A Living Working River - the BIEAP and FREMP Website

An Estuary
Management
Plan for the
Fraser River

An Estuary
Management
Plan for the
Fraser River
Final Version
August 1994
Fraser River Estuary Management Program
#301, 960 Quayside Drive
New Westminster, BC, Canada V3M 6G2
Phone (604) 525-1047 Fax (604) 525-3005
FREMP

Table of Contents
Part 1: Background
Part 2: The Plan
Part 3: Implementation
Part 4: Appendices
Foreword.........................................................................................................................................................................iii
Acknowledgements..............................................................................................................................................iv
Glossary..........................................................................................................................................................................vii
Summary........................................................................................................................................................................ix
Chapter 1 Introduction..............................................................................................................................................3
The Need to Work Together..................................................................................................................................5
Maintaining Productivity..............................................................................................................................................6
The Estuary Management Plan...............................................................................................................................6
Limits of the Estuary Management Plan ............................................................................................................7
Relation to Regional and Local Planning Initiatives......................................................................................8
Regional Challenges....................................................................................................................................................10
Chapter 2 An Integrated Management Plan for the Fraser River Estuary ....................................13
Vision...................................................................................................................................................................................14
Goals ...................................................................................................................................................................................14
Guiding Principles ........................................................................................................................................................15
Action Programs ..........................................................................................................................................................17
Chapter 3 Environmental Protection................................................................................................................21
Water Quality Management..................................................................................................................................22
Fish and Wildlife Habitat..........................................................................................................................................30
Chapter 4 Human Activities................................................................................................................................39
Navigation and Dredging.........................................................................................................................................40
Log Management .........................................................................................................................................................43
Industrial and Urban Development...................................................................................................................45
Recreation........................................................................................................................................................................52
Chapter 5 Integrating the Action Programs..................................................................................................57
Summary of Actions ..................................................................................................................................................58
Overall Concept Maps .............................................................................................................................................64
Chapter 6 Activating the Plan.............................................................................................................................81
A Commitment to Work Together ..................................................................................................................81
Funding Arrangements .............................................................................................................................................81
Management Tools......................................................................................................................................................82
Monitoring and Evaluating the Plan...................................................................................................................86
Appendix A An Overview of the Fraser River Estuary Management Program ..........................91
Appendix B Jurisdictions and Mandates.......................................................................................................97
Appendix C Project Review in the Fraser River Estuary .....................................................................103
Appendix D Area Designation Process.......................................................................................................109
An Estuary Management Plan for the Fraser River
i

List of Tables, Figures and Maps
Tables
Figures
Maps
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
A-1
A-2
B-1
C-1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
C-1
D-1
Water and Land Use Committee and Subcommittee Members (1992-93)..............................vi
Workshop Participants ...............................................................................................................................................vi
Vision, Goals, and Principles for the Estuary Management Plan.......................................................13
Legislative Basis for Water Quality Management Activities.................................................................23
Steps in the Development and Implementation of the Estuary Management Plan .................v
The Years in which FREMP and Related Programs are Active.............................................................8
Areas of Competing Use ........................................................................................................................................85
Monitoring and Evaluation Activities in Relation to the Estuary Management Plan .............86
The Evolution of FREMP..........................................................................................................................................91
Organizational Structure of FREMP..................................................................................................................94
Agency Jurisdiction Matrix......................................................................................................................................97
FREMP Project Review Process........................................................................................................................107
FREMP Boundaries.........................................................................................................................................................4
Shoreline Habitat Coding and Generalized Land Uses .........................................................................19
Proposed Green Zone.............................................................................................................................................31
Current Major Transportation Routes and Port Facilities....................................................................38
Current and Potential Areas for Water-Dependent Industries ........................................................49
Fraser River Estuary Recreation Plan ...............................................................................................................53
Potential Extent of Human Activities in the Fraser River Estuary ...................................................59
Sub-Areas within the FREMP Boundaries......................................................................................................66
Lower Main Arm Sub-Area: Potential Extent of Human Activity....................................................67
North Arm Sub-Area: Potential Extent of Human Activity................................................................69
Upper Main Arm Sub-Area: Potential Extent of Human Activity....................................................71
Pitt River Sub-Area: Potential Extent of Human Activity......................................................................73
Boundary Bay Sub-Area: Potential Extent of Human Activity...........................................................75
Delta Front Sub-Area: Potential Extent of Human Activity ................................................................77
Areas of Competing Use ........................................................................................................................................87
Lead Agencies in the FREMP Area.................................................................................................................104
Area Designations, Burnaby Big Bend...........................................................................................................113
ii

