Water Quality

Saanich Inlet Study Terms of Reference

Last Updated: January 10, 1996

PURPOSE OF STUDY

The purpose of the study is to determine the sensitivity of Saanich Inlet to contaminants and marine habitat disturbances from urban and rural development, and to determine the capacity of the inlet to assimilate these contaminants and marine habitat disturbances without environmental degradation. Contaminants to be considered include those associated with sewage effluents, urban and rural storm, drainage, and agricultural runoff.

The results of the Saanich Inlet Study, in addition to the Regional Growth Management Study, will provide baseline information to be considered under the Provincial Environmental Review of the Bamberton Development Proposal.

STUDY ELEMENTS

Key elements of the Saanich Inlet Study include:

• First Nations and public involvement to provide input on uses, values and expectations for the inlet environment,
• documentation of existing and forecast uses of Saanich Inlet, including fisheries, recreation, aesthetic and cultural elements, with quantification of these uses and forecasts of future expectations,
• inventory of existing and planned point and non-point contaminant loadings into Saanich Inlet,
• assembly of existing information on the physical/chemical oceanography, marine ecology and watershed hydrology,
• defining the environmental thresholds which should not be exceeded to ensure environmental degradation does not occur, and
• predicting the sensitivity of Saanich Inlet to specific contaminants and marine habitat disturbances.
• predicting the capacity of the inlet to assimilate these contaminants and marine habitat disturbances without environmental degradation.

MANAGEMENT

The Water Quality Branch, Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks is responsible for implementing the Saanich Inlet Study.

A steering committee of senior management from the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and the Environmental Assessment Office will oversee and coordinate the Saanich Inlet Study, the Regional Growth Strategy and the Provincial Environmental Assessment process.

To assist the Water Quality Branch, two committees will be established, an Advisory Committee and a Technical Committee. The Advisory Committee will provide input from a broad spectrum of stakeholders who will be invited to comment on the procedures used to meet the study objectives and on draft results. The Technical Committee will be composed of scientific and technical experts from government agencies and universities who will be invited to provide information, assistance and scientific advice.

TIMING

Work on the various study elements will initiated between October 1994 and January 1995. A draft Saanich Inlet Study Report is scheduled to be completed and circulated for comment by October 1995. It is expected the final report will be published by December 1995.

Last updated: August 8, 2001