Islands Trust, on behalf of the Galiano Island Local Trust Committee, has filed a petition in the BC Supreme Court in order to preserve the unique environment of Wise Island, an island within the Galiano Island Local Trust Area. The claim seeks remediation of a property on Wise Island where trees were cut without a permit in an area protected by a Shoreline and Marine Development Permit Area.

The Galiano Island Local Trust Committee’s Shoreline and Marine Development Permit Area safeguards sensitive shorelines, and outlines regulations and guidelines for development. As required by the Galiano Island Official Community Plan, known as Bylaw 108, physical and ecological characteristics of shorelines in the Galiano Island Local Trust Area must be carefully managed to avoid potential negative impacts of development. The Galiano Island Local Trust Committee has been addressing this breach of Bylaw 108 with the property owner since 2022 and has provided several opportunities for compliance. Legal proceedings are the last course of action for Islands Trust, but are pursued where necessary.

“The Islands Trust mandate is to preserve and protect the lands and waters in the Trust Area, including Galiano Island, and this includes sensitive shorelines,” said Tim Peterson, Galiano Island Local Trust Committee Chair. “While legal action is never taken lightly, in this instance, court-ordered remediation is the most effective step to safeguard these delicate ecosystems.”

Islands Trust, like local governments, follows a complaint-based bylaw enforcement and compliance process. While most bylaw investigations are prompted by community complaints, staff may also initiate investigations when there are concerns related to health and safety or potential harm to environmentally sensitive areas. Both the Islands Trust Council and local trust committees can establish general bylaw compliance and enforcement policies to prioritize investigations.