Wetlands

UPDATE:

A Provincial Ecosystems Biologist made a site visit to Simms Creek in late November.  Save Simms Creek is now able to summarize expectations outlined in her letter to WestUrban Development Ltd.’s latest Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP). The letter’s full text  is available on the “Learn More” page.

The Province appears to uphold the findings of our biologist, Michele Jones, and in fact expands the scope of wetlands and protected riparian areas.

Further, Dr. Gilles Wendling, P.Eng., Senior Hydrogeologist, has kindly reviewed pertinent Simms Creek reports and raises the following serious concerns:

• Lack of data on the water table
• Existence of a confined aquifer (BC Aquifer #847) notably unmentioned by WestUrban or its contracted experts

WestUrban and their QEPs will be required to adhere to Provincial regulations to ensure an accurate Riparian Areas Protection Regulation report is submitted.  They need to:

• Re-examine wetlands
• Ensure proper delineation and mapping
• Re-evaluate development options

A minimum three separate Riparian Areas Protection Regulation reports (RAPR) by two different QEP contractors were submitted by WestUrban to the Province dated October 2022, April 2023 and August 2023.

The original October 2022 report is the only one available to view on the City’s website as part of WestUrban’s development application.

There is a Provincial provision for any loss of wetland due to unavoidable construction, i.e., if impacts to wetlands cannot be fully avoided by changing the type of housing and/or housing layout. Upon application for a change approval, compensation would be sought in the form of wetland construction or enhancement elsewhere to ensure no net loss of aquatic ecosystems and their function.

Save Simms Creek’s position is that construction on these properties is avoidable. 

The City has provided WestUrban with direction to not proceed with clearing the lot until the Minor Development Permit Application is approved. 

Please continue to write letters to City Hall as this remains the most effective method to have our voices heard. It is important to ensure WestUrban, the City and the Province fulfill their obligations of due diligence on this proposed project. You may wish to ask the City to:

• Ensure WestUrban and its Qualified Environmental Professional meet the requirements outlined by the Province, properly documenting all wetlands and surface water connected to Simms Creek, with revised Stream Protection and Enhancement Area (SPEA) setbacks as legally required.

• Ensure WestUrban thoroughly investigates and reports on the water table and confined aquifer to address serious concerns raised by Dr. Gilles Wendling, P.Eng., Senior Hydrogeologist.

• Delay any hearing or decision by Council regarding WestUrban’s request for a height variance until such time as an updated RAPR has been completed, reviewed and accepted by the Province, and reviewed and approved by the City.