SUMMARY DESCRIPTIONS OF FBCN PRIORITY SITESIN THE FRASER LOWLANDS ECOSECTION, February 1995

I. MARINE PROTECTION (intertidal and deeper water)

BOUNDARY BAY, Delta & MUD BAY, SurreyOwnership: Provincial & Federal Crown Size: apprx. 11,000 ha

The foreshore, intertidal and marine habitats of Boundary Bay, Mud Bay andSemiahmoo Bay are among British Columbia's most important wetlands andtheir importance to fish and wildlife has been well documented. They far exceedthe criteria for designation as "Wetlands of International Importance", under theRamsar Convention. Foreshore areas are also nationally important habitat forwintering raptors.

ROBERTS BANK & BRUNSWICK POINT, DeltaOwnership: Provincial & Federal Crown Size: apprx. 11,000 ha

Roberts Bank, including Westham Island and Brunswick Point foreshores, is anestuarine ecosystem on the active, western front of the Fraser River delta. Itsecological integrity is threatened by industrial and commercial activity; twojetties (BC Ferries and Vancouver Port Corporation) intersect the mudflats andeelgrass beds, which are important fish and wildlife habitat. Caspian Terns,listed by COSEWIC as "vulnerable", nest in the area. Part of the foreshore (onWestham Island) is designated as the Alaksen National Wildlife Area.

STURGEON BANK, RichmondOwnership: Provincial & Federal Crown Size: apprx. 7,000 ha

Sturgeon Bank, including the foreshore of Sea Island and the foreshore of LuluIsland from Terra Nova Municipal Park on the north to Garry Point MunicipalPark on the south, is an estuarine system of intertidal mudflats and foreshore, onthe active, western front of the Fraser River delta. It provides a rich habitat formany species of flora and fauna, especially migratory and resident birds andfish. As one of the largest and most productive brackish wetlands of the estuary,Sturgeon Bank contributes significantly to the biodiversity of the Province.

II. BOUNDARY BAY LAND SITES

SOUTHLANDS/SPETIFORE FARM AND TSAWWASSEN FOREST, DeltaOwnership: Private (G. Hodgins, Century Holdings) Size: 309 ha

The Southlands (formerly Spetifore Farm) and Tsawwassen Forest area iscomposed of marshland, oldfield habitat, active farmland and mixed forest,containing First Nation historical sites. It is zoned agricultural but was removedfrom the Agricultural Land Reserve some years ago. It is separated from themain farming communities of Delta by the houses of Beach Grove. It is adjacentto a GVRD park on the Boundary Bay foreshore. The area has a diverse floraand fauna, characteristic of upland bay habitats, together with the only woodlandarea left intact on the western shores of the bay in Canada.

THE RAPTOR MANAGEMENT AREA, Boundary Bay Airport, DeltaOwnership: Provincially leased land from Federal Government

This important oldfield habitat is managed for raptors. This type of habitat iscritical for raptors in the Boundary Bay area and the lease should be secured inperpetuity.

KWOMAIS POINT, SurreyOwnership: Private Size: apprx. 10 ha

Although a small site, Kwomais Point is important because there is so littleforested upland protected along Boundary Bay. Kwomais Point is a small,mixed woodland area on the bluff overlooking Boundary Bay at Ocean Park. It isa relict of the extensive woodland once covering all the high uplands aroung thebay. Views of the deep water areas of Boundary Bay allow for varied wildlifeviewing within a small area. Protection of a variety of habitats within anecosystem is an important factor in maintaining biodiversity. Presently used as aChurch camp, it is rumoured that sale is being considered.

III. FRASER RIVER CONFLUENCE WITH STRAIT OF GEORGIA

As a general comment, all Fraser River sites "Red Listed" through Fisheries &Oceans should be protected. These sites flood at the high water of springfreshet and so have a significant effect on the health of the River.

Extensive inventory of Fraser River wetlands has been published in theCanadian Wildlife Service Reports, Wetlands of the Fraser Lowland, 1989: AnInventory (Report #146) and Ownership, Management, and Protection Status,1992 (Report #200). This information, identification and rating of sites greatlyenables efforts to protect Fraser River sites. As a clear and easy starting point,all of the wetlands identified as Provincially owned should be protected.

