Welcome to the Friends of Island View Beach!
Our goal is to provide a voice for responsible stewardship and sound management of Island View Beach Regional Park, for the benefit of all people of the region. We send out emails from time to time as matters arise effecting Island View Beach. If you would like to be on our email list, please send us a note on the email link above. Click here to email the CRD Board of Directors
Fact check: We do our best to be factual. Please advise us if you see anything that is not factual so we may investigate and make whatever corrections are needed.
Fact check: We do our best to be factual. Please advise us if you see anything that is not factual so we may investigate and make whatever corrections are needed.
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August 1, 2021 Mosquitoes now at 2011 levels
The mosquitoes at Island View Beach are now at levels not seen since 2011 due to the failure by the CRD to maintain the park ditches. Belatedly the CRD sent in an excavator a week ago in a too little - too late move.
We acknowledge with gratitude the work by Mayor Ryan Windsor of Central Saanich to get the ditches cleaned and to help with the control of the mosquitoes.
You will find information on the mosquitoes and the drainage system here
If you have been troubled by the mosquitoes we urge you to email the CRD here
August 1, 2021 Mosquitoes now at 2011 levels
The mosquitoes at Island View Beach are now at levels not seen since 2011 due to the failure by the CRD to maintain the park ditches. Belatedly the CRD sent in an excavator a week ago in a too little - too late move.
We acknowledge with gratitude the work by Mayor Ryan Windsor of Central Saanich to get the ditches cleaned and to help with the control of the mosquitoes.
You will find information on the mosquitoes and the drainage system here
If you have been troubled by the mosquitoes we urge you to email the CRD here
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June 2021 - THE MOSQUITOES ARE BACK AT ISLAND VIEW BEACH
Mosquitoes are breeding at Island View Beach park again due to the willful neglect of CRD Parks. See here a history of the mosquitoes at Island View Beach
Central Saanich cleaned the CRD park ditches in 2011 because CRD Park staff would not, and thanks to Central Saanich there have been 10 years with no mosquitoes.
CRD Parks have not maintained those ditches and now they are blocked again and the summer salt marsh mosquitoes are breeding there and making life a misery for park visitors and surrounding neighbours. This is not a natural phenomenon, it is the result of human neglect, specifically CRD Parks.
If you have been effected by these mosquitoes, then click here to email the CRD Board of Directors and tell them your story - and tell them to either instruct CRD Park staff to clean the ditches or to ask Central Saanich to do the job again.
June 2021 - THE MOSQUITOES ARE BACK AT ISLAND VIEW BEACH
Mosquitoes are breeding at Island View Beach park again due to the willful neglect of CRD Parks. See here a history of the mosquitoes at Island View Beach
Central Saanich cleaned the CRD park ditches in 2011 because CRD Park staff would not, and thanks to Central Saanich there have been 10 years with no mosquitoes.
CRD Parks have not maintained those ditches and now they are blocked again and the summer salt marsh mosquitoes are breeding there and making life a misery for park visitors and surrounding neighbours. This is not a natural phenomenon, it is the result of human neglect, specifically CRD Parks.
If you have been effected by these mosquitoes, then click here to email the CRD Board of Directors and tell them your story - and tell them to either instruct CRD Park staff to clean the ditches or to ask Central Saanich to do the job again.
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April 24, 2021 CBC article
An article has been published by CBC quoting Ms. Ann Nightingale and giving a link to this web site. Ms. Nightingale is not a member of Friends of Island View Beach and does not speak for us.
April 24, 2021 CBC article
An article has been published by CBC quoting Ms. Ann Nightingale and giving a link to this web site. Ms. Nightingale is not a member of Friends of Island View Beach and does not speak for us.
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February 24, 2021 There will be no parking fees at CRD parks!
We are delighted to announce that the CRD Parks Committee voted this morning NOT to proceed with the proposal to institute parking fees at CRD Parks.
This is a credit to the many people who wrote passionately to the CRD expressing how much the parks mean to them, and their opposition to parking fees.
And it is a credit to the Mayor and Council of Central Saanich who vetoed parking fees at Island View Beach.
We thank the CRD Parks Committee for listening.
The Friends of Island View Beach
February 24, 2021 There will be no parking fees at CRD parks!
We are delighted to announce that the CRD Parks Committee voted this morning NOT to proceed with the proposal to institute parking fees at CRD Parks.
This is a credit to the many people who wrote passionately to the CRD expressing how much the parks mean to them, and their opposition to parking fees.
And it is a credit to the Mayor and Council of Central Saanich who vetoed parking fees at Island View Beach.
We thank the CRD Parks Committee for listening.
The Friends of Island View Beach
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February 22, 2021 - Central Saanich Council veto CRD plans for parking fees at Island View Beach
At its meeting tonight, Central Saanich Council voted unanimously to send a note to the CRD that Central Saanich is not in favour of the CRD charging for parking in any CRD park. This has the effect of vetoing the CRD’s plans to charge for parking at Island View Beach, because that parking is on Central Saanich roads.
We applaud Central Saanich Council.
The Friends of Island View Beach
February 22, 2021 - Central Saanich Council veto CRD plans for parking fees at Island View Beach
At its meeting tonight, Central Saanich Council voted unanimously to send a note to the CRD that Central Saanich is not in favour of the CRD charging for parking in any CRD park. This has the effect of vetoing the CRD’s plans to charge for parking at Island View Beach, because that parking is on Central Saanich roads.
We applaud Central Saanich Council.
The Friends of Island View Beach
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February 22, 2021 - CRD seek to charge parking fees at Island View Beach
The CRD is proposing to substantially increase parking fees at regional parks where parking is already charged and to try to get Central Saanich Council to agree that the CRD can charge for parking on the Central Saanich owned roads at Island View Beach. You can read the proposal by clicking here then scroll down to item 6.2 and read the staff reports.
Below is an email we have sent to the CRD and Central Saanich condemning this proposal.
We encourage you to write to the CRD and to Central Saanich and tell them what you think of this.
The email for the CRD Board is: [email protected] Or to reach the CRD board members directly (which can be more effective) you can email them from our website at Email the CRD - Friends of Island View Beach
The email for Central Saanich Mayor & Council is [email protected]
This is an issue that affects everyone who uses the regional parks so please spread the word so the public have the opportunity to tell the CRD board what their views are. The CRD Parks meeting is this coming Wednesday so the emails should go in quickly.
Sincerely,
The Friends of Island View Beach
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Fof IvBeach <[email protected]>
Date: Sun, Feb 21, 2021 at 5:35 PM
Subject: Parking fees at Regional Parks
To: Barbara Desjardins <[email protected]>, Ben Isitt <[email protected]>, Cliff McNeil-Smith <[email protected]>, Colin Plant <[email protected]>, CRD Board of Directors <[email protected]>, David Howe <[email protected]>, David Screech <[email protected]>, Denise Blackwell <[email protected]>, Fred Haynes <[email protected]>, Gary Holman <[email protected]>, Geoff Orr <[email protected]>, Geoff Young <[email protected]>, Jeremy Loveday <[email protected]>, John Ranns <[email protected]>, Ken Williams <[email protected]>, Kevin Murdoch <[email protected]>, Lanny Seaton <[email protected]>, Lisa Helps <[email protected]>, Maja Tait <[email protected]>, Mike Hicks <[email protected]>, Ned Taylor <[email protected]>, Rebecca Mersereau <[email protected]>, Rob Martin <[email protected]>, Ryan Windsor <[email protected]>, Susan Brice <[email protected]>
Cc: Carl Jensen <[email protected]>, Chris Graham <[email protected]>, Gordon Newton <[email protected]>, Niall Paltiel <[email protected]>, Robert Thompson <[email protected]>, Ryan Windsor <[email protected]>, Zeb King <[email protected]>
The CRD Regional Parks Committee
and
The Mayor & Council, District of Central Saanich
A CRD staff report prepared for the CRD Regional Parks meeting on February 24, 2021 has recommended at agenda item 6.2 an increase in parking fees at regional parks, and imposition of parking fees on the Central Saanich roads at Island View Beach. The table below is from that staff report.
February 22, 2021 - CRD seek to charge parking fees at Island View Beach
The CRD is proposing to substantially increase parking fees at regional parks where parking is already charged and to try to get Central Saanich Council to agree that the CRD can charge for parking on the Central Saanich owned roads at Island View Beach. You can read the proposal by clicking here then scroll down to item 6.2 and read the staff reports.
Below is an email we have sent to the CRD and Central Saanich condemning this proposal.
We encourage you to write to the CRD and to Central Saanich and tell them what you think of this.
The email for the CRD Board is: [email protected] Or to reach the CRD board members directly (which can be more effective) you can email them from our website at Email the CRD - Friends of Island View Beach
The email for Central Saanich Mayor & Council is [email protected]
This is an issue that affects everyone who uses the regional parks so please spread the word so the public have the opportunity to tell the CRD board what their views are. The CRD Parks meeting is this coming Wednesday so the emails should go in quickly.
