DISTRICT OF SQUAMISH · proofing of all residential and commercial dumpsters and all District garbage cans. • Amend bylaws to better reflect Bear Smart practices and through strict

DISTRICT OF SQUAMISH REPORT TO: Council FOR: Strategy Session REPORT FROM: Bear Aware PRESENTED: December 11, 2007 FILE:

SUBJECT: Amendments to Building Code Bylaw No.1822, Electric Fencing Bylaw No.925, Refuse Collection and Disposal and Sanitary Landfill Site Bylaw No.1083, Wildlife Attractants Bylaw No.1876, Zoning Bylaw No.1342, and a proposed bear/wildlife policy for development permits.

Recommendation: That Council refers to staff the proposed amendments to the Building Code Bylaw No.1822, Electric Fencing Bylaw No.925, Refuse Collection and Disposal and Sanitary Landfill Site Bylaw No 1083, Wildlife Attractants Bylaw No.1876, Zoning Bylaw No.1342 That Council refers to staff the proposed bear/wildlife policy for development permits. That Council supports the continuation of the Bear Aware Program for 2008. CAO Recommendation: THAT the recommendations from Bear Aware be approved. K. Anema, CAO

1. Purpose: • To update Council on the progress of the 2007 Bear Aware Program. • To recommend the implementation of amendments to the regulations governing the storage,

collection, and disposal of garbage and other wildlife attractants. • To ask Council to adopt a bear/wildlife policy for all development permits • To ask Council to support further funding for the Bear Aware Program for 2008.

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2. Time Critical:

Yes, human/bear conflict issues continue to occur. Squamish is third in the province (next to Whistler and Prince George) with total numbers of problem wildlife occurrence reports made to the Conservation Officer Service call centre.

Breakdown of 2006-2007 Squamish bear activity:

2006 2007 Black Grizzly Black Grizzly Calls 402 5 765 16 Attended 56 3 52 5 Relocated 3 1 6 1 Destroyed 5 0 11 0

3. Background: In 2004, 27 bears were destroyed in Squamish due to human/bear conflict issues. Since then, the District of Squamish has made significant strides towards becoming a Bear Smart community through such initiatives as: adoption of Wildlife Attractants Bylaw No. 1876, the completion of a Bear Hazard Assessment and Conflict Management Plan, the continuation of the Bear Aware education program, and the inclusion of a Bear Management section for the amended Official Community Plan.

4. Project Information:

The objectives of the Bear Aware Program are to reduce human/bear conflicts within communities through innovation, co-operation and education. The 2007 Bear Aware program has made significant progress towards these goals. Through innovative strategies, the Bear Aware Program has facilitated improvements to the District of Squamish waste management system; through a generous grant received from the Ministry of Environment under the Bear Smart Community Program, Bear Aware assisted Squamish residents with the retrofitting of garbage totes. Further monies are being allocated to the purchase of bear proof Haul-All bins for the community. Through cooperative partnerships with community stakeholders, Bear Aware has promoted proactive measures to reduce human/bear conflicts. And a thorough educational campaign has raised awareness amongst the residents of Squamish on the need to be Bear Aware. Despite the achievements of the 2007 Bear Aware program, bears continue to be destroyed. The District of Squamish residential and commercial waste management infrastructure is not yet bear proof and so bears continue to become garbage conditioned and human habituated “problem” bears. Because of this, the costly and ineffective management approach of destroying bears will continue until our community shifts from the reactive management of “problem” bears to the proactive management of the attractants that are drawing bears and other wildlife into our community. Garbage contributes to approximately 64% of the calls made to the Conservation Officer Service and remains the highest priority issue that Squamish needs to address. In addition, Squamish is experiencing unprecedented growth and along with this growth is the loss of wildlife


habitat, bringing people closer into contact with bears and bears closer into contact with our garbage. In order to achieve the long-term goal of minimizing the food conditioning of bears in Squamish it is recommended that a multi-tiered approach be implemented. Firstly, that all garbage totes are retrofitted with bear proof locks; additionally, a gradual phasing in of bear proof commercial and residential dumpsters and replacement of all District garbage cans with bear proof models. Secondly, that existing bylaws are amended in order to protect the health, safety and welfare of our community members and to assist in reducing the number of bears needlessly destroyed; strict enforcement of these bylaws is crucial. Thirdly, Bear Smart policies for community development including bear proof waste management, provisions for wildlife corridors and green space, acceptable Bear Smart landscaping plant species, and Bear Aware education that will prevent future developments from becoming bear/human conflict hot spots. As our community makes garbage less accessible, the destruction of garbage conditioned and human habituated bears will be curtailed. The end goal of this approach is to only have to deal with the occasional “first offender” bear through bear aversion techniques in an attempt to prevent the progression to “problem” bear. These non-lethal management techniques are only effective when all garbage is made unavailable. Finally, to ensure that the Bear Aware program goals are attained, it is imperative that the program is further funded and given the ongoing support it requires to succeed. Given this, Squamish can further progress towards becoming a Bear Smart community. RECOMMENDATIONS: • Implement a program to retrofit all existing and future residential totes, phase in the bear

proofing of all residential and commercial dumpsters and all District garbage cans. • Amend bylaws to better reflect Bear Smart practices and through strict bylaw enforcement,

implement a zero tolerance for wildlife attractants that are left accessible to wildlife. • Implement Bear Smart policies for future community developments that address Bear Smart

waste management practices that include the option of centralized waste containment stations, landscaping utilizing Bear Smart plant species guidelines, provisions for green space and wildlife travel corridors, and Bear Aware education.

• Continue efforts to connect planning and decision-making documents to the Bear Conflict Management Plan (McCrory Wildlife Services Ltd.)

