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Why was BIEAP formed? BIEAP (Burrard Inlet Environmental Action Program) was formed to apply the model of intergovernmental coordination of environmental management established through FREMP to Burrard Inlet. BIEAP differed from FREMP in membership as well as in its methods. Four of the partners in FREMP are common to BIEAP. Since Burrard Inlet falls within Vancouver Port Authority jurisdiction, the VPA is the fifth party to the BIEAP partnership. BIEAP focused on a series of action programs to prevent adverse environmental effects on Burrard Inlet and to undertake remedial measures to improve environmental quality. BIEAP and FREMP have been jointly administered since 1996. Why was FREMP formed? FREMP (Fraser River Estuary Management Program) was established in the mid-1980s based upon the earlier experience with the federal-provincial project known as the Fraser River Estuary Study. Through agency and public consultations the federal and provincial governments determined the need to coordinate action among government, industry and the public to accommodate a growing population and economy while maintaining the quality and productivity of the Fraser River estuary's natural environment. The federal and provincial ministers of the environment agreed to establish FREMP to adopt common objectives and to coordinate activities in a Program supported by a Secretariat. What does sustainability mean to the BIEAP and FREMP partnerships? "Sustainability" means the point at which economic, environmental and social/cultural activities meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The BIEAP and FREMP partnerships are supposed to operate on a consensus agreement between the partners. What do you mean by consensus? As defined in the Memorandum of Understanding, consensus means a lack of dissent among the partner agencies. The agencies agree to continue implementing, on an ongoing basis, coordinated measures to protect and improve environmental quality, to provide economic development opportunities, and to sustain quality of life in and around the Fraser River estuary and Burrard Inlet. Do BIEAP and FREMP have any opportunities for volunteers? BIEAP and FREMP understand that there are a limited number of volunteers to go around. So we forward interested people to various organizations like the Vancouver Aquarium RiverWorks program and the BC Environmental Network, who are well established and have a regular need for volunteers. What happened to the 'Adopt a Shoreline' clean-up initiatives? BIEAP and FREMP discontinued the program in the mid-1990's due to duplication of activities by other environmental groups. BIEAP and FREMP decided the best thing to do was forward interested volunteers to established groups like the Vancouver Aquarium's RiverWorks program, the BC Environmental Network and other stream keeper organizations. These organizations do great work and continue to uphold the previous objectives by the old program. How can I obtain copies of BIEAP and FREMP publications and research studies? There are
a number of ways to get information. The easiest way is to review the
website, or call or email us with your requests. The Publication list
is available on line. The BIEAP FREMP Library is now held at the Fraser
River Discovery Centre. Publications can be picked up at our office or
mailed to you directly. GENERAL DEFINITIONS: Estuarine Marsh – Intertidal areas vegetated by typical emergent marsh plant species such as sedge, bulrush, cattail, rush, etc. Some upper marsh boundaries in undyked areas (e.g. MacDonald Slough in the FREMP area) are only approximate and represent a transition zone between terrestrial and marsh vegetation communities. Estuarine marsh includes marshes with freshwater plant species as well as those with more saline tolerant or brackish species such as seaside arrowgrass found on Sturgeon Bank and American three-square bulrush found along the lower Middle and Norm Arms of the Fraser River. Developed Shoreline – Developed or man-altered shorelines such as bulkheads, rock rip rap, piers, etc. Most of the North Fraser Harbour shoreline has been dyked except for the lower North Arm areas (e.g. Point Grey booming grounds, Musqueam marsh and sections of Iona Island). Higher High Water – The maximum elevation reached by a high tide and, in the case of an estuary, a high river discharge. Intertidal or Foreshore – The area along the shoreline between the higher high water elevation and the lower low water elevation. Intertidal areas are flooded by high tide and/or river discharge only. Intertidal Mudflat and Sandflat – Unvegetated intertidal areas, the lower border of which was defined by the waterline at the time of aerial photography. Mudflats and sandflats may support microalgae or scarce vascular plant growth. Legal High High Water Mark – The upland property boundary defined by survey in the BC Land Titles office, delineating fee simple property from Crown Land. Lower
Low Water – The minimum elevation reached by a low tide
and, in the case of an estuary, low river discharge. Riparian areas have a direct influence on aquatic habitat, and form important transition zones between the aquatic and upland environments. As such, riparian areas directly contribute to fish habitat by providing shade, cover, food and nutrients for fish, as well as help to maintain water quality and moderate flows and temperatures that are critical for healthy fish habitat. Riparian Vegetation – Streamside tree or shrub and grassy vegetation. Tree riparian may consist of overhanging or bottomland (i.e. floodplain) forest and includes species such as red alder and black cottonwood in the FREMP area. Shrub and grass riparian includes a wide range of species. Subtidal - The area of the shoreline below the lower low water elevation. Normally subtidal areas are covered by water at all stages of the tide and/or river discharge.