SWISHWASH ISLAND, RichmondOwnership: Private Size: apprx. 40 haUndisturbed estuarine marsh/island in Middle Arm of Fraser. EnvironmentCanada habitat rating #1.

MCDONALD SLOUGH, RichmondOwnership: Crown Provincial - 20 ha. Private -10 ha. Municipal - 60 ha.(Indian Reserve -10 ha.)Estuarine Marsh on North Arm of Fraser. Environment Canada habitat rating #1.

GRAUER PROPERTY, RichmondOwnership: Private Size: apprx. 120 haHigh intertidal land, part of Sturgeon Banks.

STEVES PROPERTY, RichmondOwnership: Private Size: apprx. 10 haHigh intertidal, part of Sturgeon Banks.

STEVESTON (SHADY) ISLAND, RichmondOwnership: Crown Provincial Size: apprx. 25 ha2 1/2 km long island. Over 100 plant species show stages of succession on thisdredge spoil site. Accessible by foot at low tide. Environment Canada habitatrating #1.

GILMOUR ISLAND, RichmondOwnership: Private Size: apprx. 7 haIsland almost 1 km long in Main Stem of Fraser opposite Ladner Marsh.Boardwalk across Finn Slough gives foot access to island. Rich covering ofestuarine plants. Environment Canada rates marsh habitat as #1. Goodexamples of plants rare to Lower Mainland such as Black Lily and Henderson'schecker-mallow.

IV. FRASER RIVER WETLANDS & ADJACENT UPLANDS

Refer to general comments on "Red Listed" areas , wetland inventory andprotection of Provincially owned wetlands at the start of Section III.

SURREY BEND, SurreyOwnership: Private (CN Rail & others) Size: 506.7 haA beautiful, natural area of Fraser River shoreline which has remained undyked.A wide variety of habitats including bog, meadow, woodland and marshessupports a rich diversity of plant life and many wildlife, including at least 100species of birds and two dozen mammal species. Coho and Chinook salmon,Dolly Varden and cutthroat trout are among the important fish species using themarshes. The whole area is under strong development pressure and habitatwas recently destroyed here by expansion of CN's rail facilities. For furtherinformation on this site, refer to "Ecological Study of Surrey Bend" (1992), R.Kistritz et. al.

DOUGLAS ISLAND, Electoral Area BOwnership: Private Size: apprx. 180 haIsland at confluence of Pitt with Fraser. Undyked, near-pristine, with shorelinegrowth of cottonwoods and interior marsh. Some habitat enhancement by DucksUnlimited. Wildlife values are high. Important link with other Fraser River sites:Surrey Bend, Coquitlam River Mouth WMA, Colony Farm and Riverview Forest.

COLONY FARM, Port CoquitlamOwnership: Crown Provincial (BC Buildings Corp.) Size: apprx. 230 haAlthough the landscape is in general only semi-natural, this former farm hassignificant values for both wildlife and public recreation. Wide variety of habitatsinclude: oldfields, farmland, woodland, and riparian areas along the CoquitlamRiver. At least 150 species of birds are known to use the site, including nestingbarn owls. Ideal for raptors because of extensive oldfield habitat. Several blue-listed species are found on this site. Land use study nearly complete.

Adjacent to Colony Farm is the Riverview Hospital complex, and as part of it, theupland 25 hectare Riverview Forest. This mature, second growth forest providessignificant linkages between Mundy Park and Colony Farm and should beconsidered for protection as a habitat forest.

POPLAR ISLAND, New WestminsterOwnership: Private Size: apprx. 15 haCottonwood floodplain forest, undyked. Environment Canada habitat rating #1.

SOUTH ARM - GRAVESEND REACH (Includes four different areas):

SOUTH TIP ANNACIS ISLAND, Delta: Also known as Purfleet Point; Estuarinemarsh and dyked upland with mature cottonwoods - nesting site for raptors.Environment Canada habitat rating #1. About 10 hectares of this site areprivately owned.DON & LION ISLANDS, Richmond: Two islands in South Arm just downstreamfrom Annacis Island. Extensive riparian vegetation. Environment Canadahabitat rating #1. About 15 hectares privately owned.SOUTH SHORE LULU ISLAND, Richmond: Fraser River shoreline between No.6 Road & No. 9 Road. Mixed ownership including 8 hectares Provincial.TILBURY SLOUGH, Delta: Also includes Tilbury Island Foreshore and DowChemical/Tilbury Sandbar. Estuarine marsh. At least 70 hectares of this areaare Provincially owned.

