The Boundary Bay Conservation Committee
(BBCC) was established in 1988
to enhance public awareness and appreciation of the global
significance of the Fraser
River estuary ecosystem in British Columbia.
Incorporated on January 16, 1990 (#S-0025759), the BBCC
consists of individual and group memberships as well as supporting
groups. The BBCC
recognizes the importance of the
Fraser
River estuary and
surrounding agricultural land in maintaining much of the wildlife
habitats around Boundary Bay, Roberts Bank and Sturgeon Bank.
The group works cooperatively to retain links between
agriculture and conservationist goals.
The Committee has worked with many groups to obtain protection and
recognition for wildlife and habitats in the Fraser River Estuary
ecosystem. After years
of providing information to the federal government and international
organizations, in 2001, Boundary Bay, Roberts Bank and Sturgeon Bank
in the Fraser River estuary ecosystem were recognized as the most
significant Important Bird Area (IBA) out of 597 sites in Canada. In 2004
the same area was designated as a
Hemispheric Site in the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network
Program.
In 1995, 11,000 hectares of
Boundary
Bay outside the dyke were
designated as a Wildlife Management Area (WMA) by the province. In
1998, Sturgeon Bank was designated a WMA, and the BC government also
has plans to give Roberts Bank the same designation. Management
plans have been prepared for all areas by BC Environment, but have
not been finalized. Roberts and Sturgeon Banks are primarily
provincially-owned crown land, except a small portion on Westham Island which is part of the federal
Alaksen National Wildlife Area, containing the George C. Reifel
Migratory Bird Sanctuary.
Research studies increasingly demonstrate the importance of
the surrounding farmlands to the adjacent wetlands and coastal
ecosystems.
Rich in intertidal eelgrass beds, marshes and mudflats, Roberts Bank
at the estuary of the Fraser River
provides habitat not only for millions of resident and migratory
birds, but also for migrating salmon and three pods of resident
endangered Orca whales which feed off the banks of the estuary.
In 1969 a coal port was built at the mouth of the Fraser River
estuary. A container
port was added in the 1980s
Current and planned port expansions as well as transportation
infrastructure will result in loss of critical habitat in the
Fraser
River estuary.
Transportation plans for the estuary and surrounding farmlands
include dredging and filling; expanded roads and a new freeway;
expanded railways and rail yards on farmland; and container
facilities on the foreshore and farmland.
Recent airport expansion has brought airplane flight paths
closer to the birds. There is also the potential for water pollution
from urban and industrial developments along the
Fraser River,
as well as the risk of oil and ballast pollution arising from
shipping in the Georgia Strait, Roberts Bank and the
Fraser
River.
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