ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS During the process of creating the Brae Island Regional Park Management Plan, many outside organizations, agencies and individuals provided perspectives and expertise. We recognize the contribution of representatives from the Fort Langley Community Association, Fort Langley Business Improvement Association, Langley Heritage Society, Langley Field Naturalists, Fort Langley Canoe Club, BC Farm Machinery and Agriculture Museum, Langley Centennial Museum and National Exhibition Centre, Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce, Equitas Developments, Wesgroup, Kwantlen First Nation, Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Agricultural Land Commission, Parks Canada, and especially, the Township of Langley. Thanks also go to our consultants including: Phillips Farevaag Smallenberg Landscape Architects, Strix Environmental Consultants, Northwest Hydraulics Consulting, GP Rollo & Associates, Tumia Knott of Kwantlen First Nation and Doug Crapo. Special thanks go out to: Board members from the Derby Reach/Brae Island Regional Park – Park Association; and Stan Duckworth, operator of Fort Camping. We also remember Don McTavish who saw the potential of creating a camping experience on Brae Island. While many GVRD staff from its Head and East Area Offices assisted this planning process special mention should go to the planning and research staff, Will McKenna, Janice Jarvis and Heather Wornell. Finally, we wish to thank all of those members of the public who regularly attended meetings and contributed their valuable time and insights to the Plan. Wendy DaDalt GVRD Parks Area Manager East Area TABLE OF CONTENTS ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ LETTER OF CONVEYANCE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.............................................................................. 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION................................................................................ 3 1.1 Brae Island Regional Park and the GVRD Parks and Greenways System........................................ 3 1.2 Brae Island Regional Park Context............................................. 3 1.3 Purpose of Management Plan..................................................... 8 1.4 The Planning Process................................................................ 8 1.5 Summary of Public, Partners, and Stakeholder Involvement...... 9 1.6 Planning Considerations.............................................................10 1.6.1 Regional Planning Context..............................................10 1.6.2 Local Community............................................................ 10 1.6.3 Natural and Cultural Resources of the Area................... 11 1.6.4 Sensitive Areas and Species at Risk.............................. 11 1.6.5 Transportation................................................................. 11 1.6.6 GVRD Parks’ Campground Policy Framework........................... 12 2.0 PLANNING CONTEXT........................................................................13 2.1 Planning Considerations, Land Use, and Zoning........................ 13 2.2 Demographics.............................................................................13 2.3 Recreation Use and Trends........................................................ 14 2.4 Recreation Vehicle Camping, Tenting, and Tourism................... 16 2.5 Local Recreation Areas, Linkages, and Greenways................... 18 2.6 Cultural Resources..................................................................... 19 2.6.1 Area History.....................................................................19 2.6.2 Heritage and Cultural Features....................................... 20 2.6.3 Economic........................................................................ 21 2.6.4 Visual Quality.................................................................. 21 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ 2.7 Natural Resources.............................................................................. 22 2.7.1 Environment, Geology, and Soils.................................... 22 2.7.2 Hydrology.........................................................................23 2.7.3 Vegetation...................................................................... 24 2.7.4 Wildlife........................................................................... 29 2.7.5 Fish Habitat.................................................................... 30 2.7.6 Species at Risk............................................................... 30 2.8 Existing Use of Park............................................................................31 2.8.1 Park Wide....................................................................... 31 2.8.2 Camping......................................................................... 31 2.8.3 Site Services...................................................................34 2.9 Existing Park Programs.......................................................................35 2.9.1 Fort Camping Visitor Services – Education and Interpretation........................................... 35 2.9.2 GVRD Parks Visitor Services – Education and Interpretation........................................... 35 2.9.3 Partnership and Community Development..................... 35 i 3.0 PARK PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT.......................................... 36 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ 3.1 Introduction......................................................................................... 36 Park Goal............................................................................................ 36 3.1.1 Plan Goal, Objectives and Strategies.............................. 36 3.2 Park Plan............................................................................................. 39 3.2.1 Planning Units................................................................. 40 3.2.2 Concept........................................................................... 41 3.2.3 Facilities.......................................................................... 41 3.2.4 Park Wide Site Services and Emergency Preparedness 46 3.3 Park Programming.............................................................................. 49 3.3.1 Natural Resource Management Program....................... 49 3.3.2 Operations and Maintenance........................................... 49 3.3.3. Visitor Services – Education, Interpretation, Recreation... 50 3.4 Facility Development Costs................................................................. 51 3.4.1 Facility Capital Costs....................................................... 51 3.4.2 Staffing and Operation Expenses.................................... 53 3.5 Plan Sustainability Assessment........................................................... 53 4.0 IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING, AND ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT................................................................. 55 FIGURES 1.1.1 GVRD Parks and Greenways System................................................. 4 1.2.1 Brae Island Regional Park and Surrounding Area............................... 6 1.2.2 Park Context........................................................................................ 7 1.4.1 Guiding Principles................................................................................ 9 2.1.1 Existing Campground........................................................................... 14 2.6.1 Recent Island Formation and Archaeological Potential........................ 21 2.7.1 Soil Map of Brae and McMillan islands................................................ 23 2.7.2 Environmental Resources.................................................................... 26 3.2.1 Planning Units and Environmental Sensitivity...................................... 42 3.2.2 Park Concept Plan............................................................................... 43 3.2.3 Glover Waterfront and Campground Area Schematic.......................... 45 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ 3.2.4 Schematic Campsite Layout................................................................ 46 Cross-section “A” ................................................................................ 47 Cross-section “B”................................................................................ 48 TABLES 2.3.1 Outdoor Recreation Participation Rates............................................... 16 2.4.1 Popular Campground Attractions......................................................... 17 2.8.1 Average Expenditures by Day and Percent Local................................ 33 3.1.1 Management Plan Program Highlights................................................ 37 3.4.1 Capital Cost Estimates........................................................................ 52 APPENDICES Appendix A Table A – Public Involvement............................................................. 56 Appendix B Table A – Guiding Principles, Objectives, Strategies, Tasks, Descriptions and Actions.......................................... 57 Table B – Environmental Analysis Recommendations........................ 66 Appendix C – RV/tent Camping Guidelines................................................ 69 ii REFERENCES.............................................................................................. 72 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Introduction The Brae Island Regional Park Management Plan (BRAMP) provides a long-term strategy for development,