TABLE OF CONTENTS: 1. INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................................................3 1.1 PURPOSE OF BACKGROUND DOCUMENT ................................................................................................3 1.2 LOCATION AND REGIONAL SETTING ......................................................................................................3 1.3 THE PROTECTED AREAS STRATEGY AND PARK HIGHLIGHTS.................................................................3 1.4 PARK ESTABLISHMENT AND LEGISLATION.............................................................................................5 1.5 PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT HISTORY...............................................................................................5 2. NATURAL VALUES................................................................................................................................7 2.1 CLIMATE ................................................................................................................................................7 2.2 GEOLOGY AND PHYSIOGRAPHY .............................................................................................................7 2.3 SOILS .....................................................................................................................................................8 2.4 HYDROLOGY ..........................................................................................................................................9 2.5 VEGETATION..........................................................................................................................................9 2.5.1 Sensitive Ecosystems Inventory ...................................................................................................12 2.5.2 Fire Management Plans ..............................................................................................................13 2.6 WILDLIFE.............................................................................................................................................13 2.6.1 Birds ............................................................................................................................................13 2.6.2 Mammals .....................................................................................................................................13 2.6.3 Marine Mammals.........................................................................................................................13 2.6.4 Fish Species and Invertebrates....................................................................................................14 2.7 RARE PLANTS, ANIMALS AND PLANT COMMUNITIES...........................................................................14 2.8 ECOLOGICAL RESERVES.......................................................................................................................15 3. CULTURAL VALUES ...........................................................................................................................16 3.1 FIRST NATIONS TRADITIONAL USE ......................................................................................................16 3.2 FIRST NATIONS ARTEFACTS.................................................................................................................16 3.3 NON-ABORIGINAL HISTORY .................................................................................................................17 4. OUTDOOR RECREATION & TOURISM..........................................................................................19 4.1 ACCESS ................................................................................................................................................19 4.1.1 Access by Boat.............................................................................................................................19 4.1.2 Access by Kayak, Canoe or Small Craft ......................................................................................19 4.1.3 Access by Road on De Courcy Island..........................................................................................19 4.2 OUTDOOR RECREATION FEATURES......................................................................................................20 4.2.1 Marine Shoreline and Natural Coastal Features ........................................................................20 4.2.2 Water Temperature......................................................................................................................20 4.2.3 Vegetation....................................................................................................................................20 4.2.4 Wildlife ........................................................................................................................................20 4.2.5 Harvestable Marine Life..............................................................................................................20 4.2.6 Cultural Features ........................................................................................................................20 4.2.7 Visual Features............................................................................................................................21 4.2.8 Good Anchorages ........................................................................................................................21 4.3 RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES ..............................................................................................................21 4.3.1 Coastal Cruising..........................................................................................................................21 4.3.2 Sea Kayaking/Canoeing...............................................................................................................22 4.3.3 Sport Fishing ...............................................................................................................................22 4.3.4 Camping ......................................................................................................................................23 4.3.5 Wildlife Viewing ..........................................................................................................................23 4.3.6 Shore-Based Marine Dependent Recreation ...............................................................................23 4.3.7 Mountain Biking ..........................................................................................................................24 4.3.8 Equestrian Use ............................................................................................................................24 4.4 EXISTING FACILITIES AND SERVICES ...................................................................................................24 4.4.1 Boat access/ floats:......................................................................................................................24 4.4.2 Campground................................................................................................................................24 4.4.3 Day Use .......................................................................................................................................24 4.4.4 Trails............................................................................................................................................24 4.5 VISITOR USE TRENDS: PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE ...............................................................................25 4.6 REGIONAL SIGNIFICANCE.....................................................................................................................26 4.7 BC PARKS OPERATIONS.......................................................................................................................26 5. LAND TENURES, JURISDICTIONS & INTERESTS .......................................................................27 5.1 TENURES, LEASES AND PERMITS..........................................................................................................27 5.2 JURISDICTION.......................................................................................................................................27 5.3 MUNICIPAL INTEREST ..........................................................................................................................28 5.3.1 De Courcy Island Official Community Plan................................................................................28 5.3.2 Provincial and Federal Agencies ................................................................................................28 5.4 FIRST NATIONS INTERESTS ..................................................................................................................28 5.5 COMMUNITY INTEREST ........................................................................................................................28 6. KEY MANAGEMENT ISSUES ............................................................................................................29 6.1 PARK BOUNDARY ................................................................................................................................29 6.2 CONSERVATION ...................................................................................................................................29