DPA 5 Galiano Island Fact Sheet

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Galiano Island Local Trust Committee, 2014 
 
FACT SHEET 
SENSITIVE ECOSYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT 
PERMIT AREA 5 
What is the Sensitive Ecosystems Development Permit Area (DPA 5)? 
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 Riparian Areas DPA was adopted by the Galiano Island Local Trust Committee (LTC) in order to preserve and protect 
remaining sensitive ecosystems on Galiano Island. The DPA includes lands identified as containing the following sensitive 
ecosystems: 
 Woodland ecosystems: open deciduous forests of Garry Oak, arbutus and Douglas-fir 
 Herbaceous ecosystems: wildflower meadows, grassy hilltops, and rock outcrops 
 Older forest ecosystems: large mature conifers, standing dead trees and fallen logs 
 Riparian ecosystems: vascular plants, mosses, and related stream-side species 
 Wetland ecosystems: saturated soils and water-loving plants 
 Freshwater ecosystems: lakes or ponds deeper than 2 metres 
 Cliff ecosystems: steep, vertical or overhanging rock faces, sparse vegetation in crevices or on ledges 
Why are sensitive ecosystems important?  
The DPA encompasses some of the rarest, most 
threatened, and most unique ecosystems in 
British Columbia. Forests, meadows, streams 
and bluffs are a key facet of island identity, and 
provide a key aesthetic and recreational 
resource for residents and tourists alike.  
Sensitive ecosystems perform a variety of vital 
functions. Areas like Garry Oak woodlands 
contain high levels of biodiversity. Older forests 
absorb carbon dioxide and filter pollutants from 
the air. Riparian, freshwater and wetland 
ecosystems prevent flooding and erosion, 
maintain groundwater quality, and provide a 
source of drinking water. 
Sensitive ecosystems are particularly fragile and rare, and in many cases have been compromised by fragmentation, 
disturbance, development, recreation and pollution.  

Galiano Island Local Trust Committee, 2014 
 
How do I know whether my land is affected by the DPA? 
All land designated in Schedule H of the Official Community Plan is 
included within the DPA. Approximately 492 hectares of land on Galiano 
Island are designated within the Sensitive Ecosystems DPA, accounting for 
about 8.2% of the total land area.  
The DPA boundaries are based on Sensitive Ecosystem Mapping (SEM), which was 
most recently updated in 2011 using methods and categories consistent with provincial 
stan

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