Foreword
The Fraser River Estuary Management Program (FREMP) is a cooperative
effort among federal, provincial, and local governments to coordinate
planning and decision making on human activities in the estuary.
This Estuary Management Plan, which is similar in scope and purpose to an
Official Community Plan for a municipality, was prepared by the Water and
Land Use Committee of FREMP.
The Plan reflects a consensus among a broad range of stakeholders
regarding how and where current and future use of the water, shoreline,
and adjacent upland areas within the Fraser River estuary will occur. Much
like the relationship between Official Community Plans and zoning designations,
the Estuary Management Plan provides the basis for finalizing Area
Designation Agreements. Through this Plan, habitat management and
recreation activities are integrated with strategies for log management,
navigation and dredging, water quality improvement, and urban and waterdependent
industrial development, including supporting infrastructure
linkages.
An Estuary Management Plan for the Fraser River
iii

Acknowledgements
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In May 1992, the Water and Land Use Committee of FREMP took responsibility
for producing the Estuary Management Plan. This Committee
comprises over 40 representatives from federal and provincial government
agencies, municipalities, First Nations, and the Greater Vancouver Regional
District. A list of Committee members is provided in Table 1, page vi.
The Estuary Management Plan was created through an iterative process
with members of the Water and Land Use Committee and input from
non-government organizations, business, and the general public, with the
Committee taking responsibility for managing this process and providing
direction. The process to create the Plan brought diverse interests together
to work towards a common direction and undertake the following
activities:
identify issues and needs
develop a clear sense of vision and purpose
establish guideposts for decision making
set targets and actions in support of the goals
identify areas of competing use and develop conflict resolution procedures
outline steps to carry out the Plan
provide procedures for monitoring all aspects of the Plan and processes
for updating and amending the Plan
The vision, goals, targets, and action programs contained in the Plan draw
on FREMP’s previous programs and other regional planning initiatives that
are being developed concurrently.
Draft versions of the Estuary Management Plan were reviewed at two
successive workshops with representatives from several interest groups
and those government agencies not represented on the Water and Land
Use Committee. The assistance of these people in reviewing the Plan is
gratefully acknowledged.
The steps to complete the Estuary Management Plan are summarized in
Figure 1.
Marion Adair and Dianna Colnett, FREMP staff, prepared the Estuary
Management Plan on behalf of the Committee. Environment Canada
provided the original base map—consisting of transportation routes, the
shoreline, municipal boundaries, and wetlands—in digital form. Mapping
services were supplied by Octavo Productions, Jones Maps & Diagrams,
RCS Cadd Services, and Underhill Engineering Limited. Octavo
Productions designed and produced the draft and final versions of A Living
Working River.
iv

Figure 1
Steps in the
Development and
Implementation of
the Estuary
Management Plan
(EMP)
Water and Land Use Committee Meetings
May 1992 - February 1993
EMP Workshop Draft
March 1993
EMP Discussion Draft
May 1993
Draft EMP
Fall 1993 - Spring 1994
Final Estuary Management Plan
Adoption Process
Summer - Fall 1994
Implementation
Invited Public Input
April Workshop
Invited Public Input
June Workshop
Agency and Public
Review
Public Review
An Estuary Management Plan for the Fraser River
v

