DPA 4 Galiano Island Fact Sheet

Extracted text (beginning)

Galiano Island Local Trust Committee, 2014 
 
FACT SHEET 
ELEVATED GROUNDWATER CATCHMENT 
DEVELOPMENT PERMIT AREA 4 
 
What is the Elevated Groundwater Catchment Development Permit Area (DPA 4)? 
British Columbia’s Local Government Act enables communities to designate parts of their planning area as Development 
Permit Areas (DPAs) so they can set objectives and guidelines for development within those areas. The Galiano Island 
Official Community Plan (OCP) designates seven DPAs generally designed to protect sensitive ecosystems or to guide 
development in areas with special circumstances. Depending on the particular Development Permit Area and its 
exemptions, the requirement to obtain a Development Permit may be triggered by any building construction, 
demolition, land alteration, or subdivision of land that occurs in the DPA.  
The Elevated Groundwater Catchment DPA was adopted by the Galiano Island Local Trust Committee (LTC) in 2000 in 
order to guide development within areas identified as groundwater recharge areas for downslope groundwater regions. 
Only those portions of the catchment areas having shallow soils and being particularly sensitive to development for that 
reason are included in the development permit area.  
Why are groundwater recharge areas important? 
In addition to providing potable water for Island residents through private wells and a water supply for local farms and 
businesses, groundwater plays an important role in maintaining base flows in streams, which are critical in providing 
wildlife habitat and maintaining fish spawning areas and wetlands. There are a number of issues that impact the quality 
and quantity of groundwater such as:  
 saline intrusion 
 land use impacts (i.e. types and amount 
of uses) 
 well interference 
 surface contamination 
 liquid waste (i.e. septic system)  
 natural conditions such as topography, 
recharge rates, soils, vegetation cover, 
and geology 
 seasonal water shortages  
 climate change 
 
The protection of existing groundwater supplies is 
significantly easier than finding alternative water 
sources on the island. As the island continues to 
develop, the protection of a safe adequate water 
source will become increasingly important.  

Galiano Island Local Trust Committee, 2014 
 
How do I know whether my land is affected by the DPA? 
Approximately 527 hectares of land on Galiano Island are designated within the Elevated 
Groundwater Catchment DPA, accounting for about 8.8% of the total land area.  
The DPA applies to groundwater catchment areas on Galiano Island above the 140 meter 
elevation contours as identified and mapped in a 1998 B.C. Environment Study, 
Assessment of Groundwater Availability and Quality, Galiano Island, British 
Columbia. The affected properties are shown in Schedule G of the 
Official Community Plan.   
When do I need a development permit?  
Any landowner who has property that is located within the 
DPA may be required obtain a Development Perm

First 3,000 characters. Open the original for the whole document.