GLEN VALLEY & CRESCENT ISLAND, Langley & Matsqui

Glen Valley offers views of rich farmland, the Fraser River, the Golden Ears andthe Chehalis Range. The Sto:lo Indians had their fishing camps here. Stoneimplements found by local farmers, are preserved in the MSA Museum. Thegreen fields were first cultivated by the Hudson Bay Company. We consider thissite an important link with history.Glen Valley has several geographic components with different considerations forprotection: the foreshore, Crescent Island, farm lands, escarpments and streamcorridors.Parts of the Fraser River shore at Glen Valley are publicly owned (GVRD andMunicipal) and are used as fishing bars. Additional purchase of public accessalong the river is recommended. The goal should be to eventually establish aFraser River public trail linking Glen Valley through Ft. Langley to Derby Reach.Crescent Island, about 50 hectares in size, is privately owned and this FraserRiver island is recommended for purchase.The upland portion of Glen Valley should be protected through goodstewardship. The farmland should remain in private ownership and bemaintained and protected for farming through the ALR.The escarpment (from Bradner Road west to 248th St. -almost to Ft. Langley)should be protected as a wildlife corridor and scenic viewscape and also forsafety reasons since this escarpment is unstable. Restrictions on developmentand tree cutting may be sufficient (rather than outright purchase). The Matsquiside of the escarpment remains more natural than the Langley side.What was once an extensive bog at the bottom of the escarpment is now farmedfor cranberries. Any remnants of this bog should be protected.Several fish bearing creeks drain through Glen Valley and should be protected:Nathan Creek (Coho, Steelhead, Cutthroat), West Creek (Coho, Chum,Cutthroat), and East Creek (Chum).

HATZIC LAKE, MissionMajor part of area is Crown Provincial, also extensive cottage area.Portions of the lake and wetlands warrent protection. Inventory work is neededto determine areas and extent.

STRAWBERRY ISLAND/ NICOMEN SLOUGH, Dewdney-Alouette Reg. DistrictOwnership: Crown Provincial Size: 625 ha.Marshes, sheltered sloughs, cottonwood stands, open meadows and riversidebeaches. Nicomen Slough has overwintering populations of Trumpeter andWhistling swans, eagles and other waterfowl.

FRASER / HARRISON ISLANDS AND WETLANDSMany of the islands are Crown Provincial, some Private.Multitude of islands/ gravel bars in the Fraser from Laidlaw downstream toSumas Mtn., including Harrison Bay and the mouth of the Chehalis River.It is recommended initially that islands owned by the Province should be givenprotected status. Privately held islands should be assessed as to whetherowners' activities fit with objectives of wetland protection.

LOWER SUMAS RIVER & MCGILLIVRAY CREEK, AbbotsfordOwnership: Crown Provincial - apprx. 160 ha., Private - apprx. 120 ha.,Municipal - apprx. 5 ha., Nature Trust - apprx. 17 ha.

Undyked floodplain in the Fraser Lowland. Includes Goose Lake; alsoMcGillivray Creek Wildlife Sanctuary (extent of protected status not clear).

V. OTHER WETLANDS & ADJACENT FORESTS

INDIAN RIVER ESTUARYOwnership: Crown ProvincialIncludes Indian River Esturary and old growth forest on its west bank.

BURNS BOG & BURNS BOG FOREST, DeltaOwnership: Private (Western Delta Lands) Size: apprx. 4,000 ha.Burns Bog is a circular organic deposit overlying dense silts and clays, believedto be the largest domed bog in Western North America. It possesses plantspecies unusual at that altitude and provides habitat for some of the fewremaining black bears and sandhill cranes in the Lower Mainland.

UNDYKED SWAMP ON NICOMEKL RIVER, SurreyOwnership: PrivateThis is a small site, but is Important for heronry.

MACINTYRE CREEK, CoquitlamFlows into the Pitt just above Addington Marsh. Prime salmonid spawning andrearing habitat; also low-elevation winter feeding opportunities for deer.Environment Canada habitat rating #1.