How long does it take to obtain an approval from the environmental review committee? The environmental review committees do not give approvals. They provide environmental recommendations to the lead agency, which then issues the letter of approval for the proposed works. The committees try to complete the coordinated project review process in under 30-business days. Occasionally, reviews take longer due to requests for additional information not provided with the original application. How can I find information about project proposals that are currently under review through the BIEAP-FREMP process? The easiest way is to visit the Referral logs for the FREMP ERC and BERC on our website. The information is updated in real time. Other options include coming by our office to review the referral logs, or by calling us at 604.775.5756. Staff will be happy to assist you with your questions. How can the public provide comments to the environmental review committees on project proposals they are reviewing? The environmental review committees accept and review all comments sent to them regarding applications, including comments from the public. While these comments may not always be related to the environmental aspects of the review, they are read by the committee members and kept on the project file. The public is responsible for keeping informed on projects and works that may be of interest to them. The Referral logs are kept up-to-day and are the best source of information on applications submitted to BERC and the FREMP ERC. What is a "lead agency" and what do they do? A "Lead Agency" is term used in the coordinated environmental review process for a port authority, or other agency, whose actions or authority require an environmental assessment of a particular project. The Lead Agency also acts as the main contact for the proponent when submitting an application to BERC or the FREMP ERC. The final letter of environmental mitigations/recommendations is sent from the committees to the Lead Agency, who then determines whether the works will or will not proceed. The "Lead Agency" term is similar in meaning to a "Responsible Authority" under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA).
What is being done about the Clark Drive sewer outfall? There are several combined sewer outfalls (CSOs) in Burrard Inlet, including the Clark Drive CSO. This outfall, which has been the subject of much public attention owing to the pollution discharged to Burrard Inlet, will undergo significant change as detailed in the recently approved GVRD Liquid Waste Management Plan. The LWMP contains targets for reducing sanitary sewage at the Clark Drive outfall. The effluent will also be less harmful to the environment through the ongoing sewerage separation project undertaken by the City of Vancouver. Over the next five years beginning in 2002, the GVRD has committed to capital expenditures of $20 million for works to divert harmful sewage from the Clark Drive catchment area and for storage projects and to study site-specific treatment options for the Clark Drive CSO.
What is the Estuary Management Plan? The key achievement of FREMP was the 1994 approval of a comprehensive environmental management tool - the Estuary Management Plan, which is also known as A Living, Working River. The Plan was endorsed by all 12 of the municipalities in the FREMP area of interest. In 2003, the Estuary Management Plan was updated to reflect change in the estuary and identify new objectives and actions. The update process included many opportunities for public input. The Plan establishes a vision for the Living, Working River, which is "A sustainable Fraser River estuary characterized by a healthy ecosystem, economic development opportunities, and continued quality of life in and around the estuary." This vision is supported by three Goals and ten Principles. The Action component of the EMP comprises two broad themes: Environmental Protection and Human Activities. The supporting action framework for Environmental Protection addresses Water and Sediment Quality and Fish and Wildlife Habitat. Under the Human Activities rubric we find four elements: Navigation and Dredging, Log Management, Industrial and Urban Development and Recreation. An Integration/Sustainability Action Program brings these elements together. What is an Estuary? An estuary
is a water body where a river meets the ocean so that freshwater and saltwater
mix and the river level is affected by tides. What are Area Designation Agreements? Area Designation Agreements are a co-operative planning tool used by FREMP partners and municipalities to develop a shared understanding of planned future uses of the foreshore within the Fraser River estuary. Area Designations are also used as a means to resolving disputes regarding acceptable foreshore uses in specific areas. Area designations are applied to the foreshore only. That is, they apply to lands and waters on the wetted side of the high water mark. The development of Area Designation Agreements, however, is intended to link the work of different jurisdictions, leading to better coordination between upland and foreshore planning. Area Designations are non-binding in a legal sense, but are respected as policy when FREMP partners develop and revise planning documents. What is the colour coding system and what is it used for? Shorelines that include intertidal and near-shore riparian areas within FREMP have been classified and colour-coded on the basis of the relative values of their habitat features. Examples of habitat features include mudflat, marsh, riparian trees and shrubs. The codes are intended to guide prospective developers in selecting appropriate sites and identifying suitable design concepts prior to making application to the FREMP ERC for approval/authorization by environmental agencies. There are three colour codings: "red", "yellow" and "green". "Red" contains high habitat value and usually project works cannot alter or destroy habitat. "Yellow" colour coding means there is a moderate habitat value and development can occur in these areas with compensation and/or mitigation. And "Green" coded habitat is low in value. Most developments can occur without the need for compensation or mitigation.
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