Climate Adaptation

Share Climate Adaptation on Facebook Share Climate Adaptation on Twitter Share Climate Adaptation on Linkedin Email Climate Adaptation link

North Cowichan is launching a process to make its plans, operations, and infrastructure more resilient to climate hazards. We are developing a Climate Adaptation Strategy that will help North Cowichan respond to the effects of extreme weather on our local infrastructure, natural environment, economy, and community well-being.

Extreme weather events are increasing in intensity and frequency in our region. North Cowichan has a diverse geography, including over 40 kilometers of coastline, rivers, creeks and lakes, and a mix of rural and urban lands. The first phase of this project will identify the existing risks and vulnerabilities in our boundaries, through a ‘risk and vulnerability assessment.’

This project will build off recent work completed by the Cowichan Valley Regional District. North Cowichan’s Climate Adaptation Strategy will dive into our local context and develop actions related to our municipal operations that will address local risks and identify opportunities to enhance community preparedness.


Project Updates

Thank you to all who participated in the survey and asked questions regarding the project.

  • Watch or Read: October 10, 2023 Report to Committee of the Whole and supporting documents (Presentation of engagement results as part of a 'What We Heard' report)
  • Watch or Read: January 9, 2024 Report to Committee of the Whole and supporting documents (Presentation of risk and vulnerability assessment findings)
  • Watch or Read: June 19, 2024 Report to Council and supporting documents (Presentation of draft Climate Adaptation Strategy)

The draft report outlines adaptation pathways and supporting actions in order to address findings from previous phases of work on this project. This includes public, interested party and First Nations engagement, as well as the risk and vulnerability assessment results. The draft report has been referred to the Environmental Advisory Committee and Agricultural Advisory Committee for feedback.


North Cowichan is launching a process to make its plans, operations, and infrastructure more resilient to climate hazards. We are developing a Climate Adaptation Strategy that will help North Cowichan respond to the effects of extreme weather on our local infrastructure, natural environment, economy, and community well-being.

Extreme weather events are increasing in intensity and frequency in our region. North Cowichan has a diverse geography, including over 40 kilometers of coastline, rivers, creeks and lakes, and a mix of rural and urban lands. The first phase of this project will identify the existing risks and vulnerabilities in our boundaries, through a ‘risk and vulnerability assessment.’

This project will build off recent work completed by the Cowichan Valley Regional District. North Cowichan’s Climate Adaptation Strategy will dive into our local context and develop actions related to our municipal operations that will address local risks and identify opportunities to enhance community preparedness.


Project Updates

Thank you to all who participated in the survey and asked questions regarding the project.

  • Watch or Read: October 10, 2023 Report to Committee of the Whole and supporting documents (Presentation of engagement results as part of a 'What We Heard' report)
  • Watch or Read: January 9, 2024 Report to Committee of the Whole and supporting documents (Presentation of risk and vulnerability assessment findings)
  • Watch or Read: June 19, 2024 Report to Council and supporting documents (Presentation of draft Climate Adaptation Strategy)

The draft report outlines adaptation pathways and supporting actions in order to address findings from previous phases of work on this project. This includes public, interested party and First Nations engagement, as well as the risk and vulnerability assessment results. The draft report has been referred to the Environmental Advisory Committee and Agricultural Advisory Committee for feedback.


Do you have a question about the Climate Adaptation project?

Ask your question here (questions will be answered in 3-4 business days).

You need to be signed in to add your question.

  • Share In light of the increase in forest fires across BC, is there a recognition that our wetlands are integral in the relatively low occurrence of forest fires on Vancouver Island? Will North Cowichan stop permitting the infill of lowlands, as is evidenced all along the Hwy between Chemainus and Duncan, for development ? Please give a more comprehensive answer than just addressing this strip of highway. There are lowlands spread throughout the valley. on Facebook Share In light of the increase in forest fires across BC, is there a recognition that our wetlands are integral in the relatively low occurrence of forest fires on Vancouver Island? Will North Cowichan stop permitting the infill of lowlands, as is evidenced all along the Hwy between Chemainus and Duncan, for development ? Please give a more comprehensive answer than just addressing this strip of highway. There are lowlands spread throughout the valley. on Twitter Share In light of the increase in forest fires across BC, is there a recognition that our wetlands are integral in the relatively low occurrence of forest fires on Vancouver Island? Will North Cowichan stop permitting the infill of lowlands, as is evidenced all along the Hwy between Chemainus and Duncan, for development ? Please give a more comprehensive answer than just addressing this strip of highway. There are lowlands spread throughout the valley. on Linkedin Email In light of the increase in forest fires across BC, is there a recognition that our wetlands are integral in the relatively low occurrence of forest fires on Vancouver Island? Will North Cowichan stop permitting the infill of lowlands, as is evidenced all along the Hwy between Chemainus and Duncan, for development ? Please give a more comprehensive answer than just addressing this strip of highway. There are lowlands spread throughout the valley. link

