At risk species in Island View Beach Regional park
The Friends of island View Beach do not claim to be environmental experts, and we readily acknowledge this work is incomplete. What we have done here is to present the evidence available to us, and we welcome additional information to improve this.
The term "Species at Risk" can be misleading, for while a species may be designated a "Species at risk" either nationally or provincially, that does not mean it is "at risk" in Island View Beach Regional Park, where it might be thriving. To avoid the possible confusion of saying "Species at risk in Island View Beach Regional Park", we use instead the term "At risk species in Island View Beach Regional Park", and then examine if it is in fact "at risk" in the park.
We support the protection of At Risk Species where that is necessary, at the same time acknowledging that some "At Risk Species" such as the Yellow Sand Verbena have thrived in the park even as the number of park visitors grew and so do not need protection. Each species needs to be examined in its own right
The purpose of an environmental assessment now is to be the foundation of a new park management plan. For there to be a measured balance between environmental conservation/restoration and the public use of the park, there must to be an inventory of
We have been calling on the CRD since 2013 for a complete, impartial and unbiased environmental inventory by an independent expert. An example is the work of Matt Fairbarns of Aruncus Consulting, whose most recent report about the contorted-pod evening-primrose in the park can be seen here This is the standard that should be applied to the environmental assessment.
Our findings to this time:
Conclusion
More study is required as shown above. There is insufficient information available now to create a new park management plan.
The CRD Parks presentation
CRD parks were tasked by the CRD Parks Committee in May 2014 with:
Provide factual technical and scientific information about the natural environment found in the park.
- Terrain, hydrology
- Species at risk (flora & fauna)
The CRD published what they called a "Species at Risk" "Island View Beach Regional Park" "Fact Sheet Winter 2014" which can be seen here
At the foot of the first page, the CRD say "There are 33 confirmed species at risk at Island View Beach". That is misleading and unsubstantiated and is discussed here.
On the second page they have a small tick behind 9 species, and the legend below states these to be "Confirmed resident species".
Those species with ticks are:
The CRD species at risk presentation can be seen here
Going through the CRD Parks presentation:
3. Common nighthawk - 6 pages devoted to this with photos. Not disclosed is that the photos were taken at James Island, not Island View Beach. No evidence is given to show this bird is resident at IVBRP
5. Yellow Sand-verbena - a photo is the sum of the information given. Nothing on where it is in the park; its condition and if it needs protection
2. Sand-verbena moth - no evidence given to show this moth is resident in the park. Instead a bounding rectangle is shown where the habitat exists that the moth is dependent on.
1. Contorted-pod evening primrose - 4 pages devoted to this annual plant. A map of its location is shown but that is inaccurate and greatly overstates the area of this plant. See our comment on this plant below. No information is given as to its condition.
The next page is the foreshore which belongs to the Province and is not in the park.
And the last page is about the Western Sandpiper which is one of the most abundant marine birds and is not at risk.
That is the total CRD Parks Species at Risk Presentation yet this should have been the most important presentation! The CRD Parks presentation did not even mention these 5 species below that the CRD Parks fact sheet claims are resident in the park, much less give any information on them!
4. Georgia Basin Bog Spider
6. Beach bindweed
7. American Glehnia
8. Fleshy Jaumea
9. Black knotweed
As we will show in our analysis below, there is no evidence that the Common Nighthawk; the American Glehnia or the Fleshy Jaumea are resident in the park.
Conclusion: The CRD Parks presentation is virtually non-existent, and does not meet any standard of being factual, technical or scientific. It provides no information to assist the public come to an informed opinion about the park.
What follows is the environmental assessment assembled by the Friends of Island View Beach.
