Parksville Qualicum Beach Wildlife Management Area
The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations designated the Parksville Qualicum Beach Wildlife Management Area (PQBWMA) on March 31, 1993. This designation was made under Section 4(2) of the Wildlife Act for the conservation of coastal intertidal, estuarine and riparian habitats habitat used by birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and fish.
The PQBWMA includes approximately 1,024 hectares of land lying between Craig Bay and the Little Qualicum River. In addition, the PQBWMA includes lands adjacent to select reaches of the Englishman River and Morrison Creek. The PQBWMA includes lands in Electoral Areas E, F and G.
Parksville Qualicum Beach Wildlife Management Area Map
The PQBWMA supports a diverse range of wildlife and ecosystems which are regionally and internationally significant. Highlights of the PQBWMA include:
- It contains many estuaries, beaches, and foreshore gravel bars that provide critical staging grounds for the internationally important Pacific Brant Sea Goose
- It provides habitat to over 60 other water bird species
- Over 100,000 water birds come to the area to feed in the productive foreshore waters
- The estuaries and foreshore zones provide vital rearing habitat to all pacific salmon species, steelhead, and coastal cutthroat trout
- Millions of herring spawn each spring on the abundant eel grass and algal beds found within the foreshore
- Several species of marine mammals such as the California Sea Lion, Harbour Seal, Northern Seal Lion, and Harbour Porpoise are attracted to the area to feed
The PQBWMA is located within the Territory of the Coast Salish First Nations.
Managing and Protecting the PQBWMA
The Ministry of Water, Land and Natural Resource Stewardship is the provincial agency primarily responsible for the management and protection of the PQBWMA. However, there are other government agencies and stakeholders that play a role in the protection of the PQBWMA. This includes:
- The Nature Trust of BC
- First Nations
- Ducks Unlimited
- Canadian Wildlife Service - Environment and Climate Change Canada
- Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation
- Private property owners
- Regional District of Nanaimo
- City of Parksville
- Town of Qualicum Beach
- Mid-Vancouver Island Habitat Enhancement Society
- Arrowsmith Naturalists
- British Columbia Conservation Foundation
Property owners who own land adjacent to the PQBWMA have an important responsibility as stewards of the land and can assist with the protection and preservation of environmental values so that they can continue to be enjoyed by future generations.
The RDN’s role is to ensure that development activities proposed on lands located above the present natural boundary do not have negative impacts on the environmental values associated with the PQBWMA. The tools that are used by the RDN to accomplish this are minimum setback requirements and a floodplain bylaw that applies to all buildings and structures, Development Permit Areas (DPAs) for the purpose of environmental protection (Electoral Areas F and G only), and a marine retaining wall policy.
Development Within or Adjacent to the PQBWMA
The RDN specifies minimum setback requirements that apply to all buildings and structures, Development Permit Areas for the purpose of environmental protection, and a marine retaining wall policy.
All development should be located upland of the natural boundary and should, where feasible, meet the applicable minimum setback requirements. All development must also be consistent with the applicable DPA Guidelines.
Minimum Setback Requirements
Regional District of Nanaimo Zoning Bylaw No. 2500, 2024 (Bylaw 2500) applies to all lands within the portion of the PQBWMA that lies within Electoral Area 'G', and ‘E’. Regional District of Nanaimo Electoral Area ‘F’ Zoning and Subdivision Bylaw No. 1285, 2002 (Bylaw 1285) applies to the portion of the PQBWMA that lies within Electoral Area ‘F’.
Sections 3.9 and 3.10 of Bylaw 2500 establish the minimum setbacks for buildings and structures from watercourses and the sea. Section 2.10 of Bylaw No. 1285, 2002 (Bylaw 1285) specifies the minimum distance that all buildings and structures must be located from watercourses. Regional District of Nanaimo Please note, minimum setback requirements area measured from the outermost portion of a building or structure.
