North Pender DPA 10 Fact Sheet - Riparian & Aquatic

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What is a Riparian Area?

Riparian areas are located along the margins of streams, lakes and wetlands, the floodplains of
these areas, and wet gullies. They are unique and diverse ecosystems that linkwater to land and
they play a key role in creating fish habitat. Riparian ecosystems can range in width from a few
metres, such as those next to small streams with steep banks, to more than 100 metres along large
rivers.

Riparian Areas are: The moist soils of these areas support
plant communities that are very differ-
ent from those in drier, upland areas.
Due to seasonal changes in water
levels, riparian ecosystems are highly
dynamic. Natural disturbances such as
a periodic or seasonal flooding, blow-
down of shallow-rooted trees, and
shifts in the stream channels combine
to create a variety of habitat types that
support high levels of biodiversity. In
mature riparian ecosystems, tree
growth is rapid and the forest under-

storey is lush and diverse.

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Why are they Important?

Riparian ecosystems support an exceptionally high number of plants, amphibians, small animals,
and insects for the area that they occupy because they contain the three critical habitat compo-
nents for wildlife: water, shelter and food.

A healthy riparian ecosystem is vital for fish habitat by providing nutrients and insects for food,
regulating stream temperature by shading, and protecting water quality by filtering surface runoff
and ground water. Vegetation in riparian areas also helps stabalize banks thereby reducing bank
erosion and sedimendation of water.

On North Pender Island, healthy riparian ecosystems around Buck and Magic Lakes also help to
protect the drinking water source for many island residents.

What is the Riparian Areas Regulation?

The Riparian Areas Regulation (RAR) is a Provincial regulation enacted under the Fish Protection
Act that requires local governments to protect riparian areas. The regulations prohibits a local
government from approving or allowing a development to proceed in a riparian area unless it is in
accordance with an assessment report by a Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP).

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The Riparian Areas Regulation is applicable to the area within 30 metres of a stream, which is
known as the “Riparian Assessment Area” (RAA). The RAA is an area within which development
can only proceed following a professional assessment, it is not a setback.

A“stream” is defined to include a watercourse, whether it usually contains water year round or not,
that provide fish habitat. Watercourses include ponds, lakes, rivers, creeks and brooks, as well as
some ditches, springs, and wetlands if they are tributaries of a stream.

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[[page 2]]
What is the Riparian and Aquatic
Development Permit Area?

On North Pender Island an assessm

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