Federation of

BC NATURALISTS425 1367 West Broadway • Vancouver BC • V6H 4A9 • t: 604-737-3057 • f: 604-738-7175 • e: fbcn@intergate.bc.ca

June 22, 2001

Honourable Joyce MurrayMinister of Water, Land and Air ProtectionP.O. Box 9047Station Provincial GovernmentVictoria, B.C. V8W9E2

Dear Minister Murray:

Re: Eagle Heights Grasslands

The Federation of BC Naturalists is aware that your Ministry and the Ministry of Forestshave over the past few years been trying to acquire and protect both Crown land andprivately owned land in Eagle Heights Grasslands, near Shawnigan Lake. Thisacquisition was identified in the Koksilah River Provincial Park Management Plan(December 2000).

At our May annual general meeting in Williams Lake, our members passed the enclosedresolution calling on government to quickly acquire this area. Could you please provideus with an update on the status of the proposed park addition?

Thank you in advance,

Yours truly

Anne MurrayPresident, Federation of BC Naturalists

cc. Honourable Mike de Jong, Minister of ForestsCowichan Valley Naturalists

http://mcmbers.xoom.com/fbcn To Know Nature and To Keep It Worth Knowing

Federation of

BC NATURALISTS425 1367 West Broadway • Vancouver BC • V6H 4A9 • t: 604-737-3057 • f: 604-738-7175 • e: fbcn@intergate.bc.ca

Resolution 2001-6. Protection of Eagle Heights GrasslandsSubmitted by Cowichan Valley Naturalists I*

WHEREAS the Cowichan Valley Naturalists have advocated for over two decadesfor the recognition and protection of the Eagle Heights Grasslands near Shawnigan Lakeon Vancouver Island, and

WHEREAS this site is recognized as an outstanding pocket grassland and that its specialbotanical attribute demands preservation, and

WHEREAS efforts to acquire the private portion from Weyerhaeuser, a willing seller,by B.C. Parks have not yet been successful; therefore

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Eagle Heights Grasslands be recognized as animportant ecological asset on Vancouver Island, of a World Heritage site quality,and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Government of B.C acquire the areaquickly to protect its ecological values.

http://mcmbers.xoom.com/fbcn To Know Nature and To Keep It Worth Knowing

425 136? West Broadway • Vancouver UC • V6) I 4A9 • t: 604-737-3057 • I 604-738-7175 • e: fbcn@intcrg«ic.bc,ca

Hon. Ian WadddlMinister of Environment, J ..ind-, and ParksParliament Buildings

; JJ.C, '

November 8 2000

Dear Mr Waddell,

Kef: Eagle Heights rare pocket grassland, Koksilah Provincial Park

The I'edcration of. British ColuiTibu Nnumtlists is vxtrc ' t tvlv o-nrrrm'-d ihou' U K - M?t i , s (> f'sina}l areas or rare grasslands ^rT.md tht. province t>c; .p! '<- t h e - t pr<\-u in.port.-iiKi, u> rh-,pK)tCCttOtV; of biodiversity and sc i en r r f t r knrv.vlod}.'e, .MM! t h r i r v.ilue in dmr own ri^Jn as11'atUral ecosystems, many rare pocket frassi^nds have n^t \>mr, included in t in - j M - n t - d c . dareas portfolio. F.nglc Ucighti, adpectv t ' > the Kokii!.\i^, iJr,)Vir.ci:i! Pnrl, in the Cowiohanarea, comes into this e-ate^nry. l v w-.^ nu inuu ted f ' > t (uvt! ? s t ah i s , but did not nuke 'heshcjrt list, despite possessing 31 rau: plant specu i, ai'td !nv.r:,; a global ranktn}?. of' < • 1, the'hi^iCSt'ftnkitjg given hy the Nature (.onservario •; ').ir t.-derdti-ci inc:p-,l)er ckih, (he(idWlchan'"Valley Naturalists, has hren .idv.:)ca;i!^> it.-, pr^.trchu!) ior n - . ^ i y vc.u-s, i ) . i t so farwitfsout sueccss.

