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SquamishValleyAgriculturalPlan

BackgroundReport

Biophysical,Agricultural,andPolicyContext

May2019

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TableofContentsListofFigures......................................................................................................................................................iii

ListofTables........................................................................................................................................................iii

Acronyms............................................................................................................................................................iv

1.0Introduction....................................................................................................................................................1

2.0AreaandPopulationContext............................................................................................................................1

2.1SquamishFirstNationandAgriculturalLand............................................................................................................2

2.2DistrictofSquamishandAgriculturalLand...............................................................................................................3

2.3SquamishLillooetRegionalDistrictElectoralAreaDandAgriculturalLand.............................................................3

3.0AgricultureintheSquamishValley....................................................................................................................4

3.1HistoryofForaging,Fishing,andAgriculture........................................................................................................4

3.2SquamishValleyAgriculturalProfile.....................................................................................................................5

3.3FutureAgriculturalPotentialintheSquamishValley.........................................................................................13

4.0BiophysicalandEnvironmentalContext...........................................................................................................14

4.1WeatherandClimate..............................................................................................................................................14

4.1.1ClimateChangeProjections.............................................................................................................................15

4.2WaterResources.....................................................................................................................................................17

4.2.1IrrigationandLivestockWaterDemand..........................................................................................................18

4.3HazardsandEmergencyPlanning...........................................................................................................................19

4.4Soilsandgeology.....................................................................................................................................................21

4.5AgriculturalCapability.............................................................................................................................................21

5.0PolicyContext-KeyPlansandPolicies.............................................................................................................225.1Federal....................................................................................................................................................................22

5.2Provincial.................................................................................................................................................................23

5.3LocalandRegional..................................................................................................................................................25

5.3.1DistrictofSquamishOfficialCommunityPlanandZoningBylaw....................................................................26

5.3.2SLRDAreaDOfficialCommunityPlan.............................................................................................................27

5.3.3SLRDRegionalGrowthStrategyBylaw............................................................................................................28

Appendix1............................................................................................................................................................I

SoilResources........................................................................................................................................................I

Appendix2..........................................................................................................................................................IV

LocalandRegionalPlans,AgriculturalContext........................................................................................................IV

Appendix3...........................................................................................................................................................XDistrictofSquamishMaps...................................................................................................................................................X

Appendix4.........................................................................................................................................................XII

SLRDAgriculturalLandReserveMap................................................................................................................................XII

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ListofFiguresFigure1.AgriculturalLandReservelandsandthejurisdictionsinwhichtheyarelocated...............................2Figure2.TheSquamishValleyHopRaisingCo.early1900sandafishermaninmid1900s(Source:SquamishHistoryArchivesWebsite)..................................................................................................................................4Figure3.CensusofAgriculture2016,ConsolidatedSubdivisionMap...............................................................6Figure4.CroptypeswithintheALRfarmedland.SimilarproportionsofcroptypesarefoundinlandoutsidetheALRthatisfarmed........................................................................................................................................9Figure5.Farmlandvaluechangesfrom2017to2018(%),valueperacre($),andvaluerange($)(Source:FarmCreditCanada)........................................................................................................................................11Figure6.NumberandsizeofparcelsavailableforfarmingintheALR............................................................13Figure7.SquamishRiverBasin(Source:NorthwestHydraulicConsultantsLtd).............................................18Figure8.WashoutalongtheSquamishValleyRoad(Source:Uppersquamishvalley.ca)................................20Figure9.SquamishSoilCapabilityforAgriculture.Legend:Beige:Class2;Yellow:Class4,Green:Class5;Red:Class7(CanadaLandInventory,1975).....................................................................................................III

ListofTablesTable1.ProportionsofALRlandsineachjurisdictionrelevanttothisAgriculturalPlan..................................1Table2.FarmCapital(in$millions)ofSquamish-LillooetAreafarms(Source:CensusofAgriculture2011-2016)................................................................................................................................................................10Table3.GrossmarginoffarmoperationsintheSLRDElectoralAreasCandD(Source:CensusofAgriculture,2011–2016).................................................................................................................................11Table4.RevenueperhectareoffarmlandintheSLRDElectoralAreasCandD(Source:CensusofAgriculture,2011–2016).................................................................................................................................11Table5.GrossfarmreceiptsbycategoryintheSLRDElectoralAreasCandD(Source:CensusofAgriculture,2011-2016).......................................................................................................................................................12Table6.FarmerdemographicsintheSLRDElectoralAreasCandD(Source:CensusofAgriculture2011-2016)................................................................................................................................................................12Table7.LandtenureintheSLRDElectoralAreasCandD(Source:CensusofAgriculture2011-2016)..........12Table8.WeathercharacteristicsinSquamish(EnvironmentCanada,2018)..................................................14Table9.ClimateProjectionsfortheSLRDinthe2020s,2050s,and2080s(PCICS,2012)...............................16Table10.Potentialimpactsofclimatechangeonagriculture(adaptedfromCAIBC,2012)...........................17Table11.RelevantLocalandRegionalPlanningandPolicyDocuments..........................................................26

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Acronyms

AGRI BCMinistryofAgricultureALC AgriculturalLandCommissionALR AgriculturalLandReserveALUI AgricultureLandUseInventoryAWDM AgricultureWaterDemandModelBCA BCAssessmentCD CensusDivisionCCS CensusConsolidatedSubdivisionDoS DistrictofSquamishFPPA FarmPracticesProtection(RighttoFarm)ActLGA LocalGovernmentActOCP OfficialCommunityPlanRGS RegionalGrowthStrategiesSLRD SquamishLillooetRegionalDistrictSVAP SquamishValleyAgriculturePlanUSV UpperSquamishValley

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1.0Introduction

TheSquamishValleyAgriculturalPlan(SVAP)wasinitiatedinDecember2018andwillprovideaframeworkfor decision-making over the next 10 to 20 years to help Squamish shift towards self-reliance for foodproductionthateveryoneinthecommunitycanaccessandagreatersenseofcommunityandfoodsecurity.ThisBackgroundReportprovidesanoverviewofthebiophysicalfeaturesoftheagriculturalsector,includingsoils,water,andclimateandaprofileoftheagriculturalsector.

2.0AreaandPopulationContext

TheSVAPprojectscopeareaincludesAgriculturalLandReserve(ALR)landswithintheDistrictofSquamishandtheSquamish-LillooetRegionalDistrict(SLRD)ElectoralAreaD.ThemajorityoftheseALRlandsarewithinthefloodplainsoftheSquamishRiverandsmalleramountsofALRexistinthefloodplainsoftheCheakamusRiver(Figure1)andwithintheDistrictofSquamishboundary.

TheSquamishValleylieswithintraditionalterritoryclaimedbytheSkwxwú7meshÚxwumixw(SquamishFirstNation),aswellaswithintraditionalterritoryclaimedbytheTsleil-WaututhNation1.SLRDElectoralAreaDishometoapopulationof1,057,which issignificantlysmallerthantheDistrictofSquamish’spopulationof19,953and includes418peopleresidingonSquamishFirstNationreserve lands2.Together theDistrictofSquamishandSLRDElectoralAreaDencompassanareaof3,047km2.

Thereare4,066hectaresof landintheSquamishValleythatfallwithintheALR,andapproximately1,986hectares(49%)oftheselandsarewithinlegallysurveyedparcelsandaresubjecttolocaland/orregionalplanningdecisions3.Thereare1,296haofALRzonedlandsonSquamishFirstNationreserves(Table1).

Table1.ProportionsofALRlandsineachjurisdictionrelevanttothisAgriculturalPlan.

AgriculturalLandReserve TotalALRArea(ha)DistrictofSquamish

ALR(ha)SLRDElectoralAreaD

ALR(ha)Private&CrownALR 499 1,487 1,986FirstNationReserveALR 163 1,133 1,296

1OfficialCommunityPlanBylaw,2017,No.2500.2AgriculturalLandUseInventory.2017.DistrictofSquamish&Squamish-LillooetRegionalDistrictElectoralAreaD.BritishColumbiaMinistryofAgriculture.319%or784haisoutsideoflegallysurveyedparcelsandwasnotincludedintheALUI

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Figure1.AgriculturalLandReservelandsandthejurisdictionsinwhichtheyarelocated.

2.1SquamishFirstNationandAgriculturalLandWithintheDistrictofSquamishandtheSLRDElectoralAreaD,SquamishFirstNation(SFN)reservelandsinclude:

• Ch’iyákmesh(Cheakamus)IR11,• Poquiosin&SkamainIR13,• Wíwk’em(Waiwakum)IR14,• Íkwikws(Aikweks)IR15,• Siyí7ch’em(Seaichem)IR16,• Kewtín(Kowtain)IR17,• Yekw’ápsem(Yeakwapsem)IR18,• St’á7mes(Stawamus)IR24,• SkowishinIR7and• SkowishinGraveyardIR104.

Thereare418memberslivingon-reservethroughoutthereservesintheSquamishValley5.CheakamusreservehasthemostALRontheNation’slandsintheSquamishValley.

4OfficialCommunityPlanBylaw,2017,No.2500.5OurMandate,OurService,OurPeople,OurConnections.2018.SquamishNations,IntergovernmentalRelations,NaturalResourceandRevenue.

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2.2DistrictofSquamishandAgriculturalLandThe District of Squamish is a growing, active and multi-cultural community made up of establishedneighbourhoods and outlying rural areas spanning almost 15 kilometres south to north. Themajority ofcommunitygatheringplacesare locatedwithin the local floodplains, includingthehistoric towncentreofDowntownSquamish6.TheALRintheDistrictofSquamishis locatedprimarilyalongthewestbankoftheSquamishRiverinthecommunityofParadiseValley(seemapinAppendix).ThemajorityoftheALRlandintheDistrict is in a natural or semi-natural state and located in the floodplainof the SquamishRiver. TheDistrict’s2018OfficialCommunityPlanincludesagricultureandfoodsystempoliciesthathighlightsthedesireofthecommunitytosupportlocalagricultureandfosterasustainablefoodsysteminSquamish.

2.3SquamishLillooetRegionalDistrictElectoralAreaDandAgriculturalLandSLRDElectoralAreaDisalargeareathatencompassesnumerousglacialfedrivers,creeksandlakes,coastalwaters,flood-plains,steepmountainousterrain,andfertilesoilintheflatvalleybottoms.Inthisregiontherearesmallpocketsofcommunitiesandsettlementareas,withnoonemajorpopulationcentre.TheUpperSquamishValleyishometoapproximately167residentswithruralfarmingandrecreationalproperties7(SeeMapofSLRDAreaDinAppendix4).Thereisonemainroad,theSquamishValleyRoad,linkingresidentsintheUpperSquamishValleywiththemajorpopulationcentreoftheDistrictofSquamish(approximately30kmsouth)andthemainHighway(Hwy99)intotheLowerMainland.ThemajorityoftheareaislocatedintheactivefloodplainoftheSquamishRiver,andtheoneroadispronetoflooding8.Thereisnocellserviceinthevalleybut landlinephonesandrecent, reliablewireless internetprovide themeansofcommunication forresidents9.LocalandregionalpoliciesfortheSLRDElectoralAreaDpromotethepreservationofagriculturallandandsupportincreasingagriculturalproductionandactivitiesintheregion.

6OfficialCommunityPlanBylaw,2017,No.2500.7CommunityEmergencyPlan-UpperSquamishValley.2017.SquamishLillooetRegionalDistrict8CommunityEmergencyPlan-UpperSquamishValley.2017.SquamishLillooetRegionalDistrict9AshluCreekFoundation.N.d.UpperSquamishValleyWebsite.

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3.0AgricultureintheSquamishValley

3.1HistoryofForaging,Fishing,andAgricultureSquamishFirstNationhasusedandoccupiedlandswithintheSquamishvalleyforfishing,hunting,andplantandherbcultivationandharvestingsincetime immemorial10.Squamishplacenamesexist throughouttheareaandinmanyinstances,manyofwhichdescribethatplacewithinthecontextofSquamishland.SquamishNation cultural and archaeological sites of significance are located throughout the watersheds in theSquamishValley11.

ThefirstoftheEuropeansettlersarrivedintheSquamishValleyareainthe1870s.Earlysettlerstrappedgameforfurtosellforfood,aswellashuntedandfishedintheareatosustainthemselves1213(Figure2).Asthelandwascleared,agriculturebecameakeydriverofthe localeconomyatthattime,withhops,potatoes,forage,livestockandvegetablesbeingproduced14.Hopfarmingbeganinthe1890swiththemajorproducerbeingtheSquamishValleyHopRaisingCo.(Bell-IrvingRanch).ThehopsinSquamishweretopgradeandwereshippedtoVancouverinbaleswrappedinburlap,thenshippedtoBritain15.OtherfarmingactivitiesincludedhayfarmsintheareaaroundtheSquamishRiverestuarytofeedthehorsesandotherlivestockandatwenty-acrepotatofarmnearthesiteofwhatisnowGaribaldiEstates16.

