Lakeshore Development Guidelines A Primer Charlie Lake Conservation Society September 2007

Topics Background on the Guidelines Background on the Guidelines Lake Classification and Development Policies Lake Classification and Development Policies Scope of Guidelines Scope of Guidelines Responsibilities Responsibilities General Development and Subdivision Guidelines General Development and Subdivision Guidelines Special Case Lakes Special Case Lakes Draft Official Community Plan Draft Official Community Plan

Background Why Guidelines? Why Guidelines? Need for balance between preservation of ecological resources and desire to develop lakeshore properties Need for balance between preservation of ecological resources and desire to develop lakeshore properties Although land surrounding lake may be private, lakes are ultimately considered as a public resource and should be accessible to all to be used and enjoyed in a responsible manner Although land surrounding lake may be private, lakes are ultimately considered as a public resource and should be accessible to all to be used and enjoyed in a responsible manner

Background Intent of Guidelines: Intent of Guidelines: 1. Public - education on lakeshore ecology and development issues 2. Developers - conservation guidelines (construction projects close to water) 3. Board of PRRD and Development Services Staff – development policies and conservation guidelines (for decisions on development projects)

Background Process for establishing Guidelines: Classify lakes re. development potential Classify lakes re. development potential Develop guidelines that outline specifics for development proposals Develop guidelines that outline specifics for development proposals Consult with technical experts and public Consult with technical experts and public Communicate finalized Guidelines July 2000 Communicate finalized Guidelines July – Approve North Peace Fringe Official Community Plan – Approve North Peace Fringe Official Community Plan

Scope of Guidelines Apply to: Private land Private land Within 300 m of lakes (high water mark) within official community planning areas of PRRD Within 300 m of lakes (high water mark) within official community planning areas of PRRD Are not: Regulations Regulations An intention of PRRD to expropriate private land An intention of PRRD to expropriate private land

Responsibility Local Government (Regional District ) Local Government (Regional District ) Adopt and administer subdivision, zoning and development permit regulations* Adopt and administer subdivision, zoning and development permit regulations* Provincial legislation has been broadened to give regional districts the authority to protect, restore and enhance natural environment Provincial legislation has been broadened to give regional districts the authority to protect, restore and enhance natural environment *pursuant to the Local Government Act

Responsibility Provincial Government MOE – in-stream (e.g. lakes) works and development adjacent to high water mark MOE – in-stream (e.g. lakes) works and development adjacent to high water mark MOH (Peace-Liard Health Unit) – sewage disposal MOH (Peace-Liard Health Unit) – sewage disposal Agriculture Land Commission – development in ALR Agriculture Land Commission – development in ALR MOT – access to watercourses and final approval for all subdivision proposals MOT – access to watercourses and final approval for all subdivision proposals BC Assets and Lands Corp – all development on Crown Lands (including foreshore leases and permanent dock construction) BC Assets and Lands Corp – all development on Crown Lands (including foreshore leases and permanent dock construction)

Responsibility Federal Government Potential for involvement in lakeshore development proposals: Potential for involvement in lakeshore development proposals: Agriculture Canada Agriculture Canada Department of Fisheries and Oceans Department of Fisheries and Oceans

General Development and Subdivision Guidelines Should be considered for all new development and subdivision proposals within 300 m from high water mark (shore zone) of lakes (ideally should also apply near any stream, watercourse and wetland throughout a watershed) Should be considered for all new development and subdivision proposals within 300 m from high water mark (shore zone) of lakes (ideally should also apply near any stream, watercourse and wetland throughout a watershed) Prior to development proposal, owners are encouraged to consult with PRRD Prior to development proposal, owners are encouraged to consult with PRRD Official Community Plans, bylaws take precedence in case of conflict with Guidelines Official Community Plans, bylaws take precedence in case of conflict with Guidelines

General Development and Subdivision Guidelines Single Lot Development and Construction (considerations to minimize erosion and sediments): Planning construction access Planning construction access Minimizing clearing and grading activities Minimizing clearing and grading activities Controlling excavated soil and properly locating stockpiles Controlling excavated soil and properly locating stockpiles Consideration of surface and slope conditions Consideration of surface and slope conditions Planning surface runoff and control Planning surface runoff and control

Single Lot Development and Construction Site Layout and Clearing: Design and layout of building site to minimize impervious areas Design and layout of building site to minimize impervious areas Retain existing vegetation and ground cover wherever possible Retain existing vegetation and ground cover wherever possible Minimize clearing and stripping of setbacks and easements Minimize clearing and stripping of setbacks and easements Restrict vehicle access and provide surfaced working areas Restrict vehicle access and provide surfaced working areas Clearly mark the building area and clearing boundaries on the site Clearly mark the building area and clearing boundaries on the site