The Ea$<? Heights grasslands are parri\d by dn: Muustr, • » ( ' Forest and parrh by;W^crhauKer. From a discussion with O ;<ve (^ha i c r . Sf u t h Ii'.land District, BC P;irks, Iunclcrst/Uld tharb.r. Parkf. is in tlie ] )nn . r s5 of prcoA.nnp. :< pai'k m/iKagemeni p!vu> for.Kf>issilyih;Park. Discussion on the re.-lr,i--\-iii^ i-.t p;irk boundaries h> include part >.>r al! o\ei^agjeHeights site could then hcgri. Hu\\-rver , nstMf.^Ms ate dtt , ,»ppoinled wit l i the vrcySlldw progress that has been n u d e - m t!:csc diioussion';, which Cowiclian Valley Si,tur,\ii«,t

told were at -A enricd! R t . i n - i,sst Mai • ] >

from discussions \<.nh the Mini--.tr', c.»i F'.-r'^t.s, South Is land , t h a i , iopwng-CurtwHy proposed for the Kig'e Heights sue, v.-hcix- umber values ,ire negligible and

AccessdifficuIt (it is on a steep slope., ,t is i;:^ci;ii that the grasslands rer.un thar tori stetlIjliftifcr, riranumbt-r offt-Hsons. K.tn ^nssh-ais w at prca* nsk from the introduction of

.alien^specics, Eagle Heights is hnr iy oji-'f H in not lutvuig l.>ecn mvaded by broom and otheralietJS, partly tJianks to the vigilance of'ioe^i natnrali^rs. and partly by the fact th;tt it hay abultfer preventing wind blown .^eed tr.in^fer Recreation is another major problem for raregrasslands!:we are therefore advocMnnp t h a t Cvag'u- fii:iiH:.n; should be an ecological reserve,with-limited entry permitted. The woodland buffer \v,.-uid -A^AM hcl|> prevent unwaiuod

),;Mnd some, suitable sigjisige could d i rec t recrcattoraatists back into the main park

To Know Nature and To Keep it Worth K

.,' ;ln 1999 tb'c CowJdvan Valiev Kegiomil Disincl wrote ro Ca thy McGregor, then Minister of. , , : ; ; tvfwironi-ntMii, '1-ands and Parks, in su) )po i f ofT-'aglc Heights' protection. In speaking to the

-.- •.•:$ll\VAftj'-$'--Forests' s t a l l , I round them well , informed ol' the locaf ion and the need lor its.;.; pirotCCflfWl.J l)dicve IK.- i'arks is supp.x-tive of i t s p ro te t f ion *< an eeological reserve,

; :: ;^|thc)Uf»Ji because; of recent s t * i f r cdue r ions t h e y seem r t . he ovt'i^'helmed by the number o(')}ark.man^Ctnc'rit plans ih;v. t h e y need ic,- prepare. 1 h.r, r r i n t spoken 10 NX'evrrh .u iser vet ,

..'.' l.'U't .1 undorstfind from ior-.i! n - i ruMK' ts ' ha i some nov, . ' . / - > rlu >ci i i j i .uiy I ' t l u - u McMil! inHloedd) had a handshake ;ip.reeme>>r. \v;ih y^'ir g. >vernmen! on t lo tng- i land s\v,ip ( < i proieetttKvurass lands.

^j ne J-'BC'lN] is very ennee tner i i ' - ; i t \vin!e :iil ] i . i r f n , sev.ni -A i l l i f j . - . noihino. :u - . i l l i « Ir-spp' nnu;,iTCaiixc tHut on yot ir e\v cxp.indiiu; !r.> or' p t o v n u >;r i -sues , !?. igie I legits is a \y M;n i !Jteni. I^Ieasp d<') nor overlook 11. l - ' . v i i i r lvni f ;h it is ., --nvM :irc,», :» ha' rix .1 i f o p ' - r r . i n e e lor

cffity, beii)|', almost u r i e lv -Hnf - ' d i\ i l ' i j ' j , - i ly -;m< e r 'n j-jncirr'-. of r'ie iec , \ee njeltid.e o l e rer

hope Mr Wrtdde pi ; < : • - < ( , / n , / i ! ; < ::-,iris! ic io i -y jesoHi'i ' -\: u i this

J>snnt; Murra

-•-(,••

i:":l:>ave;Chvil:cr, IKJ. P^rks: Dave jSldcrotY. President. (>••-. ' , ich.-in \\s

"' ' i . s f . ->''-•"'

Cowichan Valley Naturalists' SocietyC.V.N.S. P.O. Box 361, DUNCAN, BRITISH COLUMBIA, V9L 3X5

Hon. Ian WaddellMinister of Environment, Lands and ParksParliament BuildingsVictoria, B.C.V8V 1X4November 6, 2000

Dear Sir:

Re: Eagle Heights

I am enclosing along with this letter, copies of correspondence that we have had withSouth Island District Manager David Chater. As you can see from the attachedcorrespondence, we have been waiting for the release of the draft Koksilah ParkManagement Plan for the last two years. In a note generated by your own department,File 8400-35/0106 160-20/KPS Page 2, it states " the management plan is nearingcompletion and requires final review and executive approval. This process should becompleted by March 31, 1999."

