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Mailing Address:  District of Maple Ridge
11995 Haney Place
Maple Ridge, BC Canada V2X 6A9
Tel: 604-463-5221
Fax: 604-467-7329 map

Mailing Address:  District of Maple Ridge 11995 Haney Place Maple Ridge, BC Canada V2X 6A9 Tel: 604-463-5221 Fax: 604-467-7329

Municipal Hall Hours:  8:00 am - 4:00 pm Monday to Friday Closed on Statutory Holidays

Residents > Environment

Topics of Interest

Contact Information

Planning
Tel: 604-467-7431
Fax: 604-466-4327
planning@mapleridge.ca

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Environment

Content

Topics:

Environmental Management and Review Framework

Environmental Planning services develop and implement programs and policies to preserve and protect the community's rich natural environment. Particular areas of concern include the following:

  • Enhancement and restoration
  • Environmental assessments and inventory mapping
  • Environmental bylaw enforcement
  • Environmental permit review for trees, soils, erosion control, hillsides and watercourse management Environmental policy and protocol development
  • Environmental review to support development applications
  • Hazard management
  • Natural area preservation
  • Public education and outreach
  • Rainwater and stormwater management
  • EMS Council Workshop presentation February 4, 2013 [PDF, 1.92MB]

Bylaws & Development Permit Guidelines

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Bylaw Schedules, DP Checklists and Related Attachments

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DP Environmental Management and Review Process

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Enhancement and Education

Invasive Plant Species Management

Reforestation Programs

The Community Ecosystem Restoration Initiative (CERI) is an urban restoration project developed by ERA Ecosystem Restoration Associates Inc and the District of Maple Ridge with the support of the Alouette River Management Society and the Kanaka Education and Environmental Partnership Society.

West Nile Virus

Other Information

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Environmental Mapping and Management Systems

The objective of the Environmental Mapping program is to act as an information resource to assist decision makers and stakeholders at various scales with sustainable development design, conservation initiatives, hazard management, and ecological mitigation design options. It is designed to help guide stakeholders through the development process with useful background information on where and what the potential environmental constraints and opportunities are at different planning scales including the site, neighbourhood, watershed, and municipal level.

An Open House on Draft ESA Mapping [PDF, 3.03MB] was held on December 11, 2008. The following reports are available for viewing which were presented to Council on October 20, 2008 [PDF, 767KB] and March 2, 2009 [PDF, 1.24MB]. At the March 2, 2009 workshop, Council passed the following resolutions:

  1. That the ESA Mapping Strategy Open House Report dated February, 2009 be received as information; and
  2. That staff proceed to develop a draft Management Plan for Council's consideration.

Watercourse Mapping and Classification

In anticipation of the need for more comprehensive stream mapping, under the Local Government Act and Section 12 of the new Fish Protection Act, the District initiated a stream mapping project in partnership with the senior agencies and local stewardship community in Maple Ridge. In 2005 the District of Maple Ridge endorsed the resolution to adopt the Stream Protection Regulation Guidelines and the Watercourse Setback Classification Mapping project.

This project:

  • formed an integral part of the strategy to bring the District's policies and procedures in line with the new Fish Protection Act;
  • established the collection protocol for future inventory initiatives ensuring the integrity and compatibility of future inventory projects; and
  • established the G.I.S. query and analysis tools for future watercourse sensitivity classification.

This information was endorsed by Council and Fisheries and Oceans Canada in 2004 and may be viewed at Ridgeview - Online Mapping

Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping

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Erosion and Sediment Control

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Stormwater and Rainwater Management

The District of Maple Ridge updated and adopted the Watercourse Protection Bylaw in 2006 which included new pro-active site source measures for dealing with erosion and sediment control, rainwater management and stormwater management that are in compliance with current federal, provincial, and regional standards.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Soil Deposit Permit (fill permit)?

Land in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) - a Soil Deposit Permit is required for any importation of soils. The soils must be of agricultural quality, and/or for agricultural use. Roads for farm use are a permitted farm use and do not require a Soil Deposit Permit from the ALC; but the District must be notified. Permit applications are administered through the District of Maple Ridge.

Land outside the ALR - a Soil Deposit Permit is required if importing more than 50 cubic meters (7 dump trucks) of material. Fill material cannot be placed within 30 meters of a watercourse or on slopes over 25% without approvals from the District of Maple Ridge.

Contact 604-467-7300 ext. 5619 for more information or to report unpermitted dumping.