Acknowledgements
Table 1
Water and Land Use
Committee and
Subcommittee
Members (1992-93)
Table 2
Workshop
Participants
(excluding Committee
members and FREMP staff)
Agriculture, Fisheries and
Food
Dave Melnychuk
BC Environment
Brian Clark
Lorna Duncan
Marion Jamieson
BC Lands
Larry Sorken
Burnaby
Peter Bloxham
Canadian Coast Guard
Fred Stepchuk
Coquitlam
Rob Innes
Delta
Wayne Dickinson
Dave Gibbon
Brian Perry
Environment Canada
Laszlo Retfalvi
Fisheries and Oceans
Steve Macfarlane
Fraser River Harbour
Commission
Allen Domaas
Pat Weber
GVRD
Ken Cameron
GVRD Parks
Paul Skydt
Katzie Nation
Diane Bailey
Langley
Kurt Alberts
Pete Scales
Maple Ridge
John Bastaja
Ron Boyes
Sharon Folkes
Musqueam Nation
Glen Guerin
New Westminster
Mary Pynenburg
North Fraser Harbour
Commission
Al Brown
George Colquhoun
Ted Hurschman
Pitt Meadows
Jim Lowrie
Bruce McWilliam
Port Coquitlam
Carlos Felip
Jack Bishop, Seaspan
Sean Blackman
Chris Blanton, Simon Fraser University
John Bowles, Harken Towing
Bert Brink, Federation of BC Naturalists
Bob Carey, Save Our Parklands
Kevin Couttes
Don Cromarty, RivTow Marine
Wilf Dreher, Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks
Butch Fonnesbeck, Miller Contracting
Dennis Franklin
Michael Healey, Westwater Research Centre, University of British Columbia
Doug Jagger, Fraser Surrey Docks
Susan Jones, Boundary Bay Conservation Committee
Martin Keeley, Friends of Boundary Bay
Karen Kelm, Burrard Inlet Environmental Action Program
Ron Kistritz, Kistritz Consulting
Nancy Knight, Greater Vancouver Regional District
Gary Lacey, Small Craft Harbours
Debra LaMash
Dave Leroy, Fraser River Pile and Dredge
Dave Marshall, Fraser Basin Management Program
Gayle Martin, Greater Vancouver Regional District Board
Nicholas May, Fraser Basin Management Program
Mike McPhee, Quadra Planning
Sue Neale, BC Conservation Foundation
Stephen Partington, Vancouver Natural History Society
Vivien Pearson, Greater Vancouver Real Estate Board
Adrian Rowland, Small Craft Harbours
Al Riches, Scott Paper
Jonathan Seymour
Dick Stace-Smith, Fraser River Coalition
Wendy Turner, Community Forum on Airport Development
John Van Koll, LaFarge Concrete
Doug Walton, Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks
Peter Woodward, Council of Marine Carriers
Nancy Yates, Burrard Inlet Environmental Action Program
Steve Zablosky, Burns Bog Conservation Committee
Tanya Zebroff, Fraser Valley Real Estate Board
Public Works
Alex Fakidis
Kent Akhurst
Richmond
Alex Jamieson
Ron Mann
Surrey
Nicholas Lai
How Yin Leung
Lee Tan
Tsawwassen Nation
Marvin Joe
Vancouver
Don Brynildsen
Ted Sebastian
Vancouver International
Airport Authority
Mel Feddersen
Alan Yazdani
Vancouver Port
Corporation
Dick Wright
White Rock
Dan Janczewski
vi

Glossary
Action
ALC
ALR
Ambient
Area Designation
Agreement
BIEAP
Bylaws
Consensus
Contaminant
COFI
Delta
DFO
EMP
ERC
Estuary
FBMP
FRAP
FREMP
FRES
An accomplishment usually completed over a defined
time frame, in stages, or with the possibility of repetition,
to achieve prescribed targets.
Agricultural Land Commission
Agricultural Land Reserve
Normal conditions in the surrounding environment.
An agreement between individual municipalities and
member agencies of FREMP on foreshore and water uses
for specific reaches in the estuary.
Burrard Inlet Environmental Action Program
Rules and procedures passed by municipal governments,
Native Bands, and regional districts to exercise their
powers as authorized by federal and provincial legislation.
The result of a process for making group decisions
without voting. The goal is to reach decisions that accommodate
rather than compromise the interests of all group
members who have a stake in carrying out the decision.
A substance that is not naturally present in the environment
or is present in amounts that can, in sufficient
concentration, adversely affect the environment. Not
necessarily harmful.
Council of Forest Industries
The accumulation of sediments which are deposited
where a river meets the ocean.
Department of Fisheries and Oceans (federal)
Estuary Management Plan
Environmental Review Committee, associated with the
FREMP Project Review Process
The water body where a river meets the ocean so that
freshwater and saltwater mix and the river level is
affected by tides.
Fraser Basin Management Program
Fraser River Action Plan
Fraser River Estuary Management Program
Fraser River Estuary Study
An Estuary Management Plan for the Fraser River
vii