Sincerely,
The Friends of Island View Beach
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Fof IvBeach <[email protected]>
Date: Sun, Feb 21, 2021 at 5:35 PM
Subject: Parking fees at Regional Parks
To: Barbara Desjardins <[email protected]>, Ben Isitt <[email protected]>, Cliff McNeil-Smith <[email protected]>, Colin Plant <[email protected]>, CRD Board of Directors <[email protected]>, David Howe <[email protected]>, David Screech <[email protected]>, Denise Blackwell <[email protected]>, Fred Haynes <[email protected]>, Gary Holman <[email protected]>, Geoff Orr <[email protected]>, Geoff Young <[email protected]>, Jeremy Loveday <[email protected]>, John Ranns <[email protected]>, Ken Williams <[email protected]>, Kevin Murdoch <[email protected]>, Lanny Seaton <[email protected]>, Lisa Helps <[email protected]>, Maja Tait <[email protected]>, Mike Hicks <[email protected]>, Ned Taylor <[email protected]>, Rebecca Mersereau <[email protected]>, Rob Martin <[email protected]>, Ryan Windsor <[email protected]>, Susan Brice <[email protected]>
Cc: Carl Jensen <[email protected]>, Chris Graham <[email protected]>, Gordon Newton <[email protected]>, Niall Paltiel <[email protected]>, Robert Thompson <[email protected]>, Ryan Windsor <[email protected]>, Zeb King <[email protected]>
The CRD Regional Parks Committee
and
The Mayor & Council, District of Central Saanich
A CRD staff report prepared for the CRD Regional Parks meeting on February 24, 2021 has recommended at agenda item 6.2 an increase in parking fees at regional parks, and imposition of parking fees on the Central Saanich roads at Island View Beach. The table below is from that staff report.
The staff proposal says this "would bring parking fees up to fair market value over a span of three years". With respect, this is laughable. The "fair market value" of public parking at a park that was paid for with public funds, is zero.
The CRD operates on a champagne budget, with expertise in making mountains out of the smallest molehills - it meets any challenge by stunning it with studies, and finishing it off with train loads of (public) money. Most of the public however are on a beer budget if they are lucky, and if they are not then they queue at the food banks.
Our observations at Island View Beach Regional Park show usage at the park has increased substantially during covid as the public seek a safe place. So quite apart from the inherent wrongness of the staff proposal to tax people to visit their own parks, the suggestion to impose/increase parking rates during the middle of a covid pandemic demonstrates an insensitivity that is astounding even by the standards of the CRD.
The reported rationale of the CRD for seeking yet further money from the public, is that existing revenues gathered from the public do not meet the CRD costs of operating the parks. The solution is to reduce the CRD costs, not to tax the public more. It is time to make the CRD lean - to bring it in line with the public it is meant to serve.
The proposal to increase/impose parking fees at the regional parks should be rejected.
Sincerely,
The Friends of Island View Beach
The CRD operates on a champagne budget, with expertise in making mountains out of the smallest molehills - it meets any challenge by stunning it with studies, and finishing it off with train loads of (public) money. Most of the public however are on a beer budget if they are lucky, and if they are not then they queue at the food banks.
Our observations at Island View Beach Regional Park show usage at the park has increased substantially during covid as the public seek a safe place. So quite apart from the inherent wrongness of the staff proposal to tax people to visit their own parks, the suggestion to impose/increase parking rates during the middle of a covid pandemic demonstrates an insensitivity that is astounding even by the standards of the CRD.
The reported rationale of the CRD for seeking yet further money from the public, is that existing revenues gathered from the public do not meet the CRD costs of operating the parks. The solution is to reduce the CRD costs, not to tax the public more. It is time to make the CRD lean - to bring it in line with the public it is meant to serve.
The proposal to increase/impose parking fees at the regional parks should be rejected.
Sincerely,
The Friends of Island View Beach
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Grumpy Taxpayers
We have added a link to a well written article by the Grumpy Taxpayers on how to hold a mayor and council to account. See the Site Map.
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Grumpy Taxpayers
We have added a link to a well written article by the Grumpy Taxpayers on how to hold a mayor and council to account. See the Site Map.
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November 26, 2019 - Email to CRD Board re bylaws process
Subject: CRD bylaw process
Date:Tue, 26 Nov 2019 13:19:50 -0800
From:Friends of Island View Beach <[email protected]>
To:[email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
CC:[email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
The CRD Board
Dear Directors,
Dog Management
The agenda for the Parks & Environment Committee for tomorrow, Nov 27th, includes a staff proposal for dog management in CRD parks. We have posted our comments on our web site at http://www.friendsofislandviewbeach.com/ These are quite short and we hope you will take a moment to look at them.
Bylaw process
Our reason for writing to the whole board now is to express our deep concern at the process by which bylaws impacting the public are being passed.
Much is said at the CRD about transparency and consultation, yet the reality is the rules could hardly be better designed to deny the public reasonable opportunity to give informed input to the Board.
Staff proposals are put on an agenda on a Friday afternoon for a meeting the following Wednesday morning. If the public manages to see the agenda they must register to speak by the Monday; submit their presentations by Tuesday; and have only 4 minutes to speak on Wednesday. And this is for a proposal that staff may have been working on for months or even years.
There is good reason for public input. It is after all, public money that is being spent, but moreover when properly utilized it gives the Board the benefit of the balanced, collective wisdom of the community. To give you some examples, in reviewing the dog management proposals we became aware of the Parks Regulation bylaw the Board passed in March 2018. https://www.crd.bc.ca/docs/default-source/crd-document-library/bylaws/parksandrecreation/4225---crd-parks-regulation-bylaw.pdf?sfvrsn=61e110ca_2
Example 1 From the Parks Regulation bylaw:
1. Definitions
"curfew hours" means the time between sunset and sunrise for all regional parks with the exceptions of the Lochside Regional Trail, the E&N Rail Trail - Humpback Connector, and the Galloping Goose Regional Trail;
4. PUBLIC CONDUCT
...
(6) A person must not enter into or remain in a regional park during curfew hours with the exception of the Lochside Regional Trail, the E&N Rail Trail - Humpback Connector, and the Galloping Goose Regional Trail.
Sunset today will be 4:24pm
Sunrise tomorrow will 7:38am
So the Parks Regulation bylaw you passed last year, makes it an offense to be in a CRD park after 4:24pm today until 7:38am tomorrow. An absurdity isn't it. Did you really intend that?
Example 2 From the Parks Regulation bylaw:
7 PRESERVATION OF NATURAL FEATURES. WILDLIFE. AND PARK FEATURES
(11) A person must not travel within a regional park except on a trail marked by CRD signage or shown on a CRD Park map or brochure or in areas specifically designated by a sign or a posted notice.
Think about it.
Another flaw is that staff reports are presented to the Board or committees before being seen by the public. If the public disagree with an element of the proposal they have to do that publicly in front of the directors. This is inefficient - it wastes the directors time and makes it appear there are issues with staff. In matters of no urgency that effect the public, allow staff to publish draft reports so the public can give input to staff before the final report is sent to committee or the Board.
Sincerely,
The Friends of Island View Beach
___________________________________________________________________
Nov 2019 - CRD proposes dog management guidelines for all CRD parks
On Friday November 22, 2019 the CRD published its agenda for the Wednesday, Nov 27th meeting of the CRD Parks & Environment Committee. CRD staff are proposing a "Dog Management Policy Framework" for all CRD parks including Island View Beach. The plan is for dog management to be guided by the classification of the park, and then the zones within that park.
Here is the staff report and here is the proposal.
Island View Beach Regional Park has unique circumstances to be resolved before the dog management framework can be applied:
1. Island View Beach Regional Park (IVBRP) is classified as a "Conservation Area" yet the CRD has never done an environmental assessment of the park as a whole to show this is the appropriate classification. Efforts were made from 2011 to 2017 to create a new park plan. During this it became clear that any rare plants that might be at risk from the public's use of the park were mainly in the small sandy area at the north east of the park, and that area was fenced in 2007 to give that protection. It is our belief there is little outside that area that needs protection but this should be confirmed by an environmental assessment.
2. Likewise, no environmental assessment has been done to determine management zones within the park.
3. The seaward park boundary needs to be established by a surveyor to determine if the CRD owns any part of the beach. See this discussion about the park boundary on the CRD 2017 plan. See also this VicNews story
4. In 2017 the Tsawout objected to new park plan that was about to be adopted by the CRD for Island View Beach Regional Park. Their letter speaks for itself, and can be seen here. We recommend everyone read this letter carefully. These new Dog Management proposals appear to be addressing the Tsawout position and say:
7.3 Cultural Heritage Values Considerations
A restriction may be applied to areas of parks or trails that have identified cultural heritage values that need enhanced protection. Cultural values can include both tangible and intangible values. Tangible values include prehistoric and historic artifacts that are protected by federal or provincial legislation, while intangible values are primarily those that hold meaning to First Nations. Depending on the nature of the cultural value to be protected in a regional park or trail, dogs may be required to be leashed or they may be prohibited. A decision on the type or extent of protection should take into account First Nation interests or requests.