    In light of the increase in forest fires across BC, is there a recognition that our wetlands are integral in the relatively low occurrence of forest fires on Vancouver Island? Will North Cowichan stop permitting the infill of lowlands, as is evidenced all along the Hwy between Chemainus and Duncan, for development ? Please give a more comprehensive answer than just addressing this strip of highway. There are lowlands spread throughout the valley.

    M Lescher asked 4 months ago

    Thank you for your interest in this project.  The Risk and Vulnerability Assessment looked at the vulnerability of municipal services on several climate hazards, including wildfire. One of the risk areas identified includes the potential for limited developable areas due to increased wildfire protection requirements, capital costs and insurance premiums. This project does not speak to different land uses or ecosystem features.  

    North Cowichan's Development Permit Areas and the provincial Riparian Areas Protection Regulation are two methods currently used to protect wetlands. Work is about to start on a Natural Asset Management Plan to look at designating streams and wetlands as natural assets that will be incorporated into our stormwater infrastructure. Through a service agreement with Somenos Marsh Wildlife Society, we are working to protect and restore the Somenos wetland and conservation area.

    The Municipality of North Cowichan analyzed its wildfire risk in the 2020 Community Wildfire Protection Plan. For more information, please visit https://www.northcowichan.ca/our-communities/forestry/wildfire-protection

    Planning staff are currently working on implementing the recent updates made to the Official Community Plan (OCP). In this OCP, the Urban Containment Boundary has been tightened to prevent inappropriate development of lowland greenfield sites and focus growth to existing built areas. Part of these updates contain enhanced environmental considerations for future developments. For more information on the 2022 OCP, please visit https://www.northcowichan.ca/business-development/community-planning/official-community-plan. The growth management section can be found in Section 3, starting on page 33.

  • Share Does North Cowichan have a policy on naturalized/drought resistant lawns? I’m interested in rewilding my lawn with native, pollinator-friendly, drought resistant plants but I’m concerned that this may be against North Cowichan’s bylaws (which seem somewhat vague). I plan to keep invasive species and noxious weeds under control but hope to let the native plants grow out, to an reasonable extent. Is it likely that this will get my home flagged as a nuisance property if this is done intentionally? Is there a more detailed policy, or better, a set of guidelines for doing this? Thank you for taking the climate crisis seriously! on Facebook Share Does North Cowichan have a policy on naturalized/drought resistant lawns? I’m interested in rewilding my lawn with native, pollinator-friendly, drought resistant plants but I’m concerned that this may be against North Cowichan’s bylaws (which seem somewhat vague). I plan to keep invasive species and noxious weeds under control but hope to let the native plants grow out, to an reasonable extent. Is it likely that this will get my home flagged as a nuisance property if this is done intentionally? Is there a more detailed policy, or better, a set of guidelines for doing this? Thank you for taking the climate crisis seriously! on Twitter Share Does North Cowichan have a policy on naturalized/drought resistant lawns? I’m interested in rewilding my lawn with native, pollinator-friendly, drought resistant plants but I’m concerned that this may be against North Cowichan’s bylaws (which seem somewhat vague). I plan to keep invasive species and noxious weeds under control but hope to let the native plants grow out, to an reasonable extent. Is it likely that this will get my home flagged as a nuisance property if this is done intentionally? Is there a more detailed policy, or better, a set of guidelines for doing this? Thank you for taking the climate crisis seriously! on Linkedin Email Does North Cowichan have a policy on naturalized/drought resistant lawns? I’m interested in rewilding my lawn with native, pollinator-friendly, drought resistant plants but I’m concerned that this may be against North Cowichan’s bylaws (which seem somewhat vague). I plan to keep invasive species and noxious weeds under control but hope to let the native plants grow out, to an reasonable extent. Is it likely that this will get my home flagged as a nuisance property if this is done intentionally? Is there a more detailed policy, or better, a set of guidelines for doing this? Thank you for taking the climate crisis seriously! link

