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8. Work with the Fraser Valley Regional District:
a. To ensure Chilliwack’s environmental
features are integrated with the Region-
al Growth Strategy and recognized in
the protection of the region’s ecological
integrity; and
b. To manage invasive species.
9. Facilitate the redevelopment of successfully
rehabilitated, underutilized brownfield (contami-
nated) sites.
WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Riparian areas are crucial habitats to fish and wildlife;
they also are an important water resource. Protect-
ing the riparian zones from development and intru-
sive human activities ensures the preservation of not
only the habitats and the wildlife and plants that de-
pend on them, but also the quantity and quality of
the water that recharges our aquifers. In addition,
riparian zones and streams represent immeasurable
aesthetic and recreational values to the community,
especially when combined with an unobtrusive trail
system or connected as a network of greenways.
Wetland management is another priority in environ-
mental protection. As many wetlands were drained
in the early 20
th
Century and the Fraser River and Ved-
der River have been dyked, not many sites have re-
mained. Their preservation today is all the more im-
portant to maintaining future bio-diversity and their
value as a surface and ground water resource.
Aquifers are the chief source of Chilliwack’s drinking
water, which has been rated among the best in Cana-
da and achieved with limited treatment. To maintain
such high water quality and the security of the supply,
aquifers must be protected from surficial and ground
water contamination. Through its well-established
aquifer management protocol, Chilliwack has been
recognized as a leader in municipal groundwater pro-
tection.
OBJECTIVES
1. Protect and enhance groundwater and surface
water resources, in terms of both quantity and
quality.
2. Ensure the existing water resources to continue
meeting human and environmental needs.
POLICIES
1. Though Development Permit Area 1 provisions
(Maps 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D), protect municipal wa-
tersheds from human activities or developments
that are detrimental to the quality and quantity
of the community water supply.
2. Protect and enhance wetlands and riparian zones
through the implementation of Development
Permit Area 3 Guidelines, public education and
stewardship programs.
3. Work with community members to carry out
riparian enhancement projects, wetland resto-
ration and other water protection initiatives.
4. Protect groundwater resources, especially those
that are the current and future sources of the
City’s drinking water, through:
a. OCP and zoning control over land use in the
aquifer areas;
b. The protection of the capture zones (DPA 1
and 2 guidelines and maps) and other best prac-
tices in aquifer management; and
c. Public education.
5. Reduce potable water demand through continu-
ous public conservation measures and operation-
al improvements.
6. Implement best practices for storm water and
wastewater management to eliminate or min-
imize impacts on rivers, streams and ground
water/aquifers.
Work with provincial and/or federal agencies
Goal 4 - Protect the Environment