The LCWS has been working with Surrey Environmental Partners (SEP) and concerned citizens to stop the City of Surrey's Mayor and Councils's plan to reduce the city's streamside protection bylaws (that took 5 years of work to create) from a 40 m setback measured at top of stream bank to 30 m setback measured from stream edge (apparently, though mistakenly, to match the generical Provincial setback regulations) to "streamline development processes". The existing bylaw was created based upon years of consultation between developers and scientific experts and matched the unique conditions of the riparian zones within Surrey, inclusive of those for the lower reaches of the Little Campbell River. The proposed changes, which have not direct logical ties to making development more streamlined whatsoever, make no scientific or even development sense at all. The only clear outcome will be to put rivers and creeks in Surrey at greater risk; with both far less flood protection and less habitat for wildlife. It adds to the overall risk our BC salmon species are facing. This comes in the form of flood events washing eggs, fry, gravel and everything else down the creeks and rivers causing lost habitat, spawning beds, and salmon themselves. The current setbacks allow a sufficient area for water infiltration into the river and aquifers during wet periods to reduce flooding potential and assist in keeping water flowing in the rivers during dry summer months. There is not enough groundwater to keep the creeks and rivers flowing if we pave more of the riparian areas. Flood routing infrastructure is also insufficient to deal with what will be significantly increased flood flows from loss of riparian infiltration. The Tatalu / Little Campbell River already dries in sections; one at about 200th Street each year and the consequence is that stranded salmon fry will die, as well as, all the other aquatic wildlife that depend on creeks and rivers. With less water flow comes warmer water and less oxygen in the water. Salmon are a cold-water species. This change if approved, may well be the final bad decision that kills our salmon run forever in the Little Campbell river watershed.
Finally, under this revised setback the city will have to buy land back and or ask permission from the landowner to do necessary work within riparian areas. These lands under the current bylaws get added to the city's green infrastructure network. This bylaw has not been revised yet. LCWS, Semiahmoo First Nations, and many others spoke out against this change at multiple public meetings during the past several months. The final decision by Mayor and Council will be made in early 2025. If you want to voice your concerns, email clerks@surrey.ca and it will be forwarded to Mayor and Council members.
Comments