• Continue with and extend the Bear Aware Program Coordinator position in order to:

Continue with the current level of community public education and provide continuity by extending the Bear Aware Program Coordinator position throughout the year. Increase public education for new developments, new residents, visitors, seasonal

workers, and film crews. Pursue a Bear Aware educational campaign for all elementary grade school children

throughout the school year. Develop a social responsibility/environmental stewardship program that involves the

older students of Don Ross Senior Secondary and Howe Sound Senior Secondary (in co-operation with School District #48.) Facilitate the creation of a bear/wildlife policy for development permits and assist with

the implementation. Assist in the continued efforts to align planning documents with the Bear Hazard

Assessment and Human/Bear Conflict Prevention Plan. Continue with the Adopt a Bin program in order to replace all District non-bear proof


containers with bear proof models. Continue to educate all local restaurant operators regarding Wildlife Attractants Bylaw

No.1876 and facilitate compliance. Continue door-to-door campaign in areas with known bear activity. Develop a Web page for the Squamish Bear Aware program linked from the District of

Squamish website for educational purposes, sightings, stories, updates etc. Initiate a fruit tree-mapping program to identify fruit trees whose owners are willing to

have the fruit picked and donated to the Squamish Community Harvest Program. To better understand where local bears are most active, compile information on

sightings, travel corridors and habitat. Continue working with Carney’s Waste Systems to phase in bear proof commercial

containers and rectify existing containers in disrepair. Ensure that trail development and maintenance is compliant with the guidelines

proposed in the Human/Bear Conflict Prevention Plan (in conjunction with the District of Squamish Trails Coordinator and the Squamish Trails Society.) Expand the scope of the Bear Aware Coordinator’s authority to include some limited

bylaw enforcement privileges including writing warning tickets for Wildlife Attractants Bylaw No. 1876 non-compliance. Collaborate with the Squamish Lillooet Regional District composing program to help it

comply with Bear Smart guidelines.

The attached proposed amendments are meant to align existing bylaws to the Wildlife Attractant Bylaw No. 1876 and to ensure that all regulations governing the storage, collection, and disposal of garbage and other wildlife attractants are consistent with the Human/Bear Conflict Management Plan. The District of Ucluelet, the Resort Municipality of Whistler, the Village of Lions Bay, the District of Fernie have adopted and amended bylaws relative to the collection, storage, and placement of wildlife attractants and refuse.

5. Department Comments: District of Squamish Bylaw Enforcement and Animal Control are being included as assistance agencies in the joint Conservation Service and RCMP response plan to bear incidents, and collectively, all agencies will seek compliance or be able to enforce municipal bylaws.

6. Policy Implication: (Must be considered and included in all reports even if conclusion is “none”) Bylaws will need to be amended by appropriate departments and brought forward for adoption prior to the 2008 bear season. The Bear/Wildlife policy will need to be approved by the appropriate departments.

7. Alternatives to Staff Recommendation: Staff Recommendation:


That Council refers to staff the proposed amendments to the Building Code Bylaw No.1822, Electric Fencing Bylaw No.925, Refuse Collection and Disposal and Sanitary Landfill Site Bylaw No 1083, Wildlife Attractants Bylaw No.1876, Zoning Bylaw No.1342 That Council instructs staff to implement the proposed bear/wildlife policy for development permits. That Council supports the continuation of the Bear Aware Program for 2008. Alternative: Nil or as Council directs. __________________________________________ Comments: Attachments: Amendments to Building Code Bylaw No.1822, Electric Fencing Bylaw No.925,

Refuse Collection and Disposal and Sanitary Landfill Site Bylaw No.1083, Wildlife Attractants Bylaw No.1876, Zoning Bylaw No.1342

Bear/Wildlife Policy for Development Permits

2007 Year End Bear Aware Report

Amendments to the District of Squamish Building Code Bylaw No. 1822, 2004 INSERT: “10.1.5.8 Applications for standard buildings must include a site plan defining a wildlife proof enclosed area or attached garage for the purpose of storage of refuse and/or refuse containers.” “10.1.5.9 Applications for complex buildings such as multi-family residential, tourist accommodations, commercial, industrial, and institutional uses, must include a site plan defining a wildlife proof enclosed area, or attached garage for the purpose of storage of refuse and/or refuse containers.” “10.1.5.10 All wildlife proof enclosures and/or buildings used for the purpose of refuse and/or refuse container storage must meet the criteria set forth in Schedule B of District of Squamish Refuse Collection and Disposal and Sanitary Landfill Site Bylaw No.1083. 1992.” Amendments to the District of Squamish Electric Fencing Bylaw No. 925, 1976 INSERT: 1. The installation and use of electric and/or barbed wire fences shall be prohibited in Residential II, IIA, III, IV zones, and shall be prohibited in Residential V zones except for the control of animals within the property. “ The installation and use of electric and/or barbed wire fences shall be allowed within all residential zones of the District of Squamish for the purpose of deterring bears and other predators from garbage, livestock, beehives, fruit, and other wildlife attractants, provided the fencing is adequately posted with warning signs.” Amendments to the District of Squamish Refuse Collection and Disposal and Sanitary Landfill Site Bylaw No. 1083, 1992 WHEREAS the District of Squamish deems it necessary and appropriate to establish and maintain a Sanitary Landfill Site within the District of Squamish for refuse and to enter into contracts for maintenance and operation of the Sanitary Landfill site and establish and maintain a system to collect and remove and dispose of refuse and establish a fee structure for the collection, removal and disposal of refuse; and enter into contracts for the collection, removal and disposal of refuse, on terms and conditions prescribed in the by-law: (Amended by Bylaw 1533.) “AND whereas the District of Squamish & Council wishes to make certain amendments to the regulations governing the use of the refuse collection & disposal system to enhance the safety of the community and to discourage human/wildlife interaction and the habituation of wildlife to refuse by denying access to refuse and other wildlife attractants in the District of Squamish.” Definitions: DELETE: Refuse Can INSERT: “Commercial classification means any individual premise such as a warehouse, factory, service station or garage; commercial premises such as retail stores, retail trade and services, wholesale trade, and industrial services; tourist related accommodations and

