Open Collections

Planning for conservacy areas : recreation in estuarine bird habitat

University of British Columbia

This thesis analyses a problem that is common in planning for conservacy areas — the problem of the meeting dual and contradictory objectives of preserving natural areas that must also be used for recreation. Where one objective excludes the other, a compromise must be reached. Previous experience in North America has shown that it is not easy to reconcile the two functions. A case study approach is used in the thesis. The study area, Boundary Bay, is an important waterfowl and shore-bird habitat. The Bay also has the potential to serve many recreational needs close to an urban area, Greater Vancouver. The role of Boundary Bay, including Mud and Semiahmoo Bays, and their shorelands in the ecology of wildlife species is analysed using census and food chain data. Information collected for an inventory of regional recreation suggests which recreation needs might be satisfied at Boundary Bay. Guidelines are developed for integration of human activity and wildlife habitat, based on anticipated recreational use of the Bay. Data from four public meetings in Surrey points to the existence of some concern on the part of Bay area residents about the implications of conservacy use of the Bay. Suggestions for further investigation or resolution of these conflicts are made. The issues involved in planning Boundary Bay are complex ones because of the number of interests involved. There is no "right" way of proceeding. Four scenarios are developed to illustrate alternative means of applying resource management guidelines and measures for resolution of conflicts to the study area. Each alternative requires a different level and type of management with different implications for long term reconciliation of use with preservation.

Text

2010-03-03

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/21461

Planning

University of British Columbia

Graduate