The CRD policy framework promises at point 4:
We commend this commitment to public participation and we will give all the assistance we can as regards Island View Beach. We ask only that there be adequate notice. The practice of publishing an agenda on a Friday afternoon for a meeting on Wednesday morning, means the majority of the public do not see it, and those who do have little time in which to give an informed response to the CRD.
We also recommend that in matters like this, that drafts be released to the public for comment back to staff before being sent to the Committee. The past practice of sending a finished staff report to the Committee often puts the public in a position of seeming to be at odds with staff; it wastes the Directors time; and sends the message to the public their opinion is neither wanted nor valued.
Note: In March 2018 the CRD passed a new bylaw called CAPITAL REGIONAL DISTRICT PARKS REGULATION BYLAW NO. 1,2018 This bylaw also contains new rules for dogs in Regional Parks and should be read.
Click here to email the CRD Board of Directors if you wish to comment on this proposal.
Subject: CRD bylaw process
Date:Tue, 26 Nov 2019 13:19:50 -0800
From:Friends of Island View Beach <[email protected]>
To:[email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
CC:[email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
The CRD Board
Dear Directors,
Dog Management
The agenda for the Parks & Environment Committee for tomorrow, Nov 27th, includes a staff proposal for dog management in CRD parks. We have posted our comments on our web site at http://www.friendsofislandviewbeach.com/ These are quite short and we hope you will take a moment to look at them.
Bylaw process
Our reason for writing to the whole board now is to express our deep concern at the process by which bylaws impacting the public are being passed.
Much is said at the CRD about transparency and consultation, yet the reality is the rules could hardly be better designed to deny the public reasonable opportunity to give informed input to the Board.
Staff proposals are put on an agenda on a Friday afternoon for a meeting the following Wednesday morning. If the public manages to see the agenda they must register to speak by the Monday; submit their presentations by Tuesday; and have only 4 minutes to speak on Wednesday. And this is for a proposal that staff may have been working on for months or even years.
There is good reason for public input. It is after all, public money that is being spent, but moreover when properly utilized it gives the Board the benefit of the balanced, collective wisdom of the community. To give you some examples, in reviewing the dog management proposals we became aware of the Parks Regulation bylaw the Board passed in March 2018. https://www.crd.bc.ca/docs/default-source/crd-document-library/bylaws/parksandrecreation/4225---crd-parks-regulation-bylaw.pdf?sfvrsn=61e110ca_2
Example 1 From the Parks Regulation bylaw:
1. Definitions
"curfew hours" means the time between sunset and sunrise for all regional parks with the exceptions of the Lochside Regional Trail, the E&N Rail Trail - Humpback Connector, and the Galloping Goose Regional Trail;
4. PUBLIC CONDUCT
...
(6) A person must not enter into or remain in a regional park during curfew hours with the exception of the Lochside Regional Trail, the E&N Rail Trail - Humpback Connector, and the Galloping Goose Regional Trail.
Sunset today will be 4:24pm
Sunrise tomorrow will 7:38am
So the Parks Regulation bylaw you passed last year, makes it an offense to be in a CRD park after 4:24pm today until 7:38am tomorrow. An absurdity isn't it. Did you really intend that?
Example 2 From the Parks Regulation bylaw:
7 PRESERVATION OF NATURAL FEATURES. WILDLIFE. AND PARK FEATURES
(11) A person must not travel within a regional park except on a trail marked by CRD signage or shown on a CRD Park map or brochure or in areas specifically designated by a sign or a posted notice.
Think about it.
- Staff may create an entire exclusion zone in a public park without public consultation, and without proving any environmental need, just by saying there is no trail.
- Not all parks need trails. Island View Beach has been a park since 1966 and yet it was determined in the 1987 master park plan, and again in 2017, that public off trail use in the back 40 has not caused damage.
Another flaw is that staff reports are presented to the Board or committees before being seen by the public. If the public disagree with an element of the proposal they have to do that publicly in front of the directors. This is inefficient - it wastes the directors time and makes it appear there are issues with staff. In matters of no urgency that effect the public, allow staff to publish draft reports so the public can give input to staff before the final report is sent to committee or the Board.
Sincerely,
The Friends of Island View Beach
___________________________________________________________________
Nov 2019 - CRD proposes dog management guidelines for all CRD parks
On Friday November 22, 2019 the CRD published its agenda for the Wednesday, Nov 27th meeting of the CRD Parks & Environment Committee. CRD staff are proposing a "Dog Management Policy Framework" for all CRD parks including Island View Beach. The plan is for dog management to be guided by the classification of the park, and then the zones within that park.
Here is the staff report and here is the proposal.
Island View Beach Regional Park has unique circumstances to be resolved before the dog management framework can be applied:
1. Island View Beach Regional Park (IVBRP) is classified as a "Conservation Area" yet the CRD has never done an environmental assessment of the park as a whole to show this is the appropriate classification. Efforts were made from 2011 to 2017 to create a new park plan. During this it became clear that any rare plants that might be at risk from the public's use of the park were mainly in the small sandy area at the north east of the park, and that area was fenced in 2007 to give that protection. It is our belief there is little outside that area that needs protection but this should be confirmed by an environmental assessment.
2. Likewise, no environmental assessment has been done to determine management zones within the park.
3. The seaward park boundary needs to be established by a surveyor to determine if the CRD owns any part of the beach. See this discussion about the park boundary on the CRD 2017 plan. See also this VicNews story
4. In 2017 the Tsawout objected to new park plan that was about to be adopted by the CRD for Island View Beach Regional Park. Their letter speaks for itself, and can be seen here. We recommend everyone read this letter carefully. These new Dog Management proposals appear to be addressing the Tsawout position and say:
7.3 Cultural Heritage Values Considerations
A restriction may be applied to areas of parks or trails that have identified cultural heritage values that need enhanced protection. Cultural values can include both tangible and intangible values. Tangible values include prehistoric and historic artifacts that are protected by federal or provincial legislation, while intangible values are primarily those that hold meaning to First Nations. Depending on the nature of the cultural value to be protected in a regional park or trail, dogs may be required to be leashed or they may be prohibited. A decision on the type or extent of protection should take into account First Nation interests or requests.
The CRD policy framework promises at point 4:
- To the extent possible, the public should be engaged in helping to determine dog management approaches for individual regional parks and trails. This engagement can be through park management planning or other types of planning processes. It is recognized that given the likelihood of varying opinions, not all public comments or interests may be able to be accommodated.
- Determining dog management policy for regional parks and trails will be made in an equitable, transparent and accountable manner.
We commend this commitment to public participation and we will give all the assistance we can as regards Island View Beach. We ask only that there be adequate notice. The practice of publishing an agenda on a Friday afternoon for a meeting on Wednesday morning, means the majority of the public do not see it, and those who do have little time in which to give an informed response to the CRD.
We also recommend that in matters like this, that drafts be released to the public for comment back to staff before being sent to the Committee. The past practice of sending a finished staff report to the Committee often puts the public in a position of seeming to be at odds with staff; it wastes the Directors time; and sends the message to the public their opinion is neither wanted nor valued.
Note: In March 2018 the CRD passed a new bylaw called CAPITAL REGIONAL DISTRICT PARKS REGULATION BYLAW NO. 1,2018 This bylaw also contains new rules for dogs in Regional Parks and should be read.
Click here to email the CRD Board of Directors if you wish to comment on this proposal.
___________________________________________________________________
July 12 2017 Tsawout intervene in park plan
CRD Board postpone discussion of plan
Long term impact not known at this time
See Tsawout letter here
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July 12 2017 Tsawout intervene in park plan
CRD Board postpone discussion of plan
Long term impact not known at this time
See Tsawout letter here
___________________________________________________________________
July 6 2017 Another excellent article - this one by Jack Knox in the Times Colonist
http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/jack-knox-drawing-lines-in-the-sand-at-island-view-beach-1.20997600
http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/jack-knox-drawing-lines-in-the-sand-at-island-view-beach-1.20997600
July 5, 2017 Two excellent articles on Island View Beach by Tim Collins in the Peninsula News Review
www.peninsulanewsreview.com/local-news/oen-97-year-olds-advice-to-the-crd-on-the-future-central-saanich-park/
http://www.peninsulanewsreview.com/local-news/friends-of-island-view-beach-vow-not-to-give-up-the-fight-for-central-saanich-park/
www.peninsulanewsreview.com/local-news/oen-97-year-olds-advice-to-the-crd-on-the-future-central-saanich-park/
http://www.peninsulanewsreview.com/local-news/friends-of-island-view-beach-vow-not-to-give-up-the-fight-for-central-saanich-park/
___________________________________________________________________
July 4, 2017 How the latest proposal might effect you See here
July 4, 2017 How the latest proposal might effect you See here
_____________________________________________________________
WHY?