DEBOUVILLE SLOUGH ; PITT RIVER DYKES & GOOSE BAR, CoquitlamThis area has been identified as environmentally sensitive by Coquitlam, but noprotective status exists. Chum and Coho salmon migrate up the slough.The dykes serve as a circuit connecting to Minnekhada Regional Park andAddington Wildlife Management Area.Goose Bar lies in the Pitt River between DeBouville Slough and AddingtonMarsh. Environment Canada habitat rating #1.

SNAKE ROCK, Pitt PolderOwnership: Private Size: apprx. 20 ha"Nanatuck" - rock island caused by glacier; also heavily vegetated wet meadow.Small site, but link to Pitt WMA. Also cultural - spiritual site of Katzie Band.Disturbance of Hydro pylon.

CODD ISLAND, Pitt PolderOwnership: Private Size: apprx. 100 haLocated between North Alouette and Blaney Creek. Wetland marshes andupland forested areas provide relatively undisturbed habitat for wildlife speciesin an area which is predominantly farmland.

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SALMON RIVER MARSHLAND, LangleyOwnership: Private Size: apprx. 60 haMarshland resulting from overspill of Lower Salmon River and riparianwoodlands. Rich flora of stream and stream associated plants, good variety ofaquatic birds, song birds and raptors and amphibians; is an established corridorfor salmonid migration, also non-salmonid fish. Provincial/Federal project forentire watershed for fish enhancement. Trinity Western University has in thepast encroached on this site but now appears to be recognizing the habitat valueof this site.

SOUTH LANGLEY BOG, LangleyOwnership: Private Size: 50 haBog located at 240th Street and dead end of 6th Avenue and extends north andwest to marsh near 232nd St. and 8th Ave. Located near the U.S. border thesite includes a narrow strip of bog, marsh and scattered riparian woodland alongsouth flowing stream - head waters of the Little Campbell River. Adjacent toVentura gravel pit. Good birding site; also painted turtles.

VI. FORESTED UPLANDS

BURKE MOUNTAIN, CoquitlamAssume this is in process of being protected as park.

BURNABY MOUNTAINOwnership: Private, University, Crown Provincial Size: apprx. 600 haPrimarily alder and second growth forest surrounding Simon Fraser University.Wildlife corridor/habitat in midst of urban area. Proposal to make this a "sisterpark" to UBC's Pacific Spirit Regional Park.

SUMAS MOUNTAINThis large site is of interest to naturalists and needs review to determine areasfor protection. It is home to a variety of wildlife including: peregrine falcon,nesting eagles, osprey, turkey vulture, raven, cougar, bobcat, bear, mountainbeaver, pika, and possibly spotted owl. There are important geological features,including fossil bearing rockst It is an important visual feature in the Matsqui -Abbotsford area.The south (east) facing bluffs above the Sumas River deserve special mention.These dry, shallow soil to bedrock sites support a "rocky bluff1 flora and faunadistinctive to the Lower Mainland, and include species such as: Garry Oak, seablush and California oat-grass (Danthonia). The caves at Kilgard Bluffs aresacred to the Indians.In the years since Sumas Lake was drained at least a hundred bird species, outof the 262 known to inhabit the area in 1917, have disappeared or become rare.

10VII. CHILLIWACK RIVER COMPLEX

The Chilliwack River complex is in the northern extreme of the CascadeMountains, a region rich in habitat types, including wetlands, lakes, forests, andmountains. It possesses a wide diversity of flora and fauna, including such "RedListed" species as the Cultus Lake Sculpin, Salish sucker, Pacific giantsalamander, Western grebe (during migration), Northern Spotted Owl, Mountainbeaver, Long-tailed weasel and the Washington snowshoe hare. Historically,the Pacific Water Shrew was trapped in the Cultus Lake area and should still bepresent in low numbers. Other important species on the "Blue List" include,Tailed Frog, Western screech owl. Trowbridge's shrew, Great blue heron andGreen-backed herons, Turkey Vulture, nesting Bald eagles, Black-chinnedHummingbird and the Fisher. The Phantom orchid grows locally in thePromontory and Cultus Lake areas.