    Does North Cowichan have a policy on naturalized/drought resistant lawns? I’m interested in rewilding my lawn with native, pollinator-friendly, drought resistant plants but I’m concerned that this may be against North Cowichan’s bylaws (which seem somewhat vague). I plan to keep invasive species and noxious weeds under control but hope to let the native plants grow out, to an reasonable extent. Is it likely that this will get my home flagged as a nuisance property if this is done intentionally? Is there a more detailed policy, or better, a set of guidelines for doing this? Thank you for taking the climate crisis seriously!

    chickadee asked 12 months ago

    Thank you for your interest in this project! We encourage residents to plant drought resistant, native species to conserve water. Allowing native plants to flourish on your property is also beneficial for biodiversity and water conservation. As long as the plants are not invasive, interfering with any surrounding infrastructure or disrupting neighbouring properties, these plants wouldn’t make your property a “nuisance property”. For more information on drought tolerant plantings, please visit https://www.northcowichan.ca/EN/main/departments/environmental-services/native-plants/Native_Drought_Tolerant_Gardening.html

  • Share Given the increasing fire risks what is the Municipality’s plan regarding mitigating these risks particularly in residential areas. Is there a plan to assess dead trees and use selective logging. Do the current bylaws allow for flexibility to log even in riparian zones if the risk is high- also with soil erosion thru ground water levels decreasing, more trees will fall as witnessed recently in the Chemainus area. The Municipality will need to adapt to the changes by changing current bylaws on Facebook Share Given the increasing fire risks what is the Municipality’s plan regarding mitigating these risks particularly in residential areas. Is there a plan to assess dead trees and use selective logging. Do the current bylaws allow for flexibility to log even in riparian zones if the risk is high- also with soil erosion thru ground water levels decreasing, more trees will fall as witnessed recently in the Chemainus area. The Municipality will need to adapt to the changes by changing current bylaws on Twitter Share Given the increasing fire risks what is the Municipality’s plan regarding mitigating these risks particularly in residential areas. Is there a plan to assess dead trees and use selective logging. Do the current bylaws allow for flexibility to log even in riparian zones if the risk is high- also with soil erosion thru ground water levels decreasing, more trees will fall as witnessed recently in the Chemainus area. The Municipality will need to adapt to the changes by changing current bylaws on Linkedin Email Given the increasing fire risks what is the Municipality’s plan regarding mitigating these risks particularly in residential areas. Is there a plan to assess dead trees and use selective logging. Do the current bylaws allow for flexibility to log even in riparian zones if the risk is high- also with soil erosion thru ground water levels decreasing, more trees will fall as witnessed recently in the Chemainus area. The Municipality will need to adapt to the changes by changing current bylaws link

    Given the increasing fire risks what is the Municipality’s plan regarding mitigating these risks particularly in residential areas. Is there a plan to assess dead trees and use selective logging. Do the current bylaws allow for flexibility to log even in riparian zones if the risk is high- also with soil erosion thru ground water levels decreasing, more trees will fall as witnessed recently in the Chemainus area. The Municipality will need to adapt to the changes by changing current bylaws

    Charlie asked 12 months ago

    Thank you for your questions. The Municipality of North Cowichan analyzed its wildfire risk in the 2020 Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). The Wildfire Mitigation Project was launched in 2021 to respond to several of the Community Wildfire Protection Plan’s recommendations. This work will support wildfire resilience through a variety of strategies to proactively reduce wildfire risk in North Cowichan. For more information, please visit https://www.northcowichan.ca/EN/main/departments/forestry/wildfire-mitigation-project.html.

    The removal or modification of hazardous trees within riparian areas is regulated by the Provincial Riparian Areas Protection Regulation (https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/plants-animals-ecosystems/fish/aquatic-habitat-management/riparian-areas-regulation) as well as the Municipalities Development Permit Guidelines. Exemptions for the removal and modification of hazardous trees do exist, but are subject to certain conditions that are project specific. 

