Shoreline Habitat Compensation Monitoring

Client

District of West Vancouver

Location

West Vancouver, British Columbia

Project Duration

July 2019 – Ongoing

Background

The District of West Vancouver (DWV) Shoreline Protection Strategy, included habitat creation, enhancement and restoration. Four of these projects were constructed under a Fisheries Act authorization issued by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), which included habitat offsetting. Under the authorization there is a requirement for ongoing monitoring to demonstrate that the habitat offsetting is functioning as intended and meeting the success criteria defined. Hatfield was commissioned by DWV to undertake the habitat monitoring for these four sites.

Services Provided

Hatfield undertook intertidal and subtidal marine habitat survey and, topographic and bathymetric survey of approximately 2 km of the West Vancouver shoreline. This covered four projects that were part of the Shoreline Protection Strategy. The data collected were analyzed to provide a detailed habitat map. Hatfield’s marine biologists reviewed the habitat offsetting design and historic data to determine the success of the habitat offsetting and provided an opinion on whether the works met the requirements of the authorization, defined by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Hatfield also provided recommendations for future habitat enhancement, restoration and creation in these areas.