Minister response re: Derelict Dock Disposal

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Reference:       272006       
September 26, 2022 
VIA EMAIL: lfoster@islandstrust.bc.ca; pluckham@islandstrust.bc.ca 
Peter Luckham, Chair 
Islands Trust Council 
200-1627 Fort Street
Victoria, British Columbia
V8R 1H8
Dear Peter Luckham: 
Thank you for your letter of August 4, 2022, to Minister Josie Osborne, regarding the Islands 
Trust Executive Committee’s concerns about improper disposal of derelict marine docks in 
British Columbia.  I have been asked to respond as dock authorizations, which include 
conditions for decommissioning, are managed by the Ministry of Forests. 
Commercial and private dock tenure holders are subject to provincial and federal laws and 
regulations intended to regulate waste and contamination in the environment, including 
marine surroundings.  The disposal of derelict docks must be done in accordance with 
Section 6 of the Environmental Management Act which prohibits introducing waste into the 
environment in such a manner or quantity as to cause pollution without a permit, approval, 
order, regulation, or Waste Management Plan approved by the Minister.  In addition, tenure 
holders must adhere to the terms of their tenure contracts which require them to keep the site 
and associated infrastructure in a safe, clean, and sanitary condition, and upon the end of a 
tenure, to return the land to such condition. 
I realize the existence of these legal requirements is unfortunately not always enough to 
prevent the occurrence of environmental debris and pollution.  The Ministry of Forests relies 
upon the public and local government bodies such as the Islands Trust to report any observed 
violations of the laws and regulations that govern the disposal of derelict docks.  Our natural 
resource officer teams investigate violation reports and are responsible for the compliance and 
enforcement of such laws and regulations.  To submit a Natural Resource Violation Report, 
please visit: https://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hen/nrv/report.htm. 
Ministry of Forests West Coast 
Natural Resource Region 
Location: 
103-2100 Labieux Road
Nanaimo, British Columbia
V9T 6E9
Tel: 250-751-7220
Fax:250                           751-7190
Website:  www.gov.bc.ca/for 

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Peter Luckham, Chair 
Concerted action from all levels of government and stakeholders is required to tackle marine 
pollution and its impact on the coastal resources that all British Columbians cherish and want 
to see protected 
for the benefit of future generations.  
Again, thank you for writing to share your concerns.
Sincerely, 
Sharon Hadway 
Regional Executive Director 
West Coast Natural Resource Region 
p
c:       Honourable Katrine Conroy, Minister of Forests 
Honourable Josie Osborne, Minister of Land, Water and Resource Stewardship

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