Letter MOTI re Shoreline Erosion

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700 North Road, Gabriola Island, BC  V0R 1X3 
Telephone  250-247-2063    Fax  250-247-7514 
Toll Free via Enquiry BC in Vancouver 604.660.2421  Elsewhere in BC 1.800.663.7867 
Email  northinfo@islandstrust.bc.ca 
Web  www.islandstrust.bc.ca 
 
 
 
 
February 7, 2020 DE-6410-03 
 
 
Tallina McRae 
District Operations Technician 
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) 
550 Comox Rd 
Courtenay, BC V9N 3P6 
 
Via email: Tallina.McRae@gov.bc.ca 
 
Hello Tallina, 
 
I am writing as elected Chair of the Denman Island Local Trust Committee (LTC) to alert you to two sites 
of potential concern on lands under MOTI jurisdiction on Denman Island. As the body responsible for 
land use regulation on Denman Island, and as a special-purpose governance body working with a 
preserve and protect mandate, we are asking your agency to look into these situations, determine if 
action is needed, and if so take appropriate steps.  
 
1. At the foot of Cable Beach, previous alteration of the right-of-way by a private land-owner has 
diverted surface water into a constructed ditch that has created a rushing stream draining a brackish 
marsh directly into the ocean. This is significantly eroding the shoreline area and blocking access to 
the beach for walkers, bird-watchers, and other recreational users.  
 
Local trustees (LTC elected officials) have received multiple calls and emails from constituents who 
have seen this popular beach access dramatically altered. Their concerns are mainly with respect to 
the long-term damage to the water quality and the geography of the shoreline ecosystem including 
the brackish marsh. Previously, when the land alteration first occurred, Islands Trust was in 
communication with MOTI about the situation. The LTC was subsequently informed that an 
investigation concluded that remediation was not recommended. However, the situation appears to 
be worsening and has raised continued concern from the public and professionals.  
 
2. At the foot of Mable Road, a culvert draining to the ocean, parallel to the road, is blocked by 
driftwood and sand near the exit. The water is flowing out lateral to the North, causing significant 
erosion and promoting poor water quality. The LTC was told by a community member that this 
happens fairly regularly at this site during winter.  
 

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Bowen  Denman  Hornby  Gabriola  Galiano  Gambier  Lasqueti  Mayne  North Pender  Salt Spring  Saturna  South Pender  Thetis 
Recently, an island trustee and Islands Trust staff member visited the site and concluded that the 
situation is potentially problematic and could utilize a GreenShores Approach to improve the water 
quality, stream morphology, and the geography of beach ecosystems of this area. Link to GreenShores 
Approach: http://www.islandstrust.bc.ca/islands/island-ecosystems/caring-for-my-
shoreline/greenshores-approach/ 
 
We respect MOTI jurisdiction over these sites and are providing this information with a hope that you 
will ev

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