At Risk Species confirmed in the park
Contorted-pod evening-primrose
A short-lived flowering annual, in a small portion of the sandy area at the north east part of the park by the boundary of the Tsawout lands. The area was fenced off in 2007 to give protection to this plant, but despite this it continued to decline. The occurrence is now in poor condition and confined to three small pockets. The decline is likely due to invasive grasses and consolidation of the sand, as the Contorted-pod evening-primrose requires loose sand for its seeds to germinate. Other than repairing the fencing and erecting signage, no additional protection is required. See here
Yellow sand verbena
A perennial succulent with bright yellow flowers, growing vigorously in the north east sandy portions of the park. Its increased growth has been observed in recent years along with the increased number of park visitors, so it has not been damaged by human activities in the 50 years this has been a public park. No protection is required. See here
Beach bindweed a.k.a beach morning glory
A sprawling, long‐lived perennial found on sand beaches and dunes. Reported in 2007 as in excellent condition, high vigour and reproducing abundantly. No protection is required. See here
Black knotweed is a species of flowering plant in the knotweed family known by the common names dune knotweed, black knotweed, and beach knotweed. It is native to the coastline of western North America from British Columbia to California, where it grows in sandy coastal habitat such as beaches, dunes, and scrub. "The occurrence itself is in excellent condition. ........... The plants are of high vigour and reproducing abundantly." "No specific actions are proposed for the conservation of .... Black knotweed .........." No protection is required. See here
Georgia Basin Bog Spider
A small (1 cm) wetland spider with a very limited global distribution, occurring in the Georgia Basin and western Washington State. In Canada. These populations may become threatened over a very short time period, the greatest threat being inundation by sea water. It is located far from areas used on a regular basis by park visitors and is not under threat by them, so no protection from park visitors is required. See here
At Risk Species likely in the park
Sand verbena moth
Sand-verbena Moth (Copablepharon fuscum) is a critically imperiled moth known to exist only within a narrow range in the Strait of Georgia of British Columbia in Canada and the Puget Sound of Washington in the United States. It is completely dependent on the Yellow sand verbena plant as a host. We have shown it as likely in the park only because although we have been unable to find evidence proving its existence we do not question it is there. The threat to the moth lies mainly with any risk to its host, the Yellow Sand Verbena plant which is thriving. There is little risk to the moth itself from human recreational activity. No protection is required. See here
At Risk Species claimed by the CRD to be confirmed resident in the park but not substantiated
The CRD has claimed three species as confirmed resident in the park, but they have not provided evidence to substantiate this despite many requests, and the reports we have located indicate these species are not in the park. See our requests here
The species claimed that we have been unable to confirm are
Common nighthawk see here
American Glehnia see here
Fleshy Jaumea see here
The CRD claim that 24 species of birds “use the park intermittently or utilize areas immediately adjacent to the park and therefore may be affected by our activities in the park.”
The numbers and proximity claimed is doubtful and was questioned by the BC Conservation Data Centre who said it looked it was a 5km radius around the park which is a far cry from being ":immediately adjacent to the park" as the CRD told the public. See here No reliance can be placed on this list in the absence of supporting data, and there is not enough evidence to make decisions effecting a new park management plan. The Great Blue Heron certainly visits the park, and study is needed to determine if any other species may be there, and if they require protection.
Climate change and sea level rise
The greatest threat to every species in the park is climate change. Rising sea levels and storms will eventually flood the park with salt water which will kill or drastically effect all the species there unless there is intervention by man.. And similarly changing temperatures will have an important effect - new species will come, some existing may go. The timing of insect populations will become out of sync with migrating birds dependent on them.
In 2009 the BC Ministry of the Environment told the CRD “Sea level rise due to global warming may threaten the ecosystems …. It is important to integrate climate change into management considerations …”
And in January 2015 the CRD produced a report showing the park will be under sea water in 35 years, by 2050.
Despite this, the 2015 CRD environmental assessment did not contain any information on the likely impact of climate change or sea level rise on the park or the species there. See here
American bullfrogs
There is a report that the American bullfrog is now in the park. This will impact native species as it is a voracious feeder, even reported to catch swallows flying over water. This needs to be studied before a park plan can proceed. See here
The term "Species at Risk" can be misleading, for while a species may be designated a "Species at risk" either nationally or provincially, that does not mean it is "at risk" in Island View Beach Regional Park, where it might be thriving. To avoid the possible confusion of saying "Species at risk in Island View Beach Regional Park", we use instead the term "At risk species in Island View Beach Regional Park", and then examine if it is in fact "at risk" in the park.