Figure2.TheSquamishValleyHopRaisingCo.early1900sandafishermaninmid1900s(Source:SquamishHistoryArchivesWebsite).

10OurLand.SquamishNation.AccessedMarch2019.11IntegratedFloodHazardManagementPlan.2017.KerrWoodLeidalAssociatesLTD.12ACentennialCommentaryUpontheEarlyDaysofSquamish,BritishColumbia.1958.GovernmentofBC.13IrememberbyTaKaya.SquamishLibraryArchives.14AgriculturalLandUseInventory.2017.DistrictofSquamish&Squamish-LillooetRegionalDistrictElectoralAreaD.BritishColumbiaMinistryofAgriculture.15SquamishHistoryArchives.SquamishPublicLibrary.AccessedMarch2019.16HistoryofSquamishbyKevinMcLane.2006.SquamishHistoricalSocietyWebsite.

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3.2SquamishValleyAgriculturalProfileThis section describes the current farming operations in the Squamish Valley and trends in agriculturalactivitiesovertime.

Theagriculturalprofileexploresthefollowingquestions:

• HowmanyfarmsareintheSquamishValley?• HowbigarethefarmsintheSquamishValley?• WhatisgrowingintheSquamishValley?• HowprofitableareSquamishValleyfarms?• WhoisfarmingintheSquamishValley?• HowisfarmlandtenureallocatedintheSquamishValley?

Thisprofilewascompiledusingexistingreportsanddatasets.Themainsourcesofdataregardingagriculturalactivitieswerethe2017SquamishValleyAgricultureLandUseInventory,theCensusofAgriculture(2011and2016),andBCAssessmentdata.Therearesomecleardifferencesinthewaythatthesedatasetsarecompiled,whichcanleadtodiscrepancieswhensomeindicatorsarecompared.Wheneverpossible,thesedifferencesareexplained.

3.2.1AgriculturalProfileDataSources

AgriculturalLandUseInventory

In the summer of 2017, an Agricultural LandUse Inventory (ALUI)was completed by the BCMinistry ofAgriculturetotakestockoftheagriculturalactivitiesintheDistrictofSquamishandtheSLRDAreaD.TheALUIprovidesasnapshotofagriculturalactivitiesoccurringonthelandbaseandishelpfulinunderstandingthetypeandextentofland-basedagriculturalactivitieswithintheALRandparcelszonedforagricultureinagivenarea.

DataobtainedthroughanALUIinclude:

• Howmuchlandiscurrentlyusedforagriculture;• Typesofagriculturalactivitiesoccurringontheland;• Howmuchlandisalienatedfromagriculture(duetotopography,flooding,parcelsize,existingland

coverorlanduse,etc.);• Howmuchlandmayhavepotentialforagriculturalexpansion;and• Anestimationofwaterdemandwiththeuseofanirrigationwaterdemandmodel.

It is important to note that the data collected during the ALUI includes information about activities onfarmlandthatmayormaynotcontributetocommercialfarmingoperations.TheALUIisconductedthroughtwoprimarymethods:drive-byobservationsandvisual interpretationofaerial imagery.This results inaninventorythatutilizesaparcelcoverageapproachtodeterminelanduse.Thismeansthatiffiveacresofappletreesarenotedontheparcel,thisiscountedasagriculturaluse.However,thismethodologydoesnotaccountforthefactthattheapplesmaynotbesoldorbroughtintothelocalfoodsystem.Bycontrast,theCensusofAgricultureincludesdataonfarmsthatareself-reportedbyindividuals,specificallythosefromcommercialoperations.Thisisoneexampleofhowthedatasetscanleadtodiscrepanciesinresults.

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CensusofAgriculture

TheCensusofAgriculturecollectsinformationfromself-reportingindividualseveryfiveyearsaspartofthelarger Statistics Canada census collection and the completion ismandatory under the Statistics Act. TheCensusofAgricultureisafederaldatacollectioninitiative,andassuchthegeographicresolutioniscoarserthanthatoftheALUI(censussubdivision).Thisisanotherreasonforsomediscrepanciesfoundinthedatasets.

ThelatestavailableCensusofAgricultureuses2011and2016datafromStatisticsCanadaforCensusDivision(CD)2–LowerMainland-Southwest17.TheboundariesforCensusDivision2coverthewholeSLRDandincludeCensusConsolidatedSubdivision(CCS)17,representingSLRDElectoralAreas“C”and“D”forthe2016Census(Figure3).Thisdiffersfromthe2011Census,whenSLRDElectoralArea“D”(SquamishValley)wasmeasuredseparatelyfromElectoralArea“C”(PembertonValley).However,duetolowoverallnumbersandtheneedtoprotectprivacy,thetwoElectoralAreaswerecombinedfor2016.Thismakescomparisonsbetweenthefive-yearperiodchallengingbutcanprovidesomeinsight intoindicatorsnotcoveredbytheALUI,suchasfarmincomeandfarmcapitalfigures,aswellasdemographicsrelatedtofarmers.

TheCensusofAgriculturedefines the term“farmoperator”asapersonresponsible for themanagementand/orfinancialdecisionsmadeintheproductionofagriculturalcommodities18.An“agriculturaloperation”isanyfarmthatgrowsorproducesagriculturalproductswiththeintenttoselltheseproducts.Farmswithverylowfarmrevenuesareincludedaslongastheagriculturalproductsproducedareintendedforsale.

Figure3.CensusofAgriculture2016,ConsolidatedSubdivisionMap.

17StatisticsCanada.2016CensusofAgriculture18StatisticsCanada.2011.FrequentlyAskedQuestions

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BCAssessmentFarmClassData

TheAssessmentAct isadministeredbyBCAssessment,aprovincialCrownCorporationresponsiblefortheclassification of properties in for property assessment and tax purposes. Farm classification (Class 9) is avoluntaryprogramprovidingthebenefitofaloweredtaxrateforassessedproperties.BCAssessmentdataforthetaxrollyearof2015(themostrecentyearavailable)wasusedforthisreport.Eventhoughpropertymaybezonedasagriculturalland,orlocatedintheprovincialALR,farmclassificationwillonlybegrantediftheland(oratleastaportionofit)isbeingactivelyusedforagriculturalproductionandit meets the other requirements of the Act. Only land can be classified as farmland, whereas buildings(residencesandoutbuildings)areclassifiedseparately,typicallyasresidential.FarmstatuspropertiesmayormaynotbelocatedwithintheALRandarevaluablefornotingthedistributionoffarmedlandinboththeurbanandruralareas.

Landqualifiesforfarmclassificationunderthefollowingconditions:• Thelandisusedfor“primaryagriculturalproduction”;• Thelandisthesiteof“afarmer’sdwelling”;• Thelandisusedfortrainingandboardinghorsesinahorserearingoperation;• The landotherwisecontributes toprimaryagriculturalproductionsuchas landused fordrainage,

irrigation,buffersandwindbreaks.Acertainminimumamountofgrossincomemustbeproducedfromtheprimaryagriculturalproduction,andthese requirements vary depending on the total land area. Minimum gross income requirements arecalculatedasfollows:

a) $10,000onlandlessthan0.8ha(2acres);b) $2,500onlandbetween0.8ha(2acres)and4ha(10acres);andc) Onlandlargerthan4ha(10acres),youmustearn$2,500plus5%oftheactualvalueofanyfarmland

inexcessof4ha.The higher income ratio threshold is applied to the smallest parcels of land in order to discourage thesubdivisionoffarmlandintosmalllotsthatwouldbenefitprimarilylandownerswishingtoexperiencearurallifestylewhilecontributinginaveryminimalwaytoagriculture.

3.2.2SquamishValleyFarmNumbersandSizeFood is also attained bymethods other than cultivationwithin the Squamish Valley region. RecreationalfishinginHoweSound,theSquamishRiveranditstributariesandvariouslakesintheregionispopularamongresidentsandtourists.FourspeciesofPacificSalmon,BullTrout,CutthroatTroutandRainbowTroutalloccurinthewatersoftheregion,andsomelakesarestockedwithfish19.Controlledhuntingofanimalssuchasdeer,elkand,ducks,geeseandgrousealsooccurinthearea20.Someamountsofforagingformushroomsandnativeplantsmayalsooccur intheforestsoftheregion. It isdifficulttoquantifytheamountoffoodobtained through fishing, hunting and foraging, however, these activities should be considered to someextentascontributingtooverallfoodsecurityandwillbetoucheduponintheSVAP.

19Fishing.ExploreSquamishWebsite.20HuntingandTrappingRegulations,LowerMainlandRegion2.2018-2020.GovernmentofBC.

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NumberandSizeofFarms

AccordingtotheCensusofAgriculture,therewere94farmsSLRDAreas“C”and“D”in2016.ThisincludesfarmslocatedbothwithinandoutsidetheALR.

The ALUI for Squamish Valley indicated that there were 11 parcels of landwithin the ALRwith farmingoccurringinElectoralAreaD,oronly7%ofALRparcels.TheALUIidentifiedanadditional11haoflandoutsidetheALRbeingusedforagriculture,themajorityofwhichwasbeingusedtocultivatehay.Horsesandpoultry-relatedactivitieswerealsofoundtobeoccurringoutsidetheALR.

BC Assessment roll data includes listings for District of Squamish and “Rural Squamish” (including SLRDElectoralAreaD),bothwithinandoutsidetheALR.Thisdatasetindicated77propertieswithFarmclassstatusin2015.

AccordingtotheALUI,theaverageALRparcelis11.2haandthemedianparcelsizeis2.7ha.Atleast65%oftheparcelsofALRintheSquamishValleyare4ha(10acres)orlessinsize(and40%ofthosearelessthan1ha(2.5acres)).Only20%oftheALRincludesparcelsgreaterthanorequalto16ha(40acres).Thisindicatesthatthereisarangeofparcelsavailableforfarminginthearea.

TheBCAssessmentFarmIncomeSummarydatafortheruralSquamisharea(includingSLRDElectoralAreaD),73%ofthepropertieswithFarmClasstaxstatusare4haorgreaterinsize.Only27%ofparcelswithfarmtaxstatusarelessthan4ha.Thispointstothefactthat,overtime,themajorityofsmallerlotsdonotretainagriculturalstatus.

AgriculturalProductiononSquamishValleyFarms

AccordingtotheCensusofAgriculture,horses,hay,beefcattle,andgreenhouseproductionarethemostcommonformsofagricultureintheregion.ThisalignswellwithALUIdata,whichidentifiesforage(includinghay)andpastureasthemostcommonuseofALR(87%)intheSquamishValley.OthersignificantcroptypesidentifiedbytheALUI includesmallamountsofhops,vegetables, fruit trees,mixedberriesandtomatoes(Figure4).ThenumberofhectaresofirrigatedlanddenotedduringtheALUIwas13ha,abouthalfofwhichisinforageandbeingirrigatedbysprinklers.Therewere3haofhopsbeingirrigatedbytrickle(drip)irrigation.

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Figure4.CroptypeswithintheALRfarmedland.SimilarproportionsofcroptypesarefoundinlandoutsidetheALRthatisfarmed.

LivestockidentifiedbytheALUIincludedsmall-scaleequine(approximately260horsesonover100parcels),sheepon41parcels,hogson26parcels,andpoultryon16parcels.Beefcattlewerefoundon13parcels,withatotalofapproximately30cattle.All livestockproductionwasdescribedassmallscaleorverysmallscale(lessthan25animalunitsperparcel).

FarmProfitabilityintheSLRD

SquamishValleyproducersmustoffsetincomewithcostsforland,labour,chemicalandfertilizerinputsandfuel.Manyfarmersworkoff-farmeitherseasonally,oryear-round,inordertoprovideadditionalinvestmentintoequipmentandotherfarminputs(seeds,feed,soilamendments,etc.)toenhanceproductionlevelsandgrowtheirfarms.ThesituationintheSquamishValleyisnodifferent.Mostfarmersstrugglewiththedecision-makingaroundscaling-uptheirproduction,particularlythosewhoarefirstgenerationfarmers.

Farmprofitabilityisdifficulttomeasureortoestimate.Thefollowingproxiescanbeusedtodetermineprofitability:

• Farmcapitalandassets• Grossmarginoffarmoperations• Averagefarmreceiptsperfarm• Averagefarmreceiptsperhectare• Netrevenuemargin• Adjustmentsforinflation• Farmincomethresholdvalues

Most of these indicators aremeasured through the Census of Agriculture.However, the figures are onlyavailableforElectoralAreasCandDtogether,whichmeansthatitisnotpossibletodecipherfiguresspecificto theSquamishValley.These figuresarepresentedherenonetheless, inorder togetageneral senseofcapitalandassets.

