Salt Spring Island RAR Mapping Project Final Report

Extracted text (beginning)

Salt Spring Island  
Riparian Areas Regulation Mapping Project 
P
repared for: 
Stefan Cermak, Planner 
Islands Trust 
Suite 200 – 1627 Fort Street 
Victoria, BC.  V8R 1H8
 
Prepared by: 
Dori Manley, RPBio. 
Monica Stewardson, RPBio, CPESC 
1310 Marwalk Crescent,  
Campbell River, BC.  V9W 5X1 
Phone: (250) 287-2462 Fax: (250) 287-2452 
Email: info@mainstreambio.ca 
February 2014 

Summary 
This report presents the results of a stream mapping project completed on behalf of the Salt 
Spring Island Local Trust Committee.  This is the third and final project aimed at developing 
detailed mapping of streams located within 26 Riparian Areas Regulation (RAR) applicable 
watersheds identified on Salt Spring Island, BC.  In addition to mapping streams and other 
features included under the Riparian Areas definition of a stream (such as creeks, rivers, 
ditches, wetlands, ponds and lakes), habitat information was collected in order to determine 
preliminary Streamside Enhancement and Protection Areas (SPEAs) for the mapped drainages.  
This information is being used for the development and implementation of an RAR bylaw for 
proposed future development on Salt Spring Island where the RAR would be applicable. 
This project involved the mapping of all streams in 19 watersheds on Salt Spring Island, 
which was completed in November 2013.  Mapping was completed according to project 
specifications aimed at locating streams with a high level of accuracy (1 – 5 m) using Trimble 
GeoXT receivers.  Habitat assessment included measuring channel or ditch widths, gradients 
and describing substrate and instream cover.  Significant permanent barriers to fish migration 
were noted, and reach breaks were determined to mark significant changes in habitat or 
channel morphology, including the location of ravines. 
In total, 79 km of stream (including ditches) and 7.5 ha of ponds and wetlands were mapped 
in the field, with additional areas interpreted from orthophotos and light detection and ranging 
(LIDAR) based flow modelling.  Interpretation of the stream network was required in areas 
where access to properties was not granted, where fenced and locked properties were 
encountered in the field and areas that were deemed unsafe for mapping to proceed.  Most of 
the drainages mapped for this project represented small channel systems (bankfull widths less 
than 3 m) where the minimum Streamside Protection and Enhancement Areas (SPEAs) 
prescribed by the RAR assessment methodology would be 2 m (non-fish bearing ditches) to 10 
m (streams). 
Recommendations have been provided to assist with the final stages of the RAR bylaw 
development.  These generally include continuing to educate local government staff and island 
residents about the RAR and how it is related to proposed development on Salt Spring Island, 
clearly defining how the bylaw is to be applied (including provisions for an alternate simplified 
process when justified by site specific conditions and the propo

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