Since 2018, the Province and Shishalh Nation have been working together to improve guidelines for dock development to protect natural and cultural resources for the Greater Pender Harbour area. Updates to the Dock Management Plan (DMP) for best management practices were made in 2021. The Plan includes dock construction and maintenance guidelines and application steps for new tenures.
Public engagement in 2023 provided further proposed changes to the DMP. A What We Heard report was produced that captured concerns and public input. A set of further changes to the DMP was announced in 2024, along with the creation of the Dock Management Plan Advisory Group to provide further feedback.
The latest changes are the result of submissions by members of the Dock Management Plan Advisory Group established by the Province and Shishalh Nation. Members of the advisory group include the Waterfront Protection Coalition, Sunshine Coast Conservation Association, local governments and others. The following are included among the updates:
- A three-year transition period, which allows existing dock and boathouse owners to keep their current structures and register them through an online self-registration form. The form will be available on the Pender Harbour Project website in fall 2024.
- A 10-year timeline (beginning fall 2024) for existing dock and boathouse owners to make repairs to their structures to replace floatation with encapsulated styrofoam or alternative floatation, and light-penetrating decking.
- During the three-year transition period, B.C. and Shishalh Nation will review all self-registered docks to transition them into a longer 20-year renewable authorization.
Nathan Cullen, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, extends his gratitude to all who participated in the various discussions guiding revisions for the Dock Management Plan. To read the Pender Harbour Dock Management Plan, visit HERE.