Glossary
FRHC
Goal
GVRD
GVS&DD
Guidelines
Habitat
NFHC
NGO
OCP
Plan
Policy
Pollutant
Pollution
Principle
Program
Provisional Water
Quality Objectives
PRP
Regulations
Target
VPC
Wet Site
Fraser River Harbour Commission
An end or ideal to be continually and progressively
pursued over an unspecified period of time.
Greater Vancouver Regional District
Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District
Rules of operation to support a particular policy.
A place in the environment where an organism lives or is
expected to live in order to fulfill an important function
such as feeding or rearing young.
North Fraser Harbour Commission
Non-government organization
Official Community Plan
An organized series of actions that support particular
goals.
A position taken by an organization, which indicates how
it intends to act regarding the resolution of certain issues.
A contaminant that is destructive or has a negative
environmental impact.
Occurs when the properties of water or air are modified
either naturally or through human action, reducing the
potential usefulness of that substance. Referred to as a
cost or damage.
A broad statement that sets forth rules to guide decisions
on the use of the estuary and management of human
activities.
A coordinated collection of plans and activities that share
a common purpose and goals.
Due to uncertainties that existed in Water Quality
Criteria and water quality databases for local conditions
when the provincial Objectives for the Lower Fraser were
drafted in 1985, the Objectives are considered “provisional.”
The FREMP Management Committee accepted
these Provisional Objectives as a starting point.
Project Review Process (see Appendix C for details)
Enforceable rules and procedures to implement federal
or provincial legislation.
A tangible point to aim for, which is reached by an action
or series of actions carried out over a specified time
frame.
Vancouver Port Corporation
Refers to archaeological sites where vegetal cultural
materials are preserved in water-saturated soils.
viii

Summary
Working Together
The Fraser River estuary is a magnificent natural area with some of the
most productive biological systems in the world. Surrounding this globally
significant estuary is an expansive urban region with one of the highest
growth rates on the continent. Over the next few decades, the challenge
will be to integrate protection of the region’s environmental quality with
efforts to sustain economic development and accommodate a growing
population.
The Estuary Management Plan, developed through the Fraser River
Estuary Management Program (FREMP), is intended to cultivate a common
understanding of issues and programs and promote working partnerships
between government, business, and community interests.
FREMP is a cooperative agreement, not an agency, managed by representatives
from Environment Canada; Department of Fisheries and Oceans;
Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks; North Fraser Harbour
Commission; Fraser River Harbour Commission; and the Greater
Vancouver Regional District. Since 1985, the Program has successfully
fostered coordinated decision making on conservation and development in
the estuary among more than 30 agencies representing federal, provincial,
and local governments, port authorities, and First Nations.
The Estuary Management Plan provides a common basis for reviewing
development proposals in the estuary as well as for undertaking local
planning and resource management activities. These activities will include,
for example, an integrated water quality monitoring plan, a strategy to
address the needs of water-dependent industries, and an estuary-wide
recreation plan.
The Estuary Management Plan is intended to be dynamic, incorporating
processes to monitor, evaluate, and improve successful aspects of the Plan
and identify areas that require change.
The Plan was created under the direction of FREMP’s Water and Land Use
Committee, with input from non-government organizations, business, and
the general public. The Plan’s vision, goals, targets, and action programs
incorporate ongoing FREMP programs and policies, such as the habitat
coding system that classifies habitat value along the foreshore and indicates
the area’s sensitivity to development. The Plan also builds on other regional
initiatives that are being developed at the same time, for example, the
federal government’s Fraser River Action Plan and Greater Vancouver’s
Livable Region Strategy.
An Estuary Management Plan for the Fraser River
ix

