Comox-Strathcona MOU

First Page Next Page

6. Process Framework

Identification of Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA's)

6.1 Agencies have provided the Regional District with a biophysical information database, and identify on it as accurately as possible their zones of concern, including ESA’s. This information has been tailored, as much as possible, for use by the Regional District. The regional district agrees to work with senior government agencies to transfer any additional data pertaining to sensitive fisheries, ecosystems and wildlife habitats into the resource information database. The information database can be expanded to include marine estuaries, marine foreshores and areas of associated with groundwater recharge.

6.2 A protocol for updating the RDCS sensitive habitat atlas must be agreed to by RDCS, MELP and F&OC prior to February 1, 2000.

6.3 The Regional District will continue to use the information base in the land-use planning and decision-making forum.

6.4 If a proposed development contains land which appears to have the qualities of an ESA, but which has not been classified on the information base, the "Regional District" will refer the relevant data to the other signatories for consideration and possible reclassification of the subject lands

Development Proposal Reviews

6.5 The Regional District will use agreed-upon guidelines, standards, and criteria, as set out in attached Schedule "A" and its updates, and in the Sensitive Habitats Development Permit Guidelines of its Official Community Plans, regarding ESA’s when reviewing development proposals.

6.6 These guidelines, standards, and criteria provide a reliable and acceptable mechanism for Regional District decision-making with respect to the approval, modification, or rejection of proposals based on their impact on fish, wildlife, and related habitat areas. Though the guidelines are considered minimum average requirements, the Regional District may approve minor variations that are consistent with its bylaws, and:

• where strict application of the guidelines is impractical and a minor variance will neither damage nor destroy existing sensitive habitats, or

• where positive conservation and land development goals may be achieved through the approval of a variance.

6.7 In the following instances, the signatories agree to meet when required to make a group decision:

1. where the likely impacts on identified sensitive habitats of any proposal is thought to be potentially severe;

2. in drainages or parts thereof which F&OC and MELP have identified as particularly valuable or sensitive;

3. where substantive variances to the existing Guidelines are requested by the proponent; or

4. where public delegations wish to make presentations, or where the representatives of the signatories deem it appropriate to obtain additional input from the public.

6.8 MELP and F&OC agree to contribute the necessary support to provide Regional District staff and the public with their expertise in environmental stewardship as it pertains to development issues and to assist in the success of this "Process".

6.9 While reviewing proposals, the signatories may require from the proponent, additional information to assist them in reaching a decision on the development.

6.10 The signatories agree to forward any unresolved issues to a joint decision-making, dispute-resolution committee comprised of their appropriate managers. The decisions of this committee will be communicated to the signatories who will ensure that they are made a matter of public record.

6.11 Every four months, the signatories, or their designates, will meet to review selected development proposals which have been processed during that time, or issues dealing with the implementation of the MOU that are of concern to any signatory.

6.12 The signatories will work, in cooperation with appropriate non-governmental organizations (e.g. stream stewardship and watershed planning societies) to develop monitoring plans to verify compliance and effectiveness of the habitat protection components of approved development proposals.



Guideline Development for Marine Foreshore Protection

6.13 MELP and FOC will provide all available information concerning the marine coastal zone along the Georgia Basin to the RDCS, and will assist the RDCS in policy development and best management practices associated with conservation of the marine foreshore environment. This initiative will be commenced in the Spring of 2000.

 

7. Co-Operative Initiatives

Water Management

7.1 MELP, desires to encourage a better awareness of floodplain management, stormwater management, flood emergency responses, erosion protection and landslip issues with RDCS to support sound land use planning and subdivision approval decisions. These matters will be brought forward for discussion and joint action throughout the term of this agreement.

7.2 RDCS will act as an information provider to the public, for MELP applications and publications for the Water Act "Section 9" approvals/ notifications. The intent here is to assist the public, who inquires about development permits, in understanding MELP "Section 9" requirements. MELP will provide administrative and technical training to RDC-S staff on or before 31 October 2000.

Groundwater

7.3 MELP and the RDCS have varified the need to identify and protect groundwater resources of the Comox Valley. A joint initiative will be undertaken to provide accurate groundwater mapping along the East coast of Vancouver Island. This information will be part of future Environmental Atlas updates.

7.4 MELP will identify a priority need for groundwater mapping in watersheds within the mapsheets (92f.092, 92f046, 47, 55, 56, 65, 66, 76, 75, 84 and 85). The mapping shall include "aquifer classification", licensed springs, high productivity wells and flowing artesian wells.

7.5 The RDCS agree to provide resources to acquire groundwater monitoring data from identified wells in the Comox Valley. This project will commence in the Spring of 2000.

Liquid Waste Management Planning:

7.6 The RDCS, in partnership with MELP, will develop a strategy for liquid waste management planning in the watersheds of Baynes Sound. The goal of this overview will be to provide a clear understanding of how Liquid Waste Management Plan(s) can be implemented in a cost efficient and timely manner. Discussions on this matter will commence in the Spring of 2000.

Air Quality Monitoring

7.7 The RDCS recognize the need to cooperate in environmental monitoring of key indicators, and will cooperate with MELP in deploying an air quality monitoring station in the Comox Valley. This project is intended to commence in the Summer of 2000.