Do I need an Environmental Development Permit?

A Development Permit (DP) is required for any clearing, building, or development related activity where properties are:

  • within 50 metres of a watercourse or wetland area; or
  • on slopes greater than 15 percent
  • located within a floodplain
  • within 50 metres of an area designated as Conservation on the District's OCP Schedule C Natural Features Map
  • within a wildfire interface DP area

Do I need a Tree Cutting Permit?

A Tree Cutting Permit is required for any trees within 30 meters of a watercourse, within a floodplain area, or on slopes over 25%.  A Permit is also required if removing more than 3 trees per lot in the urban area including the Thornhill Urban Reserve area. Trees along the front of most urban properties are on the District road right-of-way and are the property of the District. They cannot be pruned or removed without approvals from the Parks department 604-467-7346.

A Watercourse Protection Development Permit (WPDP) or Natural Features Development Permit (NFDP) is required for any site within the District where trees are proposed to be cleared

  • within 30 metres of top of bank from a watercourse, pond, or wetland area;
  • on hillsides or slopes greater than 15 percent;
  • within a floodplain area;
  • within 50 metres of a municipal, regional, or provincial park area

Plan carefully before removing trees, as they have many useful functions that can be missed once they are gone; such as stormwater management, groundwater quality, shade, wind protection, visual barrier, noise barrier, wildlife habitat. If planning to remove many trees, consider the larger impacts before clear cutting areas. Tree clearing should not occur during the bird nesting period (April 1 to August 1) unless a bird nesting assessment has been completed and the qualified professional has determined that nests or nesting activities are not present within the trees slated for clearing. It is an offence under the provincial Wildlife Act to damage/destroy active bird nests, eggs and or animals.

Contact 604-467-7499 for more information or to report unpermitted tree cutting.

What do I do about a Hazardous Tree?

Hazard trees within 30 meters of a watercourse or on slopes over 25% require a Certified Arborist Risk Assessment and approval from the District before they can be removed. A hazardous tree may require a Permit, but there will be no fee charged.

If the hazardous tree is on private property the property owner is responsible. If it is on municipal park or conservation land, contact the Parks department at 604-467-7346.

For more information, contact the Environment Section at 604-467-7499.

Is there a watercourse on my property and what is the required setback?

Watercourses (streams, creeks) in the District were mapped with GPS and are available on the Maple Ridge website, under Environment, Stream Mapping, visit Ridgeview online mapping, Map Layers, Topography, Creeks. Zoom in on the area of the District you want to check to see if your property has a designated watercourse.

Setbacks are indicated as either 15 meters or 30 meters depending on the qualities of the watercourse.

You can also contact the Environment Section at 604-467-7499 for information on watercourses on a property.

Can I fill in the ditch in front of my property?

The ditches that run along the front of urban and rural properties are on the municipal road right-of-way and are the responsibility of the municipality. They are a very important part of the stormwater management within the District. Open ditches are better for handling the volumes of water experienced in this climate, and for assuring better quality of water.

Ditch in-fill requests will be considered for safety reasons or under special circumstances. Requests can be made to the Engineering Department at 604 -467-7339.

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Contacts

Federal Contacts:

Provincial Contacts:

1. General:

2. Contaminated Site Profile Information:

Emergency Contacts

In the event of an environmental emergency contact the District of Maple Ridge, Environmental Affairs Group during regular working hours at 604-467-7499 and 604-467-7300 local 5619. Outside of regular office hours please call one of the following agency hotlines:

Fish Kills or Destruction of Habitat
Tel: 604-666-3500 (DFO 24-hour Hotline)
Tel: 1-800-663-9453 (MoE Hotline)

Hazardous Spills (includes chemical or oil spills, discharges to stormdrains and dumping in creeks and stream
Tel: 604-666-6100 (Environment Canada 24-hour Hotline)
Tel: 1-800-663-3456 (MoE Provincial Emergency Program)
Tel: 604-666-3500 (DFO 24-hour Hotline)

Extreme Erosion Sedimentation or Flooding
Tel: 1-800-663-3456 (MoE Provincial Emergency Program)

Sewer main breaks, Water main breaks, water line shut off, flooding
Tel: 604-463-9581 (District of Maple Ridge After Hours Emergency)

Dirty or Turbid water, minor erosion or sedimentation
Tel: 604-467-7300 local 5619 (District of Maple Ridge Environmental Affairs)

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