Summary
An Integrated Framework
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5
6
7
8
9
The vision, goals, and principles provide a framework to integrate decision
making and coordinate activities in the estuary. The improvement of the
estuary’s environmental quality is to occur in conjunction with economic,
social, and cultural development in the region.
Vision
Improve environmental quality in the Fraser River estuary while providing
economic development opportunities and sustaining the quality of life in
and around the estuary.
Goals
Conserve and enhance the environmental quality of the river and estuary
to sustain healthy fish, wildlife, plants, and people.
Respect and further the estuary’s role as the social, cultural, recreational,
and economic heart of region.
Encourage human activities and economic development that protect and
enhance the environmental quality of the estuary.
Principles
Conserve and Enhance the Estuary
Keep the estuary healthy
Conserve and sustain natural habitat
Integrated Management
Encourage multiple uses within the estuary
Promote integrated decision making
Establish and maintain informed management processes
Fairness, Equity, and Accountability
Promote and employ consensus-based decision making
Provide equitable access to the estuary
Establish and maintain accountable management processes
Develop active partnerships with the public in management activities
What the Plan Contains
1
2
3
4
5
6
The Plan consists of targets and actions for six action programs under two
major themes:
Environmental Protection
Water quality management
Fish and wildlife habitat
Human Activities
Navigation and dredging
Log management
Industrial and urban development
Recreation
In addition, each action program provides a description of related issues,
linkages with existing activities, lists of related programs and reports, and
actions concerning partnerships and communications.
x

The theme of partnerships runs throughout the Plan: nearly all actions rely
on the combined efforts of various government agencies or upon joint
initiatives between government and non-government organizations.
Communications includes those actions concerning education, interpretation
of the estuary’s ecology and human use, and reporting on the results
of projects, studies, and progress on the Estuary Management Plan itself.
The responsibility for carrying out actions will be shared among the government
agencies identified as participating agencies in the action programs.
FREMP, through its Committees and Secretariat, will perform a
coordinating role, identifying opportunities for partnerships and focusing
activities towards specific targets. FREMP will also ensure the Plan is monitored
and evaluated.
Effective and Efficient Management
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Through greater coordination of planning and management activities within
the estuary, the following benefits can be expected:
reduced time and resources required by individual jurisdictions to plan and
manage the foreshore and adjacent upland areas;
more certainty for private sector and public interests looking to develop,
conserve, alter, or change uses in particular areas of the estuary; and
more efficient and responsive reaction by various agencies and private
interests to proposed actions.
In summary, the Estuary Management Plan will be a guide and offer a
process to all using the Fraser River estuary for living, working, and
enjoyment.
Summary of Actions
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
The targets and actions in the Estuary Management Plan are summarized
below under the following seven common headings:
Implement existing FREMP initiatives
Develop new initiatives through FREMP
Carry out activities through member agencies
Undertake capital projects
Develop information systems
Develop communication and education materials and programs
Develop opportunities for consultation and involvement
An Estuary Management Plan for the Fraser River
xi