Single Lot Development and Construction Soil Erosion Control: Cover temporary fills or soil stockpiles with tarps Cover temporary fills or soil stockpiles with tarps Prompt re-vegetation on disturbed areas Prompt re-vegetation on disturbed areas Limit machine access and operation to prepared access areas Limit machine access and operation to prepared access areas

Single Lot Development and Construction Drainage and Sediment Control: Divert runoff away from cleared areas with swales or low berms Divert runoff away from cleared areas with swales or low berms Use silt fences around soil stockpiles and sloped areas Use silt fences around soil stockpiles and sloped areas Collect runoff into sediment traps prior to discharge Collect runoff into sediment traps prior to discharge Divert runoff towards vegetated areas Divert runoff towards vegetated areas

Single Lot Development and Construction Retaining Vegetation Leave Strip: Retaining Vegetation Leave Strip: 15 m width from high water mark 15 m width from high water mark

Single Lot Development and Construction Retaining Vegetation Leave Strip: Retaining Vegetation Leave Strip: Clear less than 50% of frontage up to a maximum of 15 m for beach development or waterfront access Clear less than 50% of frontage up to a maximum of 15 m for beach development or waterfront access Depth of cleared beach less than 4.5 m from high water mark Depth of cleared beach less than 4.5 m from high water mark

Single Lot Development and Construction Building Setbacks: Unless otherwise specified, at least 15 m from high water level Unless otherwise specified, at least 15 m from high water level

Single Lot Development and Construction Septic Field Setbacks: all on-site sewage and septic fields (other than community sewage systems) require permit from Peace-Liard Health Unit (MOH) all on-site sewage and septic fields (other than community sewage systems) require permit from Peace-Liard Health Unit (MOH) On-site systems located at least 30 m from high water mark On-site systems located at least 30 m from high water mark Greater setback may be required based on soil percolation tests Greater setback may be required based on soil percolation tests

Single Lot Development and Construction Road Construction: kept to a minimum within the shore zone kept to a minimum within the shore zone Prevent ditch line erosion by: Prevent ditch line erosion by: Grass seeding or hydro-seeding Grass seeding or hydro-seeding Drop structures Drop structures Rip-rap Rip-rap Ditch blocks Ditch blocks Cross drains Cross drains

Subdivision Guidelines General location Appropriate site conditions Appropriate site conditionsDesign Cluster subdivision designs to increase amount of open space for public and habitat conservation Cluster subdivision designs to increase amount of open space for public and habitat conservationAccess MOT may require road access to water and in the PRRD where most lots are > 0.5 ha the access spacing is generally 400 m MOT may require road access to water and in the PRRD where most lots are > 0.5 ha the access spacing is generally 400 m

Routine Activities On-site sewage On-site sewage Yard Maintenance, Landscaping and Gardening Yard Maintenance, Landscaping and Gardening Automobile maintenance Automobile maintenance Boating Boating Dock Construction Dock Construction

Special Case Lakes Intent Easily accessible Easily accessible Mix of different land use activities around shore zone Mix of different land use activities around shore zone Recreational, ecological, cultural, heritage and archeological characteristics for preservation Recreational, ecological, cultural, heritage and archeological characteristics for preservation Potential for future development and recreational opportunities Potential for future development and recreational opportunities

Special Case Lakes Criteria Surface area greater than 800 hectares Surface area greater than 800 hectares Perimeter development less 50% Perimeter development less 50% Plus any 3 of the following: Plus any 3 of the following: A development permit area that intersects any part of shore zone A development permit area that intersects any part of shore zone Aquatic environmentally sensitive area Aquatic environmentally sensitive area Below average water quality values, low flushing rates and high tropic levels Below average water quality values, low flushing rates and high tropic levels Existing or proposed Ducks Unlimited project site Existing or proposed Ducks Unlimited project site Existing community sewer system Existing community sewer system

Special Case Lakes Charlie Lake is a Special Case Lake

Special Case Lakes Specific Development Guidelines Max perimeter development less 50% Max perimeter development less 50% Any development proposal must meet: Any development proposal must meet: Official Community Plan policies and zoning requirements and Official Community Plan policies and zoning requirements and General development and subdivision guidelines General development and subdivision guidelines Proposals for land within development permit areas may require a comprehensive development plan Proposals for land within development permit areas may require a comprehensive development plan

Special Case Lakes Specific Development Guidelines Proposals for land within development permit areas may require a comprehensive development plan including: Proposals for land within development permit areas may require a comprehensive development plan including: Environmental assessment report Environmental assessment report Erosion and sediment control plan Erosion and sediment control plan Vegetation management plan Vegetation management plan PRRD or provincial agencies may reject proposal based on negative environmental impact or out of character with existing land uses PRRD or provincial agencies may reject proposal based on negative environmental impact or out of character with existing land uses

Draft Official Community Plan Consultation on draft plan 2007 Consultation on draft plan 2007 Includes Charlie Lake Development Permit Area Includes Charlie Lake Development Permit Area References Lakeshore Development Guidelines References Lakeshore Development Guidelines