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FarmCapitalandAssetsintheSLRD

TotalfarmcapitalinSLRDElectoralAreasCandDhasincreasedfrom$161.1millionin2011to$196.3millionin2016(Table2).Notethatthenumberoffarmsreportingshiftssomewhat,dependingonthenatureofthefarm’s activities. For instance, not all farms are raising livestock and poultry, but all ownmachinery andequipment.Totalfarmcapitalincludeslandandbuildings,livestockandpoultry,farmmachinery,andfarmequipment.

Landandbuildingsrepresentover63%ofthetotalcapitalvalue,downslightlyfrom65%in2011,indicatingthatlandprices,whilehightobeginwith,havenotincreasedsubstantiallyduringthattimeframe.

Table2.FarmCapital(in$millions)ofSquamish-LillooetAreafarms(Source:CensusofAgriculture2011-2016).

SLRDTotalArea SLRDElectoralAreasCandD 2011 2016 2011 2016

Totalfarmcapital*

$276.4(140farms)

$240.6(138farms)

$161.1(92farms)

$196.3(94farms)

Landandbuildings(owned)

$173.4(129farms)

$154.6(133farms)

$104.3(84farms)

$123.1(90farms)

Farmmachinery&equipment

$14.9(140farms)

$13.0(138farms)

$8.9(92farms)

$8.9(94farms)

Livestockandpoultry

$3.5(101farms)

$4.9(107farms)

$1.4(64farms)

$2.3(73farms)

*Figuresreportedareinmillions$

Figure5indicatesthevalueoffarmlandandchangeinthisvalueonasubregionalbasisforBritishColumbia,usingdatafromFarmCreditCanada.TheSquamishValleyinincludedintheSouthCoastregion,whichalsoincludescommunitiessuchasRichmond,Delta,andAbbotsford.In2017-2018,thevalueoffarmlandintheSouthCoast ranged from$42,000 to$162,000peracre.A2016studybyVancity indicated that farmlandpriceswithinMetroVancouverwereparticularlyhighforsmallparcels,rangingfrom$150,000to$350,000forparcels<5acres,andfrom$50,000to$80,000peracreforparcels>40acres.Thisspeakstothefactthatasfarmlandparcelsaresubdividedandbecomesmaller,theyalsobecomelessaffordable.AccordingtoFarmCreditCanada,thefinancialviabilityofmanyfarmbusinessesinB.C.becomeschallengingwhenlandpricesreach$80,000peracre.Recentpoliciesandzoningregulationsatboththeprovincialandlocallevelsmayhelptotamperthelandspeculationassociatedwithinvestmentinagriculturallandbynon-farmers.Itwouldbeinterestingtotracksomeoftheseindicatorsovertimetoseewhateffectthesepolicieshaveonthepriceoffarmland.

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Figure5.Farmlandvaluechangesfrom2017to2018(%),valueperacre($),andvaluerange($)(Source:FarmCreditCanada).

GrossMarginofFarmOperationsintheSLRD

From2011to2016thegrossmarginoffarmoperationsintheSLRDElectoralAreasCandDroseto22.7%,meaningthatforevery$1.00ofsales,thefarmerearned$0.22ofprofit(Table3).

Table3.GrossmarginoffarmoperationsintheSLRDElectoralAreasCandD(Source:CensusofAgriculture,2011–2016).

Year GrossFarmReceipts($)

TotalOperatingExpenses($)

GrossMargin

2011 5,852,884 4,825,499 17.6%2016 7,510,088 5,803,571 22.7%

FarmReceiptsandNetRevenueintheSLRD

Sales (receipts) and net revenue can be calculated on a per farm and per hectare basis using Census ofAgriculturedata.Theaveragerevenueperfarmandperhectarehasincreased,indicatinganoverallincreaseinfarmbusinesssuccessintheSLRD(Table4).

Table4.RevenueperhectareoffarmlandintheSLRDElectoralAreasCandD(Source:CensusofAgriculture,2011–2016).

Year #ofFarms GrossFarmReceipts($)

AverageperFarm($)

TotalLandinCrops

(Hectares)

AverageperHectareofLandinCrops($)

2011 92 5,852,884 $63,618 1,990 $2,9412016 94 7,510,088 $79,895 1,509 $4,977

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GrossFarmReceiptsbyCategoryintheSLRD

Whenexaminedbycategory,therewereonly10operationswithmorethan$250,000ingrossfarmreceiptsin2016whileafull50%reportedearninglessthan$10,000ingrossfarmreceipts(Table5).

Table5.GrossfarmreceiptsbycategoryintheSLRDElectoralAreasCandD(Source:CensusofAgriculture,2011-2016).

TotalGrossFarmReceipts

2011#offarms(92total)

2016#offarms(94total)

Under$10,000 50 47$10,000-$24,999 14 12$25,000-$49,999 4 10$50,000-$99,999 5 6$100,000-$249,999 9 9$250,000-$499,999 9 6$500,000-$999,999 1 4$1,000,000-$1,999,999 0 0$2,000,000andover 0 0

FarmDemographicsintheSLRD

Therewere140farmoperatorsreportedfortheSLRDElectoralAreasCandDin2016.Thelargenumberoffarmersover55yearsofageandtheincreaseinaverageageoffarmerssince2011indicatethatfewyoungpeoplearepursuingfarmingasacareerintheregion(Table6).

Table6.FarmerdemographicsintheSLRDElectoralAreasCandD(Source:CensusofAgriculture2011-2016). 2011 2016TotalNumberofoperators 140 140Under35years 15 1035to54years 70 6555yearsandover 60 70

AverageAge(years) 52.6 53.9

FarmlandTenureintheSLRD

Landtenurecanbeanindicationoffarmstability.Thoseowninglandaremorestablethanthosewholeasetheir landwith regard to investments in infrastructure.However, a stable leasearrangementover a longperiodoftimecanalsoprovidefarmstability.IntheSLRDElectoralAreasCandD,approximately68%ofthelandwasownedin2016,while32%ofthelandwaseitherleased(fromgovernmentorprivatelandowners)(Table7).

Table7.LandtenureintheSLRDElectoralAreasCandD(Source:CensusofAgriculture2011-2016).AgriculturalLand 2011 2016

Areaowned(%) 63% 68%Arealeasedorrented(%) 37% 32%

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3.3FutureAgriculturalPotentialintheSquamishValleyThere are many angles from which to assess the potential for future agriculture production within theSquamishValley.Identifyingopportunitiesforagriculturalactivitiesstartsbyknowingtheavailabilityoflandwiththepotentialforagricultureandthecharacteristicsofthatland.

TheALUIidentifiedthat93%(1,851ha)oftheprivateandcrownALRintheSquamishValleyiscoveredbynaturalorsemi-naturalvegetation.Fivehundredandfifty-onehectaresofprivately-ownedparcelsintheALRwere classified as “available for farming”. This highlights the opportunity for potential expansion ofagriculturalactivities.

AnotherimportantconsiderationforagriculturepotentialintheSquamishValleyistoidentifyparcelsizeofagriculture land. Largerparcelsusually allow farmers greater flexibility toexpandor change their typeofoperationastheeconomyandmarketschange.Largerparcelsaccommodateequipmentmoreefficientlyandreducetheneedtomovefarmequipmentonpublicroads.Sometypesofagriculturecanbesuccessfulonsmall parcels, (e.g. intensivemarket gardens, nurseries, poultry), however, the number of viable farmingoptionsgenerallydecreaseswithareducedparcelsize.Smallparcelsmayalsobesuitableforstart-upfarmersandestablishedfarmerswantingtoexpandthroughleases21.Smallerparcelsgenerallycostmoreperhectarethan largerparcelsandcaneasilybedisassembled from larger farmunitsandsold. Furthermore, smallerparcelsaremoreimpactedbybylawsdesignedtoreducepotentiallanduseconflicts,suchassetbacksfromlotlinesandroadallowances.

PrivatelyownedparcelsintheSquamishValleyALRpresentthegreatestpotentialforexpandingagriculturalactivities.Thereare58landparcelsintheALRthatareprivatelyownedandhavethepotentialforagriculturalactivities22.Figure6illustratestheexistinglandusesintheALRontheprivately-ownedparcels.Parcelsthathavenoapparentlandusemayprovidethesimplestopportunitiestoincreaseagriculturaluseastheseparcelsgenerallyhavelittletonodevelopment.Mostoftheseparcelsavailableforfarmingarecurrentlyinanaturalorsemi-naturalvegetativestatewithtreesthatwouldneedclearingifagriculturerequiringcultivationweretooccur.MoreinformationonthebiophysicalcapabilityofthelandintheSquamishValleyforagricultureisdiscussedinSection4.

Figure6.NumberandsizeofparcelsavailableforfarmingintheALR.

21AgriculturalLandUseInventory.2017.DistrictofSquamish&Squamish-LillooetRegionalDistrictElectoralAreaD.BritishColumbiaMinistryofAgriculture22Theseparcelshavenoapparentlanduseorhaveanexistinglandusethatisconsideredcompatiblewithagriculture.

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TheparcelsidentifiedintheALUIasavailableforfarmingmaybeprovidingecologicalgoodsandservicessuchassoilstabilization,waterpurification,orwildlifehabitat.Theparcelsmayalsohaveanunrecordedphysicallimitation(rockysoils,poordrainage,etc.) that limitssometypesofagriculture. If theseparcelsaretobeconvertedtoagriculture,moreinvestigationshouldtakeplacetoconfirmsuitabilityandtrade-offassociatedwithconversion23.

4.0BiophysicalandEnvironmentalContext

4.1WeatherandClimateTheclimateoftheSquamishareaistypicalofsoutherncoastalBritishColumbia.Astrongmaritimeinfluenceresultsinrelativelycool,drysummersandmoist,mildwinterswithverylittlesnowfallatlowelevations,butmoresnowfurtherintotheSquamishValley.StrongoutflowwindsoftenaffecttheareaasextensivesnowandiceinmountainousareasaboveSquamishcanquicklycoolpassingairmasses,whichthenmovesdownhillundertheinfluenceofgravity24.

FortheUpperSquamishValley,theaveragetemperaturerangesfrom0oCinDecemberandJanuaryupto18oCinJulyandAugust.Monthlyaverageprecipitationrangesfrom300-400mmOctoberthroughJanuary,droppingto55-100mminMaythroughSeptember25.

Otherclimaticcharacteristicsbasedonclimatenormalsdatafrom1981-2010fromweatherstationsintheintheUpperSquamishValleyandthetownofSquamishinclude26:

Table8.WeathercharacteristicsinSquamish(EnvironmentCanada,2018).

UpperSquamishValley

DowntownSquamish

StationElevation(m) 46 3.9Longitude 123o17'W 123°09'WLatitude 49°53'N 49o42'NDaysperyearwithminimumtemperatures<=than0oC

100.2 66

Daysperyearwithmaximumtemperatures>than20oC

109.9 93.1

Daysperyearwithmaximumtemperatures>than0oC

353.1 360.3

Daysperyearofrain 181.4 172.5Daysperyearofsnow 24.6 13.3Degreedays27greaterthan10oC 932.4 961.7Degreedaysgreaterthan5oC 1968.1 2113.4FrostFreedays 168 199

23AgriculturalLandUseInventory.2017.DistrictofSquamish&Squamish-LillooetRegionalDistrictElectoralAreaD.BritishColumbiaMinistryofAgriculture24BrackendaleEaglesProvincialPark–BackgroundDocument.1999.ChrisArmstrong,VictorKeong,DavidVockeroth.BCIT25HistoricalWeatherData.UpperSquamishValley.EnvironmentCanada.AccessedMarch2019.26HistoricalWeatherData,DowntownSquamish.EnvironmentCanada.AccessedMarch2019.27Degree-daysforagivendayrepresentthenumberofdegreesCelsiusthatthemeantemperatureisaboveorbelowagivenbase.Normalsrepresenttheaverageaccumulationforagivenmonthoryear.

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GrowingDegreeDaysGrowingdegreedays(GDD)areaweather-basedindicatorforassessingcropdevelopment.Itisameasureofheataccumulationusedtopredictplantandpestdevelopmentratessuchasthedatethatacropreachesmaturity.DailyGDDvaluesareaddedtogetherfromthebeginningoftheseason,providinganindicationoftheenergyavailable forplantgrowth.Growingdegrees (GDs)aredefinedas themeandaily temperature(average of daily maximum and minimum temperatures) above a certain threshold base temperatureaccumulatedonadailybasisoveraperiodoftime.GDDunitscanbeusedtoassessthesuitabilityofaregionforproductionofaparticularcrop;estimatethegrowth-stagesofcrops,weedsorthelifestagesofinsects;predictmaturityandcuttingdatesofforagecrops;estimate theheat stresson crops;plan spacingofplantingdates toproduce separateharvestdates. ThefollowingGDDsarecalculatedfortheUpperSquamishValleyusingabasetemperatureof10oC28.