There is shock and outrage as people hear that the CRD Parks Committee has voted to ban the public from accessing the beach, and closed access to the north.
The question most often asked is WHY?
We have no answer. It is illogical and unwarranted. See the CRD plan here
Tell the CRD board to stop this. Email the CRD here
________________________________________________________________
WHY?
There is shock and outrage as people hear that the CRD Parks Committee has voted to ban the public from accessing the beach, and closed access to the north.
The question most often asked is WHY?
We have no answer. It is illogical and unwarranted. See the CRD plan here
Tell the CRD board to stop this. Email the CRD here
________________________________________________________________
June 21 2017 CRD Regional Parks Committee approves draft plan for Island View Beach
See our review here
If the park is important to you, you should read this and become involved. The CRD Parks Committee approved the plan on Wednesday, June 21, 2017 and it will now proceed the full CRD Board in July for final approval.
This plan will have a significant impact on the park users. We will post our comments on the implication of the plan shortly.
See our review here
If the park is important to you, you should read this and become involved. The CRD Parks Committee approved the plan on Wednesday, June 21, 2017 and it will now proceed the full CRD Board in July for final approval.
This plan will have a significant impact on the park users. We will post our comments on the implication of the plan shortly.
April 19, 2017 CRD staff report on "Dogs in Regional Parks" See here
_________________________________________________________________________
April 10, 2017 Joint submission to the CRD by FOIVB & CRDO
On April 10, 2017, the Friends of Island View Beach & Capital Region Dog Owners Group made a joint submission to the CRD Regional Parks Committee, on a new plan for Island View Beach Regional Park. See here
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April 10, 2017 Joint submission to the CRD by FOIVB & CRDO
On April 10, 2017, the Friends of Island View Beach & Capital Region Dog Owners Group made a joint submission to the CRD Regional Parks Committee, on a new plan for Island View Beach Regional Park. See here
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Update January 17, 2017
See here
- CRD Director proposed to ban dogs in north half of park
- Friends of Island View Beach propose 27 acre dog free area in south
- User groups ask for two months to come up with fundamentals for new plan
- Planning process now in 7th year
See here
Centennial year 1916 ~ 2016 - 100 years a park!
2016 is the Centennial for Island View Beach as a park! Read the history here
2016 is the Centennial for Island View Beach as a park! Read the history here
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First they went after the equestrians ........ read here how equestrians were shut out of the park in 1988
First they went after the equestrians ........ read here how equestrians were shut out of the park in 1988
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Some CRD directors propose ban on all dogs north of the big ditch (Lamont Road)
The plan recommended by the CRD Regional Parks Committee proposed that in the area north of the big ditch, that dogs be allowed off leash but on trail. When it went to the CRD Board on December 14, 2016, some directors proposed to change that, to actually ban all dogs north of the big ditch (Lamont Road). After discussion, the Board decided instead to refer the park plan back to the Parks Committee for further discussion. See the video of the directors here, and the area it was proposed to ban dogs from
Meanwhile, the CRD Board of Directors, has still not commissioned an independent review of the repeated concerns that the CRD presentations to the public about Island View Beach, over 2015 and 2016, were misleading, inaccurate, and incomplete.
See the warnings to the CRD Board here
See the history of CRD presentations here
These are both very important issues. You can email the CRD Board to give them your views here
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Some CRD directors propose ban on all dogs north of the big ditch (Lamont Road)
The plan recommended by the CRD Regional Parks Committee proposed that in the area north of the big ditch, that dogs be allowed off leash but on trail. When it went to the CRD Board on December 14, 2016, some directors proposed to change that, to actually ban all dogs north of the big ditch (Lamont Road). After discussion, the Board decided instead to refer the park plan back to the Parks Committee for further discussion. See the video of the directors here, and the area it was proposed to ban dogs from
Meanwhile, the CRD Board of Directors, has still not commissioned an independent review of the repeated concerns that the CRD presentations to the public about Island View Beach, over 2015 and 2016, were misleading, inaccurate, and incomplete.
See the warnings to the CRD Board here
See the history of CRD presentations here
These are both very important issues. You can email the CRD Board to give them your views here
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December 15, 2016 FOIVB update on the planning process see here
December 14, 2016 - the full CRD board rejects the proposed plan and sends it back to Committee. See video This will put the planning process into its 7th year
December 13, 2016
Letter from a member of FOIVB to the CRD Board about substantive problems with the CRD public consultation process and the proposed plan
See here
December 12, 2016
Friends of Island View Beach letter to the CRD Board about the proposed plan for Island View Beach
See here
PETITION NOW AT 5,300! - see below
*** New CRD draft plan November 16, 2016 ***
The CRD has released what they call their final plan for Island View Beach - see here
The CRD intend presenting this to the CRD Regional Parks Committee for approval on November 16, 2016
See our review of the plan here
Please Email the CRD Board with your comments Click here
And click here to sign the online petition to leave the park alone - now at 5,400 signatures!
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"I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts."
Abraham Lincoln.
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A PETITION has been set up to tell the CRD
LEAVE THE PARK ALONE!
Please pass the word and encourage people to sign.
(please note: the online petition defaults to United States as the Country. You may need to set it manually to Canada )
See the online petition here
There is a parallel paper petition also - between the two, there are now more than 5,400 signatures!
Watch the videos below of the CRD Regional Parks meeting of February 17, 2016
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A PETITION has been set up to tell the CRD
LEAVE THE PARK ALONE!
Please pass the word and encourage people to sign.
(please note: the online petition defaults to United States as the Country. You may need to set it manually to Canada )
See the online petition here
There is a parallel paper petition also - between the two, there are now more than 5,400 signatures!
Watch the videos below of the CRD Regional Parks meeting of February 17, 2016
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The CRD draft plan February 2016
Why the Friends of Island View Beach oppose this see here
Our Guiding Principles for drafting a new plan see here
Our recommendations for improvement at the park see here
Have you signed the petition to leave the park alone? Look above!
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Why the Friends of Island View Beach oppose this see here
Our Guiding Principles for drafting a new plan see here
Our recommendations for improvement at the park see here
Have you signed the petition to leave the park alone? Look above!
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July 12, 2016 The Friends of Island View Beach letter to the Times Colonist See here
July 8, 2016 The Friends of Island View Beach stakeholder presentation to the CRD See here
May 28, 2016 CRD holding open house starting 12 noon, Saturday, at the Greek Community Hall by the Commonwealth Pool. You stand to lose access to much of the park if you don't come and speak up.
Have you seen our new photos page? Look here
May 21, 2016 The CRD has a park visit today to promote their proposals. See our view of their draft plan here
March 22, 2016 A new facebook site has been set up for dog owners on the Peninsula. See here
February 17, 2016 - the CRD Regional Parks meeting
Regrettably the majority of the Parks Committee voted in favour of forwarding the draft plan out to the public for feedback, instead of sending it back to staff. There were, however, some very well informed comments from two of the CRD Directors:
CRD Parks Chair Mike Hicks - "Island View Beach should be free range." Watch here
Central Saanich Mayor, Ryan Windsor - "this plan is not balanced." Watch here
Presentations by members of the Friends of Island View Beach Watch here
Regrettably the majority of the Parks Committee voted in favour of forwarding the draft plan out to the public for feedback, instead of sending it back to staff. There were, however, some very well informed comments from two of the CRD Directors:
CRD Parks Chair Mike Hicks - "Island View Beach should be free range." Watch here
Central Saanich Mayor, Ryan Windsor - "this plan is not balanced." Watch here
Presentations by members of the Friends of Island View Beach Watch here
The CRD is proposing changes at Island View Beach that will effect everyone - you should become involved
If you are new to this web site, look to the background shown here
That was 2015 - an environmental assessment by the CRD to the public that was supposed to be factual, technical and scientific, yet we feel was incomplete, misleading, exaggerated, and fabricated, and which the CRD and the CRD Board refused to check before taking to the public.
On February 12, 2016 the CRD released a draft plan for the park. See here. Two features dominate this plan but had not been disclosed to the public during the consultation process in 2015:
The CRD proposes, in the name of environmental protection, but without giving proof:
The proposal has failed to make firm commitments to maintain the mosquito control ditches; the mosquito control program, and the sea berm. It speaks of all three but has weasel clauses about monitoring their effect on the environment (the mosquito control ditches have been in place for 80 years!) thereby leaving the door open in the future to walk away from these.
The Friends of Island View Beach support environmental conservation where it is proved necessary. All other areas of the park should be open to the public. Our inquiries show the great majority of the public want the park left alone.
