Consolidated Environmental Management Plan for Burrard Inlet ...

Physical Settings
Burrard Inlet is a tidal salt-water body
occupying 11,300-hectares in the heart of
the Metro Vancouver region. It comprises 190
kilometres of marine foreshore and many diverse
sub-areas. Burrard Inlet is one of Canada’s most
productive marine and terrestrial ecosystems.
Its surrounding natural drainage basin consists of
98,000 hectares extending to the north from Burrard
Inlet to the North Shore mountains and to the south
and east from Burrard Inlet to higher elevations of
Vancouver, Burnaby, Port Moody and Anmore and
adjacent areas. As shown on Map 1, Burrard Inlet’s
drainage basin and study area encompass the
upland areas and watercourses fl owing into the Inlet
including: Outer Harbour, False Creek, Inner Harbour,
Central Harbour, Port Moody Arm and Indian Arm. The
northeast extent of the Inlet (Indian Arm) is a deepwater
fjord. Numerous streams and rivers drain into the
Inlet. Indian Arm has seen limited human settlement
(mostly residential and recreational properties). The
remainder of the inlet has been developed for industrial,
residential, commercial and recreational uses.
Important Bird Area
Burrard Inlet is internationally recognized
as an Important Bird Area (IBA). Canada’s
IBA Program is a science-based initiative to
identify, conserve, and monitor a network of
sites that provide essential habitat for Canada’s
bird populations.
Burrard Inlet is within the boundaries of Port Metro
Vancouver, Canada’s gateway to the Pacifi c Rim,
and its Inner and Central Harbours and portions
of Port Moody Arm are signifi cantly industrialized.
It is also home to a large urbanized population
in eight municipalities. Nevertheless, Burrard
Inlet and its drainage basin is an important and
productive marine and terrestrial ecosystem.
The marine riparian and intertidal zones of Burrard
Inlet are integral to fi sh and wildlife at various life
stages, and to the bustling activities of Canada’s
largest Port. High biodiversity persists amongst
shipping and a build-up urban environment due to
the presence and maintenance of shoreline habitat.
A more detailed description of the Inlet’s
physical setting is provided as Appendix 2.
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Burrard Inlet Environmental Action Program / Consolidated Environmental Management Plan for Burrard Inlet