UpperSquamishValleyJanuary 0February 0.1March 1.6April 21.7May 85.4June 156.3July 237.9August 242.7September 139.8October 25.3November 0.1December 0TOTAL 910.9

4.1.1ClimateChangeProjections

Farmersareaccustomedtotheweatherinfluencingtheiractivitiesandweather-dependentdecisionsareapart of farming life. Adapting to climate change, however, involves a more systematic assessment andresponse.Agricultureishighlyvulnerabletochangesinclimaticconditionsandevensmallshiftscouldhavesignificant consequences for farmviabilityand foodproduction.Despite thechallengesofapplyingbroadclimatemodels,somegeneralprojectionsareanticipatedinBCbetweennowand2080.ModellingsuggeststhatclimatechangeintheSquamishValleywillbringaboutanincreaseinGrowingDegreeDays(GDDs),adecreaseinspringsnowfall,adecreaseinsummerrains,andanincreaseinfrost-freedays(Table9).

28http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_e.html?stnID=342&dispBack=0&month1=0&month2=12

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Table9.ClimateProjectionsfortheSLRDinthe2020s,2050s,and2080s(PCICS,2012).

2020changefrom1961-

1990baseline2050changefrom1961-

1990baseline2080changefrom1961-

1990baseline

Characteristic Season Range Median Range Median Range MedianMeanTemperature Annual

+0.5oCto+1.4oC +1.0oC

+1.1oCto+2.6oC +1.7oC

+1.6oCto+4.2oC +2.7oC

PrecipitationAnnual -0%to+7% +4% -1%to+11% +6% +3%to+16% +8%

Summer -13%to+10% -6% -21%to+5% -12% -32%to-1% -10%

Winter -2%to+8% +3% -4%to+14% +6% +2%to+24% +10%Snowfall

Winter -20%to+0% -6% -25%to-2% -15% -43%to-6% -20%

Spring -59%to-2% -29% -72%to-12% -51% -87%to-17% -72%

GrowingDegreeDays Annual

+61to+221degreedays

+135degreedays

+159to+423degreedays

+273degreedays

+252to+745degreedays

+461degreedays

Frost-freedays Annual +8to+24days +15days+15to+40

days +27days+23to+67

days +42daysNote:Growingdegreedays(GDDs)areameasureofheataccumulationtopredictplantdevelopmentrates.PacificClimateImpactsConsortium(PCIC).www.plan2adapt.ca.

ThesechangesinclimatearelikelytobringcertainimpactstotheSquamishValleyregion.Impactsinclude:increasedriskofforestfires,extremeprecipitationeventsandchangingriverflows29.AgriculturalareasintheSquamishValleyaresurroundedbyforest,whichcouldbethreatenedbyincreasesinforestfires.ExtremeprecipitationeventsandchangingriverflowscanincreasefloodingriskalongtheSquamishRiver,wherethemajorityofagriculturallandintheregionislocated.

Althoughthereisgeneralconsensusregardingtheimpactsofclimatechange,howthesemightimpactspecificmicroclimatesisuncertain-yetcriticalforagriculturalproducersconcernedwiththeeffectsofclimatechangeandprecipitationwithintheirspecificlocale.Warmertemperaturesandlongergrowingseasonscanleadtomoreproductivity,andsometimeseventheabilityfornewcropsandspeciestobecomeviableinanarea.However,itislikelythatincreasesinvariabilityandextremeevents(e.g.,droughts,stormsandheatwaves)will overshadow thepossibleagriculturalbenefitof increasing temperaturesand longergrowing seasons.Warmingtemperaturesalsoputstressontraditionalfoodsources,suchassalmon,leadingtolocalplantandanimalspeciesnolongerbeingsuitablefortheregion.PotentialimpactstoagricultureintheSquamishValleyfromthesechangingweatherandclimateconditionsaredescribedinTable10.

29AdaptingtoClimateChangeinSquamish–BackgrounderReport.2016.Dr.IanM.PickettsandBenjaminHamilton.

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Table10.Potentialimpactsofclimatechangeonagriculture(adaptedfromCAIBC,2012).

ClimateChangeCondition PotentialAgriculturalImpacts

Changinghydrologicalregime,decreaseinsummerprecipitation

Decreaseinproductivityandqualityofcropsandlivestockunderwaterstress,increasedcosts,reductioninwatersupply(attimesofhighdemand),increaseinmanagementcomplexity

Increasingprecipitationandvariabilityofprecipitation(especiallyinwinter)

Interruptionstoplanting,inputapplicationsandharvesting,increaseinexcessivemoistureandsite-specificfloodrisk,increaseinpressureondrainageandwatermanagement,interruptionstopollination,decreaseinlightlevels,increaseinnutrientandinputleaching,increaseinmanagementcomplexity

Changingcropsuitabilityranges

Inconsistentproductivity,quality&thereforeprices;increaseinsuitabilityfornewvarietiesofforageandfieldvegetablecrops,increaseinsuitabilityofnewcrops

Changesinpestsanddiseases

Increaseinwintersurvivalrates,increaseinnumberofcyclesinayear,introductionofnewpestsanddiseases,increaseinmanagementcosts,complexity,uncertainty,increaseindelaysorpreventionofpollination

Increaseinextremeweatherevents(storms,wind,extremeheat)

Decreaseinproductivityandquality,increaseinbuildingmaintenanceanddamagecosts,decreaseinheatingcosts,increaseincoolingandventilationcosts,interruptionstoregionalinfrastructureandsupplylines

Climatechangeimpactstoothergrowingregions

Increaseinfeedorotherinputcosts,increaseindemandforfoodproduction/localfood

4.2WaterResourcesTheSquamishValleyislocatedwithintheSquamishRiverBasin,awatershedofapproximately3,800km2.TheSquamishRiverBasinflowsfromandthroughthesouthernCoastMountains,flowsthroughtheagriculturallandsoftheUpperSquamishValleycommunityandthenpassesbythecommunityofBrackendaleandtheDistrictofSquamishbeforereachingHoweSound30.TheEchoRiverandAshluCreekflowintotheSquamishRiver upstream of the Squamish Valley agricultural areas, while the Cheakamus River runs through theagriculturalareasoftheParadiseValleycommunity(Figure7).

30IntegratedFloodHazardManagementPlan.2017.KerrWoodLeidalAssociatesLTD.

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Figure7.SquamishRiverBasin(Source:NorthwestHydraulicConsultantsLtd).

4.2.1IrrigationandLivestockWaterDemandWaterdemand fromagricultural activities (crops and livestock) in the SquamishValleyhas recentlybeenstudiedandcompiled intheALUIandthroughtheBCMinistryofAgriculture’sAgricultureWaterDemandModel (AWDM).Theavailabilityofwaterdelivery infrastructureandgoodqualitywater for irrigationareoftenrequirementsforgrowinghigh-valuecrops.TheALUIfoundthatirrigationisnotoverlycommonintheregionwithonly24%(13ha)ofthecultivated landbeing irrigated.Only15%(7ha)ofthepasturearea isirrigatedwhileallhopsandthemajorityofvegetableandfruitproductionusesprinklerordripirrigation31.SincetheAWDMcancalculatefuturewaterdemandsbasedonclimatechangescenarios,itcanhelpinformdecisionsonwateruseandlanduseplanning32.TheAWDMcalculatedapotentialfuturedemandfortotalirrigated acreage in the Squamish Valley of 252.9 ha, predominantly in pasture/grass (121.5 ha) and

31AgriculturalLandUseInventory.2017.DistrictofSquamish&Squamish-LillooetRegionalDistrictElectoralAreaD.BritishColumbiaMinistryofAgriculture32AgricultureWaterDemandModel–IrrigationSchedulingFactsheet.2015.BritishColumbiaMinistryofAgriculture.

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vegetables(130.8ha)33.Approximately95%oftheirrigatedareawouldbesuppliedbysurfacewatersourcesand5%bygroundwater.Thetotalannualirrigationdemandwascalculatedat1.03millionm3in2003and0.56million3in1997.LivestockwaterdemandfortheSquamishValleyregionwasestimatedat12,792m3annually based on calculations using census data and daily animal drinking water requirements. Horsesaccountfor71%oflivestockwaterdemandfollowedbysheepat8%,beefat7%followedbyswine,goatsandpoultry.

4.3HazardsandEmergencyPlanningFloodingisthenaturalhazardwiththehighestrisktothecommunitiesintheSquamishRiverBasin34.MuchoftheALRlandcoveredbythisagriculturalplanislocatedonthefloodplainoftheSquamishRiveranditstributaries. Floodhazardmappingand risk assessment studieswere completed in2017and2018 for theDistrict of Squamish and the Upper Squamish River35 which concluded that the agricultural areas in theSquamishValleyareatriskfromflooding3637.MostfloodingoftheSquamishRiveriscausedbyintensemulti-dayrainstormsthatcanoccurthroughoutthefallandearlywinter.Therainfallingthroughoutthewatershedcanmelta thin,wet layerof snowtocreateadditional runoff into the river systems.TheSquamishRiverchannelalsomigratesbackandforthacrossitsfloodplainovertimebyerodinglandononesideoftheriveranddepositingsedimentontheother.Sedimentcanbuildupinthechannel,whichincreasesthefloodrisk.Conflicts anddamage can resultwheredevelopmenthasoccurred too close to the river. Floodingof theSquamishValleyRoadcanalsooccur.AgriculturallandintheSquamishValleyisthereforeatriskfromnaturalhazardssuchasflooding,debrisflow,severestorms,forestfiresandearthquakes.TheUpperSquamishValleycommunity,wherethemajorityoftheagriculturallandisfound,isparticularlyatriskduetoitsmoreremotelocation,limitedtonocellservice,nofirefightingservicesandoneroadtoevacuatethearea38.SquamishNationreserveslostsignificantamountsoflandtorivererosionintheearlytomid1900s.Insomecases,thelosswasmorethanhalfthereservearea39.SubsequentlydikeswerebuiltonthereserveswhicharelocatedinthelowersectionsoftheSquamishRiverValley.TherearecurrentlynoexistingfloodprotectiondikesalongtheUpperSquamishValleycommunity.TherearesomedikesprotectingSquamishFirstNationReserves,thecommunityofBrackendaleanddowntownSquamish.A50-yearfloodeventwasmodelledfortheSquamishRiverandfoundthatmostofthevalleyfloorwouldbeflooded,withtypicaldepthsof1to2mwithintheinundatedarea.Causingdamagestoagriculturalpropertyand land estimated at a total of $1.97million. A 10-year floodwould cost $134,000 and a 20-year flood$957,000indamagestoagriculturalactivities40.

33AgricultureWaterDemandModel:Region-specificDescription:SquamishRiverValley.March2018.BritishColumbiaMinistryofAgriculture.34CommunityEmergencyPlan-UpperSquamishValley.2017.SquamishLillooetRegionalDistrict35Thereisnoconsolidatedmapofthewholevalleyinthisreport,onlysmallerpanelsforeachsectionofthevalley..

36Squamish–LillooetRegionalDistrictFloodHazardMappingandRiskAssessmentUpperSquamish.2018.NorthwestHydraulicConsultantsLtd.Vancouver,BC.37IntegratedFloodHazardManagementPlan.2017.KerrWoodLeidalAssociatesLTD.38CommunityEmergencyPlan-UpperSquamishValley.2017.SquamishLillooetRegionalDistrict39Squamish–LillooetRegionalDistrictFloodHazardMappingandRiskAssessmentUpperSquamish.2018.NorthwestHydraulicConsultantsLtd.Vancouver,BC.40Squamish–LillooetRegionalDistrictFloodHazardMappingandRiskAssessmentUpperSquamish.2018.NorthwestHydraulicConsultantsLtd.Vancouver,BC.