Our "You be the Judge" series
There is so much information, that to put it in one document would overwhelm the reader, so we are putting together a series called "You be the Judge". In this series we will cover one or two topics at a time, and then you decide what is factual and scientific, and what is not.
Only an involved public can bring about change at the CRD.
The Friends of Island View Beach can present the facts as we know them, but it requires public involvement to bring change at the CRD. If you don't like what has been proposed, or if you are unhappy at the conduct of the CRD over the planning process for Island View Beach, then tell the CRD Board what you feel - and keep telling them, again, and again, and again. You can email the CRD here - that will go to every single CRD director, so make your voice heard. And keep emailing until there is change.
Following below in chronoligical order are some of the key events. You will also find detailed information in the other tabs. We hope you will find the site informative! We welcome your comments - you can reach us by clicking on the mail icon at the top right of this page. And also tell us if you would like to be on our email list to hear of developments as they arise.
The Friends of Island View Beach
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If you are new to this web site, look to the background shown here
That was 2015 - an environmental assessment by the CRD to the public that was supposed to be factual, technical and scientific, yet we feel was incomplete, misleading, exaggerated, and fabricated, and which the CRD and the CRD Board refused to check before taking to the public.
On February 12, 2016 the CRD released a draft plan for the park. See here. Two features dominate this plan but had not been disclosed to the public during the consultation process in 2015:
- a claim that 2/3rds of the park is so environmentally sensitive that it must be designated an Environmental Protection Zone and the public excluded; and
- that an area needs to be restored as a coastal sand dune ecosystem - no description is given where this area is; or why it needs to be "restored"; or what that restoration would entail; or what it would cost.
The CRD proposes, in the name of environmental protection, but without giving proof:
- To reduce the area for public recreation down to 1.6% of the park (They claim it is 6.6% but that includes the campground and parking areas where the general public cannot recreate.) See here
- To ban horses and cyclists
- Dogs will all be made to be on leash-on trail throughout the park, except for a fenced area where they can off leash
- To close the trail at the north end of the park
- To close off most of the grasslands
The proposal has failed to make firm commitments to maintain the mosquito control ditches; the mosquito control program, and the sea berm. It speaks of all three but has weasel clauses about monitoring their effect on the environment (the mosquito control ditches have been in place for 80 years!) thereby leaving the door open in the future to walk away from these.
The Friends of Island View Beach support environmental conservation where it is proved necessary. All other areas of the park should be open to the public. Our inquiries show the great majority of the public want the park left alone.
Our "You be the Judge" series
There is so much information, that to put it in one document would overwhelm the reader, so we are putting together a series called "You be the Judge". In this series we will cover one or two topics at a time, and then you decide what is factual and scientific, and what is not.
Only an involved public can bring about change at the CRD.
The Friends of Island View Beach can present the facts as we know them, but it requires public involvement to bring change at the CRD. If you don't like what has been proposed, or if you are unhappy at the conduct of the CRD over the planning process for Island View Beach, then tell the CRD Board what you feel - and keep telling them, again, and again, and again. You can email the CRD here - that will go to every single CRD director, so make your voice heard. And keep emailing until there is change.
Following below in chronoligical order are some of the key events. You will also find detailed information in the other tabs. We hope you will find the site informative! We welcome your comments - you can reach us by clicking on the mail icon at the top right of this page. And also tell us if you would like to be on our email list to hear of developments as they arise.
The Friends of Island View Beach
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February 17, 2016 CRD Parks meeting and CBC Radio
Report on the CRD Regional Parks Committee meeting and the CBC Radio interview with Parks Chair Mike Hicks and FOIVB Board member Bren Axon See here
February 16, 2016 Complaint filed with the Information & Privacy Commissioner
A complaint has been filed by one of our members with the Information & Privacy Commissioner, that the CRD has not released information about the environmental claims it made to the public during 2015 about Island View Beach Regional Park.
Freedom of Information requests were made to the CRD asking them to provide
Note: On February 12, 2016, the CRD came out with a draft plan claiming special environmental conditions exist in over 2/3's of the park. These had not been disclosed during the 2015 public consultations. Based on those undisclosed environmental claims the CRD are now proposing to restrict public access to a large part of the park. Another information request will be made asking for the data used to make these latest environmental claims.
Report on the CRD Regional Parks Committee meeting and the CBC Radio interview with Parks Chair Mike Hicks and FOIVB Board member Bren Axon See here
February 16, 2016 Complaint filed with the Information & Privacy Commissioner
A complaint has been filed by one of our members with the Information & Privacy Commissioner, that the CRD has not released information about the environmental claims it made to the public during 2015 about Island View Beach Regional Park.
Freedom of Information requests were made to the CRD asking them to provide
- the information they used to make the claim that certain species were "confirmed resident" in Island View Beach Regional Park.
- information on where species at risk were located in the park; if they were at risk; what protection they required, etc.
Note: On February 12, 2016, the CRD came out with a draft plan claiming special environmental conditions exist in over 2/3's of the park. These had not been disclosed during the 2015 public consultations. Based on those undisclosed environmental claims the CRD are now proposing to restrict public access to a large part of the park. Another information request will be made asking for the data used to make these latest environmental claims.
February 12 2016
CRD propose big changes at Island View
See the CRD proposal here
We are reviewing this now and will report our findings.
CRD propose big changes at Island View
- public recreation area reduced to 1.6% of the park (0.8 ha)
- major restrictions on dogs
- horses banned
- bikes banned
- camp ground to be reduced
- disavowing responsibility for the boat ramp that the current park bylaw says they are to maintain
- questionable commitment to maintaining the mosquito drainage ditches and the mosquito control program
See the CRD proposal here
We are reviewing this now and will report our findings.
January 19, 2016
We have completed the bulk of our review of the CRD Parks presentations to the public in 2015. See here
We have completed the bulk of our review of the CRD Parks presentations to the public in 2015. See here
January 19, 2016
We have called on the CRD again to make reasonable inquiry into the CRD Parks presentations made to the public during 2015. See here
" .... we say again to the CRD Board, that the public was mislead throughout this whole process during 2015 and also crucial information was withheld. Our review is ongoing, but you can see our analysis of the CRD presentation here: http://www.friendsofislandviewbeach.com/examining-the-crd-2015-environmental-assessment.html
You must make reasonable inquiry before proceeding further. Look to your duty here: http://www.friendsofislandviewbeach.com/bc-court-of-appeal.html
We have heard it said that the process can’t be paused because it has taken so long already. With respect, that is really weak. The CRD Board was told of the problem one year ago, in January 2015, and should have acted then – you cannot point to your failure to act a year ago as reason for not acting now.
We have called on the CRD again to make reasonable inquiry into the CRD Parks presentations made to the public during 2015. See here
" .... we say again to the CRD Board, that the public was mislead throughout this whole process during 2015 and also crucial information was withheld. Our review is ongoing, but you can see our analysis of the CRD presentation here: http://www.friendsofislandviewbeach.com/examining-the-crd-2015-environmental-assessment.html
You must make reasonable inquiry before proceeding further. Look to your duty here: http://www.friendsofislandviewbeach.com/bc-court-of-appeal.html
We have heard it said that the process can’t be paused because it has taken so long already. With respect, that is really weak. The CRD Board was told of the problem one year ago, in January 2015, and should have acted then – you cannot point to your failure to act a year ago as reason for not acting now.
December 7, 2015
We have added a page on the potential for breach of the sea wall during the 2015-16 winter storms See here
We have added a page on the potential for breach of the sea wall during the 2015-16 winter storms See here
We have added a "rising sea level" report to our web site See here
We have added BC Court of Appeal decisions to our web site See here
November 23, 2015
Letter to Central Saanich Council, copied to the CRD Board, giving a history of the mosquito drainage ditches at Island View Beach Regional Park See here
Letter to Central Saanich Council, copied to the CRD Board, giving a history of the mosquito drainage ditches at Island View Beach Regional Park See here
November 20 2015
Letter to CRD Chief Administrative Officer
As thousands of park visitors may be effected, they have the right to know and question the underlying evidence behind claims made by CRD Parks in their environmental assessment. This includes the evidence that has been requested from CRD Parks over the last 9 months and which CRD Parks has refused to provide. http://www.friendsofislandviewbeach.com/letters-to-the-crd-in-2015.html
Although the CRD was not required to hold the public forum scheduled as Step 3, the fact they have chosen to do so means it must be conducted in a manner that is procedurally fair, and the public have a legitimate expectation to see and examine all material before the hearing date.
In order to provide the opportunity for informed, thoughtful, and rational presentations in the Step 3 public forum, it is necessary that interested members of the public have the opportunity to examine in advance, not only of the CRD environmental assessment, but also reports, other documents and evidence that went into creating the CRD environmental assessment in order to determine what reliance can be placed on it.
Anything less than full disclosure of the relevant information restricts the scope of the analysis and the consequent representation a member of the public might otherwise make to that public forum.
