Wetlands

Wetlands provide some of the most biologically diverse, productive and important life support systems on earth.  They provide critical habitat for amphibians, reptiles, fish, birds, and other wildlife.  Most wildlife in BC use wetland habitat at some point in their life cycle, and many red and blue-listed species are dependent on wetlands.

In addition to wildlife habitat, wetlands provide important natural services such as flood control, water storage, water purification, contaminant filtering, and control of storm water and erosion.  Wetlands are sometimes artificially constructed in some land developments in order to provide these benefits.  Hence, wetland protection is now seen to be important for economic as well as conservation reasons.

Some estimates have suggested that British Columbia has lost between 60 to 85 per cent of its original wetlands, depending on the region.  Most losses have occurred as a result of drainage of wetlands for agriculture and urban development.

Protection of Wetlands

The importance of wetlands was recognized internationally in 1971 under the International Convention on Wetlands, also known as the Ramsar Convention (see the Guide page on Multilateral Environmental Agreements).  British Columbia has two internationally significant wetlands sites – the Alaksen National Wildlife Area in the Fraser River delta, and the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area south of Kootenay Lake.

The Ramsar Convention calls upon its signatories to conserve and protect wetlands.  The federal government adopted the Federal Policy on Wetland Conservation in 1991, which stipulates the goal of “no net loss” to wetlands on federal lands or waters.  However, most wetlands come under provincial jurisdiction.  British Columbia does not yet have a wetlands policy, although several other provinces have adopted policies similar to the federal policy.

There are, however, both provincial and federal laws that may apply to wetlands.  Provincially, the Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act, Water Act, and Wildlife Act are the main laws that affect wetlands (as well as associated provincial planning processes) located on public lands.  The Forest Practices Code regulates logging activities around wetlands by requiring a system of “reserve zones” and “management zones” depending on the size of the wetland.  The Water Act requires provincial approval for changes to streams, which include wetlands.  The Wildlife Act allows for the protection of wildlife management areas, many of which contain wetlands.  Some provincially important wetlands are protected under this designation. 

Federally, the Fisheries Act and Canada Wildlife Act are the main laws that affect wetlands.  The Fisheries Act protects all “water frequented by fish,” which includes wetlands associated with estuaries and fish streams.  The main protections are the prohibition against harmful alteration, disruption or destruction to fish habitat, and the prohibition against depositing any substances that are deleterious to fish.  The Canada Wildlife Act allows for the designation of national wildlife areas on lands administered by the federal Minister of Environment.  This designation has been used to protect wildlife habitat that includes wetlands.

At the local level, there is provision in the Local Government Act and incoming Community Charter to designate environmentally sensitive areas such as wetlands in official community plans, regional growth strategies, and development permit areas.  Local Governments may also plan for stormwater (water running into wetlands and rivers due to urban development) or green areas, both of which may have an impact on wetlands. 

In addition, there are non-regulatory tools that can be useful in protecting wetlands on private land, such as conservation covenants, in which a landowner and conservation organization or local government voluntarily reach agreement on the use of property and register a covenant with the Land Title Office.

Related Guide Pages:

·         Endangered Species

·         Biological Diversity

·         Fish and Fish Habitat

For more information on Wetlands:

·         Canada Wildlife Service website

·         Wildlife Management page of the BC Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection

·         Ducks Unlimited Canada website

·         BC Wetlands Society website

·         West Coast Environmental Law website

·         Ramsar Convention website