Summary
1
2
Implement Existing FREMP Initiatives
EXISTING INITIATIVES SPECIFIC ACTIONS
Water Quality Plan Complete the third year of the Environmental
Monitoring Program (1994-95), define a single
integrated monitoring program by 1995, and
obtain agency commitment to this program.
Fish and Wildlife Update and refine the FREMP habitat coding
Habitat system, and support existing habitat management
policies and guidelines through the FREMP
Project Review Process and Area Designation
Agreements.
Log Management Monitor and enforce FREMP Log Storage
Guidelines.
Port and Industrial Identify and define current and potential nodes
Development Strategy for water-dependent industries, establish a
demonstration pilot project for nodal development,
and work with all levels of government to
maintain areas for potential industrial nodes.
Recreation Plan Secure key elements within outstanding
Recreation Units.
Area Designation Complete agreements with all municipalities and
Agreements the Dewdney-Alouette Regional District by
1996.
Develop New Initiatives through FREMP
ACTION PROGRAMS SPECIFIC ACTIONS
Water Quality By 1995 articulate an integrated approach to
Management water quality management for the estuary and
prepare a Coordinated Environmental
Emergency Response Plan, make recommendations
for priorities and actions regarding source
control and pollution abatement measures, and
review existing and proposed program activities,
policies, and legislation with potential to affect
water quality management.
Fish and Wildlife Coordinate administrative and financial arrange-
Habitat ments between academic institutions, government
agencies, and the private sector to
facilitate management-related research, monitor
habitat losses and gains, and set priorities for
types of habitats to protect.
Navigation and Prepare a Dredge Material Management Plan by
Dredging spring 1995.
xii
With FREMP being in
place since 1985, several
initiatives are already
underway. Continuing with
these activities is a
primary focus within the
Estuary Management
Plan.
The Estuary Management
Plan is intended to be
flexible by responding to
changing conditions in the
estuary. The actions
identified under this
heading are largely in
response to emerging
issues.

3
4
Log Management Prepare a code of best log handling practices to
reduce waterborne debris, develop and enforce
new and existing harbour bylaws to reduce
debris generation, and develop a long-term log
storage strategy.
Industrial and Urban Prepare guidelines for environmentally responsi-
Development ble industrial operations, promoting development
that is compatible with the river and other
uses, as well as protecting views to and from the
river, and compile best management practices
for industrial operations in the estuary.
Recreation Develop Linear Units, an interpretive plan, and a
network of interpretive sites for the estuary.
Carry Out Activities through Member Agencies
ACTION PROGRAM SPECIFIC ACTIONS
Water Quality Member agencies will continue to develop
Management guidelines and enforce regulations regarding
abatement of pollutants from specific sources.
Fish and Wildlife Designate Wildlife Management Areas for
Habitat Crown Lands in critical habitat areas.
Navigation and Protect existing utility corridors in areas to be
Dredging dredged and request navigation charts of the
river above Douglas Island.
Industrial and Urban
Development
Implement viewscape management strategies.
Undertake Capital Projects
ACTION PROGRAM SPECIFIC ACTIONS
Fish and Wildlife Undertake habitat improvement projects and
Habitat research and demonstration projects for habitat
restoration and creation, secure long-term
tenure for private lands with high ecological
values, and incorporate regional open space and
conservation planning with estuarine habitat
management activities.
Navigation and Commit funding to the maintenance of a
Dredging functional navigation system in the estuary.
Industrial and Urban Secure critical water-oriented industrial develop-
Development ment sites through purchasing and holding land
for future development.
Recreation Construct facilities and install signage in each
Recreation Unit.
An Estuary Management Plan for the Fraser River
xiii
Whereas actions under
the previous two headings
are coordinated through
FREMP, some actions are
the responsibility of
specific agencies and
organizations, requiring
changes in internal policies
or the need to carry out
specific procedures.
A few actions require
capital expenditures that
must be financed by
agencies participating in
FREMP. The proposed
actions fall within existing
budgets.

Summary
5
6
Develop Information Systems
TYPE OF SYSTEM SPECIFIC ACTIONS
Classification System Establish the following: an information system to
and Inventories track ongoing water quality monitoring and
research, a new classification system for archaeological
wet sites, an inventory of types and
locations of water-dependent industries, and
maps of critical viewscapes to and from the
river.
Monitoring Habitat loss and gain, sediment budget and
morphology of delta, marine traffic trends, and
changes in use of waterfront lands.
Develop Communication and Education Materials and Programs
ACTION PROGRAM SPECIFIC ACTIONS
Water Quality Prepare and distribute a status report on water
Management quality every three years.
Navigation and Publish annually the sediment budget in the
Dredging estuary and monitoring of marine traffic trends.
Log Management Develop a technology transfer program aimed
at wood processors to improve log handling
practices.
Industrial and Urban Explain the needs of water-dependent industries
Development and future development plans to decision
makers, developers, the real estate industry,
residents, and the general public.
Recreation (and Fish Install interpretive signs and prepare brochures
and Wildlife Habitat about habitat improvement and protection, the
and Industrial and recreation plan, and liability and public safety;
Urban Development) and participate in community festivals, special
events, and programs delivered by agencies.
Overall Prepare and distribute a State of the Estuary
Report every five years.
xiv
The proposed inventories
and monitoring programs
support the principles for
integrated management
by providing sound
knowledge of the estuary’s
resources.
The materials and programs
identified under this
heading are intended to
increase people’s understanding
of various human
activities and natural
processes in the estuary.