The failure to make this requested background material available to the public prior to the public forum amounts to a breach of the duty of procedural fairness. Accordingly we request the public forum be postponed until the background materials have been provided.
If you continue with the public forum, this breach of procedural fairness – the refusal to make available the requested background materials – will taint not only the public forum in Step 3 but anything that flows from it.
Finally, we draw to your attention that the CRD environmental assessment failed to consider the effect of climate change on Island View Beach Regional Park, despite having been advised to do so by the BC Ministry of the Environment in 2009. Another branch of the CRD has now released a sea level rise report that indicates the whole of Island View Beach will be inundated with sea water within 35 years, and therefore the likelihood exists the park will be routinely flooded and the environment damaged years before then if there is no intervention. See http://www.friendsofislandviewbeach.com/sea-level-rise-2050.html This is obviously an essential element that must be addressed in a new park plan, and is another reason to postpone the public forum so this can be incorporated in to a new environmental assessment. See here
Letter to CRD Chief Administrative Officer
As thousands of park visitors may be effected, they have the right to know and question the underlying evidence behind claims made by CRD Parks in their environmental assessment. This includes the evidence that has been requested from CRD Parks over the last 9 months and which CRD Parks has refused to provide. http://www.friendsofislandviewbeach.com/letters-to-the-crd-in-2015.html
Although the CRD was not required to hold the public forum scheduled as Step 3, the fact they have chosen to do so means it must be conducted in a manner that is procedurally fair, and the public have a legitimate expectation to see and examine all material before the hearing date.
In order to provide the opportunity for informed, thoughtful, and rational presentations in the Step 3 public forum, it is necessary that interested members of the public have the opportunity to examine in advance, not only of the CRD environmental assessment, but also reports, other documents and evidence that went into creating the CRD environmental assessment in order to determine what reliance can be placed on it.
Anything less than full disclosure of the relevant information restricts the scope of the analysis and the consequent representation a member of the public might otherwise make to that public forum.
The failure to make this requested background material available to the public prior to the public forum amounts to a breach of the duty of procedural fairness. Accordingly we request the public forum be postponed until the background materials have been provided.
If you continue with the public forum, this breach of procedural fairness – the refusal to make available the requested background materials – will taint not only the public forum in Step 3 but anything that flows from it.
Finally, we draw to your attention that the CRD environmental assessment failed to consider the effect of climate change on Island View Beach Regional Park, despite having been advised to do so by the BC Ministry of the Environment in 2009. Another branch of the CRD has now released a sea level rise report that indicates the whole of Island View Beach will be inundated with sea water within 35 years, and therefore the likelihood exists the park will be routinely flooded and the environment damaged years before then if there is no intervention. See http://www.friendsofislandviewbeach.com/sea-level-rise-2050.html This is obviously an essential element that must be addressed in a new park plan, and is another reason to postpone the public forum so this can be incorporated in to a new environmental assessment. See here
November 16, 2016
Letter to the CRD Board informing them the environmental presentation prepared by the CRD is incomplete, misleading and plain wrong, and that no reasonable person will be able to come to an informed opinion from it. .......
"It is too late now to rectify the process. Even if the CRD produced the missing information, and came up with a climate study this week, there is no way to get that to the public and for them to absorb it before Saturday.
Good governance requires that you postpone the public meeting on Saturday. To proceed would be a train wreck, even by CRD standards.
Restart the environmental process with an independent environmental professional such as Matt Fairbarns; have the environmental research done thoroughly and objectively, and that will lead logically to a new park plan that will be understood and supported by the public. That is your duty to the people of the region."
See the full letter here
We have added an environmental page to our web site. See here
November 2, 2015
Letter to Central Saanich Council in support of the call to fix the public boat ramp at island View Beach.
The public boat ramp at Island View Beach was built in the 1970's by local residents under a Federal Government L.I.P. grant. It was used extensively by the Central Saanich Boat Rescue; by barges to and from James Island; and fishermen and recreational boaters. Over the years the ramp has deteriorated. See that letter here
Letter to Central Saanich Council in support of the call to fix the public boat ramp at island View Beach.
The public boat ramp at Island View Beach was built in the 1970's by local residents under a Federal Government L.I.P. grant. It was used extensively by the Central Saanich Boat Rescue; by barges to and from James Island; and fishermen and recreational boaters. Over the years the ramp has deteriorated. See that letter here
October 26, 2015
Letter to Central Saanich Council asking their help to get environmental data from the CRD.
The CRD have refused to provide references to backup the environmental claims they made about species in island View Beach Regional Park. See that letter here
Letter to Central Saanich Council asking their help to get environmental data from the CRD.
The CRD have refused to provide references to backup the environmental claims they made about species in island View Beach Regional Park. See that letter here
October 19, 2015
The recent report of a "Super" El Nino identifies Island View Beach as being especially vulnerable to erosion and flooding during this coming winter and spring.
The Friends of Island View Beach have written to Central Saanich Council recommending that emergency contingency plans be put in place now to deal with any breach of the sea wall or natural berms. See that letter here
The recent report of a "Super" El Nino identifies Island View Beach as being especially vulnerable to erosion and flooding during this coming winter and spring.
The Friends of Island View Beach have written to Central Saanich Council recommending that emergency contingency plans be put in place now to deal with any breach of the sea wall or natural berms. See that letter here
September 15, 2015
Letter to the CRD Board pointing to the deficiencies in the CRD environmental assessment of January 2015, and recommending the planning process be paused until a study has been done of the impact of rising sea levels on Island View Regional Park
"This process is now in its 5th year and all you have is public input based on an irretrievably flawed environmental assessment. The most glaring deficiency was the failure to include a review of rising sea levels because the bulk of the park is at sea level and is only protected by a low berm. The CRD has already identified Island View Beach as the first to be inundated in rising sea level. See http://www.friendsofislandviewbeach.com/climate-change.html
If the berm is breached then the park is gone, so to proceed without a study of the impact of rising sea levels on the park would be a waste of time and tax payer money.
We recommend you pause the planning process for Island View Beach Regional Park until a study has been made of the potential impact of rising sea level, and then decide how to proceed."
See the full letter to the CRD here
Letter to the CRD Board pointing to the deficiencies in the CRD environmental assessment of January 2015, and recommending the planning process be paused until a study has been done of the impact of rising sea levels on Island View Regional Park
"This process is now in its 5th year and all you have is public input based on an irretrievably flawed environmental assessment. The most glaring deficiency was the failure to include a review of rising sea levels because the bulk of the park is at sea level and is only protected by a low berm. The CRD has already identified Island View Beach as the first to be inundated in rising sea level. See http://www.friendsofislandviewbeach.com/climate-change.html
If the berm is breached then the park is gone, so to proceed without a study of the impact of rising sea levels on the park would be a waste of time and tax payer money.
We recommend you pause the planning process for Island View Beach Regional Park until a study has been made of the potential impact of rising sea level, and then decide how to proceed."
See the full letter to the CRD here
September 14, 2015
CRD refuses to provide data to support claims about species at risk at island View Beach - complaint filed with Information & Privacy Commissioner
This is now the fifth year that the CRD has been working to present a new management plan for Island View Beach Regional Park. Previous efforts were mired in exaggerations and misstatements by the CRD about the natural environment at the park. In May 2014 the CRD approved a new approach intended to regain public confidence, where the first step was to:
Provide factual technical and scientific information about the natural environment found in the park
The CRD published a new environmental report in January this year.
Despite requests by ourselves and Central Saanich Council, the CRD has not provided verification for claims made by them that certain species at risk are confirmed resident in the park. We were told to find this information ourselves, and even told that if we wished to challenge the CRD claims we should hire an expert at our expense.
Eventually one of our members filed a Freedom of Information Request asking for data to verify the CRD claims, and the CRD have attempted to block that by proposing to charge $1,165 for this information that should have been made public in the first place.
This is a matter of public interest - this is a public park, and the claims of species at risk being in that park could effect the park management plan. It is the CRD who has made these claims, and they should provide the verification for them.
A complaint has been filed with the Information and Privacy Commissioner. If you share our belief that this is a matter of the public interest, and that the CRD should provide verification for the claims it has made about the environment, we encourage you to write to the Commissioner and tell her so. Her email address is:
The Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia
4th Floor, 947 Fort Street
Victoria, BC
By email to [email protected]
Complaint against the Capital Regional District
Their FOI # 0580.20/15-042
This FOI complaint deals only with one small issue. For a broader look at the information not made available by the CRD, see the email attached dated July 10, 2015. None of the information requested there has been provided by the CRD.