resort, marine oriented businesses, office buildings, bake shops, restaurants; institutional premises such as hospitals and schools.” Manager shall mean the person managing or receiving the rent for a property on behalf of the property owner. Owner shall mean an owner as defined in the Municipal Act. “Owner shall mean an owner as defined in the Community Charter. “ Refuse means discarded household and trade materials, substances and objects. “Refuse means discarded household, commercial, or trades materials, substances, and objects which could or does attract wildlife.” Wildlife means a bear, cougar, coyote, or wolf. “Wildlife includes any animal that is not normally domesticated including but not limited to raccoons, crows, deer, bears, coyotes, wolves and cougars.” Wildlife attractant means antifreeze, paint, and food products, food waste, compost, and other edible products or waste that could attract Wildlife.” Wildlife attractant means any material, substance, or object with or without an odour, which could attract wildlife or does attract wildlife, including but not limited to domestic garbage, waste, food for human consumption, food for animals (e.g. pet food, livestock feed, birdseed, hummingbird nectar and suet), antifreeze, paint, petroleum products, recycling, game meat, salt and compost waste excluding lawn clippings, leaves and branches.” “Wildlife Proof Residential Container shall mean a fully enclosed container with a sturdy lid capable of being completely closed to reduce odours and secured with a latching device of sufficient strength and design to prevent access by wildlife.” “Wildlife Proof Commercial Container shall mean a receptacle for disposing of commercial waste and constructed of metal and designed to be collected by automated means, and which meets the specification for a wildlife proof commercial container as outlined in Schedule “A” hereto.” SCHEDULE ‘A’ CRITERIA FOR WILDLIFE PROOF COMMERCIAL REFUSE CONTAINER

1. Lids and doors must close tightly to prevent access by wildlife 2. Latches for lids and bag removal must be wildlife proof i.e. claws unable to reach

the latch trigger mechanism. 3. Hinges and latches for lids must be sufficiently strong and must be affixed to the

container such that they cannot be pried open by claws 4. Container must be sufficiently stable or capable of being anchored to prevent

tipping by large animals. 5. Container material must be sufficiently strong to prevent animals chewing,

battering or crushing the container

“Wildlife Proof Enclosure shall mean a structure that has four enclosed sides, a roof, doors and a latching device, of sufficient design and strength to prevent access by wildlife as outlined in Schedule “B” hereto.”

SCHEDULE “B” CRITERIA FOR WILDLIFE PROOF ENCLOSURE

1. Structure must be of sufficient size to allow for bin removal and emptying as well as placement of recycling containers.

2. Foundation of structure must be at least 600mm concrete up stand. 3. Exterior of structure must be made of split face block or hardy plank nailed to

¾” plywood backing with 3 ¼” nails with a minimum gap between sheets and no gap between door and foundation.

4. Must have two separate entrances, one for personnel and one service door. 5. Personnel doors must be constructed of 18-gauge steel, have a self-closing

device, and have a lever opening on interior and turning doorknob on exterior. 6. Service door must be constructed of 18 gauge steel and be a garage door style

with no latches or opening mechanisms located on the exterior. 7. Service doors must have cane bolts on both sides. 8. Enclosures must have interior and exterior lighting. 9. Enclosures must have bear proof venting on the roof of the enclosure e.g.

turbine venting. The District of Squamish Building Inspector must approve any variation from the above requirements. Refuse Collection DELETE 9 (a) Every owner, occupier, or manager of a dwelling shall provide and maintain in good and sufficient order and repair for such dwelling occupied or owned by him, refuse cans, as before defined, in sufficient numbers to contain all the refuse from such dwelling to a maximum of two cans. In the alternative, household refuse may be put out in refuse bags to a maximum of two such bags. (Amended by Bylaw No.1533.) INSERT: 9(b) All refuse cans shall, at all times, be kept on the premises of, or connected with, such building, dwelling and shall be kept on the ground level and readily accessible from the street, lane, side or rear entrance of such dwelling; the District shall have the power to designate the location of such refuse cans (Amended by Bylaw No. 1533) “All garbage, refuse, recycling, food, food waste or other edible waste that does or could attract wildlife shall be stored indoors in an enclosed building or in a wildlife proof enclosure or in a wildlife proof container.” 9(c) All refuse cans or bags shall be accessible to the refuse collector between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on all refuse collection days. “No owner/occupier shall place a refuse container out before 5:00 a.m. on the morning of scheduled refuse collection or leave refuse container out after 7:00 p.m. on the day of scheduled refuse collection.” DELETE 9(h) & 11(a)

INSERT: “Every owner, occupier, or manager of a dwelling that is being vacated must store all garbage, refuse, food, food waste or other edible waste that does or could attract wildlife in a wildlife proof waste container until collection day or shall deliver refuse from the dwelling to the landfill once dwelling has been vacated.” Amendments to District of Squamish Wildlife Attractants Bylaw No. 1876, 2004 Whereas Council of the District of Squamish deems it advisable to regulate refuse and other attractants so as not to attract wildlife “AND whereas the Council of the District of Squamish wishes to make certain amendments to the regulations governing the use of the refuse collection and disposal system to enhance the safety of the community for its residents and whereas the Council deems it necessary to discourage human/wildlife interaction and habituation of wildlife to refuse by denying access to refuse and other wildlife attractants in the District of Squamish.” INTERPRETATIONS: Replace all Resistant with Proof Manager shall mean the person managing or receiving the rent for a property on behalf of the property owner. Occupier shall mean any person occupying any dwelling, habitation or place or residence, bus shall not include any person who is merely a boarder roomer or ledger therein. (Amended by Bylaw No. 1533.) Owner shall mean an owner as defined in the Municipal Act. “Owner shall mean an owner as defined in the Community Charter.” Refuse means discarded household and trade materials, substances and objects. “Refuse means discarded household, commercial, or trades materials, substances, and objects that could or does attract wildlife.” Wildlife attractant means antifreeze, paint, and food products, food waste, compost, and other edible products or waste that could attract Wildlife.” Wildlife attractant means any substance with or without an odour, which could attract wildlife or does attract wildlife, including but not limited to domestic garbage, waste, food for human consumption, food for animals (e.g. pet food, livestock feed, birdseed, hummingbird nectar and suet), antifreeze, paint, petroleum products, recycling, game meat, salt and compost waste excluding lawn clippings, leaves and branches.” Wildlife Resistant Container means a fully enclosed metal container with a sturdy metal lid capable of being completely closed to reduce odours and secured with a latching device of sufficient strength and design to prevent access by wildlife. ”Wildlife Proof Residential Container means a fully enclosed container with a sturdy lid capable of being completely closed to reduce odours and secured with a latching device of sufficient strength and design to prevent access by wildlife.” “Wildlife Proof Commercial Container means a receptacle for disposing of commercial waste and constructed of metal and designed to be collected by automated means, and