We support the protection of At Risk Species where that is necessary, at the same time acknowledging that some "At Risk Species" such as the Yellow Sand Verbena have thrived in the park even as the number of park visitors grew and so do not need protection. Each species needs to be examined in its own right
The purpose of an environmental assessment now is to be the foundation of a new park management plan. For there to be a measured balance between environmental conservation/restoration and the public use of the park, there must to be an inventory of
- what at risk species are in the park;
- where they are;
- what protection they need (if anything);
- and when they might need it.
We have been calling on the CRD since 2013 for a complete, impartial and unbiased environmental inventory by an independent expert. An example is the work of Matt Fairbarns of Aruncus Consulting, whose most recent report about the contorted-pod evening-primrose in the park can be seen here This is the standard that should be applied to the environmental assessment.
Our findings to this time:
- The CRD Parks presentation is virtually non-existent, and does not meet any standard of being factual, technical or scientific. It provides no information to assist the public come to an informed opinion about the park.
- There are 6 confirmed or likely "at risk" species resident in Island View Beach Regional Park, and none of these require additional protection from park visitors.
- The claims that there 24 "at risk" bird species that either use the park or are so close to the park that they will be disturbed by park visitors is clearly exaggerated - see here for the comments by the BC Conservation Data Centre . There may be some and this needs objective study.
- The impact of climate change both on the species in the park and the park itself through climate change and sea level rise, has not been studied, and needs to be before the park plan can continue.
- The predatory American Bullfrog is reported in the park. This will likely have an impact on many species and needs to be studied.
Conclusion
More study is required as shown above. There is insufficient information available now to create a new park management plan.
The CRD Parks presentation
CRD parks were tasked by the CRD Parks Committee in May 2014 with:
Provide factual technical and scientific information about the natural environment found in the park.
- Regional geographic setting
- Natural features of the Park:
- Terrain, hydrology
- Species at risk (flora & fauna)
The CRD published what they called a "Species at Risk" "Island View Beach Regional Park" "Fact Sheet Winter 2014" which can be seen here
At the foot of the first page, the CRD say "There are 33 confirmed species at risk at Island View Beach". That is misleading and unsubstantiated and is discussed here.
On the second page they have a small tick behind 9 species, and the legend below states these to be "Confirmed resident species".
Those species with ticks are:
- Contorted-pod evening primrose
- Sand-verbena moth
- Common nighthawk
- Georgia Basin Bog Spider
- Yellow Sand-verbena
- Beach bindweed
- American Glehnia
- Fleshy Jaumea
- Black knotweed
The CRD species at risk presentation can be seen here
Going through the CRD Parks presentation:
3. Common nighthawk - 6 pages devoted to this with photos. Not disclosed is that the photos were taken at James Island, not Island View Beach. No evidence is given to show this bird is resident at IVBRP
5. Yellow Sand-verbena - a photo is the sum of the information given. Nothing on where it is in the park; its condition and if it needs protection
2. Sand-verbena moth - no evidence given to show this moth is resident in the park. Instead a bounding rectangle is shown where the habitat exists that the moth is dependent on.
1. Contorted-pod evening primrose - 4 pages devoted to this annual plant. A map of its location is shown but that is inaccurate and greatly overstates the area of this plant. See our comment on this plant below. No information is given as to its condition.
The next page is the foreshore which belongs to the Province and is not in the park.
And the last page is about the Western Sandpiper which is one of the most abundant marine birds and is not at risk.
That is the total CRD Parks Species at Risk Presentation yet this should have been the most important presentation! The CRD Parks presentation did not even mention these 5 species below that the CRD Parks fact sheet claims are resident in the park, much less give any information on them!
4. Georgia Basin Bog Spider
6. Beach bindweed
7. American Glehnia
8. Fleshy Jaumea
9. Black knotweed
As we will show in our analysis below, there is no evidence that the Common Nighthawk; the American Glehnia or the Fleshy Jaumea are resident in the park.
Conclusion: The CRD Parks presentation is virtually non-existent, and does not meet any standard of being factual, technical or scientific. It provides no information to assist the public come to an informed opinion about the park.
What follows is the environmental assessment assembled by the Friends of Island View Beach.