The purpose of the environmental assessment was to allow the public to come to informed opinions about Island View Beach Regional Park that would evolve into a new park management plan. If the environmental assessment is wrong or incomplete, then everything built on that is flawed. The CRD should step back from the process and verify the environmental assessment before proceeding further.
see Complaint to Information and Privacy Commissioner
see CRD February 18 2015 letter to Central Saanich Council
see July 10 2015 email to CRD asking for data references
see CRD letter of July 31 2015 proposing to charge $1,165 to supply data
CRD refuses to provide data to support claims about species at risk at island View Beach - complaint filed with Information & Privacy Commissioner
This is now the fifth year that the CRD has been working to present a new management plan for Island View Beach Regional Park. Previous efforts were mired in exaggerations and misstatements by the CRD about the natural environment at the park. In May 2014 the CRD approved a new approach intended to regain public confidence, where the first step was to:
Provide factual technical and scientific information about the natural environment found in the park
The CRD published a new environmental report in January this year.
Despite requests by ourselves and Central Saanich Council, the CRD has not provided verification for claims made by them that certain species at risk are confirmed resident in the park. We were told to find this information ourselves, and even told that if we wished to challenge the CRD claims we should hire an expert at our expense.
Eventually one of our members filed a Freedom of Information Request asking for data to verify the CRD claims, and the CRD have attempted to block that by proposing to charge $1,165 for this information that should have been made public in the first place.
This is a matter of public interest - this is a public park, and the claims of species at risk being in that park could effect the park management plan. It is the CRD who has made these claims, and they should provide the verification for them.
A complaint has been filed with the Information and Privacy Commissioner. If you share our belief that this is a matter of the public interest, and that the CRD should provide verification for the claims it has made about the environment, we encourage you to write to the Commissioner and tell her so. Her email address is:
The Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia
4th Floor, 947 Fort Street
Victoria, BC
By email to [email protected]
Complaint against the Capital Regional District
Their FOI # 0580.20/15-042
This FOI complaint deals only with one small issue. For a broader look at the information not made available by the CRD, see the email attached dated July 10, 2015. None of the information requested there has been provided by the CRD.
The purpose of the environmental assessment was to allow the public to come to informed opinions about Island View Beach Regional Park that would evolve into a new park management plan. If the environmental assessment is wrong or incomplete, then everything built on that is flawed. The CRD should step back from the process and verify the environmental assessment before proceeding further.
see Complaint to Information and Privacy Commissioner
see CRD February 18 2015 letter to Central Saanich Council
see July 10 2015 email to CRD asking for data references
see CRD letter of July 31 2015 proposing to charge $1,165 to supply data
July 31, 2015 - BREAKING NEWS
Friends of island View Beach recommendations to the CRD for improvements at Island View Beach Regional Park
The CRD intends creating a new park plan at Island View Beach Regional Park, and the most widespread comment we hear from the public is "Leave the park alone!". The CRD environmental report did not disclose any environmental issues that require additional protection, and we agree with the spirit of leave the park alone, but we do have ideas for improvement that we believe the public will agree with.
A group of 7 of our members pooled their knowledge of the park and peoples wishes, to come up with the recommendations.
We must express our deep disappointment at the environmental presentation made by the CRD at https://www.crd.bc.ca/project/island-view-beach-management-plan. We will address this in detail at another time, but for here we say this: The environment at Island View Beach Regional Park is what it is. It should neither be exaggerated nor understated. The CRD suppressed the only independent study they commissioned on the park, and that came to light just because one of our members had seen the expert working in the park last year and asked the CRD for a copy of that expert's report. That expert questioned the existence of two plants that the CRD claims are species at risk in the park. The expert also showed that a species at risk that really is in the park actually occupies only a fraction of the area that the CRD claimed in its presentation. That expert's report is a perfect example of how a factual technical and scientific report should be written. It identified the existence (or non existence) of a species at risk in the park. It mapped where it is. It commented on the health of the species. And it advised on what, if anything, is needed to protect the species. That report is worth reading and comparing that to the CRD presentation. It can be seen at http://www.friendsofislandviewbeach.com/uploads/2/4/3/5/24351508/island_view_beach_camissonia_and_lathyrus_survey_2014.pdf
The Friends of Island View Beach recommendations to the CRD for improvements at Island View Beach Regional Park can be seen here
Friends of island View Beach recommendations to the CRD for improvements at Island View Beach Regional Park
The CRD intends creating a new park plan at Island View Beach Regional Park, and the most widespread comment we hear from the public is "Leave the park alone!". The CRD environmental report did not disclose any environmental issues that require additional protection, and we agree with the spirit of leave the park alone, but we do have ideas for improvement that we believe the public will agree with.
A group of 7 of our members pooled their knowledge of the park and peoples wishes, to come up with the recommendations.
We must express our deep disappointment at the environmental presentation made by the CRD at https://www.crd.bc.ca/project/island-view-beach-management-plan. We will address this in detail at another time, but for here we say this: The environment at Island View Beach Regional Park is what it is. It should neither be exaggerated nor understated. The CRD suppressed the only independent study they commissioned on the park, and that came to light just because one of our members had seen the expert working in the park last year and asked the CRD for a copy of that expert's report. That expert questioned the existence of two plants that the CRD claims are species at risk in the park. The expert also showed that a species at risk that really is in the park actually occupies only a fraction of the area that the CRD claimed in its presentation. That expert's report is a perfect example of how a factual technical and scientific report should be written. It identified the existence (or non existence) of a species at risk in the park. It mapped where it is. It commented on the health of the species. And it advised on what, if anything, is needed to protect the species. That report is worth reading and comparing that to the CRD presentation. It can be seen at http://www.friendsofislandviewbeach.com/uploads/2/4/3/5/24351508/island_view_beach_camissonia_and_lathyrus_survey_2014.pdf
The Friends of Island View Beach recommendations to the CRD for improvements at Island View Beach Regional Park can be seen here
March 3, 2015
Our email to the CRD Board
........ we say to all of you – are there none among you who will stand up and call for an inquiry into what is going on? The issue is critical – if the CRD cannot be trusted to produce accurate information, then how can the Board make informed decisions, and how can the public assess those decisions? See here
February 24, 2015
Our email to the CRD asking for references
We ask once more - please give us references that can be checked, to support your claim that the Common Nighthawk, the Fleshy Jaumea, the American Glehnia, and the Sand-Verbena moth, are resident now in Island View Beach Regional Park.
See here
January 20, 2015
Private email to CRD Board
Staff had 8 months to make this presentation. There can be no excuse for it not to be
complete and factual.
......
The environmental study will determine public access in Island View Regional Park so it
must be done right. We had foreseen the problems and in 2014 called for an
independent environmental review but that was not done, and now again we have
something unusable.
There is nothing factual to take to the public meengs scheduled for January 29th &
February 5th, so those should be postponed. See here
January 19, 2015
Our email to the CRD Board
Once again an environmental report by the CRD for Island View Beach Regional Park is misleading, and no reasonable person would be able make an informed decision based on it.
The public meetings scheduled for January 29 & February 5th should be postponed because there is no factual information about the park to put before them.
A new model is needed because the process is broken, and public trust has been long lost. See here
Our email to the CRD Board
........ we say to all of you – are there none among you who will stand up and call for an inquiry into what is going on? The issue is critical – if the CRD cannot be trusted to produce accurate information, then how can the Board make informed decisions, and how can the public assess those decisions? See here
February 24, 2015
Our email to the CRD asking for references
We ask once more - please give us references that can be checked, to support your claim that the Common Nighthawk, the Fleshy Jaumea, the American Glehnia, and the Sand-Verbena moth, are resident now in Island View Beach Regional Park.
See here
January 20, 2015
Private email to CRD Board
Staff had 8 months to make this presentation. There can be no excuse for it not to be
complete and factual.
......
The environmental study will determine public access in Island View Regional Park so it
must be done right. We had foreseen the problems and in 2014 called for an
independent environmental review but that was not done, and now again we have
something unusable.
There is nothing factual to take to the public meengs scheduled for January 29th &
February 5th, so those should be postponed. See here
January 19, 2015
Our email to the CRD Board
Once again an environmental report by the CRD for Island View Beach Regional Park is misleading, and no reasonable person would be able make an informed decision based on it.
The public meetings scheduled for January 29 & February 5th should be postponed because there is no factual information about the park to put before them.
A new model is needed because the process is broken, and public trust has been long lost. See here
------------ Shown below are some of the issues encountered with the recent CRD environmental assessment of Island View Beach Regional Park --------------
The Friends of Island VIew Beach position on Island View Beach Regional Park and on the public meeting process See here
In its environmental presentation, the CRD claimed repeatedly there were "33 confirmed species at risk" at Island View Beach. The presentation was written in a way to lead the reader to believe these 33 were in the park, and we challenged that. The CRD now says there are only 9 species at risk in the park, and the other the other 24 are outside the park, many of which are migratory marine birds out at sea that do not set foot on land here.
January 25, 2015 If you feel strongly about Island View Beach then you need to move quickly.