which meets the specification for a wildlife proof commercial container as outlined in Schedule “A” of the Squamish Refuse Collection and Disposal and Sanitary Landfill Site Bylaw No. 1083, 1992.” Wildlife Resistant Enclosure means a fully enclosed structure with no more than a 1 cm gap or opening at any location, containing four walls, a roof, and door(s) capable of being securely latched and of sufficient strength and design to prevent access by wildlife. “Wildlife Proof Enclosure means a structure that has four enclosed sides, a roof, doors and a latching device, of sufficient design and strength to prevent access by wildlife as outlined in Schedule “B” of the Squamish Refuse Collection and Disposal and Sanitary Landfill Site Bylaw No. 1083, 1992” INSERT: Every owner or occupier of real property shall ensure that a wildlife resistant container or wildlife resistant enclosure on such real property is: a) maintained in good condition and kept in a clean and sanitary condition; b) kept closed and secure when refuse is not being deposited or emptied; and c) if damaged, repaired within 7 days of the damage occurring. “Every owner, occupier, or manager of real property which uses a wildlife proof container or wildlife proof enclosure is responsible for: a) maintaining the container or enclosure in prime working condition; b) keeping the container or enclosure clean and in a sanitary condition; c) ensuring the container or enclosure is closed and secure when refuse is not being deposited or emptied; and d) ensuring any damages are repaired within 5 days of damage occurring.” Every owner or occupier of real property shall store antifreeze and paint on such real property in such a manner that it is inaccessible to wildlife. “Every owner or occupier of real property shall store antifreeze, paint, and petroleum products on such real property in such a manner that it is inaccessible to wildlife.” “Any restaurant waste grease must be stored such that it is inaccessible to wildlife either inside the primary building or within a wildlife proof container or wildlife proof enclosure.” “Construction Site Refuse Disposal: All construction sites must have a designated container that receives wildlife attractants and any refuse edible by wildlife. This container shall be either a wildlife proof refuse container, or a container that is emptied at the end of each workday and then securely stored inside a trailer or building.” “Filming and Circus/Catering Site Refuse Disposal: All filming and circus/catering sites must have a designated container that receives wildlife attractants and any refuse edible by wildlife. This container shall be either a wildlife proof refuse container, or a container that is emptied at the end of each workday and then securely stored inside a trailer or building.” “Feeding wildlife or depositing attractants with the intent of attracting wildlife is prohibited.”

Amendments to the District of Squamish Zoning Bylaw No.1342 Insert under Definitions: Wildlife Proof Enclosure shall mean a structure that has four enclosed sides, a roof, doors, and a self-latching device, of a design and strength sufficient to prevent access by wildlife, as per criteria listed in Schedule B of the District of Squamish Refuse Collection and Disposal and Sanitary Landfill Site Bylaw No. 1083, 1992. Wildlife Proof Residential Container shall mean a fully enclosed container with a sturdy lid capable of being completely closed to reduce odours and secured with a latching device of sufficient strength and design to prevent access by wildlife. Wildlife Proof Commercial Container shall mean a receptacle for disposing of commercial refuse and constructed of metal and designed to be collected by automated means, and which meets the specification for a wildlife proof container as outlined in Schedule A of the District of Squamish Refuse Collection and Disposal and Sanitary Landfill Site Bylaw No. 1083, 1992. Refuse Management Requirements: Notwithstanding the requirements of this bylaw, refuse management practices for all zones must meet the following conditions:

• All refuse not stored and located within the principal building shall be kept in an wildlife proof enclosure or wildlife proof container;

• All refuse storage for multi-family residential, tourist accommodation, commercial, industrial and institutional uses must include a wildlife proof container, an attached garage or wildlife proof enclosure for the purpose of storage for refuse and/or refuse containers.

• All refuse enclosures are viewed as an accessory structure and must adhere to applicable specifications for each zone and the requirements part of Section 4.4 of this Bylaw and as outlined in Schedule B of the District of Squamish Refuse Collection and Disposal and Sanitary Landfill Site Bylaw No. 1083, 1992.

• All wildlife proof enclosures for storage of refuse shall be visually screened from all adjacent sites and public thoroughfares

• All wildlife proof enclosures for storage of refuse must adhere to designated setbacks in respective land-use zones; and all refuse management practices shall conform to the regulations in accordance with the District of Squamish Refuse Collection and Disposal and Sanitary Landfill Site Bylaw No. 1083, 1992 and District of Squamish Wildlife Attractants Bylaw No. 1876, 2004

Bear/Wildlife Policy for Development Permits: PURPOSE: The intent of this policy is to reduce the frequency and intensity of human-bear conflicts. By enacting pro-active Bear Smart conservation strategies such as bear-proof waste containment systems, Bear Smart landscaping, allowances for travel corridors and adequate greenspace, and Bear Aware education for all new developments, the District of Squamish will assure the health, safety and welfare of the community and will reduce the unnecessary destruction of bears/wildlife. GUIDING PRINCIPLES:

• To ensure the safety and well being of all residents and visitors of Squamish

• To create a shift from the reactive management of “problem” bears to the proactive management of the attractants that draw bears into the community

• That the natural environment and biodiversity that characterizes the Squamish Valley is a critical asset that must be preserved and protected

• To provide for green spaces of adequate proportions and allow for wildlife habitat

• To communicate the importance of practicing Bear Smart practices to all future developments

• To provide a checklist for planning boards in reviewing applications for development (compliance with the checklist items is a condition of permit approval)

• To address bear/wildlife concerns with regards to new developments, the bear/wildlife habitat and travel corridor map must be reviewed. In addition, criteria should be developed for the size of wildlife corridors, how they may be used for multiple activities, an overall corridor plan showing existing and future links in areas with potential for future developments, and these criteria and plans should be approved by qualified professionals.