At Risk Species confirmed in the park
Contorted-pod evening-primrose
A short-lived flowering annual, in a small portion of the sandy area at the north east part of the park by the boundary of the Tsawout lands. The area was fenced off in 2007 to give protection to this plant, but despite this it continued to decline. The occurrence is now in poor condition and confined to three small pockets. The decline is likely due to invasive grasses and consolidation of the sand, as the Contorted-pod evening-primrose requires loose sand for its seeds to germinate. Other than repairing the fencing and erecting signage, no additional protection is required. See here
Yellow sand verbena
A perennial succulent with bright yellow flowers, growing vigorously in the north east sandy portions of the park. Its increased growth has been observed in recent years along with the increased number of park visitors, so it has not been damaged by human activities in the 50 years this has been a public park. No protection is required. See here
Beach bindweed a.k.a beach morning glory
A sprawling, long‐lived perennial found on sand beaches and dunes. Reported in 2007 as in excellent condition, high vigour and reproducing abundantly. No protection is required. See here
Black knotweed is a species of flowering plant in the knotweed family known by the common names dune knotweed, black knotweed, and beach knotweed. It is native to the coastline of western North America from British Columbia to California, where it grows in sandy coastal habitat such as beaches, dunes, and scrub. "The occurrence itself is in excellent condition. ........... The plants are of high vigour and reproducing abundantly." "No specific actions are proposed for the conservation of .... Black knotweed .........." No protection is required. See here
Georgia Basin Bog Spider
A small (1 cm) wetland spider with a very limited global distribution, occurring in the Georgia Basin and western Washington State. In Canada. These populations may become threatened over a very short time period, the greatest threat being inundation by sea water. It is located far from areas used on a regular basis by park visitors and is not under threat by them, so no protection from park visitors is required. See here
At Risk Species likely in the park
Sand verbena moth
Sand-verbena Moth (Copablepharon fuscum) is a critically imperiled moth known to exist only within a narrow range in the Strait of Georgia of British Columbia in Canada and the Puget Sound of Washington in the United States. It is completely dependent on the Yellow sand verbena plant as a host. We have shown it as likely in the park only because although we have been unable to find evidence proving its existence we do not question it is there. The threat to the moth lies mainly with any risk to its host, the Yellow Sand Verbena plant which is thriving. There is little risk to the moth itself from human recreational activity. No protection is required. See here
At Risk Species claimed by the CRD to be confirmed resident in the park but not substantiated
The CRD has claimed three species as confirmed resident in the park, but they have not provided evidence to substantiate this despite many requests, and the reports we have located indicate these species are not in the park. See our requests here
The species claimed that we have been unable to confirm are
Common nighthawk see here
American Glehnia see here
Fleshy Jaumea see here
The CRD claim that 24 species of birds “use the park intermittently or utilize areas immediately adjacent to the park and therefore may be affected by our activities in the park.”
The numbers and proximity claimed is doubtful and was questioned by the BC Conservation Data Centre who said it looked it was a 5km radius around the park which is a far cry from being ":immediately adjacent to the park" as the CRD told the public. See here No reliance can be placed on this list in the absence of supporting data, and there is not enough evidence to make decisions effecting a new park management plan. The Great Blue Heron certainly visits the park, and study is needed to determine if any other species may be there, and if they require protection.
Climate change and sea level rise
The greatest threat to every species in the park is climate change. Rising sea levels and storms will eventually flood the park with salt water which will kill or drastically effect all the species there unless there is intervention by man.. And similarly changing temperatures will have an important effect - new species will come, some existing may go. The timing of insect populations will become out of sync with migrating birds dependent on them.
In 2009 the BC Ministry of the Environment told the CRD “Sea level rise due to global warming may threaten the ecosystems …. It is important to integrate climate change into management considerations …”
And in January 2015 the CRD produced a report showing the park will be under sea water in 35 years, by 2050.
Despite this, the 2015 CRD environmental assessment did not contain any information on the likely impact of climate change or sea level rise on the park or the species there. See here
American bullfrogs
There is a report that the American bullfrog is now in the park. This will impact native species as it is a voracious feeder, even reported to catch swallows flying over water. This needs to be studied before a park plan can proceed. See here