Sites of particular wildlife value in the Chilliwack River Complex include, but arenot limited to Smithe Falls, Ryder Lake, Ryder Creek, Hornby-McLaughlin Lake,Cultus and Chilliwack Lakes, and Chilliwack River Valley.

The Chilliwack and Silverhope Spotted Owl Conservation Area (SOCA) isproposed for 17,481 ha of forest around Chilliwack Lake.

Forestry and fishing are important resource industries for the Chilliwack Rivercomplex and are combined with recreational uses in many areas (eg. forestrycampgrounds along the Chilliwack River, Chilliwack Lake and Cultus LakeProvincial Parks). The region is now severely threatened by poorly planned andwidespread urban development. It is crucial that this entire area is viewed as anecological whole and that a study is undertaken to determine the best locationfor wildlife management areas, parks, multiple use areas, etc.

In the years since Sumas Lake was drained at least a hundred bird species, outof the 262 known to inhabit the area in 1917, have disappeared or become rare.Farming practices and urbanization continue to threaten this habitat and itsinhabitants. Places like McGillivray Creek, Sumas River, Goose Lake, SumasLake Ridge and Higgs Ridge are cultural and natural history sites withexceptional quality that will help to prevent further loss of our diverse heritage ofthe Fraser Valley lowlands.

Recommendation: the Chilliwack River complex, as roughly outlined on theattached map, should be the subject of a Provincial study to determine the bestmethods of protecting its rich wildlife resources and the biodiversity of the area.

11OTHER PROVINCIAL CONCERNS:

1. ENVIRONMENTALLY IMPORTANT AGRICULTURAL AREAS

Throughout the Lower Mainland there are a number of actively farmed areas thathave great importance to wildlife. Examples include: the Fraser Valley nearChilliwack, the Serpentine and Nicomekl river valleys, Boundary Bay uplandsand the Western Delta Provincial farmlands (formerly Roberts Bank backuplands), Burnaby Big Bend, Barnston Island, and Glen Valley. Farm fieldsprovide feeding, roosting and loafing habitats for many species of waterfowl,shorebirds, raptors and herons. Fallow areas (oldfield) provide the long grassesnecessary for voles and mice as well as other mammals. Field verges andhedges are valuable habitat for a number of mammals and for nesting gamebirds, songbirds and raptors. Ditches, if sensitively maintained, are importantwetlands for nesting waterfowl and for fish nurseries.

Present day farming methods often result in uprooted hedges and contaminatedditches; however stewardship schemes in place in many parts of Canada arenow addressing these issues. In British Columbia, the Delta Farmland andWildlife Trust has been formed, as a joint venture between farmers andnaturalists, to ensure that farmland is managed in an environmentallyresponsible manner and that its wildlife values are conserved.

Recommendation: in recognition that all actively farmed land has some wildlifehabitat value, and that some agricultural land is extremely important to wildlife,the FBCN recommends that the Province protect these habitat values offarmland by:

* protecting the integrity of the Agricultural Land Reserve;* funding and promoting stewardship schemes on farmland, such as thoseproposed and undertaken by the Delta Farmland and Wildlife Trust;* in some circumstances, for example areas threatened with development,purchasing Greenbelt Conservation Areas, which can continue to be activelyfarmed.

122. WATERWAYS

Protection statement: All rivers, streams and wetlands are consideredenvironmentally important. Provincial legislation to protect these should bestrenthened and enforced. The following were identified in the Land for Natureproject and are listed here to show the extent of small to medium sizedwaterways.

Brunette River, Still CreekCoquitlam River & tributariesRichard's Creek, Port MoodyMossom & Noons Creeks, Port MoodyLynn Creek & EstuaryCapilano RiverSeymour RiverWoodward Slough, RichmondFinn Slough, RichmondChilukthan Slough, DeltaCrescent Slough, DeltaSerpentine River & tributariesNicomekl River & tributariesCampbell River & tributaries, Langley & SurreySalmon River, LangleyWest Creek, LangleyBertrand Creek, LangleyPepin Creek, AldergroveHanna Creek, MatsquiNathan Creek, MatsquiSturgeon Slough, Pitt PoulderEast Chatham Reach, Pitt MeadowsKatzie Slough, Pitt MeadowsCranberry Slough, Pitt MeadowsAlouette River and tributaries, Maple RidgeFisherman's Trail, Maple Ridge