• Using the Human/Bear Conflict Prevention Plan prepared by Wayne McCRory of McCrory Wildlife Services Ltd., bear/wildlife concerns can be addressed with regards to new developments, the placement of new schools and the building of new trails.

POLICY: This policy applies to all applications for new development requiring site plan review and applications for the subdivision of land.

1. All garbage/refuse containers will be wildlife proof or stored in a wildlife proof enclosure (Refer to District of Squamish Refuse Collection and Disposal and Sanitary Landfill Site Bylaw No.1083, 1992, for specific wildlife proof definitions and enclosure criteria.) OR the option of a centralized waste containment system offering disposal service to every 25 houses within a neighborhood.

2. All landscaping must follow Bear Smart landscaping guidelines (a list of plant species that are known black and grizzly bear attractants is available from the District of Squamish Planning Department.) and all landscaping in parks or pedestrian walkways should avoid plantings of species that provide food for bears.

3. All new homeowners/occupiers must be provided with a copy of the District of Squamish Wildlife Attractant Bylaw No.1876, 2005 and Bear Aware educational information.

4. All public space areas e.g. playgrounds, trailheads, parks must be supplied with Bear Proof garbage receptacles.

RESPONSIBILITY: Council is responsible for implementation of this Policy, and in consultation with Council, the Planning Department is responsible for the facilitation of this Policy with assistance from the Bear Aware Coordinator, the Bylaw Enforcement Office and the Conservation Officer Service. PROCEDURES: This Policy shall be reviewed and amended as and when required by Council. REFERENCES: “Bear Hazard Assessment/Problem Analysis Report and Bear-People Conflict Prevention Plan for District of Squamish, B.C.” Wayne McRory, RPBio. “Land Use Code” Chapter 7: Development Standards. Pitkin County, Colorado. “Innovative Land Use Planning Techniques: A Handbook for Sustainable Development.” New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services. DISTRIBUTION: Mayor and Council, Chief Administrative Officer, Department Heads, Administrative Services Department for Policy Records and Files.

2007 Squamish Bear Aware Program ________________________________________________________________

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2007 SQUAMISH BEAR AWARE PROGRAM

Year End Report “To reduce human/bear conflicts in communities through education, cooperation and innovation” Prepared by: Meg Toom Date: November 16, 2007

Year End Report Page: 1


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INTRODUCTION: The objective of the Bear Aware Program is to reduce human/bear conflicts within communities through innovation, co-operation and education. The 2007 Bear Aware program has made significant progress towards these goals. Through innovative strategies, the Bear Aware Program has facilitated improvements to the District of Squamish waste management system; through a generous grant received from the Ministry of Environment under the Bear Smart Community Program, Bear Aware assisted Squamish residents with the retrofitting of garbage totes. Further monies are being allocated to the purchase of bear proof Haul-All bins for the community. Through cooperative partnerships with community stakeholders, Bear Aware has promoted proactive measures to assist in the reduction of human/bear conflicts. In addition, a thorough educational campaign has raised awareness amongst the residents of Squamish on the need to be Bear Aware. Breakdown of 2006 -2007 Squamish bear activity: 2006 2007 Black Grizzly Black Grizzly Calls 402 5 695 16Attended 56 3 52 5Relocated 3 1 6 1Destroyed 5 0 11 0

Summarized historical bear activity for Squamish (2003 -2007):

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 AverageApril n/a 4 15 9 25 13.25May 3 28 22 56 56June 8 21 40 117 77 52.6July 17 39 30 27 119 46.4August 11 130 12 80 227 92Septembe

33

r 19 290 9 83 108 101.8October 22 142 53 45 108 74November 2 23 15 5 34Totals 82 677 196 422 754

15.8



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Calls per Month

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350

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MayJu

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20032004200520062007

Chart 1: calls per month by year

Average Calls per Month (2003-2007)

0

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Chart 2: average calls per month



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Attractants1%1% 2% 2%

5%

9%

16%

64%

BIRD FEEDERS

FREEZER

BARBEQUE

LIVESTOCK

BERRY BUSHES

FRUIT TREES

OTHER

GARBAGE

Chart 3: attractants breakdown

INNOVATION: Through innovative strategies, the 2007 Bear Aware Program has successfully made improvements to the District of Squamish waste management system and in turn has positioned Squamish closer to its goal of becoming a Bear Smart community.

• Through a generous grant received from the Ministry of Environment under the Bear Smart Community Program, Bear Aware was able to assist Squamish residents with the retrofitting of their garbage totes. Monies from the grant were allocated to neighbourhoods that were known high bear activity areas. These areas were determined through analysis of the Problem Wildlife Occurrence Reports (PWOR’s), phone calls to the Bear Aware office and through word of mouth. Priority was given to areas where residents had limited options on where to store their totes and areas where bears were known to be accessing garbage. 256 letters were hand delivered to residents with the offer that Bear Aware would pay 50% of the cost to have their totes retrofitted. Approximately 76 residents have purchased locks for their totes through the Bear Aware subsidy program; the strata for a 27-unit townhouse complex utilized the 50% offer letter and are now successfully keeping bears out of garbage. With remaining funds, bear proof Haul-All bins will be purchased for the community.

• With additional funding from the Ministry of Environment through the Bear Smart Community Program, Bear Aware purchased 5000 magnets that will be mailed out



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with residents’ utilities in the spring of 2008. The messaging is to secure all garbage and be Bear Aware and the Conservation Officer phone number is included.

