FRENCH CREEK ESTUARY NATURE PRESERVE
THREATENED BY DEVELOPMENT
The Save Estuary Land Society was instrumental in the conservation of 9.22 hectares of ecologically sensitive land beside the French Creek estuary which was protected in 2022 as the French Creek Estuary Nature Preserve. 22 species at risk have been identified on or near the Nature Preserve.
Now a proposed development on one hectare of private land beside the Nature Preserve threatens its ecosystems and a Great Blue Heron Colony located on the private land.
HELP PROTECT THE NATURE PRESERVE & HERON COLONY
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CALL TO ACTION - LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN: SEE INFO ON CONTACT PAGE
The Save Estuary Land Society is a Registered Charity
Registration No: 786588079 RR 0001 Email: saveestuaryland@gmail.com
On Dec 9, 2024 the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) issued a development permit to a Qualicum Beach construction company, owner of one hectare (1ha) of land beside the French Creek Estuary Nature Preserve. Early in the morning of Dec 11th a crew with heavy equipment arrived on site. Residents were alarmed when they woke up to the sound of chain saws and the sight of large Douglas fir trees being cut down.
The development permit is for 'clearing and filling' and the land has now been logged and cleared. A building permit has not been issued.
Development will negatively impact the Nature Preserve, a Great Blue Heron colony, a large pond and provincially red-listed wetlands. Construction is permitted within 10m of the pond and wetlands. Hard surfaces for parking and buildings and increased numbers of vehicles cause polluting runoff harmful to sensitive ecosystem plant and wildlife species.
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The RDN manages the Nature Preserve and as such are its guardian, ensuring its “protection, preservation, and conservation for ecological, environmental and aesthetic reasons." During a RDN public engagement process, community members advocated for the acquisition of the 1ha to prevent development immediately adjacent to the Nature Preserve to protect its ecological integrity, wildlife habitat and corridor. This is stated in the Nature Preserve’s management plan.
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Great Blue Heron Colony Under Threat
​​​An active colony of Great Blue herons on the 1ha with 7 nest trees and 11 nests fledged 19 chicks in 2024. Sandra Gray, a skilled heron observer with 35+ years of experience, Deborah Freeman, a wildlife photographer, and Denise Foster, chair of the Save Estuary Land Society, compiled data, photos and videos of the colony from Feb-Aug 2024. The data was accepted and mapped by the Ministry of Water, Land & Resource Stewardship.
The developer’s contracted biologist company reported 5 heron nest trees and 7 nests. This same firm incorrectly reported a Bald Eagle nest tree as inactive at the French Creek Marina in 2019 which nearly resulted in the nest tree being cut down during nesting season
Reporting of only 5 nest trees resulted in more protective trees surrounding the heron colony cut down exposing the nests and chicks to risks from predators and elements.
This colony is 1 of only 2 active, identified colonies from Nanoose Bay to Deep Bay
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LACK OF PROTECTIVE TREES MAY CAUSE THE HERONS TO ABANDON THEIR COLONY
Some of the trees felled on the site
Trees and vegetation removed exposing the pond
Ecosytems, Herons, Neighbouring Properties, Wildlife At Risk
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Due to the sensitivity of the French Creek ecosystem and the scale of development that has occurred in the overall area, minimum requirements for environmental protections seem inadequate to ensure safeguarding this unique habitat and its biodiversity
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22 Species at Risk are found on or near the Nature Preserve
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Hard surfaces from driveways and parking areas cause harmful runoff to the Nature Preserve's pond and provincially red-listed wetlands and could impact neighbouring properties
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So called '200-year floods' can occur at any time in any given year, may exceed the indicated flood level, and portions of the floodplain can flood more frequently (BC gov't). This brings into question additional development in this floodplain area vulnerable to sea level rise, cyclone storms and atmospheric rivers.
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In 1994, 30 years ago, a development permit application for the 1ha lot (as part of a larger property), was approved to be zoned RS5 - multi-family residential which is still in effect. If construction is permitted on the 1ha it will be multi-family.
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Significant fill would be required to raise the level of this land, resulting in buildings higher than existing homes in the neighbourhood.
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Density building will increase vehicle traffic in an area with only one entrance/exit to Hwy 19A
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Is there a sufficient and guaranteed water supply to meet an additional demand?
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A key document for community planning is an Official Community Plan (OCP). OCP's are typically reviewed and updated every 5-10 years. The Area G OCP dates back to 2008.