In Mr. Chater's latest correspondence, dated October 30, 2000, he states that the draftmanagement plan will be sent out for referral and comment within the next one to twoweeks. We are very skeptical of this time frame. We are therefore requesting that you:1) release the Koksilah River Provincial Park Management Plan immediately. This

should not be difficult as it has been sat on David Chater's desk for the last 18months,

2) develop a time frame for the acquisition of Eagle Heights from Weyerhauser, and3) develop a time frame for the transfer of Crown lands from the Ministry of Forests to

the Ministry of Parks.

In conclusion, you are the fourth Minister of Environment that we have dealt with on thisissue and we hope that you will be able to finalize the acquisition of Eagle Heights.

Yours sincerely,

David Aldcroft

Cowichan Valley Naturalists' Societyc.v^Ts. P.O. Box 361, DUNCAN, BRITISH COLUMBIA, V9L 3X5

Cc Murray Coell, MLA,Rick Spencer Area Director, Electoral Area B, Cowichan Valley Regional DistrictAnne Murray, Federation of B.C. Naturalists PresidentDon Webb, Koksilah Park SocietyDavid Chater, South Island District ManagerMadeleine Maley, Ministry of Forests

^*—' • <J-*—J^~i

^

MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, LANDS AND PARKS ^INFORMATION NOTE V

Date: January 25, 1999^File: 84000-35/0106'

160-20/KPS280-20/BN-D02

I. PREPARED FOR:This note is department generated and is intended to advise the Minister and DeputyMinister on repeated requests by the Koksilah Park Society and several otherconservation groups to preserve the Eagle Heights Grasslands located partially onCrown and private lands adjacent to Koksilah River Provincial Park.

II. ISSUE:Eagle Heights Grasslands is identified as one of the finest examples of pocketgrasslands and carries a global ranking of G-l (critically imperilled). Thecurrent status of this sensitive ecosystem is that 75% is contained in Crown landand 25% owned by MacMillan Bloedel (M&B).

III. BACKGROUND:

• The Koksilah Park Society and other conservation groups have identified and lobbied forthe past four years to seek protective status for the Eagle Heights Grasslands (see attachedmap) which is adjacent to Koksilah River Provincial Park.

• Koksilah River Provincial Park is a 207 hectare site, approximately 5 kilometres west ofShawnigan Lake. The park protects a key river riparian zone and also provides recreationopportunities such as hiking, cycling, picnicking and camping.

• BC Parks is currently completing the Koksilah River Provincial Park Management Planand has identified this area as an ecologically sensitive site requiring protective status.BC Parks (South Vancouver Island District) has worked in consultation with the KoksilahPark Society and other groups to develop this plan. There is considerable backgroundinformation from the Conservation Data Centre (CDC) and BC Parks' vegetationspecialists on this unique grassland ecosystem.

• Eagle Heights Grasslands was identified as a Goal 2 candidate by the public and agencystaff but ultimately not accepted by the province in the final Goal 2 announcement. There,is mounting public pressure to ensure its protection.

• M&B' s five year harvesting plan for this area proposes that the Eagle Heights area maybe looked at for harvesting within two to three years.

...12

CUnit/99Issues/IN/koksilah.doc/2/2/99/8:39AM

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IV. DISCUSSION:

• Stronger protection of the Eagle Heights Grasslands is recommended in the KoksilahRiver Provincial Park Management Plan. This could be implemented in a number ofways including: adding to the provincial park, designating as an ecological reserve,implementing conservation covenants over the grasslands, etc.

• The M&B lands recommended for addition in the draft management plan comprise lessthan 50 hectares and have minimal timber values.

• The Crown land portions in the Eagle Heights area is also less than 50 hectares.

• The draft management plan also recommends the addition of other lands along the riverlinking separate parts of the existing park and protecting key riparian zones. These landsare owned by Timber West.

• The management plan is nearing completion and requires final review and executiveapproval. This process should be completed by March 31, 1999.

• The Crown lands adjacent to the M&B lands should be the first priority for protection andwould receive much public support as an addition to the provincial park.

• BC Parks and M&B staff have met to discuss the proposed additions to Koksilah RiverProvincial Park. M&B, at the local level, is supportive of the province acquiring theselands.