• In an innovative attempt to reduce human/bear conflict issues, Bear Aware approached the developer of University Heights subdivision, a 50-acre 200 home development situated in prime black bear habitat, about incorporating Bear Smart guidelines within his development. The developer, Mr. Day, agreed to retrofit all totes for residents, to implement Bear Smart landscaping guidelines, to install bear proof garbage receptacles in all parks/green spaces, and to ensure that each resident receives an information package regarding living in bear country. An article in the nationally distributed Globe and Mail brought much awareness to the need for developers to practice Bear Smart principles when developing land (see attached article.)

• An innovative step was taken towards reducing the number of bears accessing garbage on garbage collection days. In partnership with Carney’s Waste Systems, the District of Squamish Director of Operations and Bear Aware, a few changes to the garbage collection schedules were made. Neighbourhoods that were adjacent to green space and travel corridors where bears were known to be using the dense cover for protection, had their schedules altered to an earlier garbage collection time. These time changes were a proactive step in the attempt to reduce the opportunity for bears to stage garbage excursions on full totes from safe cover.

• The District of Squamish purchased a Bear Aware banner for the entrance to the community. This banner informs both residents and visitors entering the community that Squamish is bear country and that people need to be Bear Aware.

• The continuation of the innovative Adopt-a-Can program resulted in the purchase of six new bear proof receptacles for use in community areas where bears were accessing garbage i.e. Brennan Park adjacent to the skateboard park.

• The Squamish Bear Network, the volunteer group who worked so closely with the Bear Aware Program over the past three years, disbanded and the volunteers were left with the prospect of having no leadership; they have now become volunteers under the Bear Aware umbrella.

CO-OPERATION: Each success experienced by the 2007 Bear Aware program was due to the co-operation of and partnership with many committed parties.

• In co-operation with the Conservation Officer Service, Bear Aware was given access to the daily Problem Wildlife Occurrence Reports (PWOR’S) that detail all calls coming in to the Conservation Officer call centre. Any PWOR’s that were related to attractant management were either followed up by Bear Aware or forwarded to the Bylaw Enforcement Office providing an effective form of communication between Bylaw, Bear Aware and the Conservation Officer Service.



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• In co-operation with the Bylaw Enforcement Office, there were a few opportunities for Bear Aware to participate in follow up visits to calls related to bears in garbage (any PWOR’s pertaining to bears accessing non-natural attractants were communicated to the Bylaw Office.) These cooperative ventures were opportunities to show residents that Bear Aware and Bylaw Enforcement work together to educate the public. To date, no Municipal Information Tickets (MTI’S) have been issued.

• The Conservation Officer Service and the Bylaw Enforcement Officer made one neighbourhood patrol together on a campaign to enforce Wildlife Attractant Bylaw No. 1876. In addition, the Conservation Officer Service independently performed numerous neighbourhood patrols where Dangerous Wildlife Protection Orders (DWPO’s) were issued.

• In co-operation with the R.C.M.P., Bear Aware was able to make presentations to the rotating shifts regarding the role of Bear Aware. Squamish Bylaw Enforcement was in attendance to explain Wildlife Attractants Bylaw No.1876 and the role of the Bylaw Officer. In partnership with the Conservation Officer Service and the R.C.M.P., Bear Aware assisted in the facilitation of aversive conditioning training for several R.C.M.P. officers.

• In co-operation with Carney’s Waste Systems and the District of Squamish Director of Operations, Bear Aware was able to make changes to the garbage collection schedules. These proactive measures reduced the potential for bears accessing garbage.

• In co-operation with the District of Squamish Director of Planning, additional criteria on bear management is now included in the Official Community Plan draft.

• In co-operation with the Senior Environmental Planner with the SLRD, recommendations from Bear Aware to strengthen the human/bear conflict management section of the plan are in the process of being reviewed.

• In a co-operative effort Bear Aware organized a meeting with the owners of McDonalds, Capilano College, School District #48 Director of Facilities and Services, District Trails Coordinator and District Director of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism to discuss the issue of garbage along the Discovery Trail. A solution to the problem was reached with the installation of two new bear proof bins and the combined efforts of all to maintain the trail. (Attempts to involve the School District Superintendent were unsuccessful and will be followed up when the Bear Aware program commences in the spring of 2008.)

• In a co-operative effort, Bear Aware and Carney’s Waste Systems have been working together to replace all damaged and/or non bear proof commercial dumpsters with bear proof models. Any broken dumpsters that are noted by Bear Aware are called in to Carney’s Waste Systems.

• In a co-operative gesture, the District of Squamish has been assisting the Bear Aware Adopt a Can program by transporting and installing all adopted bear proof bins and providing the concrete pad if required. These measures reduce the cost to the adoptee and create more incentives for their purchase.



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• Bear Aware, in co-operation with the District of Squamish, compiled a School District #48 human/bear conflict prevention report.

• In co-operation with the District of Squamish, proper management of attractants is now included on the District website under the information section for film industry permits.

• Bear Aware facilitated a bear working group meeting that resulted in the Administrator of Totem Hall ordering thirteen garbage tote locks for the Squamish Nation Kowtain Reserve. Bear Aware followed up with door-to-door education to the reservation residents on how and why to use their new locks.

• In co-operation with the Squamish Bear Network, numerous garbage patrols were performed. These garbage patrols were opportunities to inform residents of the need to keep their garbage totes secure until the morning of collection in accordance with Wildlife Attractants Bylaw No. 1876. It was also an opportunity to leave information regarding being Bear Aware. The addresses once recorded were forwarded to the Bylaw Enforcement office for follow up.

• In co-operation with numerous volunteers from the Squamish Bear Network, Bear Aware was able to continue with the Community Harvest fruit-picking program. Roughly a thousand pounds of fruit was picked and distributed within the community to non-profit organizations.

• In co-operation with the Howe Sound Senior Secondary High School, a volunteer student assisted the Bear Aware program with door-to-door canvassing, garbage patrols and with the placement and removal of Bear in Area signs.

EDUCATION:

Education is the key component to the success of the Bear Aware Program. A thorough educational campaign was launched and the residents of Squamish learned about basic bear behaviour and biology, seasonal bear activities, attractant control, bear safety, and what they could do to reduce human/bear conflicts and the needless destruction of bears.

