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�

Status: BC non-profit Society and federal charity. �Mission: Protect the biodiversity of the Sunshine Coast region for the benefit of humanity and all life. �Area of Interest: 2 million+ hectares in the Sunshine Coast Natural Resource District, in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, shíshálh, Tla'amin, Klahoose and Homalko First Nations territories.

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THE SCCA

1997-2021 Historic and Ongoing Programmes

Preserved mid-low elevation forests for Mountain Goat, Old Growth, Marbled Murrelet Habitat.
Partnered to protect Tetrahedron, Spipyus and Mt. Richardson Provincial Parks; Carlson Creek, Storm Bay, Ambrose Lake Ecological Reserves and Gambier Island Nature Reserves.
Collaborating to protect Chapman and Grey Creek Watersheds and enlisting community support for greater watershed management and protection.
Citizen science, data collection, monitoring, restoration and protection of freshwater and marine values.
Contributing to engagement processes around resource extraction projects including logging plans.
Delivering educational programming on biodiversity, species at risk and environmental advocacy.
Maintaining an active membership, supporting others in achieving shared conservation objectives.

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WEST HOWE SOUND WATERSHED PROTECTION PROJECT

These forests are the ‘Recharge Area’ for two prolific aquifers that will make up over 50% of the SCRD water deficit over the next 50 years.

Forests absorb and release water, slow snow melt, support soil structure and slope stability, mitigate against drought and flood and mitigate downstream impacts.

Protection of the forested recharge area is integral to the long-term sustainability of the local water supply.

The forested ecosystems in West Howe Sound sustain many values including old growth, species at risk habitat and critical ‘natural assets.’

GOAL: To protect the forested aquifer recharge areas in West Howe Sound Atl’kat7sem.

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GEOGRAPHIC AND LAND USE CONTEXT

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ATL’KAT7SEM HOWE SOUND

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UNESCO �BIOSPHERE

Biosphere Regions are models for sustainable development that should fulfill five functions:

Conservation
Sustainable Development
Reconciliation
Climate Action
Logistic Support

Biosphere Regions are models for sustainable development through collaboration and engagement across communities and sectors. A Biosphere should fulfill five complementary and mutually reinforcing functions:

Conservation - to contribute to conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic variation;

Sustainable Development - to foster socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable economic and human development;

Reconciliation - to implement projects in collaboration with Indigenous Peoples and uphold the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

Climate Action - to empower people to mitigate and adapt to climate change and carry out climate action projects in partnership with all sectors of society

Logistic Support - to provide support for research, monitoring, education and information exchange related to issues of conservation and development

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RECHARGE AREA

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MOUNT�ELPHINSTONE

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AQUIFER 560�ELPHINSTONE�GIBSONS�GRANTHAMS�

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AQUIFER 552�HOPKINS �LANGDALE

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COMMUNITY WATERSHEDS

To protect the water that is diverted for human consumption, such areas require special management to:

Conserve the quality, quantity and timing of water flow

Prevent cumulative hydrological effects having a material adverse effect on water.

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COMMUNITY WATERSHED CANCELLED�GIBSONS 560

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COMMUNITY WATERSHED CANCELLED�SOAMES 560

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WATERSHED RESERVES�

A Reserve is established by Order in Council to save Crown land from disposition in recognition of a specific public interest, value or attribute. It provides the strongest indication of government’s intention and it is used to safeguard an acknowledged public interest or concern.

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RESERVE�EXPIRES �MARCH 4, 2022

A reserve must be established for a specific term. A reserve is an absolute reservation during its term, and can only be cancelled or amended by a further O.I.C.

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PROPOSED STEPS TO ACHIEVE PROTECTION

IMMEDIATE COLLABORATION

SHORT-TERM MAPPING, ANALYSES, MONITORING

MID-TERM STOP GAP MEASURES

LONG-TERM PROTECTION

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IMMEDIATE AND SHORT-TERM ACTIONS

Collaborate with all levels of government, first nations and NGOs to enlist support to protect the recharge area forests.
Engage Squamish Nation to ensure ongoing approach respects and implements DRIPA.
Engage Provincial staff and decision makers to enlist support

COLLABORATION

Town of Gibsons aquifer 560 mapping study update
SCRD Water Strategy and mapping aquifer 552 recharge area
SCCA land use and legal research and analysis

RESEARCH & PLANNING

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MID AND LONG-TERM ACTIONS

Ministerial approval to designate recharge area for community watershed use.
Order in Council establishing a community watershed and removal of lands from the Timber Harvest Land Base (THLB)
Establish a Mineral No Staking Reserve.

LAND USE DESIGNATIONS

Water Sustainability Planning
Water Sustainability Plan (WSP) under the Water Sustainability Act (WSA)
Watershed Protection Service

PROTECTION