Central Saanich council was updated on what’s in store for Island View Beach Park on Monday night.
During Monday’s committees meeting, council and staff heard a presentation from Jeff Ward, manager of planning, resource management and development for the Capital Regional District.
Ward updated council on where the CRD stands with its planning process for Island View Beach Park, noting that a draft management plan for the park will be going to the Regional Parks Committee this spring for review and comment.
Ward said some of the plans from the CRD for Island View Beach Park include maintaining the existing berm and examining the implications of extending the berm to the north, maintaining the existing drainage ditch system and monitoring its effectiveness in reducing the mosquito habitat and continuing the mosquito abatement program.
Ward said there are also plans to examine possible actions to protect and restore the coastal sand dune ecosystem in the area as well as to develop a trail through the coastal wetland ecosystem area.
Central Saanich resident and member of the Island View Ditch and Mosquito Committee Jason Austin addressed council, staff and Ward after the presentation with questions pertaining to the mosquito abatement program and how the CRD plans to control mosquitos on their park land.
Austin added that there was a significant decrease in mosquitos this past year after the district cleared ditches on Puckle Farm which is adjacent to the the park. According to Austin, the level of mosquito control on Puckle Farm (contracted by the district to D.R. Reagan and Associates) was also down, but up in other areas that had not been drained.
Mayor Alastair Bryson requested staff seek additional information from D.R. Reagan and Associates on mosquito increase in other areas and the abatement on Puckle Farm.