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In recent years, flooding has occurred in the Squamish Valley. In October of 2003, amajor flood of theSquamishRiveranditstributariesoccurred,floodinglandintheSquamishValleyandtheDistrictofSquamish.AProvincialStateofEmergencywasdeclared,andthe community of Paradise Valley on theCheakamus River was evacuated. Although theSquamish River Valley was not evacuated, riverlevelsatthepeak(3140m3/s)werewithin0.45to0.60 meters of overtopping the dykes along thelowerSquamishRiver.Thesubsequentanalysisofthe event suggested that return period was inexcess of 100 years but less than 200 years41. In2015, forest service roads in theUpperSquamishValley were flooding, causing evacuation ofcampersinthearea.Duringthisevent,thestreamflow in the Squamish River near Brackendalepeakedat1790m3/s,aflowrateexceedsthefive-yearreturnperiodflow42.As the climatewarms an increase in annual peakflowsareexpectedtooccurduringthefallrainorrain-on-snoweventswhicharetypicallylargerthanspringevents.Floodhazardreportsrecommendtheuseofa20%increaseindesignsforpeakflowstoaccountfortheeffectsofclimatechange43.There isalsoariskofdebris flowsanddebris floodsfromriversduetothesurroundingsteepslopes.TheCheekeyeFannorthofBrackendale isawell-studiedexampleofadebrisflowhazardarea.SmallercreeksthroughouttheSquamishValleyalsohavethepotentialtoproducedebrisflows44.Landslideshavehistoricallyoccurredwithinthebasin, leadingtoblockageoftheSquamishRiver,however,nomajor,recentlandslideeventshaveoccurred.Stakeholdersmentionedthethreatoffloodingasabarriertoexpandingagriculturalactivitiesontocertainportionsoftheirproperties.TheUpperSquamishValleycommunityandagriculturallandislocatedinasemi-woodedenvironmentwithamixconiferousanddeciduoustreesnearresidences.Driersummersarelikelytoresultinconditionsthatincreasefirerisktothearea45.In2015,theElahoFireburned12,000hectaresfortwomonthsinthevicinityoftheUpperSquamishValleybeforebeingassessedas100%contained.InMarchof2019asmallfireburnedaroundmile17.5oftheSquamishValleyroadbutwascontainedquicklyanddidnotdamageanybuildings46.Itisuncleariftheriskofwildfirespresentsanimpedimenttostartingorexpandingagriculturalactivitiesinthevalley.In 2018 the SLRD completed a Community Emergency Plan for the Upper Squamish Valley. The planhighlightedtheaforementionedthreatsandoutlinedtheevacuationprotocolforeachpotentialhazard.AcommunityactionplanwascreatedfortheUSVresidentstomitigatepotentialimpactsofhazards47.

41DistrictofSquamishCouncilMeeting.September2007.42CampersRescuedasSquamishValleyFloods.September2015.TheSquamishChief.43Squamish–LillooetRegionalDistrictFloodHazardMappingandRiskAssessmentUpperSquamish.2018.NorthwestHydraulicConsultantsLtd.Vancouver,BC.44IntegratedFloodHazardManagementPlan.2017.KerrWoodLeidalAssociatesLTD.45CommunityEmergencyPlan-UpperSquamishValley.2017.SquamishLillooetRegionalDistrict.46WildfireburninginUpperSquamishValleygrowsto15hectaresinsize.April1,2019.CBC.47CommunityEmergencyPlan-UpperSquamishValley.2017.SquamishLillooetRegionalDistrict.

Figure8.WashoutalongtheSquamishValleyRoad(Source:Uppersquamishvalley.ca)

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ThesehazardsandactionstomitigateoradapttotheimpactsshouldbeconsideredforagriculturalactivitieswithintheSquamishValley. Itmaybeprudent forsitespecific floodhazardassessmentstobeconductedpriortodevelopinganyagriculturalactivitiesintheSquamishValley.ResourcessuchastheSLRDCommunityEmergencyPlancanbeusedtohelpinemergencypreparednessplanningactivitiessuchasidentificationofevacuationroutesandsafezones.Mitigationeffortstoreducethedamagefromfloodingcanincluderaisingfirstfloorelevationstoorabovetherecommendedfloodconstructionlevels)48.Itisalsoimportanttonotethatallnewhousingdevelopmentinthefloodplainarearequiresraisedfoundationsand/orearthworkstoraisefoundationstomitigatefloodrisk49.4.4SoilsandgeologyTheSquamishValleyismadeupoffertilevalleybottomsoftheSquamishRiverandtheCheakamusRiver.TheareaisunderlainbyCretaceousgraniteandgranodioritebedrock(between90to100millionyearsold)oftheJurassic to Tertiary Coast Plutonic Complex. Resting on this granitic bedrock are depositions of surficialmaterialdepositedbyglacial, landslide,andriveractivities50.Attheendofthelast iceage(approximately10,200 years ago)muchof thepresent SquamishRiverValleywas rapidly filled inwith large amountsofsedimentbroughtdownbyriversofglacialmeltwaterandbythesignificantpresenceofglacialmaterial.SoilsintheSquamishareaaregenerallyFerro-HumicPodzolsandFolisols51.Duetohighprecipitationinthearea,soilsaregenerallymoisttowet.Thesoiltemperatureregimeismild(themeanannualsoiltemperaturefluctuatesfrom8to15Celsius).Ahighlevelofmoisturehasresultedingenerallypoorlydrainedsoils52.Afulldescriptionofsoilsandagriculturalcapability,includingmapsandadescriptionofsoiltypes,isprovidedintheAppendix.

4.5AgriculturalCapabilityAlargeproportionoftheUpperSquamishValleyagriculturelandisratedClass2land,meaningthesoilsaredeepandholdmoisturewell.Undergoodmanagementtheyarehighinproductivityforafairlywiderangeofcrops.LimitationofthesesoilsintheValleyaremostlyduetoexcessivewater,likelyduetoproximitytotheSquamishRiverandrunofffromsurroundingareas.Class4and5landsoccurintheParadiseValleyareaalongtheCheakamusRiver,withlimitationsofstoninessandreducedmoistureretention.However,itispossibletoimproveClass4and5landsthroughclearing,fertilizingandwatercontroltoproduceperennialforagecrops53.MuchoftheagriculturallandintheSquamishValleyiscoveredinnaturalorsemi-naturalvegetation.Landclearingoftreesandothervegetationmaybeneededtoprovidesufficientareaforsomecropproduction.Whilesoilsvaryfromsitetosite,generalrecommendationsforimprovementstolocalsoilsforthepurposesofagricultureinclude:

• Groundlevelling(areasshouldbeindividuallyevaluatedinregardtoerodibilityandmachinerylimitations);

• Applicationsofnutrients(fertilizers,manures,compost);• Stonepicking;• Increasingorganicmattercontentbyaddinganimalmanure,greenmanure,and/orcompost;and• Irrigating,oftenatfrequentshortintervals.

48Squamish–LillooetRegionalDistrictFloodHazardMappingandRiskAssessment.2018.NorthwestHydraulicConsultantsLtd.Vancouver,BC.49CommunityEmergencyPlan-UpperSquamishValley.2017.SquamishLillooetRegionalDistrict.50BrackendaleEaglesProvincialPark–BackgroundDocument.1999.ChrisArmstrong,VictorKeong,DavidVockeroth.BCIT.51TheSoilLandscapesofBritishColumbia.1986.B.C.MinistryofEnvironment.52BrackendaleEaglesProvincialPark–BackgroundDocument.1999.ChrisArmstrong,VictorKeong,DavidVockeroth.BCIT.53Squamish–CanadaLandInventory,SoilCapabilityforAgriculture.1975.

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5.0PolicyContext-KeyPlansandPoliciesAgriculturallandandassociatedusesareregulatedandinfluencedbypolicy,legislationandregulationatthelocal,provincialandfederalgovernmentlevels.Someregulationsarewideinscopeandfar-reaching,suchasnationalandinternationaltradeagreements,whileothersaresite-specificorissue-specific,suchaszoningormeatprocessingregulations.Asaresult,noonepieceoflegislationhasthecapacitytoaddressagriculturalissuesinanintegratedandholisticmanner.Awarenessofjurisdictionalresponsibilitiesandauthoritycanbeusefulindefiningpolicy,strategies,actionsandpilotprojectsthatcanbetakenbylocalgovernmentandthosethatrequirebroadercollaborationforspecificissues.

Thissectionsummarizessomeofthemoreinfluentialpoliciesandregulations54.5.1Federal

Federalgovernmentregulationaddressesseveralareasrelatedtoagricultureincludingtradepractices,publichealthandtheprotectionofthenaturalenvironment.Theyalsosupportagriculturethroughanumberoffundingprograms.

CanadaAgriculturalPartnership

The Canada Agricultural Partnership is a five year $3 billion partnership between federal and provincialpartners.Itisdesignedtohelptheagriculturalindustrypositionitselftorespondtofutureopportunitiesandtorealizeitsfullpotentialasasignificantcontributortotheeconomy.

Canada-BCAgri-Innovation

Providescost-sharedfundingtosupportpromisingnewproducts,practices,processesandtechnologiesthathavethepotentialtogenerateabenefittotheagriculturesector.

Canada-BCEnvironmentalFarmPlan(EFP)Program

TheEFPisavoluntaryprogramthatassistsfarmersindevelopinganenvironmentalactionplanfortheirfarmthat enhances natural resources and reduces the possibility of accidental harm to soil, air, water andbiodiversityvalues.Thosewhoenrollintheprogrambecomeeligibleforcost-sharefundingforcertainon-farmBestManagementPracticesprojectsthroughtheARDCorpprogram.

CanadaAgriculturalProductsAct

TheCanadaAgriculturalProductsActregulatestheimport,exportandinter-provincialtradeandmarketingofagriculturalproducts.TheCanadianFoodInspectionAgency(CFIA)administersmanyoftheagriculturalimport and export activities. This Act standardizes agricultural grading and inspecting procedures acrossCanada.

AdditionalFederalLegislationAffectingAgriculture

54CapitalRegionalDistrictAgriculturalLegal&PolicyScan.2009.Curran,D.

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Additionalfederallegislationthatinfluencesvariousaspectsoftheagricultureindustryinclude:

• CanadaGrainAct• ConsumerPackagingandLabelling• ExciseandImportPermitsAct• FarmIncomeProtectionAct• FarmProductsAgenciesAct• FeedsAct• FertilizersAct• FisheriesAct• HealthofAnimalsAct• PestControlProductsAct• PlantProtectionAct• SeedsAct• TransportationofDangerousGoodsAct

5.2Provincial

TheProvinceofBCprimarilyregulatesagriculturethroughtheAgriculturalLandCommission(ALC),whooverseestheAgricultureLandReserve(ALR);andtheMinistryofAgriculture.Anumberofregulationsandinitiativesareinplacetosupportagricultureandprotectthenaturalenvironment.

BuyBCPartnershipProgram

TheBuyBCPartnershipprogramprovidesupto$2MinfundingperyearoverthenextthreeyearstoincreasethecompetitivenessofB.C.’sagrifoodandseafoodindustryinthedomesticmarket.TheProgramincludesbothcost-sharedfundingaswellasBuyBClogolicensing.

BCLandMatchingProgram

Thisprogram,inpartnershipwithYoungAgrarians,provideslandmatchingandbusinesssupportservicestonewfarmerslookingforlandtofarmaswellaslandownersinterestedinfindingsomeonetofarmtheirland.

BCIndigenousAgricultureDevelopmentProgram

TheB.C.IndigenousAgricultureDevelopmentProgramidentifiesandsupportsthedevelopmentofagricultureandagri-foodsopportunitieswithinIndigenousCommunities,TribalCouncils,andEconomicDevelopmentCorporations.

BCAgri-BusinessPlanningProgram

TheB.C.Agri-BusinessPlanningProgramofferstwodistinctstreamsofsupportforagri-businesses:

• Specializedbusinessplanningtoenableproducersandprocessorstomakemoreinformeddecisionsandstrengthentheirbusiness

• Disasterrecoveryplanningtohelpproducersimplementanimmediateandlong-termdisasterrecoveryplan

Eligibleapplicantscanaccessupto$5,000forindividualsand$30,000forgroupsforbusinessplanningservicesfromaQualifiedBusinessConsultant.

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HazelnutRenewalProgram

TheHazelnutRenewalProgramprovidesfundingtoremoveinfectedtreestomitigatethespreadofEasternFilbertBlightandtoincentivizetheplantingofnewdisease-resistanthazelnuttreesinBritishColumbia.

BCTreeFruitReplantProgram

Providesfinancialhelpforgrowerstoreplacefruittreeswithvarietiesthatwillmeetconsumerdemandsforhigh-value,high-qualityB.C.fruit.

BCAgrifoodandSeafoodMarketDevelopment

Provides funding to support businesses to develop marketing skills, purchase market research, createmarketingplansandexpandexportsales.

AgriculturalLandCommissionActInresponsetothecontinuallossofagricultureland,theAgriculturalLandCommission(ALC)wascreatedin1973withthefollowingmandate:

• Topreserveagriculturalland;• Toencouragefarmingonagriculturallandincollaborationwithothercommunitiesofinterest;• Toencouragelocalgovernments,firstnations,theprovincialgovernmentanditsagentstoenable

andaccommodatefarmuseofagriculturallandandusescompatiblewithagricultureintheirplans,bylaws,andpolicies.