• The Assistant Deputy Minister's land acquisition committee has developed a priority listof private land acquisition priorities for Vancouver Island. This list is focused aroundGoal 1 and Goal 2 priorities, but also includes some critical inholdings within or adjacentto parks. These critical inholdings include Sombrio Beach, MacMillan Park, Cape ScottShusharttie and Koksilah River.

• The province is currently involved in negotiations with M&B lands and the Environmentand Land Use committee has stressed that Goal 1 and 2 lands remain the priority forpurchase. It is worth noting that there is support from local M&B staff and strong localcommunity support for the acquisition of these lands.

• At this time, it appears that this relatively small, but significant property, will not beacquired unless Crown Land Branch property negotiators are provided with someflexibility to include this areas as part of the overall Mac Bio package as negotiationsproceed.

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CUnit/99Issues/IN/koksilah.doc/2/2/99/8:39AM

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• BC Parks has not discussed with the Ministry of Forests the potential of the sensitivegrasslands within the Provincial Forest being added to the park as recommended hi thedraft management plan. These discussions will commence with the approval of themanagement plan.

• The Koksilah Park Society has met with Rick Kasper, local MLA to discuss theirconcerns. The MLA may approach the Minister to discuss.

Contact Alternate Contact Prepared by:Denis O'Gorman, ADM David Chater, District Mgr. Jim Morris, PlannerParks Division South Vancouver Isl. Dist. South Vancouver Isl. Dist.Phone: 387-9997 Phone: 391-2300 Phone: 391-2304

BINDER SECTION:South Vancouver Island District

CUnit/99Issues/TN/koksilah.doc/2/2/99/8:39AM

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With regard to both the negotiations and any associated transfer of lands, I can advise thatstaff resources that would normally be assigned to this type of project are currentlydedicated exclusively to acquiring the announced Goal 2 properties on Vancouver Islandand as such, may not have sufficient time to dedicate to this project for some time.

I appreciate your advising us of the views of the Honourable David Zirnhelt recognizingthe importance of the Eagle Heights project. Parks staff will continue to explore thismore fully with Ministry of Forests staff. We are also aware of some complexities,including a forest access road through these Crown lands, that would have to be factoredinto any discussions with Ministry of Forests.

The above are some of the contextual realities of this issue. In the meantime, BC Parks'district staff are continuing with developing the management plan for Koksilah RiverProvincial Park. This document, when approved, will provide the basis for BC Parks toundertake longer term discussions with the Ministry of Forests, and other parties, forpotential additions to the park, such as Eagle Heights Grasslands. Given the restrictionson resources and the views of the other parties in the area, options for those lands, otherthan acquisition, may also have to be considered, such as special management zoning. Iunderstand that the park management plan may be ready for executive consideration thisspring.

BC Parks recognizes the values of the Eagle Heights Grasslands and appreciates yourcontinued advocacy of the ecological significance of this area.

Yours truly,

Denis O'GormanAssistant Deputy MinisterParks Division

cc: The Honourable Cathy McGregorMinister of Environment, Lands and Parks

Rick Kasper, MLA(Malahat-Juan de Fuca)

David Chater, District ManagerSouth Vancouver Island District

Reference: 58972

JAN 1 ? :?OOIAnne MurrayPresidentFederation of BC Naturalists425-1367 West BroadwayVancouver BC V6H 4A9

Dear Anne Murray:

Thank you for your letter dated November 8, 2000, regarding the Eagle HeightsGrasslands near Koksilah River Provincial Park.

As discussed with David Chater, District Manager for BC Parks South Vancouver IslandDistrict, the draft management plan for Koksilah River Provincial Park recommendsprotection of the Eagle Heights Grasslands. I understand that the draft plan wasreleased during the week of November 27, 2000, to a variety of government agencies,local government, First Nations and stakeholder groups for comment.

Ministry staff will be in discussions with the current property owner and the Ministry ofForests, early in the new year, on the possible acquisition of Eagle Heights and, shouldour discussions be successful, Eagle Heights would be acquired.

Thank you for expressing the Federation of BC Naturalists' interest in, and support for,the protection of Eagle Heights Grasslands.

Sincerely,

Ian G. WaddellMinister

cc: David ChaterDistrict ManagerSouth Vancouver Island District

. THE GOVERNMENT OF BRITISH COLUMBIA IS AN "EMPLOYMENT EQUITY EMPLOYER" •

Province of Minister of Parliament Buildings

British Columbia ' Environment, Victoria, British ColumbiaLands and Parks V8V 1X4