
that serve scattered development are costly
and GHG-intensive to build and maintain.

This pattern of development also contributes
to a degradation of the ‘ecological services’
provided by healthy ecosystems, such as fire
resistance and temperature moderation, and to
a cascade of other negative impacts including
unnecessary forest loss, compromised water
quality, and diminished wildlife. Furthermore,
external economic pressures contribute to
concerns about affordable housing, which is
needed to foster community diversity, social
equity, resilience, and self-sufficiency.

Local sea levels are forecast to rise relative to
those in the year 2000, with changes accel-
erating this century. While the degree of rise
is uncertain, the most recent study suggests
planning for a relative sea level rise (RSLR)

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» Salt Spring Commons is an affordable

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MOBIUS ARCHITECTURE

9 “CLIMATE ACTION PLAN. FOR LAND
USE & SETTLEMENT PATTERNS _

of 0.5 metre by 2055, one metre by 2115 and

2 metres by 2225 (Associated Engineering,
2020). Shoreline roads, buildings, and infra-
structure on Salt Spring Island will see an
increase in the frequency and magnitude of
seawater inundation events, saltwater intru-
sion into potable water supplies, and perma-
nent inundation (AECOM, 2015).

Along with losses to coastal ecosystems, sea
level rise will result in significant physical and
economic damage and disruption for Salt
Spring Island if adequate adaptation action

is not taken. Washouts of major roads such

as Fulford-Ganges at Isabella Point Road are
highly likely within the next 50 years as a
result of sea level rise and storm surge. If not
proactively addressed, this type of damage

to critical infrastructure will affect emergency
services access, interrupt the movement of
people and goods, impede tourism, and nega-
tively impact the local economy. A CRD study
highlights potential impacts to scores of build-
ings and pieces of infrastructure, including
ferry terminals and water- or wastewater-
related infrastructure (AECOM, 2015).

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In July 2020, the CRD published a series of reports, e Considering higher housing densities closer to

maps, and recommendations in its Capital Region services to support clustered and affordable
Coastal Flood Inundation Mapping Project. The housing that encourages self-reliance and active
project provides comprehensive information about transportation and reduces the need for people
the expected risks of rising sea levels and tsunamis to commute from off-island locations to work

throughout the Capital Region, including S

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