  • Share Given the continued wildfire seasons that are on the increase does the Municipality have a plan to install Air Quality monitors in the region so residents can make educated decisions regarding activities and increase awareness regarding air quality on Facebook Share Given the continued wildfire seasons that are on the increase does the Municipality have a plan to install Air Quality monitors in the region so residents can make educated decisions regarding activities and increase awareness regarding air quality on Twitter Share Given the continued wildfire seasons that are on the increase does the Municipality have a plan to install Air Quality monitors in the region so residents can make educated decisions regarding activities and increase awareness regarding air quality on Linkedin Email Given the continued wildfire seasons that are on the increase does the Municipality have a plan to install Air Quality monitors in the region so residents can make educated decisions regarding activities and increase awareness regarding air quality link

    Given the continued wildfire seasons that are on the increase does the Municipality have a plan to install Air Quality monitors in the region so residents can make educated decisions regarding activities and increase awareness regarding air quality

    Charlie asked 12 months ago

    Thank you for showing interest in this project. The provincial government has air quality monitoring stations located throughout the island. To view daily air quality for North Cowichan, please visit https://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/bcairquality/readings/find-stations-map.html

  • Share Air quality is life essential and important to everyone. Even with some clear bylaws there continues to be open burning in rural and more urban areas with little or no consequence for people who continue flaunt the guidelines- when is the municipality going to take the matter more seriously on Facebook Share Air quality is life essential and important to everyone. Even with some clear bylaws there continues to be open burning in rural and more urban areas with little or no consequence for people who continue flaunt the guidelines- when is the municipality going to take the matter more seriously on Twitter Share Air quality is life essential and important to everyone. Even with some clear bylaws there continues to be open burning in rural and more urban areas with little or no consequence for people who continue flaunt the guidelines- when is the municipality going to take the matter more seriously on Linkedin Email Air quality is life essential and important to everyone. Even with some clear bylaws there continues to be open burning in rural and more urban areas with little or no consequence for people who continue flaunt the guidelines- when is the municipality going to take the matter more seriously link

    Air quality is life essential and important to everyone. Even with some clear bylaws there continues to be open burning in rural and more urban areas with little or no consequence for people who continue flaunt the guidelines- when is the municipality going to take the matter more seriously

    Charlie asked 12 months ago

    Thanks for your interest in the Climate Adaptation project. North Cowichan's air quality meets provincial guidelines. Occasionally there are exceedances of the guidelines for particulate matter from wildfire events in the summer, for more information please visit www.northcowicha.ca/airquality. If you’d like to report a bylaw violation, please visit https://www.northcowichan.ca/EN/main/departments/bylaw/report-a-bylaw-violation.html

  • Share North Cowichan depends on aquifers for much of its water supply. Given the state of perpetual water supply deficit, are the aquifer system levels dropping on an annual basis? If so, how can North Cowichan justify approval of some of the major housing projects under consideration? Is the water for these projects magically going to appear somehow? Are future residential developments going to prohibit lawns, or require grey water recovery? Larry White. on Facebook Share North Cowichan depends on aquifers for much of its water supply. Given the state of perpetual water supply deficit, are the aquifer system levels dropping on an annual basis? If so, how can North Cowichan justify approval of some of the major housing projects under consideration? Is the water for these projects magically going to appear somehow? Are future residential developments going to prohibit lawns, or require grey water recovery? Larry White. on Twitter Share North Cowichan depends on aquifers for much of its water supply. Given the state of perpetual water supply deficit, are the aquifer system levels dropping on an annual basis? If so, how can North Cowichan justify approval of some of the major housing projects under consideration? Is the water for these projects magically going to appear somehow? Are future residential developments going to prohibit lawns, or require grey water recovery? Larry White. on Linkedin Email North Cowichan depends on aquifers for much of its water supply. Given the state of perpetual water supply deficit, are the aquifer system levels dropping on an annual basis? If so, how can North Cowichan justify approval of some of the major housing projects under consideration? Is the water for these projects magically going to appear somehow? Are future residential developments going to prohibit lawns, or require grey water recovery? Larry White. link

    North Cowichan depends on aquifers for much of its water supply. Given the state of perpetual water supply deficit, are the aquifer system levels dropping on an annual basis? If so, how can North Cowichan justify approval of some of the major housing projects under consideration? Is the water for these projects magically going to appear somehow? Are future residential developments going to prohibit lawns, or require grey water recovery? Larry White.

    lrwhite asked 12 months ago

    Thank you for your interest in this project. North Cowichan’s three water systems predominantly rely on aquifers for their water supply and our aquifers are healthy. For more information about North Cowichan's water system, please visit www.northcowichan.ca/water.