PRESENTATIONS, BOOTHS, MEDIA:

• Bear Aware facilitated an article that was printed in the Globe and Mail regarding local developer Doug Day and the 200 home subdivision he is developing at University Heights. Bear Aware approached Mr. Day with the idea to apply Bear Smart principles to the building of his subdivision and the article was printed nationwide.

• Bear Aware approached Global TV regarding an interview on the Morning Show. An interview with Bear Aware along with Dave Jevons from the Conservation Officer Service was aired across B.C. showing the two organizations sitting down together illustrating the partnership that occurs in the push to decrease human/bear conflict issues.

• 28 presentations were given and 6 community booths

• Six local Mountain FM interviews



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• Numerous columns in The Chief and a weekly bear sightings map

• Three Channel 10 interviews

• A Bear Aware entry in the 2007/2008 Squamish Community Resource & Business Directory and in the spring and fall Recreation Program Guide from Brennan Park.

• A spring and fall Bear Aware column appeared in the District of Squamish Council Chronicles.

LITERATURE: To ensure visibility of and a sense of familiarity with the program, Bear Aware pamphlets along with bylaw flyers, door hangers, and tote locking flyers were distributed throughout the community.

• In June, 1600 Bear Aware pamphlets were distributed to all elementary school students prior to their leaving for summer holidays.

• Over the course of May-November numerous Bear Aware pamphlets and visitor guides were distributed to tourist destinations, coffee shops and restaurants, Totem Hall, Squamish Library, Brennan Park, etc.

• Numerous Bear Aware pamphlets and bylaw flyers were distributed to various real estate companies with a request for inclusion with the new homeowners’ packets.

• Over 500 Bear Aware pamphlets and bylaw flyers were distributed to residents through door-to-door canvassing and garbage patrols.

• Numerous pamphlets and flyers were distributed during presentations and booths.

BEAR IN AREA SIGNS: Rotating “Bear in Area” signs were installed throughout the community according to the sightings recorded in the PWOR’s. These signs were effective in alerting the public to bear activity and they included the Conservation Officer phone line along with messaging on securing all garbage and picking fruit in order to keep the bears moving on. CONCLUSION: Despite the achievements of the 2007 Bear Aware program, bears continue to be destroyed. The District of Squamish residential and commercial waste management infrastructure is not yet bear proof and so bears continue to become garbage conditioned and human habituated “problem” bears. Because of this, the costly and ineffective management approach of destroying bears will continue until our community shifts from the reactive management of “problem” bears to the proactive management of the attractants that are drawing bears and other wildlife into our community. Garbage contributes to approximately 64% of the calls made to the Conservation Officer Service and remains the highest priority issue that Squamish needs to address. In addition,



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Squamish is experiencing unprecedented growth and along with this growth is the loss of wildlife habitat, bringing people closer into contact with bears and bears closer into contact with our garbage. In order to achieve the long-term goals of minimizing the non-natural food conditioning of bears in Squamish and protecting the safety and welfare of the community, it is recommended that a multi-tiered approach be implemented. Firstly, that all garbage totes are retrofitted with bear proof locks; additionally, a phasing in of bear proof commercial and residential dumpsters and replacement of all District garbage cans with bear proof models. Secondly, that existing bylaws are amended in order to protect the health, safety and welfare of our community members and to assist in reducing the number of bears needlessly destroyed; strict enforcement of these bylaws is crucial. Thirdly, Bear Smart policies for community development including Bear Smart waste management, providing for wildlife corridors and green space, including acceptable Bear Smart landscaping plant species, and Bear Aware education that will prevent future developments from becoming bear/human conflict hot spots. As our community makes garbage less accessible, the destruction of garbage conditioned and human habituated bears will be curtailed. The end goal of this approach is to deal with the occasional “first offender” bear through non-lethal management techniques in an attempt to prevent the progression to “problem” bear. These non-lethal management techniques are only effective when all garbage is made unavailable. Finally, to ensure that the Bear Aware program goals are attained, it is imperative that the program is further funded and given the ongoing support it requires to succeed. Given this, Squamish can further progress towards becoming a Bear Smart community. RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Implement a program to retrofit all existing and future residential totes, phase in the bear proofing of all residential and commercial dumpsters and all District garbage cans.

• Amend bylaws to better reflect Bear Smart practices and through strict bylaw enforcement, implement a zero tolerance for wildlife attractants that are left accessible to wildlife.

• Implement Bear Smart policies for future community developments that address Bear Smart waste management practices that include the option of centralized waste containment stations, landscaping utilizing Bear Smart plant species guidelines, provisions for green space and wildlife travel corridors, and Bear Aware education.

• Continue efforts to connect planning and decision-making documents to the Bear Conflict Management Plan (McCrory Wildlife Services Ltd.)

• Continue with and extend the Bear Aware Program Coordinator position in order to:

Continue with the current level of community public education and provide continuity by extending the Bear Aware Program Coordinator position throughout the year.

Increase public education for new developments, new residents,



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visitors, seasonal workers, and film crews. Pursue a Bear Aware educational campaign for all elementary grade

school children throughout the school year. Develop a social responsibility/environmental stewardship program that

involves the older students of Don Ross Senior Secondary and Howe Sound Senior Secondary (in co-operation with School District #48.) Facilitate the creation of a bear/wildlife policy for development permits

and assist with the implementation. Assist in the continued efforts to align planning documents with the Bear

Hazard Assessment and Human/Bear Conflict Prevention Plan. Continue with the Adopt a Bin program in order to replace all District non-

bear proof containers with bear proof models. Continue to educate all local restaurant operators regarding Wildlife

Attractants Bylaw No.1876 and facilitate compliance. Continue door to door campaign in areas with known bear activity. Develop a Web page for the Squamish Bear Aware program linked from

the District of Squamish website for educational purposes, sightings, stories, updates etc. Initiate a fruit tree mapping program to identify fruit trees whose owners

are willing to have the fruit picked and donated to the Squamish Community Harvest Program. To better understand where local bears are most active, compile

information on sightings, travel corridors and habitat. Continue working with Carney’s Waste Systems to phase in bear proof

commercial containers and rectify existing containers in disrepair. Ensure that trail development and maintenance is compliant with the

guidelines proposed in the Human/Bear Conflict Prevention Plan (in conjunction with the District of Squamish Trails Coordinator and the Squamish Trails Society.) Expand the scope of the Bear Aware Coordinator’s authority to include

some limited bylaw enforcement privileges including writing warning tickets for Wildlife Attractants Bylaw No. 1876 non-compliance. Collaborate with the Squamish Lillooet Regional District composing

program to help it comply with Bear Smart guidelines.