Floodplain Bylaw Requirements
Regional District of Nanaimo Flood Hazard Mitigation Bylaw No. 1872, 2023 (Floodplain Bylaw) generally applies to all lands within a designated floodplain and establishes the requirement to meet minimum setback and Flood Construction Level requirements for development.
Marine Retaining Wall Policy
The Regional District of Nanaimo Board adopted Policy B1.9 - Marine Retaining Wall Policy on October 26, 2004, to provide guidelines for the construction of marine retaining walls so that the potential impacts on adjacent properties and the natural environment are addressed. This policy is applicable when a Development Permit or Development Variance Permit is being requested that proposes a marine retaining wall.
Development Permit Areas
The Regional District of Nanaimo Electoral Area F and Electoral Area G Official Community Plans designate Development Permit Areas (DPAs) that apply to properties located adjacent to the PQBWMA.
The purpose of a DPA is to ensure that development is conducted in a way that is consistent with the objectives and policies of the Official Community Plan and in a way that minimizes impacts on the environment and adjacent properties. By adhering to the DPA Guidelines, property owners are helping to ensure that the environmental values of the PQBWMA will be protected for future generations.
Unless specifically exempt, development activities proposed within a DPA must obtain a Development Permit from the Regional District of Nanaimo before the proposed works can proceed. Therefore, it is recommended that prior to undertaking any development activities such as land alteration, construction, removal of vegetation, or shoreline protection that you contact the Regional District of Planning Department to determine if a Development Permit is required.
Electoral Area E
There is no DPA for environmental protection applicable to parcels adjacent to the sea in Electoral Area E. The Coastal Flood Hazard DPA applies to development within the designated Coastal Floodplain.
Electoral Area F
In Electoral Area F, the PQBWMA applies to properties adjacent to select reaches of the Englishman River and Morrison Creek as shown here. The Electoral Area F Official Community Plan designates the Freshwater and Fish Habitat Protection Development Permit Area which applies to all mapped and unmapped streams in Electoral Area F.
A Development Permit may be required for any alteration of land, disturbance of soil, a subdivision of land, or other development activities within 30 metres from the present natural boundary or, in the case of a ravine, 30 metres from the top of the ravine bank of any stream, wetland, or pond.
In accordance with the Riparian Areas Protection Regulation, the Development Permit Area Guidelines require that a report be prepared by a Qualified Environmental Professional.
Electoral Area G
In Electoral Area G, all coastal properties adjacent to the PQBWMA are designated within the Sensitive Ecosystems and the Marine Coast Development Permit Areas (DPAs). With respect to coastal properties, the DPAs, in addition to the Coastal Flood Hazard DPA, may apply to any alteration of land, disturbance of soil, subdivision of land, or other development activities within 15 metres upland and 15 metres seaward of the present natural boundary and within the Coastal Floodplain for flood hazard mitigation.
Potential Archeological Sites
Lands within the PQBWMA have the potential to contain archeological sites. If you are proposing development activities adjacent to or within the PQBWMA, it is recommended that you contact the Archeological Brach to determine if there are any known archeological sites on your properties and what approvals may be required to authorize your proposal. The Archeological Branch can be reached at (250) 953-3334.
Ministry of Water Lands and Resource Stewardship Requirements for Works within the PQBWMA
In addition to the requirements specified by the Regional District of Nanaimo, all development activities that are proposed at or below the natural boundary may require a General Wildlife Permit from the Ministry of Water, Lands, and Resource Stewardship. This is in addition to any other approvals required for use of Crown lands. Please contact the Ministry of Water, Lands, and Resource Stewardship West Coast Regional Office through FrontCounter BC at (250) 751-7220 to determine if your project requires a General Wildlife Permit.
Additional Resources
Ministry of Water, Lands, and Resource Stewardship
The Ministry delivered an information bulletin to all properties adjacent to the PQBWMA in Electoral Areas E and G.
Archeological Branch
Many coastal properties may include archeological sites. A Heritage Alteration Permit from the Provincial Archeological Branch may be required prior to undertaking any development. For more information, please visit their website or call (250) 953-3334.