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Islands Trust is a special-purpose government mandated to preserve and protect over 450 islands and surrounding waters in the Salish Sea. Islands Trust works to preserve and protect the Islands Trust Area through land use planning, land conservation through the Islands Trust Conservancy, and programs in cooperation with municipalities, regional districts, improvement districts, First Nations, other persons, organizations, the government of British Columbia, and you.
As part of the Official Community Plan (OCP) engagement in 2021, residents in the Gambier Island Local Trust Area expressed concern about island shoreline values including structures, tree cutting, and environmental protection. The Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw engagement response focused on shoreline protection as a priority to review in this targeted OCP process. This survey outlines proposed language for Development Permit Applications based on the land planning tools available to Islands Trust.
The proposed Shoreline Development Permit Area (DPA) bylaw could apply to land and water within 30 metres of the shoreline (natural boundary of the sea), both inland and extending 30 metres out into the ocean.
If adopted, any changes to the land—such as building, excavation, or subdividing property—within this area would need to follow specific guidelines before receiving approval.
These guidelines are being developed under the authority of the Local Government Act, which allows local governments to designate DPAs to protect environmentally sensitive areas. In this case, the goal is to help preserve the health of the shoreline, including natural habitats, water quality, and coastal ecosystems, while also guiding responsible development.
Overall, the proposed DPA is intended to balance property use with the long-term protection of shoreline environments that are important to the community. The draft DPA has been reviewed by the Squamish Nation staff, Gambier Island Advisory Planning Commission, and the Gambier Island Local Trust Committee and now the local trust committee wants to hear from you!
Please review the draft DPA before proceeding beginning the survey.