TheALC administers theALCAct and is responsible for theALR, a provincial zone inwhich agriculture isrecognizedasthepriorityuse.ThepurposeoftheALRistoensurethattheprovince’sagriculturallandbaseispreservedandavailableforfarmusesbothnowandinthefuture.TheALCActtakesprecedenceover,butdoesnotreplace,otherlegislationandbylawsthatmayapplytotheALR.Localandregionalgovernments,aswellasotherProvincialagencies,areexpectedtoplaninaccordancewiththeProvincialpolicyofpreservingagricultural land. At the time of writing, Bill 52 had been recently brought into legislation, whichwouldreinforcethepriorityandfocusofdecisionmakingmandatearoundthe integrityoftheALRandremoveseconomicandsocialfactorsfromdecision-makingconsiderationoftheCommissioners.AgriculturalLandReserveGeneralRegulation

The Agricultural Land Reserve General Regulation, B.C. Reg. 171/2002, identifies the procedures forsubmittingapplicationsandnoticesofintent.

AgriculturalLandReserveUseRegulation

TheAgriculturalLandReserveUseRegulation,B.C.Reg.30/2019specifieslandusespermittedintheALR.

AgriculturalEnvironmentalManagementCodeofPractice-EnvironmentalManagementAct

On February 28, 2019, the Code of Practice for Agricultural Environmental Management replaced theAgriculturalWaste Control Regulation (AWCR). The regulationwas developed to help ensure agriculturalpracticesareconsistentwiththeprotectionofclean,safedrinkingwaterandcleanair.Itprovidesclearer,straightforward and environmentally sustainable requirements for the storage and use ofmanure, othernutrient sources and agricultural material. The regulation applies to agricultural operations in BritishColumbia,fromsmallhobbyfarmstolargecommercialoperations.Thenewregulationhasbeenbuiltwiththeunderstandingthatnotallagriculturaloperationsarethesame,andnotallregionsoftheprovincearethesame.Variousruleswillapplytodifferentagriculturaloperationsdependingonthelocation,sizeandtypeofactivity.

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MeatInspectionRegulation

TheMeatInspectionRegulation(MIR)(2004)establishesrequirementsforallprovinciallylicensedslaughterfacilitiesinBC.Agraduatedlicensingapproachincludesseverallevelsofslaughteroperationforprovinciallylicensedfacilities.

FarmPracticesProtectionActTheintentoftheFarmPracticesProtection(RighttoFarm)Act(1996)istoprotectfarms,using“normalfarmpractices”,fromunwarrantednuisancecomplaintsinvolvingdust,odour,noiseandotherdisturbances.TheFarmIndustryReviewBoard(FIRB)dealswithcomplaintsthatarisefromtheActanddetermineswhethertheissueresultsfromnormalfarmpractices.TheFPPAprotectsfarmsbothinandoutsideoftheALR,althoughthoseoutsidetheALRmustobtainClass9(Farm)statusfromBCAssessment.

LocalGovernmentAct

Certain provisions of the Local Government Act address farming activities through community planning;zoning;nuisanceregulations;removalanddepositofsoil;weedandpestcontrol;wateruseanddrainage.

LandTitleAct

TheLandTitleActgivesApprovingOfficersthepowertoassesspotentialimpactsofproposedsubdivisionson farmland. The Approving Officer is responsible for all subdivision application within the municipalboundaries.

BCAssessmentAct

Section23oftheAssessmentActandBCReg411/95,theClassificationofLandasaFarmRegulation(the“FarmClassRegulation”),setouttherequirementsthatmustbemetforlandtobeclassifiedas“Farm”forassessmentand taxpurposes. Landclassifiedas Farmmustbeusedallor inpart forprimaryagriculturalproduction.

WaterSustainabilityAct

TheWaterSustainabilityAct(WSA)providesforthelicensingofactivitiesincludinguse,diversion,andstorageofwater.TheWSAprovideslocalgovernmentstheabilitytoundertakeWaterSustainabilityPlans,whichmayincludeadesignationfor“dedicatedagriculturalwater”,alsoknownasagriculturalwaterreserves.Thisallowsthewatersustainabilityplanningprocesstoprioritizeorestablishuniquerulesforagriculture,whichwillbeparticularlyusefulwhenconsideringhowreductionsinwaterusewillbehandledthroughdroughtplanningandmanagement.

5.3LocalandRegionalCommunityplanningoff-reserveoccurswithinacontextofenablingprovinciallegislationsuchastheLocalGovernmentActthatprovidesforpolicyplans,regulationsinzoningorlandusebylaws,andprocessessuchasdevelopmentpermits.WhiletheProvincehaslargelydelegatedauthorityoverlanduseanddevelopmentto localgovernments, ithas retainedauthorityoveragricultural land, forest land, riparianareas,heritagesites, Electoral Area subdivision and the Provincial road network. Across the SLRD and the District ofSquamish, the promotion of the local agricultural industry is supported through various high-level policydocuments and regional initiatives which acknowledge and address the importance of protectingagriculturally viable land, planning for local food security, and encouraging/facilitating local economicdevelopmentopportunities.Thesehigh-levelpolicydocumentsandregionalinitiativesarelistedinTable11.

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HowagricultureisconsideredatthepolicylevelthroughlanduseplansintheRegionalGrowthStrategy(RGS)andOfficialCommunityPlans(OCPs),andsubsequentlythroughlanduseregulationsinthezoningbylaws,isindicativeofaregionalgovernment’sprioritiesintermsofsupportingfutureagriculturalactivity.TheRGSandOCPsprovidealong-termstrategyforlanduse,developmentandservicing,andtheycontaindevelopmentguidelines,whichrespondtobroadcommunityobjectivesandvalues.Incontrast,azoningbylawprovidesdetailed land use regulations according to specific land use categories called zones. Zoning bylaws caninfluence agricultural land in several ways, including through the setting of minimum parcel sizes andmaximumbuildingfootprints,settingparametersaroundsecondarydwellings,setbacks,andestablishingthepotentialforsubdivisionofagriculturallands,tonameafew.AnumberoflocalandregionalplansandregulationsdocumentshelptoshapepolicyaffectingagriculturalactivitiesintheSquamishValleyregion.Thefollowingdocumentswerereviewedandinformthecontentofthisreport(Table11).Table11.RelevantLocalandRegionalPlanningandPolicyDocuments.

DocumentTitle Status YearDistrictofSquamishOfficialCommunityPlanBylawNo.2500

Adopted 2018

DistrictofSquamishZoningBylawNo.2200 Adopted 2011SLRDAreaDOCPBylawNo.1135 Adopted 2013SLRDAreaDZoningBylawNo.1360 Adopted 2016SLRDRegionalGrowthStrategyBylawNo.1062,AmendmentBylawNo.1562-2018

InReview 2008,2019

XAYTEMIXW(SACREDLAND)LANDUSEPLAN 2001

AdiscussionsummarizingsomeofthespecificitemsinthezoningandpoliciesthatmaybeapplicabletotheSquamishValleyAgriculturalPlanisprovidedinAppendix2.

5.3.1DistrictofSquamishOfficialCommunityPlanandZoningBylawTheDistrictofSquamishOCPwasadoptedonJune5,2018. TheOCPincludesasectiononFoodSystemswhich aims to enhance awareness and promotes policies to foster a more sustainable food system inSquamish.Throughtheplan,theDistrictacknowledgesitsroleinpreservingthecommunity’sagriculturallandbaseandcreatingapositiveregulatoryenvironmentforfoodandfarming.Policy29.19setstheLandUseDesignationforAgricultureas:Appliestolandsandfacilitiesintendedforagricultureandfoodproductionincluding,butnotlimitedto,thosewithintheAgriculturalLandReserve(ALR).Thisdesignationappliestoawiderangeofagriculturalactivities,andmayalsoincludeassociatedfoodprocessinganddistribution.AlluseswithintheALRaresubjecttotheAgriculturalLandCommissionAct(ALCA)andRegulation.Policy32.2outlinestheDevelopmentPermitAreaRequirementsforFarmingActivities:

• DevelopmentpermitsaffectingALRlandsandlicensedaquacultureareasshallnotundulyinfringeontheabilitytofarminaccordancewiththeprovincialAgriculturalLandCommissionAct(ALCA)andRegulationandtheFarmPracticesProtection(RighttoFarm)Act(FPPA)legislation.

• AfutureOCPamendmenttoestablishaDPAfortheprotectionoffarmingwillbebroughtforwardtoestablishrequirementsforscreening,landscaping,fencing,andsitingofbuildingsorstructures,in

27

ordertoprovidebufferingorseparationofdevelopmentfromfarmingonadjoiningoradjacentland.

TheDistrictofSquamish’szoningbylawdoesnotincludeanAgricultureZone.However,agricultureactivitiesare permitted inmany existing zones. Some areas of the ALR are zoned in amanner thatmay precludeagriculturalactivitieswithinthezoningbylaw.Thismayrequireadditional investigationinordertoensurethatlocalandprovincialzoningobjectivesalign.AdditionalexamplesareprovidedinAppendix2.

5.3.2SLRDAreaDOfficialCommunityPlanTheSLRDElectoralAreaDOCPwasadoptedin2013andincludesanAgriculturallanddesignation.Allofthelands designated Agriculture in the OCP are within ALR. Section 5.5 of the OCP specifically focuses onObjectivesandPoliciesrelatedtoAgriculture:

Objectives:

• Toachieveahealthy,sustainable,andstablefoodsupplybyworkingwithfoodproducers,citizens,FirstNations,municipalities,seniorgovernment,HealthAuthorities,andotherstakeholderstosupportlocalandregionalfoodsecurity.

• Torecognize,preserve,improve,andexpandtheagriculturallandbaseintheplanarea.• Toencouragediversification,smallfarmdevelopment,andecologicalandeconomicsustainabilityof

thefarmingcommunity.• Tominimizethepotentialnegativeeffectsfromnon-agriculturaldevelopmentoccurringattheedge

offarmingareasandwithinagriculturallands.• Toaccommodatehousingthatmeetstheneedsoffarmersandminimizesthenegativeeffectson

farmland.

PolicieswithintheOCPastheyrelatetoagriculturearedividedintothefollowingsections:

• AgriculturalLandBase(LandUse)• EconomicSustainability• AgricultureInterface• Housing• EnvironmentalProtection• FoodSecurity• DecisionmakingcriteriaforlandsdesignatedAgricultural

HighlightsrelevanttotheSquamishValleyAgriculturePlaninclude:

• 5.5.7.TheuseoftoolsandapproachessuchasAgriculturalLandorFarmlandTrusts,andtheCommunityFarmsProgram(administeredbyFarmFolk/CityFolkincollaborationwithTheLandConservancyofBC)issupported.

• 5.5.13.Theownersofagriculturallandsareencouragedtofacilitatetheuseofthelandforagriculturebyactivelyfarming,leasingorloaningtheirlandstopersonsthatwouldundertakeactivefarming.

• 5.5.14.TheBoardencourageseconomicdiversificationinitiativesaccessorytoandcompatiblewithfarmingthataddvaluetolocallyproducedfarmproducts

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• 5.5.21Listscriteriathatshallbeusedwhenmakingdecisions,recommendations,settingconditionsofapproval,applicationrequirementsandsettingpolicyforZoningBylawsandDevelopmentPermitAreaguidelinesincludingbutnotlimitedtopermitteduses,non-farmuses,parcelsize,subdivision,DevelopmentVariancePermitsandTemporaryUsePermitsinElectoralAreaD.

• 5.5.22AgriculturalImpactAssessmentsshouldbeconsideredtomeasuretheimpactsofaproposedmajorrezoning,subdivisionornon-farmuseontheALRorfarmedlands.Mitigationshouldberequiredforidentifiedimpacts.AnAgriculturalImpactAssessmentpreparedbyaqualifiedprofessional.

TheSLRDElectoralAreaDZoningBylawwasadoptedinAugust2016.Therearetwoagriculturezones:Agriculture1ZoneandAgriculture2Zone.AlmostalloftheagriculturelandwithinAreaDiszoned‘Agriculture1Zone’.

5.3.3SLRDRegionalGrowthStrategyBylawA RGS is a broad policy framework describing the common direction the regional district and membermunicipalitieswillfollowinpromotinghumansettlementsthataresocial,economically,andenvironmentallyhealthyandmakingefficientuseofpublicfacilitiesandservices,landandotherresources.TheRegionalBoardis currently reviewing an amendment to “SLRD Regional Growth Strategy – Bylaw No. 1062, 2008” -AmendmentBylawNo.1562-2018.TheSLRDRGS,2018callsforseveralspecificpolicydirectionsrelatedtolanduse,whichultimatelysupportsagricultureandfoodsecurity,whicharedescribedinthefollowingtable:RGSStrategicDirection Reference DescriptionAchieveasustainableeconomy:Supporttheeconomicviabilityofthelocalagriculturalsector

Part3Goal4StrategicDirections4.1.i.

Thiswillbepursuedbydevelopingregulationsthatstrengthenthecapacityoflocalfarmerstoproduceandreachtheirmarketsandhighlighting/recognizingtheimportanceofagriculturetotheregion’seconomyindecision-making.

