Boundary Bay Remains an Unprotected Resource
According to Don Gambie, a wildlife management expert, in his recent report, An Evaluation of the British Columbia Approach to Coastal Zone Management:
Despite international pleas: rezoning of lands adjoining Boundary Bay continues
The Boundary Bay Conservation Committee presented to the Delta Council a proposal asking for a m oratorium on golf course development on the lands adjoining Boundary Bay. An overall plan of the area should be done to ensure wildlife habitat are addressed. The Mayor dismissed the proposal saying the birds had plenty of space to fly to other areas such as the wildlife regue on Westham I sland, 10,00 hectares of open farmland and the 4,000 hectare Burns Bog. He neglected to mention that only 1% of the Delta area is set aside for wildlife protection. Furthermore, wildlife experts from U.B.C., the Canadian Wildlife Service, the Provincial Museum, and the International Waterflow and Wetland Research Bureau claim research shows that displaced birds are unlikely to be able to re-settle on the remaining parts of Boundary Bay. Most birds are extremely territorial and will stay in an area even if it is altered or destroyed. Even though the birds are unable to breed or feed, they keep coming back until none are left. In addition, many species need shoreline with adjoining uplands. Remove one of these essential areas and the habitat is destroyed.
"In spite of its outstanding regional and national significance, Boundary Bay is not presently protected by legal guidelines...Despite proven ecological values and expressed public concern for the need to protect Boundary Bay, politicians have been content with loose land use planning arrangements which they allow the piecemeal erosion of an already limited coastal land and ecological reserve."
Absence of Federal-Provincial Policies
"There is a real danger that within a few years Boundary Bay coastal resources will be permanently lost to uncontrolled development pressures." Claims Don Gambie, Resouce Manager, in a recently published report: An Evaluation of the B.C. Approach to Coastal Zone Management.
His report points out that habitats of the Fraser River Delta have been destroyed over the past 125 years due to lack of good management and lack of cooperation by the federal, provincial and municipal governments.
Provincially, claims Mr. Gambie, the area can be protected through the Wildlife Act. However, he continues, the powers of the Wildlife Act remain weak and discretionary due to funding restraints and "a general lack of political commitment to conserve and enhance wildlife values." In his report, he compares Canada's poor management of Boundary Bay with the "systematic approach of the United States to comprehensively manage the nation's coastal environment."
A Special Attraction
The Great Blue Heron
Beautiful Great Blue Herons grace the shores, fields and forests of Delta and Richmond. Residents and visitors are delighted at the opportunity to view these large birds as they fish along the seaside and soar overhead. The bulk of the herons breed in large heronry located in Point Roberts. Unfortunately, the birds are at risk as development threatens their fragile habitat in Point Roberts. Heron nesting areas are extremely sensitive to human intrusion. Canadians have been petitioning Whatcom Country to recognize the need for a 300 meter, treed buffer zone around the colony.
To see a more detailed map of Boundary Bay and information about bird watching, click on the next article
on the menu to the left.
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