  • Share Are there plans to build upstream catchment facilities for “rainy season” retention of rainfall? on Facebook Share Are there plans to build upstream catchment facilities for “rainy season” retention of rainfall? on Twitter Share Are there plans to build upstream catchment facilities for “rainy season” retention of rainfall? on Linkedin Email Are there plans to build upstream catchment facilities for “rainy season” retention of rainfall? link

    Are there plans to build upstream catchment facilities for “rainy season” retention of rainfall?

    Bruce Clarke asked about 1 year ago

    Thank you for showing interest in this project. North Cowichan currently regulates discharge from 3 different reservoirs which collect water during our rainy season.

  • Share Why is it OK to water golf courses, school grounds and grave yards on Facebook Share Why is it OK to water golf courses, school grounds and grave yards on Twitter Share Why is it OK to water golf courses, school grounds and grave yards on Linkedin Email Why is it OK to water golf courses, school grounds and grave yards link

    Why is it OK to water golf courses, school grounds and grave yards

    DoubleD asked 12 months ago

    Thanks for your interest in water restrictions. As part of North Cowichan’s ongoing response to the  climate crisis, we are continually reviewing our municipal plans, operations and infrastructure to be more resilient to climate hazards and we appreciate your question for opportunities to address this.

    Golf courses in North Cowichan are not connected to municipal water for the purposes of irrigation. Golf courses have their own private wells and/or ponds that they use for irrigation. The wells are licensed and regulated by the Province.

    North Cowichan's community spaces are for all residents to enjoy and lack of watering can cause significant financial impacts. School and municipal playing fields are often sand-based and require regular watering. For that reason, they are exempt from sprinkling regulations, with reduced watering and other conservation methods.  

    North Cowichan’s Parks department is currently reducing and eliminating irrigation to turf where possible and transitioning to drip irrigation with respect to water restriction stages and installing tree watering bags where necessary to protect much needed shade trees and trees planted within the last three years.