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LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION:

British Columbia 2007-11-27 Jacques Drisdelle Bear Aware 102-197, N. 2nd Ave. Williams Lake BC V2G 1Z5 RE: Squamish Bear Aware Coordinator

Dear Mr. Drisdelle: The Conservation Officer Service fully supports a bear aware coordinator position in Squamish. The District of Squamish has taken significant steps to becoming a bear smart community. Unfortunately, black and grizzly bear/human conflicts continue to be a significant issue in Squamish. Further steps need to happen to mitigate conflict. The bear aware coordinator is able to provide consistent messaging and is an effective liaison between the COS, the public and District of Squamish Staff.

Meg Toom has done a great job as bear aware coordinator and is an asset to the community of Squamish. We would like to see her back in 2008.

Yours truly,

Chris Doyle Field Supervisor Fraser River North Zone



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GLOBE AND MAIL ARTICLE:

Builder goes the bear-friendly route

As developers push into wilderness areas, new strategies are being sought to protect homebuyers and animals alike

CATHRYN ATKINSON

Special to The Globe and Mail

November 2, 2007

SQUAMISH, B.C. -- When developer Doug Day started selling lots for the University Heights subdivision in Squamish, B.C., he knew his new 200-home development was smack in the middle of bear country, and he knew the difficulties that came with it.

Because many local black bears have become accustomed to picking easy meals out of the town's garbage bins, dozens of the animals, and the occasional grizzly, are killed in the region every year by conservation officers.

Mr. Day didn't like that option.

"I'm a big bear fan - I absolutely love them," he said. "Shooting them is ridiculous, almost criminal. They were there first and it's up to us to keep the garbage away from them."

University Heights is a 50-acre mountain-top project of high-end "Whistler-style" duplexes and single-family houses with a sweeping panorama of the town, Howe Sound and the surrounding Coastal mountain range. About 15 lots remain unsold and prices start at $350,000.

The development is next to the campus of Quest University Canada, a non-profit private university that opened its doors to students in September. Both were carved out of the forests adjacent to the Garibaldi Highlands area of Squamish.

"If you're developing in a place like Squamish, then it's really quite special," said Mr. Day. "Part of that are bears and cougars and whatever the hell is also wandering around out there. We've got to co-habit."



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It takes just two weeks, experts say, for bears that had previously eaten only foraged berries, plants and carrion to get hooked on human refuse, with the chance of confrontation increased. Fall is an especially dangerous time, with black bears needing to consume 20,000 calories a day prior to winter hibernation time.

So when Squamish District's local Bear Aware program co-ordinator, Meg Toom, suggested working together to give University Heights bear-saving design details, Mr. Day jumped at the opportunity.

"Squamish bills itself as the Outdoor Recreational Capital of Canada, which is true, but we've got to walk the walk," he said. "We heard about Bear Smart and it sounded like a good idea."

Bear Smart guidelines were created by the provincial government three years ago to encourage communities to protect the animals.

As a result, University Heights will be one of the few new developments in the province to incorporate Bear Smart principles.

Mr. Day has agreed to retrofit each home's garbage tote with a lock, practice Bear Smart landscaping by using plant species that won't attract bears, and ensure that each resident gets an information package on living in bear country. As well, all parks and green spaces will have bear-proof garbage receptacles installed.

Having University Heights built along these lines is "incredibly significant", said Ms. Toom.

"Doug is very gung-ho. He is setting a huge precedent for the rest of the community and for future developers," she said. "I think this is an attractive thing for people who want to buy at University Heights. So many of them like the outdoorsy lifestyle of Squamish and they see this as a big plus."

And with the town set to double in population in the next 15 to 20 years from 16,000 to around 35,000, said Ms. Toom, the potential for bear-human conflict is unlikely to lessen without such deliberate action.

"I think it is absolutely essential that we get to developers early on. A lot of people come from Vancouver and don't realize they are living in bear country. Just letting them know and telling them what they need to do is pretty straight-forward stuff," she said.

"The entire Garibaldi bench land is always going to have bears going through, because of the creek bed that runs through there."

Ms. Toom would eventually like to see a local developer take on the idea of centralized refuse drop-offs similar to those in use in Canmore, Alta. There, a large animal-proof



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dumpster takes all the garbage in every 25-home area, and removes the temptation by using a receptacle that can't be broken into.

"It took Canmore a while to get into it, but more and more residents there love it and want it in their own neighbourhoods," Ms. Toom said. "It costs more, but it is proving very popular."

Ms. Toom said she is working to establish an accreditation program for developers who want to practice Bear Smart principles.

"Let's give them something they could put on their brochures or on their websites that could say they are building on bear-friendly lines. It would certainly add to the attraction," she said.

Mr. Day said University Heights has already been built to Green B.C. Gold standards, with the highest-rated energy efficient windows, appliances, lighting and insulation. As well, each property will use geothermal technology for heating and cooling systems, and use the most up-to-date storm water management systems to prevent pollutants being washed into nearby creeks.

Managing wildlife, he said, is one more way to create a green community.

"At the end of the day, Bear Smart will help save many animals," he said. "We just need to keep them in the forest so there is no reason for them to come into our back yards."


Documents

DISTRICT OF SQUAMISH · proofing of all residential and commercial dumpsters and all District garbage cans. • Amend bylaws to better reflect Bear Smart practices and through strict