Consolidated Environmental Management Plan for Burrard Inlet ...

to conserve a wide range of migratory birds and
their habitats. The Act also prohibits the deposition
of harmful oils, oil wastes or other substances in
waters frequented by migratory birds. In Burrard
Inlet, the Canadian Wildlife Service and the Canadian
Coast Guard oversee wildlife recovery operations
in the event of oil spills. Environment Canada’s
Wetland Conservation and Wildlife Policy for Canada
outlines the department’s commitment to conserve
and protect natural habitats within Burrard Inlet.
Protecting Endangered Species
Burrard Inlet is home to several endangered or
threatened species. The Province is currently defi ning
habitats to sustain Marbled Murrelet populations
on Crown lands within the Burrard Inlet and Indian
Arm watersheds and the provincial Spotted Owl
Management Plan also creates two special resource
management zones to increase the protection of
critical spotted owl habitats within the upper watershed
of the Seymour river. In addition, the Conservation
Area at Maplewood Flats is an important part of the
Pacifi c International Flyway and supports over 200
species of birds and numerous species of wildlife
within 141 ha of land that includes salt and fresh
water marshes, deciduous forest, meadow habitats,
shoreline and mudfl ats. This area is home to species
at risk such as the Western Grebe, red listed, the
Great Blue Heron and Double Crested Cormorant,
both blue listed, and the Osprey, yellow listed.
The federal Species at Risk Act has also created
a role for Environment Canada and Fisheries
and Oceans Canada in managing endangered
species, recovery planning and implementation.
Maintaining and Enhancing
Biodiversity
While most of the natural shoreline of Burrard Inlet
has been lost to development over the last 100 years,
there still remains a vast forested drainage basin that
extends well into the northern upper mountain slopes
and valleys. Extending upwards of 70 km inland,
these forested and undeveloped watersheds provide
the region with valuable wildlife habitat, recreational
opportunities and two large drinking water reservoirs.
A key component for maintaining biodiversity within
the region are the lands designated Conservation
and Recreation in Metro Vancouver’s Regional Growth
Strategy. These lands were established in addition to
an Urban Containment Boundary collaboration with
member municipalities who have also identifi ed and
designated the ecologically signifi cant areas within their
boundaries through their respective Offi cial Community
Plans to limit urban growth and protect these areas.
Conservation and Recreation lands are designed
to protect fi sh and wildlife habitat, improve the
region’s ecological viability and provide recreational
opportunities. The area also supports ecological
linkages or wildlife corridors through developed portions
of the Inlet. Conservation and Recreation lands in
Burrard Inlet include:
• Community health lands, such as Metro Vancouver
drinking-water watersheds and agricultural lands;
• Ecologically important lands, such as forests,
wilderness areas, wildlife habitat and wetlands;
• Outdoor recreation and scenic lands, such as major
parks and recreation areas, and
• Renewable resource lands such as forests and
agricultural areas.
Approximately 70 percent of the Burrard Inlet
ecosystem is located within the Conservation and
Recreation designation. These lands include:
• The North Shore mountains and watersheds (i.e.,
Seymour and Capilano watersheds);
• The Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve;
• Major provincial parks (i.e., Cypress, Mount Seymour,
Twin Isles, Indian Arm and Indian Arm Marine
Provincial Parks), and
• Regional parks (i.e., Pacifi c Spirit, Belcarra, and Lynn
Headwaters Regional Parks).
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Existing Policy and Planning Initiatives in Burrard Inlet / Consolidated Environmental Management Plan for Burrard Inlet