  • Share What did the district base the claim that we are in a "Climate Crisis" on? From what I can see it was a single report by a foreign group. The very premise that we even need a "Climate Action Project" is highly questionable and appears to be little more than lip service to a UN agenda. You are asking the good people of North Cowichan to accept as fact an assertion that has no scientific backing. Before you even think of forcing "Environmental Policies" on the people of North Cowichan, you have a legal and moral responsibility to use verifiable fact to base policies on, not the dictates of an international body that has no authority here. You need to engage in discussion with the community around this entire claim that you need to waste this money on a globalist agenda. This is not just the ravings of "some nut job", the concerns I raise here are held by a lot of people in North Cowichan and your council is point blank refusing to even discuss the matter. This is not acceptable by public servants and you need to engage with us and do what we, your employers want, not some shadowy international body of highly dubious ethical standing. Local concern is that you are pushing a nonsense agenda that benefits not the people of North Cowichan and I dare you to debate the issue. I definitely require some response to my concern. Sincerely Paul O'Rorke on Facebook Share What did the district base the claim that we are in a "Climate Crisis" on? From what I can see it was a single report by a foreign group. The very premise that we even need a "Climate Action Project" is highly questionable and appears to be little more than lip service to a UN agenda. You are asking the good people of North Cowichan to accept as fact an assertion that has no scientific backing. Before you even think of forcing "Environmental Policies" on the people of North Cowichan, you have a legal and moral responsibility to use verifiable fact to base policies on, not the dictates of an international body that has no authority here. You need to engage in discussion with the community around this entire claim that you need to waste this money on a globalist agenda. This is not just the ravings of "some nut job", the concerns I raise here are held by a lot of people in North Cowichan and your council is point blank refusing to even discuss the matter. This is not acceptable by public servants and you need to engage with us and do what we, your employers want, not some shadowy international body of highly dubious ethical standing. Local concern is that you are pushing a nonsense agenda that benefits not the people of North Cowichan and I dare you to debate the issue. I definitely require some response to my concern. Sincerely Paul O'Rorke on Twitter Share What did the district base the claim that we are in a "Climate Crisis" on? From what I can see it was a single report by a foreign group. The very premise that we even need a "Climate Action Project" is highly questionable and appears to be little more than lip service to a UN agenda. You are asking the good people of North Cowichan to accept as fact an assertion that has no scientific backing. Before you even think of forcing "Environmental Policies" on the people of North Cowichan, you have a legal and moral responsibility to use verifiable fact to base policies on, not the dictates of an international body that has no authority here. You need to engage in discussion with the community around this entire claim that you need to waste this money on a globalist agenda. This is not just the ravings of "some nut job", the concerns I raise here are held by a lot of people in North Cowichan and your council is point blank refusing to even discuss the matter. This is not acceptable by public servants and you need to engage with us and do what we, your employers want, not some shadowy international body of highly dubious ethical standing. Local concern is that you are pushing a nonsense agenda that benefits not the people of North Cowichan and I dare you to debate the issue. I definitely require some response to my concern. Sincerely Paul O'Rorke on Linkedin Email What did the district base the claim that we are in a "Climate Crisis" on? From what I can see it was a single report by a foreign group. The very premise that we even need a "Climate Action Project" is highly questionable and appears to be little more than lip service to a UN agenda. You are asking the good people of North Cowichan to accept as fact an assertion that has no scientific backing. Before you even think of forcing "Environmental Policies" on the people of North Cowichan, you have a legal and moral responsibility to use verifiable fact to base policies on, not the dictates of an international body that has no authority here. You need to engage in discussion with the community around this entire claim that you need to waste this money on a globalist agenda. This is not just the ravings of "some nut job", the concerns I raise here are held by a lot of people in North Cowichan and your council is point blank refusing to even discuss the matter. This is not acceptable by public servants and you need to engage with us and do what we, your employers want, not some shadowy international body of highly dubious ethical standing. Local concern is that you are pushing a nonsense agenda that benefits not the people of North Cowichan and I dare you to debate the issue. I definitely require some response to my concern. Sincerely Paul O'Rorke link

    What did the district base the claim that we are in a "Climate Crisis" on? From what I can see it was a single report by a foreign group. The very premise that we even need a "Climate Action Project" is highly questionable and appears to be little more than lip service to a UN agenda. You are asking the good people of North Cowichan to accept as fact an assertion that has no scientific backing. Before you even think of forcing "Environmental Policies" on the people of North Cowichan, you have a legal and moral responsibility to use verifiable fact to base policies on, not the dictates of an international body that has no authority here. You need to engage in discussion with the community around this entire claim that you need to waste this money on a globalist agenda. This is not just the ravings of "some nut job", the concerns I raise here are held by a lot of people in North Cowichan and your council is point blank refusing to even discuss the matter. This is not acceptable by public servants and you need to engage with us and do what we, your employers want, not some shadowy international body of highly dubious ethical standing. Local concern is that you are pushing a nonsense agenda that benefits not the people of North Cowichan and I dare you to debate the issue. I definitely require some response to my concern. Sincerely Paul O'Rorke

    thefarcanalian asked 12 months ago

    Thank you for your input in regard to this project. North Cowichan's Council discussed and acknowledged that there's a climate emergency on July 17, 2019. 


  • Share Is North Cowichan going to adopt NZEV Bylaw 24.06 of the BC Transportation Act? on Facebook Share Is North Cowichan going to adopt NZEV Bylaw 24.06 of the BC Transportation Act? on Twitter Share Is North Cowichan going to adopt NZEV Bylaw 24.06 of the BC Transportation Act? on Linkedin Email Is North Cowichan going to adopt NZEV Bylaw 24.06 of the BC Transportation Act? link

    Is North Cowichan going to adopt NZEV Bylaw 24.06 of the BC Transportation Act?

    dave.haberman asked almost 1 year ago

    Thank you for your question. North Cowichan is in the process of developing a Master Transportation Plan (MTP). Pending Council endorsement of the Plan, the MTP report recommends additional study to determine the appropriateness of NZEVs for North Cowichan.

Page last updated: 26 Jun 2024, 05:00 PM