The lurching towards a new park plan is now in its 5th year, and it seems to us that every presentation by the CRD to the public is seriously misleading. The frequency and nature of the misleading claims are becoming increasingly disturbing, raising questions about what the actual goals of the CRD are. And we question why two of the three presentations have been in winter when few park users are around.
Environmental conservation should be a shield for what is vulnerable, but the CRD seem intent on using it as a club to justify restricting public access to areas of the park, regardless of the need.
In January 2013 the CRD held an "information session". It was misleading both in what they said and what they ommited. See: The display boards and our email to the CRD
And in September 2013 there was a draft plan with misrepresentations so bad, the plan had to be abandoned: See here
In May 2014 the CRD committed to presenting to the public an environmental study of Island View Beach Regional Park, that would be factual, technical and scientific. This is critical because it will drive the new park management plan the CRD wants for Island View Beach, although we have not heard a plausible reason why a new plan is needed. Perhaps the existing park bylaw is unpopular at the CRD because it is written in understandable plain language?
In January 2015 the CRD produced an environmental presentation and have scheduled public meetings on January 29th and February 5th. We have told the CRD directors that this CRD environmental presentation is so bad that no reasonable person will be able to make an informed opinion about the environmental state of the park from it. We called on the Directors to postpone the public meetings and have an independent environmental study done, but so far they have refused.
Click here for our assessment of this CRD January 2015 environmental presentation
It is said we get the government we deserve. If we stay silent and allow the CRD to continually make misrepresentations to the public about Island View Beach, then we must also stay silent if we don't like the changes that will come to the park. So speak up!
Click here to email the CRD about this CRD environmental presentation
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IMPORTANT UPDATE January 19 2015
The CRD has published what they call a "Presentation on the Park's Natural Environment" as the first step in another effort to create a new management plan for Island View Beach Regional Park, and they have scheduled public meetings on January 29th and February 5th. We examined the presentation, and to our great disappointment, we found the presentation does not provide information on what species are in the park and what needs protecting. Instead it speaks, misleadingly, about things found at “Island View Beach” not “Island View Beach Regional Park”. “Island View Beach” is a much larger area than the park, and includes habitats and species not present in the park. Also the presentation failed to consider the effect of climate change and rising sea level on the ecosystem of the park. . We have written to the CRD Board, concluding:
The Friends of Island VIew Beach position on Island View Beach Regional Park and on the public meeting process See here
In its environmental presentation, the CRD claimed repeatedly there were "33 confirmed species at risk" at Island View Beach. The presentation was written in a way to lead the reader to believe these 33 were in the park, and we challenged that. The CRD now says there are only 9 species at risk in the park, and the other the other 24 are outside the park, many of which are migratory marine birds out at sea that do not set foot on land here.
January 25, 2015 If you feel strongly about Island View Beach then you need to move quickly.
The lurching towards a new park plan is now in its 5th year, and it seems to us that every presentation by the CRD to the public is seriously misleading. The frequency and nature of the misleading claims are becoming increasingly disturbing, raising questions about what the actual goals of the CRD are. And we question why two of the three presentations have been in winter when few park users are around.
Environmental conservation should be a shield for what is vulnerable, but the CRD seem intent on using it as a club to justify restricting public access to areas of the park, regardless of the need.
In January 2013 the CRD held an "information session". It was misleading both in what they said and what they ommited. See: The display boards and our email to the CRD
And in September 2013 there was a draft plan with misrepresentations so bad, the plan had to be abandoned: See here
In May 2014 the CRD committed to presenting to the public an environmental study of Island View Beach Regional Park, that would be factual, technical and scientific. This is critical because it will drive the new park management plan the CRD wants for Island View Beach, although we have not heard a plausible reason why a new plan is needed. Perhaps the existing park bylaw is unpopular at the CRD because it is written in understandable plain language?
In January 2015 the CRD produced an environmental presentation and have scheduled public meetings on January 29th and February 5th. We have told the CRD directors that this CRD environmental presentation is so bad that no reasonable person will be able to make an informed opinion about the environmental state of the park from it. We called on the Directors to postpone the public meetings and have an independent environmental study done, but so far they have refused.
Click here for our assessment of this CRD January 2015 environmental presentation
It is said we get the government we deserve. If we stay silent and allow the CRD to continually make misrepresentations to the public about Island View Beach, then we must also stay silent if we don't like the changes that will come to the park. So speak up!
Click here to email the CRD about this CRD environmental presentation
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IMPORTANT UPDATE January 19 2015
The CRD has published what they call a "Presentation on the Park's Natural Environment" as the first step in another effort to create a new management plan for Island View Beach Regional Park, and they have scheduled public meetings on January 29th and February 5th. We examined the presentation, and to our great disappointment, we found the presentation does not provide information on what species are in the park and what needs protecting. Instead it speaks, misleadingly, about things found at “Island View Beach” not “Island View Beach Regional Park”. “Island View Beach” is a much larger area than the park, and includes habitats and species not present in the park. Also the presentation failed to consider the effect of climate change and rising sea level on the ecosystem of the park. . We have written to the CRD Board, concluding:
"Once again an environmental report by the CRD for Island View Beach Regional Park is misleading, and no reasonable person would be able make an informed decision based on it.
The public meetings scheduled for January 29 & February 5th should be postponed because there is no factual information about the park to put before them.
A new model is needed because the process is broken, and public trust has been long lost.
We believe a Parks sub-committee should be formed of the three Peninsula Mayors to make inquiries, and present recommendations to the Regional Parks Committee on how to move forward."
Click here to see our letter to the CRD Board of Directors of January 19, 2015
IMPORTANT UPDATE May 19 2014
The CRD are considering proposals for public consultation in the development of a new park management plan at Island View Beach.
Do the proposals go far enough to guarantee public participation?
And the "sand dune" restoration, you have to read about!
Click here to see the proposals then give your feed back
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From earlier .....
1) Our key message: Leave the park alone! This is what the public told the CRD on March 16, 2011. For almost 50 years Island View Beach Regional Park has been a major destination for generations of local families who want to enjoy the beach, fly kites, walk their dogs, launch small boats, or hold cook-outs and play with their kids in a safe oceanside environment. We want to keep it that way!
2) Our principal concern Instead of listening to the public, CRD staff have been attempting to force their vision on us based on environmental claims that remain unproved or may be disproven. See claims here and environment here. An independent environmental assessment is needed.
3) Specific issues to be Resolved
4) Immediate Questions:
Why didn't the CRD Board take immediate action when it was told of the problems?
Is it too much to expect that material put out by the CRD will be accurate?
Why can we not have documents written by the CRD in plain language that say what they mean?
How is it that CRD Parks Staff appear to ignore policies of the CRD Board?
The CRD should put its own house in order before going further.
If you value Island View Beach then take some time to browse this site from the site map and get to know what is going on. Email us if you have any questions via the button on the top right side of each page. And when you've got a handle on things then email the CRD and tell them what what you think!
3) Specific issues to be Resolved
- Staff put out a draft plan park last year to replace the current bylaw, but many of the claims they made in it did not check out - look at these here How can so many mistakes be made accidentally?
- The plan was written in a way that appeared designed to lull people into a state of false reassurance. For example, staff didn't disclose they were planning to reduce the area for public recreation from the 17% of the park it is now, down to 3%. Look here
- These are some of the things that have happened over the last few years - and what is still happening - that you should be aware of see here
- And look here at all the times the CRD Board were given notice of the problems and did nothing see here
- Great amounts of tax payer money have been spent on consultants at Island View with nothing to show for it. And staff are now asking for another $35,000 to do the public consultation they should have done 3 years ago.
4) Immediate Questions:
Why didn't the CRD Board take immediate action when it was told of the problems?
Is it too much to expect that material put out by the CRD will be accurate?
Why can we not have documents written by the CRD in plain language that say what they mean?
How is it that CRD Parks Staff appear to ignore policies of the CRD Board?
The CRD should put its own house in order before going further.
- Put an immediate halt to the process at Island View Beach
- Make full inquiry into the information provided in these links about the operations and the role of the Board
- Two years ago local residents offered to put in trails and foot bridges at no cost - why wasn't that followed up?
- A contractor offered to clean the ditches twice a year for 3 years for only $950 a time. Why wasn't that followed up?
- Call in the Auditor General for Local Government to conduct a full value-for-money audit.
- Find out how much has been spent on consultants and other third parties at Island View since 2006. Is it over $200,000?
- Restructure the Board processes to ensure that the information on which it makes its decisions is accurate, complete, timely and balanced.
- Institute a process to ensure the policies established by the Board are implemented by staff
- And when the Island View process starts up again, begin it with an independent environmental assessment that engages the public.
If you value Island View Beach then take some time to browse this site from the site map and get to know what is going on. Email us if you have any questions via the button on the top right side of each page. And when you've got a handle on things then email the CRD and tell them what what you think!
We work hard to ensure accuracy of the material on our web site. If any of the information or their interpretation is known to be incorrect, please contact us by email directly so it may be corrected.