Water Stewardship Information Sources
| Citation | Manley, D and Stewardson, M. 2014. Salt Spring Island Riparian Areas Regulation Mapping Project. Prepared for Islands Trust. |
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| Organization | Islands Trust |
| URL | http://www.islandstrust.bc.ca/media/256399/Saltspring%20Island%20RAR%20Mapping%20Project%20FINAL%20Feb%2026.pdf |
| Abstract/Description or Keywords | 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 proposed development activities), and including actions to be taken when the conditions of an RAR report and associated development permit are not followed by developers. |
| Information Type | report, mapping |
| Regional Watershed | Vancouver Island South |
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| Project status | complete |
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