Achieveasustainableeconomy:Supportthedevelopmentofacomprehensive,locallyrelevant,/place-basedapproachtoagritourism

Part3Goal4StrategicDirections4.1.j

Thiswillbepursuedbyconsultingwiththelocalagriculturalcommunity,IndigenouscommunitiesandFirstNations,MinistryofAgricultureandtheAgriculturalLandCommissiontoensurelocalgovernmentplans,policiesandstrategiesreflecttheprovincialregulationsandlocalneeds/opportunities.

ProtectandEnhanceFoodSystems

Part3Goal10

TheRGS:i.Supportsaregionalfoodsystemthatishealthy,accessibleandresilient.ii.Promotesgrowthanddevelopmentinthelocalagriculturalsector.iii.SupportstheprotectionandpreservationoffarmlandandsustainableagricultureasthehighestandbestuseoftheAgriculturalLandReserve.

I

Appendix1

SoilResources

SurficialGeologyIngeneral,theSquamishareaisunderlainbyCretaceousgraniteandgranodioritebedrock(between90to100millionyearsold)oftheJurassictoTertiaryCoastPlutonicComplex.Restingonthisgraniticbedrockaredepositionsofsurficialmaterialdepositedbyglacial,landslide,andriveractivities55.Attheendofthelasticeage(approximately10,200yearsago)muchofthepresentlowerSquamishRiverValleywasrapidlyfilledinwithlargeamountsofsedimentbroughtdownbyriversofglacialmeltwaterandbythesignificantpresenceofglacialmaterial.SoilTypesSoiltypesarecategorizedbasedondistinguishingcharacteristicsandcriteriathatdictatesoilmanagementtechniques.Soilclassificationfacilitatestheorganizationandcommunicationofinformationaboutsoils,aswellastheunderstandingofrelationshipsbetweensoilsandenvironmentalfactors.Differencesinsoilsaretheresultoftheinteractionofmanyfactors:climate,organisms,parentmaterial,topographyandtime.SoilsintheSquamishareaaregenerallyFerro-HumicPodzolsandFolisolsoverlyingigneousintrusiverock56.Intrusiverocksarequiteweatherresistantandsoildevelopmenthasbeenrelativelyslow.Overtime,however,physicalandchemicalweatheringhasproducedacoarse-texturedacidicsoil.Duetohighprecipitationinthearea,soilsaregenerallymoisttowet.Thesoiltemperatureregimeismild(themeanannualsoiltemperaturefluctuatesfrom8to15Celsius).Ahighlevelofmoisturehasresultedingenerallypoorlydrainedsoils57.TheprocessesofsoildevelopmentinthePodzolorderincludeanaccumulationoforganicmaterial(mainlyconiferouslitter)withironandaluminumdominatingintheBhorizon.TheyarecharacterizedbyMorhumusforms.FluvialgravelsandsandsoccuronterracesandfloodplainsoftheSquamishRiver.Theseareasarepronetofloodinganddisplacement.Vegetationestablishmentisoftentemporary58.

AgriculturalCapabilityRatingsTheAgricultureCapabilityratingsystemisamethoddesignedtoenableconsistentandobjectiveassessmentoflandbasedoninherentlimitationsforcropproduction(DepartmentofRegionalEconomicExpansion,1969).Itwasdevelopedinthe1960saspartoftheCanadaLandInventory(CLI).AgricultureCapabilityratingsarebasedonsoil,landscape,andclimateproperties,notcropyielddata,andlimitationsmayormaynotbealteredbymanagement(ALC,2010).AgricultureCapabilityratingscanbeusedtohelpdetermineappropriatecropchoices,realistictargetyieldsandassessandmitigatesite-specificriskssuchasflooding,stoniness,steepslopes,ornutrientloss.55BrackendaleEaglesProvincialPark–BackgroundDocument.1999.ChrisArmstrong,VictorKeong,DavidVockeroth.BCIT.56TheSoilLandscapesofBritishColumbia.1986.B.C.MinistryofEnvironment.57BrackendaleEaglesProvincialPark–BackgroundDocument.1999.ChrisArmstrong,VictorKeong,DavidVockeroth.BCIT.58BrackendaleEaglesProvincialPark–BackgroundDocument.1999.ChrisArmstrong,VictorKeong,DavidVockeroth.BCIT.

II

Inthisclassification,mineralandorganicsoilsareeachgroupedintosevenclassesonthebasisofsoilandclimatecharacteristicsaccordingtotheirpotentialforagriculturaluse.LandsinClasses1to4inclusiveareconsideredcapableofsustainedagriculturalproductionofmostcrops.Class5landsareconsideredcapableofproducingforagecropsorspeciallyadaptedcrops.Class6landsarecapableofprovidingonlypastureforlivestock.Class7landsgenerallyareincapableofuseforeithercropsorlivestock(theyareusuallyrockyoutcropsorwetlands).However,itisimportanttonotethatmanysuccessfulfarmsinBCarelocatedonClass7soils,indicatingthatsomecropsmaybesuitedtositesthatmanyothersarenot.Inparticular,cranberriesandvineyardscanoftendowellinClass6and7soils.Unimprovedratingsarebasedontheconditionsthatexistatthetimeofthesurvey,withoutirrigationorothermanagementsystemsinplace.Improvedratingsindicatethepotentialcapabilityafterexistinglimitationsand/orhazardshavebeenadequatelyalleviated.Improvementsmayincludelandgrading,drainage,irrigation,diking,stoneremoval,salinityalleviation,subsoiling,and/ortheadditionoffertilizersorothersoilamendments.Otherimportantassumptionsthataremadebasedontheclassificationsystem(BCMinistryofAgricultureandFood,1983)include:

• Soilswillbemanagedandcroppedunderalargelymechanizedsystem.• Waterisavailableforirrigation.• Thefollowingarenotconsideredintheclassification:distancetomarket,availabletransportation

facilities,labour,location,farmsize,typeofownership,culturalpatterns,skillorresourcesofindividualoperators,andhazardofcropdamagebystorms.

• Theclassificationdoesnotincludecapabilityratingsfortrees,fruitorchards,vineyards/grapes,ornamentalplants,recreation,orwildlife.

InBC,mostsoilsweremappedforagriculturalcapabilityratingsinthe1980s,andthesemapsremaininusethroughouttheprovince.TheassociatedComputerAssistedPlanning,Assessment,andMapProduction(CAPAMP)system(KenkandSondheim,1987)hassincebeentranslatedintoGeographicInformationSystemdatabasefiles.SquamishValleyAgriculturalCapabilitiesAlargeproportionoftheUpperSquamishValleyagriculturelandisratedClass2land,meaningthesoilsaredeepholdmoisturewellandundergoodmanagementtheyarehighinproductivityforafairlywiderangeofcrops(Figure9).LimitationofthesesoilsintheValleyaremostlyduetoexcessivewater,likelyduetoproximitytotheSquamishRiverandrunofffromsurroundingareas.Class4and5landsoccurintheParadiseValleyareaalongtheCheakamusRiver,withlimitationsofstoninessandreducemoistureretention.However,itispossibletoimproveClass4and5landsthroughclearing,fertilizingandwatercontroltoproduceperennialforagecrops59.

59Squamish–CanadaLandInventory,SoilCapabilityforAgriculture.1975.

III

Figure9.SquamishSoilCapabilityforAgriculture.Legend:Beige:Class2;Yellow:Class4,Green:Class5;Red:Class7(CanadaLandInventory,1975).

IV

Appendix2

LocalandRegionalPlans,AgriculturalContext

DistrictofSquamishOfficialCommunityPlanTheDistrictofSquamishOCPwasadoptedonJune5,2018.TheOCPincludesasectiononFoodSystemswhichaimstoenhanceawarenessandpromotespoliciestofosteramoresustainablefoodsysteminSquamish.Throughtheplan,theDistrictacknowledgesitsroleinpreservingthecommunity’sagriculturallandbaseandcreatingapositiveregulatoryenvironmentforfoodandfarming.Policy29.19setstheLandUseDesignationforAgricultureas:Appliestolandsandfacilitiesintendedforagricultureandfoodproductionincluding,butnotlimitedto,thosewithintheAgriculturalLandReserve(ALR).Thisdesignationappliestoawiderangeofagriculturalactivities,andmayalsoincludeassociatedfoodprocessinganddistribution.AlluseswithintheALRaresubjecttotheAgriculturalLandCommissionAct(ALCA)andRegulation.Policy32.2outlinestheDevelopmentPermitAreaRequirementsforFarmingActivities:

• DevelopmentpermitsaffectingALRlandsandlicensedaquacultureareasshallnotundulyinfringeontheabilitytofarminaccordancewiththeprovincialAgriculturalLandCommissionAct(ALCA)andRegulationandtheFarmPracticesProtection(RighttoFarm)Act(FPPA)legislation.

• AfutureOCPamendmenttoestablishaDPAfortheprotectionoffarmingwillbebroughtforwardtoestablishrequirementsforscreening,landscaping,fencing,andsitingofbuildingsorstructures,inordertoprovidebufferingorseparationofdevelopmentfromfarmingonadjoiningoradjacentland.

ThefollowingObjectivesandPoliciesrelevanttotheSquamishValleyAgriculturalPlanarelistedbelow:

Policy ReferenceSustainableFoodSystems–TheDistrictwillpromoteahealthy,justandresilientfoodsysteminSquamishandincreaselocalfoodsecurityandself-sufficiency.

DistrictofSquamishOfficialCommunityPlan–BylawNo.2500,Policy26.1

Agriculture/FoodLands–TheDistrictwill:• Inventory,protectandenhancetheagriculturallandbasewithinSquamishand

theregion.• Maximizeagriculturallandavailabilityandaccesstoretainandattractnew

farmersintheagriculturesectoranddriveincreasedlocalfoodproduction.• Increasethevalueofthelocalagri-foodeconomy.

DistrictofSquamishOfficialCommunityPlan–BylawNo.2500,Policy26.3.a-c

ALRlandsoutsideofprimaryfloodwaysandSquamishNationreservelandsaredesignatedAgricultureonOCPScheduleBandintendedforagricultureandrelatedusesinaccordancewiththeALCAandRegulation.TheDistrictwillupdatetheZoningBylawwithagriculture-specificzoningforALRlandstobebetteralignedwiththeALCAandRegulation.

DistrictofSquamishOfficialCommunityPlan–BylawNo.2500,Policy26.4.b,c

TheDistrictwill:• Recognizeandprotecttheneedsandactivitiesoffarmingoperationswhen

consideringandplanningforcompatibleusesalongALRboundaries.Whereverpossible,preservecontiguousagriculturalareasandavoidorminimizeunnecessaryfragmentation.

DistrictofSquamishOfficialCommunityPlan–BylawNo.2500,Policy26.4.d-h

V

• DevelopDPAguidelinesforprotectionoffarmingthatreducelanduseconflictsandmitigateimpactofurbandevelopmentonfarmingpractices(appropriatesetbacksandbuffers)inaccordancewiththeMinistryofAgricultureGuidetoEdgePlanning:PromotingCompatibilityAlongAgricultural-UrbanEdges.

• ApplylearningsfromthejointDistrictofSquamish-SLRD(AreaD)AgriculturalLandUseInventory,andworkwiththeRegionalDistrictandtheMinistryofAgriculturetomaximizelandpotentialandlong-termpracticalityforagriculture.DeveloprecommendationstosupportagriculturalopportunitieswithinandadjacenttotheALR.

• AnalyzecurrentandprojectedagriculturalconditionsinSquamishandconsiderhowagriculturalopportunitiesmayshiftunderclimaticchangeswithintheregion(e.g.changesingrowing-degreedaysandfrost-freedays).Identifyimpactstoagriculturallandsinrelatedriskassessments(e.g.sealevelriseandfloodmapping).

• Explorecommunityfarmlandtrustsand/orregionallandmatchingprogramswiththeSLRD,SchoolDistrict48,corridorcommunities,andtheYoungAgrariansnetworktoconnectexistingandnewfarmerstoland.

TheDistrictwillsupportinitiativesthatincreaselocalfoodproductionandagriculturalactivitiesandprovideopportunitiesforthesaleoflocalfoodproductsthroughoutthecommunity.

DistrictofSquamishOfficialCommunityPlan–BylawNo.2500,Policy26.6.a

TheDistrictwill:• Continuetorefineandexpandmunicipalregulationstoencourageand

integrateopportunitiesforsustainableurbanagriculture(includinggardens,smallplotfarming,greenhouses,andgardeningtosupportpollinatorsandforagingonmunicipallands,parkspacesandvacantlands);andaccessoryretailsales(e.g.farmstandsandfoodco-ops)whileresponsiblymanagingwildlifeattractants.

