2012

June onward

Physical progress on projects within the approved SPP has been slowed in 2012 due to changes in staffing resources at both the DWV and DFO. This has resulted in unexpected delays in coming to agreements on the DFO “authorization” agreement for the long term Shoreline Protection Plan, and the movement towards an integrated model for an overall Shoreline Management approach with enhanced and higher level communications and discussion going forward between DWV and DFO.

As of January 2013 a final draft of a DFO authorization has been tabled with validity to 2018 comprising the list sites and works described in the SPP. Activity by DWV is expected to commence in January to deliver boulders to the staging constructed staging ramp at the foot of 24th Street.  These will be used to provide a boulder garden fronting the seawall for the Marr Creek component project described in detail in the SPP document.

As an aside, Dec 17th, 2012 saw considerable storm and tidal impacts due to convergence of unusually high water together with strong winds and waves. The flooding and overtopping of many areas along the West Vancouver shore highlighted the fact that much of the shoreline consists of low lying flood plain created by creek deposits, which has since been developed into residential and parkland facilities.  The buffering and damage reduction provided by the soft shoreline features which continue to develop through the SPP were apparent.  The soft engineering of the water’s edge trail from Lawson Park to 15th Street was readily re-worked after the storm. Accretion rather than erosion of the beach was apparent once storm-tossed log debris was addressed.   This event was a demonstration of future expected impacts of climate change. The role of a broad natural shoreline and reefs in providing resilient storm wave buffers will help mitigate increasingly frequent similar events as sea levels rise going forward.

The following list is extracted from the SPP draft authorization, which is to be valid Jan 15, 2013 to Feb 28, 2018 – five years.  Completion of this agreement will enable incremental work to proceed without further regulatory overhead, as budgeted and supplementary sourced funds, resources, and opportunities become available.

• Ambleside Pier 180 m2 of shallow sub-tidal boulder and cobble/gravel beach due to construction of a drift sill.
• Lawson Pier 275 m2 of intertidal boulder and cobble/gravel beach due to expansion of a drift sill.
• Lawson Park 1,000 m2 of intertidal boulder and cobble/gravel beach due to construction of three tombolos.
• 18th Street 750 m2 of intertidal boulder and cobble/gravel beach due to infill of foreshore and not more than 940 m2 of intertidal boulder and cobble/gravel beach due to construction of 3 tombolos.
• Dundarave Pier/Marr Creek  500 m2 of shallow subtidal benthic boulder, cobble and sand due to construction of 2 drift sills.
• Marr Creek Channel  400 m2  of cobble beach due to the placement of boulders on the intertidal foreshore.
• Dundarave Pier East 1,300 m2 of subtidal sand habitat due to construction of a low intertidal reef.
• Dundarave Pier East 1,100 m2  of cobble, sand and bedrock beach due to intermittent placement of boulders in front of the seawall.
• Dundarave Pier East 1,500 m2 of cobble and boulder beach due to construction of 2 tombolos.
• Navvy Jack Point 3,000 m2 of subtidal benthic boulder and sand due to the construction of a subtidal reef.
• Navvy Jack Point to Dundarave 9,990 m2 of subtidal benthic sand habitat due to construction of an offshore reef.

Two meetings of the Directors of the West Vancouver Shoreline Preservation Society took place in this period.  The latter meeting was to receive information regarding the potential for increased large tanker traffic entering Vancouver Port to serve current proposals for pipeline export terminal activities.

February to June

The Council Meeting of Feb 20th endorsed the ongoing “Shoreline Preservation Plan for 2012-2015” (SPP-2012).

The West Vancouver Shoreline Society along with Stream-Keepers was closely involved in working with DWV staff and consultants to review the updated plan, and was gratified to witness the formal announcement, endorsement, and funding.

WVSPS continued efforts to facilitate cash and in-kind donations from other sources and jurisdictions to partner with WVSPS and DWV going forward.  A high priority is placed on identifying and engaging opportunities for donations of suitable reef building materials such as field boulders from excavations that might be re-directed for community benefit from otherwise going to waste.  The ability to respond quickly to such in-kind “material” opportunities requires planning and support from federal gov’t agencies such as DFO, Environment Canada, and Transport Canada.

The updated SPP for 2012-2015 can be seen on the DWV web site (Click here).

Project works outlined in the SPP work plan are planned for the coming months, as contained in the approved document work plan.  Sites involved include Navvy Jack Reef, Marr Creek at Dundarave Pier, Lawson Creek and Ambleside Pier.  Ongoing meetings are being held with federal agencies to seek their support and encouragement.

DWV has appointed Mr. Ian Haras to administer the SPP going forward. Consideration is being given to an accountable and dedicated DWV position to knowledgeably and proactively manage the many waterfront issues and develop a higher level Shoreline Management Protocol encompassing the SPP, natural shoreline and protection,  management of waterfront leases and DWV marine structures, and facilities such as the public piers and the boat ramp.