Watercourses, including creeks, streams, and rivers, traverse both public and private property. The District’s storm water maintenance program addresses watercourses located on public lands.
The District maintains and clears debris screens, trash racks, culverts that are on municipal property or within municipal right of ways as part of the municipal drainage utility. Property owners are responsible for the maintenance of drainage systems on private properties, including watercourses.
Stormwater and Drainage Requirements for Private Properties:
Improvements or repairs to watercourses located on private property
Property owners may wish to make improvements or repairs in and around watercourses located on private properties.
Although this land is private, property owners do not have the rights to carry out work in and around watercourses without permits. If improvements or repairs in and around watercourses are required, an Environmental Development Permit may be required, in addition to senior government approvals.
Any required maintenance or erosion mitigation for a watercourse on private property is the property owner’s responsibility, except in rare cases where there is a statutory exception or public right of way for the creek attached to the title of the property.
Land title information for a parcel, including information about exclusion or right of way, is available through the New Westminster Land Title Office.
Property owners seeking to make improvements or repairs are responsible for working with qualified professionals to assess the land surrounding the watercourse and design improvement or erosion mitigation plans as necessary. Property owners are also responsible for obtaining the necessary permits and approvals prior to carrying out the work.
Bylaw Requirements for doing work in and around watercourses:
- Watercourse Protection Bylaw
- Creeks Bylaw
- Official Community Plan Guidelines NE 13 – Environmental Development Permits