• Supportagriculturemodelsthatdemonstrateenvironmentallyresponsiblegrowingpractices,e.g.soilbuilding,carboncapture,waterconservation,growingorganic,andsupportingthesurroundingecology.

• Designateappropriatelandforagriculturalpurposesandforaging.Integratefoodrelatedusesacrossalllandusedesignationswhereappropriateandwithoutunacceptablehazardriskorimpacttoenvironmentallysensitiveareas.Lookforopportunitiestoincorporatefoodproductionusesindesignatedlimiteduseandflood-proneareas.

• Exploreandconsiderlocalpropertytaxandotheragriculturalincentivestoencouragefoodlandpreservationandproduction.

DistrictofSquamishOfficialCommunityPlan–BylawNo.2500,Policy26.6.b-f

TheDistrictwill:• Encouragefacilitiesforlocalfoodprocessingatboththecommercialand

neighbourhoodlevelandconsiderlinkageswiththoseinthecorridorandgreaterSouthwestBCbioregion.Supportappropriatelyscaledprocessinganddistributioninfrastructure(e.g.abattoirs,processingfacilitiesandsmall-scaletrucking).

• InthecaseofALRlands,forcertainty,foodprocessing,distributionandstorageuses,andactivitiesaresubjecttotheALCAandRegulationandwillbereferredtotheALCforreview.

• Explorelocalopportunitiesformarineharvesting,processinganddistributionofsustainableseafoodandworkwithagenciestoensurethatanyaquacultureproductioninHoweSoundexemplifiessustainablepractices.

DistrictofSquamishOfficialCommunityPlan–BylawNo.2500,Policy26.8a-c

TheDistrictwillexploreandsupportsocialenterprisemodelssuchascommunityfoodhubsandcooperativesthatcreateacentralgatheringplaceforfood-basedservicesandactivities,educationevents,andcelebrations(e.g.communitykitchenswithfoodproduction,storage,processingandcompostingfacilities).

DistrictofSquamishOfficialCommunityPlan–BylawNo.2500,Policy26.14

TheDistrictwill:• Supportregionalfoodproductionanddistributionandsetcommunitytargets

forlocalandsustainablefoodprocurement.• WorkwiththeSquamish-LillooetRegionalDistrict,localstakeholdersand

partnerorganizationsonanAgricultureAreaPlan,including,butnotlimitedto,policiesthatsupporttheindustrywithimprovingland-usecompatibilityandlong-termagriculturalsustainability.

DistrictofSquamishOfficialCommunityPlan–BylawNo.2500,Policy26.16.a,b

VI

DistrictofSquamishZoningBylaw

Urbanagricultureispermittedinallzones.

Section4.33‘URBANAGRICULTURE’setsregulationsforcommunitygardens,coopsforkeepinghensandbeekeepingregulations.

Section4.36AGRICULTURALBUILDINGS:DespiteanyprovisionofthisBylaw,whereAgricultureispermittedasaprincipaluse,therewillbenolimitonthenumberofbuildingsusedforagriculturalpurposes.

Definitions

AGRICULTUREmeansauseprovidingforthegrowingandrearingoflivestock,includingdogs,poultry,fowl,swine,horses,cattle,otherlivestock,andbees;growing,producing,andharvestingofagriculturalproducts;includesthestorage,processing,andsaleofindividualfarmproductsharvested,reared,orproducedonthatfarmandthestorageoffarmmachinery,implements,andsuppliesandrepairstofarmmachineryandimplementsusedonthatfarm;specificallyexcludesallmanufacturing,processing,storageandrepairsnotspecificallyincludedinthedefinition,processingoflivestockandpoultrynotproducedonthesite,piggeryuse,feedlots,andminkfarms.

AGRICULTURE,URBANmeanstheactofgrowingfoodonalot.Inadditiontoproducegrowninagarden,thisalsoincludescommunitygardens,fruitandnuttreeproduction,thekeepingofhensand/orbees,andagriculturalretailsaleslimitedto30m2ingrossfloorareaandprovidedthatatleast75%ofgoodsforsaleareproducedonsite.Urbanagricultureisanaccessoryuseonparcelsthatarezonedresidential.

SLRDAreaDOfficialCommunityPlan

TheElectoralAreaDOCPwasadoptedin2013.TheOCP,inSection5.5.,designatesAgriculturallands.AllofthelandsdesignatedAgricultureintheOCParewithintheAgriculturalLandReserve(ALR)andassuch,theyareregulatedbytheAgriculturalLandCommission(ALC).

Section5.5oftheOCPspecificallyfocusesonObjectivesandPoliciesrelatedtoAgriculture:

Objectives:

• Toachieveahealthy,sustainable,andstablefoodsupplybyworkingwithfoodproducers,citizens,FirstNations,municipalities,seniorgovernment,HealthAuthorities,andotherstakeholderstosupportlocalandregionalfoodsecurity.

• Torecognize,preserve,improve,andexpandtheagriculturallandbaseintheplanarea.• Toencouragediversification,smallfarmdevelopment,andecologicalandeconomicsustainabilityof

thefarmingcommunity.• Tominimizethepotentialnegativeeffectsfromnon-agriculturaldevelopmentoccurringattheedge

offarmingareasandwithinagriculturallands.• Toaccommodatehousingthatmeetstheneedsoffarmersandminimizesthenegativeeffectson

farmland.

PolicieswithintheOCPastheyrelatetoagriculturearedividedintothefollowingsections:

VII

• AgriculturalLandBase(LandUse)• EconomicSustainability• AgricultureInterface• Housing• EnvironmentalProtection• FoodSecurity• DecisionmakingcriteriaforlandsdesignatedAgricultural

HighlightsrelevanttotheSquamishValleyAgriculturePlaninclude:5.5.7.TheuseoftoolsandapproachessuchasAgriculturalLandorFarmlandTrusts,andtheCommunityFarmsProgram(administeredbyFarmFolk/CityFolkincollaborationwithTheLandConservancyofBC)issupported.

5.5.13.Theownersofagriculturallandsareencouragedtofacilitatetheuseofthelandforagriculturebyactivelyfarming,leasingorloaningtheirlandstopersonsthatwouldundertakeactivefarming.

5.5.14.TheBoardencourageseconomicdiversificationinitiativesaccessorytoandcompatiblewithfarmingthataddvaluetolocallyproducedfarmproductsby:

• Supportingthedevelopmentoffarmoutletsforthesaleoflocalagriculturalproducts;• Permittingroadsidestandsforfarmgatesalesofagriculturalproducts;• Permittingbedandbreakfastsinagriculturalareasandguesthouses/smallscaleagritourismoperationsthat

featurefarmvacationsandfarmingrelatedactivities;and,• Supportinghomeoccupationsthatproducevalueaddedproductsfromlocallyproducedagriculturalproducts.

5.5.20Foodsecurityshouldbesupportedthroughcommunitygardensandagriculturallandtrusts,publicediblelandscaping,responsiblecompostingandanimalrearing,preservationandappropriateuseoftheAgriculturalLandReserve,supportoflocalfoodgrowersandcommunitykitchens,gooddistributionandcookingprogramsforfoodandnutritioneducation.

5.5.21Thefollowingcriteriashallbeusedwhenmakingdecisions,recommendations,settingconditionsofapproval,applicationrequirementsandsettingpolicyforZoningBylawsandDevelopmentPermitAreaguidelinesincludingbutnotlimitedtopermitteduses,non-farmuses,parcelsize,subdivision,DevelopmentVariancePermitsandTemporaryUsePermitsinElectoralAreaD:

• Whatistheagriculturalpotentialofsubject&adjacentparcelsandhowwoulditbeaffected?• WhatistheAgriculturecapabilityrating(CL)oftheland?• Doestheproposal,decisionoractionbenefit/support/restrictfarmingontheproperty?• Doestheproposal,decisionoractionbenefit/support/restrictfarmingonneighbouringproperties?• WhatistheImpactonexistingorpotentialfarmuses?• Whatisthepotentialforconflictbetweenfarmandnon-farmuses?• Whatarethegoodandbadexamplesofsimilarapplications?Whatmighttheprecedencebeofthoserelated

applications,and/orofthisapplication?• Doesitconformtoregional&communityplanningobjectives?• IsthereanalternatelocationoutsideALRwhereauseoractivitycouldbelocated?• WhatalternativesitesoutsidetheALRhavebeenexplored?• Whatarethecumulativenegativeeffectsonagricultureoftheproposalinconjunctionwithother

developmentoccurringinthearea?

5.5.22AgriculturalImpactAssessmentsshouldbeconsideredtomeasuretheimpactsofaproposedmajorrezoning,subdivisionornon-farmuseontheALRorfarmedlands.Mitigationshouldberequiredforidentifiedimpacts.AnAgriculturalImpactAssessmentpreparedbyaqualifiedprofessionalshouldaddressthefollowing:

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• LossofALRlandandexistingagriculturaluse,andconsequentialimpactsonexistingfarmoperationsasaresultofthedevelopmentproposal;

• SeveranceorseparationofALRlandsandareasofexistingagriculturalusefromthemainbodyoftheALR,orfromthemainportionofoperatingfarms;

• LossoralterationofaccesstoALRlandsandexistingagriculturaluse;• DisturbanceofdrainageandaquifersaffectingALRlandsandexistingagriculturaluse;• Disturbanceofon-farmirrigationsystemsorotherutilities;• Disturbanceoffencingandotherworksusedforlivestockcontrolandpropertysecurity;• Increasednoisenearnoise-sensitiveagriculturaloperations;• Increasedpublicaccessandconsequentialproblems(e.g.littering,vandalism,theft,interferencewith

livestocketc.);and• Disturbanceofexistinglivestockandmachinerymovements,eitheron-farmorbetweenfarmproperties.

SLRDAreaDZoningBylawTheSLRDElectoralAreaDZoningBylawwasadoptedinAugust2016.Therearetwoagriculturezones:Agriculture1ZoneandAgriculture2Zone.AlmostalloftheagriculturelandwithinAreaDiszoned‘Agriculture1Zone’.

Definitions:

AGRICULTUREmeanstheuseofland,buildings,andstructuresforthegrowing,producing,raisingorkeepingofanimalsandplants,includingapiculture,andtheprimaryproductsofthoseplantsoranimals.Itincludestheharvesting,processing,storing,andwholesaleofagriculturalproductsproducedfromthesameparcelorsamefarm,farmretailsales,therepairoffarmmachineryandrelatedequipmentusedonthesamefarm.Italsoincludesagroforestry,horseriding,training,andboarding,greenhouseandnurseryuses,butdoesnotincludekennels,petbreeding,oracannabisproductionfacility.

AGRITOURISMACTIVITIESmeans:(a)Thefollowingactivities:

(i)anagriculturalheritageexhibitdisplayedonthefarm.(ii)atourofthefarm,aneducationalactivityordemonstrationinrespectofallorpartofthefarmingoperationsthattakeplaceonthefarm,andactivitiesaccessorytoanyofthese.(iii)cart,sleigh,andtractorridesonthelandcomprisingthefarm.(iv)subjecttoSection2(2)(h)oftheALRUse,Subdivision,andProcedureRegulation,activitiesthatpromoteormarketlivestockfromthefarm,whetherornottheactivityalsoinvolveslivestockfromotherfarms,includingshows,cattledriving,andpettingzoos.(v)dogtrialsheldatthefarm.(vi)harvestfestivalsandotherseasonaleventsheldatthefarmforthepurposeofpromotingormarketingfarmproductsproducedonthefarm.(vii)cornmazespreparedusingcornplantedonthefarm.(viii)servicesthatareancillaryto(i)through(vii)andthatareincompliancewiththeALCAct,andtheALRUse,Subdivision,andProcedureRegulation.

(b)Theactivitiesidentifiedin(a)(i)-(viii):

(i)mustbecarriedoutonlandthatisclassifiedasafarmundertheAssessmentAct.(ii)mustbetowhichmembersofthepublicareordinarilyinvited,withorwithoutafee.(iii)mustnotuse,construct,orerectanypermanentfacilities.Noexistingpermanentfacilitiesmaybeused,orconvertedforuse,withoutanapprovednon-farmuseapplicationandavalidbuildingpermitforassemblyuse.(iv)mustbeincompliancewiththeAgriculturalLandCommissionAct,andtheALRUse,Subdivision,andProcedureRegulation.

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(v)mustbeaccessorytoandrelatedtotheprincipaluseoftheproperty,whichisfarming.(vi)mustbetemporaryandseasonal,andpromoteormarketfarmproductsgrown,raised,orprocessedonthefarm.(vii)mustnotincludeanyaccommodation.

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Appendix3DistrictofSquamishMaps

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Appendix4SLRDAgriculturalLandReserveMap

AgriculturelandintheSLRDAreaD,zonedAGRI1indarkgreen60.

60Squamish-LillooetRegionalDistrictZoningBylawNo.1350-2016.ScheduleB.