7
Develop Opportunities for Consultation and Involvement
ACTION PROGRAM SPECIFIC ACTIONS
Water Quality Encourage the public and other agencies to
Management propose modification to the Provisional Water
Quality Objectives and train citizens for clean-up
tasks and reporting spills.
Fish and Wildlife Encourage involvement in habitat restoration
Habitat and enhancement projects and in developing
partnerships with government and non-government
organizations to implement habitat
management plans and jointly fund improvement
projects.
Industrial and Urban Distribute information about water-dependent
Development industries through municipal economic development
offices and ensure planned Recreation
Units are compatible with proposed industrial
nodes.
Recreation Devise a management structure for estuarywide
recreation that facilitates public communication,
debate, and modification.
Overall Involve the public in developing new plans and
procedures (e.g., Dredge Material Management
Plan and Area Designation Agreements) and in
monitoring and evaluating the Estuary
Management Plan and State of the Estuary
Reports.
An Estuary Management Plan for the Fraser River
xv
These activities enable
interested members of the
public to directly contribute
to improving the
health of the estuary and
help shape policies and
plans.

Summary
Activating the Plan
Within the framework of the Estuary Management Plan, organizations and
agencies can pursue their individual interests, because existing jurisdictions
are respected, and meet the needs of the broader region at the same
time. The emphasis is on developing coordinated and cooperative programs
and directions for action. Federal and provincial government agencies,
port authorities, regional districts, local municipalities, First Nations,
interest groups, and the public all have a part in making this Plan work.
Management Tools
A variety of management tools are available to implement the actions in
the Estuary Management Plan. Two processes coordinated through FREMP
have the capability of incorporating many of the guidelines and directions
outlined in the Plan. The ongoing Project Review Process provides proponents
(e.g., developers of private property or government agencies) with a
single “window” through which to submit their applications for use or
development within the estuary. The Area Designation Process identifies
primary uses within the estuary, such as log storage, conservation, or
industry. These designations, worked out in concert with municipalities,
integrate water-based activities with upland uses.
The guidelines and directions already incorporated into these processes
include the FREMP habitat coding and classification, the federal Policy for
the Management of Fish Habitat, Fraser River Dredging Guidelines for
fisheries protection, navigable channel design recommendations, Log
Storage Guidelines, Official Community Plans, and zoning.
When decisions cannot be reached through FREMP’s two management
processes, or a policy issue emerges, the conflict will be forwarded to
FREMP’s Management Committee, who will initiate a new procedure, the
Conflict Resolution Process. This Process, which is based on consensus,
may be handled by the FREMP Secretariat or a designated mediator,
depending on the nature of the issue and the players involved. The alternative
to this Process is to give the authority for decision making to the
agency with the appropriate jurisdiction.
Monitoring and Evaluating the Plan
Monitoring and evaluating management decisions and actions will help
ensure the Estuary Management Planning process achieves what it is
designed to do and stays open to new ideas and changing conditions in
the estuary.
On an annual basis, the targets and actions will be reviewed to see if they
are realistic and appropriate, and if additional information is required. Also
to be reviewed are the institutional and joint funding arrangements, public
consultation processes, and conflict resolution strategy to assess their
effectiveness in making the Estuary Management Planning process work.
Based on this evaluation, adjustments can be made.
Every five years, the vision, goals, and guiding principles will be revisited
and refinements made based on the ongoing monitoring and evaluation of
Estuary Management Plan actions and other relevant information.
xvi