Mining Vancouver Island

While Vancouver Island is most commonly associated with the resource-based industries of forestry and fishing, the island also has a strong and deep history of mining.

Just this January, the last working coal mine on Vancouver Island closed down for an indefinite period of time. The Quinsam Coal Mine in Campbell River was shut down in the face of changing global economies and a decline in the demand for coal. Its closure marks the final end of an important part of Vancouver Island’s history.

Coal mining began on the island (and surrounding islands) in the 1800s, with the discovery of coal in the Nanaimo region. This initial discovery was facilitated by local First Nations, who noticed the coal that Hudson’s Bay Company employees used and offered the information that coal was available locally.

Mining jobs brought many people to the island and particularly areas of Nanaimo and Victoria were built upon the success of prominent mining families.

Mining became big business, first coal and then metals. The island is marked by the industry, with both small, abandoned mine sites and large decommissioned mine sites. Myra Mines, operating in Strathcona Park on central Vancouver Island, was the last of the large mineral mines to cease operations, with the mine being put on an indefinite shut-down in 2015. The ownership cites a downturn in global commodity prices for the shut-down, although the mine is not considered closed and keeps a skeleton crew on site to maintain environmental and safety standards.

There are still individual mine claims throughout the back country of Vancouver Island as well as on the smaller islands. Whether any of these are active is hard to determine. There are also still people who pan in the local rivers, hoping to find a gold nugget or two.

Benson River property

Properties that come up for sale in the more remote areas of the islands can be impacted by a mining background. Some may be actual mine sites, such as the property for sale near Benson River outside Port Alice. Others, such as the Quartz Bay property on Cortes Island, are at least partially made up of old mining claims.

Quartz Bay, Cortes

Hatley and Cragidarroch Castles, the community of Cumberland, Newcastle Island, the IslandCopper Mine outside of Port Hardy, small mining relics and tailings piles, unused mining claims, the numerous dams around Nanaimo – all of these are part of the legacy mining has created in Vancouver Island.

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Domestic Water on a Remote Property

For those living in a city or other residential area, domestic water is only really thought about when water restrictions are enacted. Otherwise it is hard to really think about where water comes from, when it is readily available at the turn of a tap.

For those who live outside the boundaries of cities and towns, domestic water can be one of the most important issues when establishing a home. Where will it come from? How will it be used? How much will be needed? All of these questions should be answered when considering a home on a remote or rural property. If the property already has a home in place, prospective buyers should be asking the same questions.

Domestic water outside of city water systems generally comes from three sources: groundwater through wells; surface water through springs, creeks or rivers; and rain water. (There are other options, such as desalination plants if one lives on the ocean or water delivery which many island communities use in the dry summers when wells and cisterns are empty.) Of these three, it is currently the use of surface water that requires a licence to access in BC.

The Water Act of BC defines what licencing is required and what that licence entitles one to. A licence will define where the water may be taken from, how much water will be taken and what the water will be used for.Information on applying for a domestic freshwater licence can be found here: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wsd/water_rights/licence_application/index.html

The BC Government is in the process of evaluating the Water Act and changing the laws to reflect licencing for non-domestic ground water usage. This is expected to become law early this year, and more on that can be found here:  http://engage.gov.bc.ca/watersustainabilityact/files/2015/07/LicensingGroundwaterUse-Web-Copy.pdf

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BCO Coastal Gems: Jervis Inlet

Jervis Inlet is the principal inlet on the British Columbia Coast.  It  extends over 80 km into the Coastal Mountain range, through stunning granite-walled cliffs and forested mountains. This inlet is the deepest of British Columbia’s numerous inlets, reaching depths of over 720 meters or 2,400 ft., and is located about 95 km northwest of Vancouver.  The inlet was named by George Vancouver after Rear Admiral Sir John Jervis.

Like most other places on the BC Coast, Jervis Inlet was involved in the logging and fishing industries in the 19th and 20th centuries. It also has a history as a seasonal settlement for First Nations groups.

Access points and service centers include Egmont providing access to Sechelt and Vancouver as well as Saltry Bay which provides access to the Northern Sunshine Coast and Powell River.  There are no roadways into Jervis Inlet as this is one of many boat access areas of the central coast region. The remote location and breath-taking beauty make it an ideal location for outdoor enthusiasts.

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The Agriculture Land Reserve in BC

The Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) is always a hot topic in BC. The Agriculture Land Commission (ALC), the body that governs the ALR, defines it as:

"The Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) is a provincial zone in which agriculture is recognized as the priority use. Farming is encouraged and non-agricultural uses are restricted."

Quadra Island

Residential and recreational properties can be found within the ALR, and it is a good idea to understand what restrictions that places on the property. The ALC website provides clear guidelines in this regard, as well as providing mapping of ALR land in BC.

The ALR protects approximately 4.7 million hectares of agriculturally suitable land across British Columbia, according to the ALC. Buying property within the ALR does not stop one from having a home on the land, it does however restrict what activity the land can be used for.

It is also important to note that different municipalities and regions may have zoning bylaws that also affect the land and uses.

Keep in mind that buying property in the ALR means your neighbours are likely in the ALR as well, and may well be engaged in agricultural practises - this could mean all the unique things that are part of farming and agriculture are part of your neighbourhood (e.g. machinery noise, fertilizer spreading, etc).

ALC website: http://www.alc.gov.bc.ca

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Provincial Parks on Vancouver Island

You can't drive more than an hour on Vancouver Island without hitting a Provincial Park, or so it seems. Did you know there are 85 provincial parks on and around Vancouver Island, with another 30 in the Gulf and Discovery Island groups?

Strathcona Provincial Park

Vancouver Island is home to the very first provincial park - Strathcona - which stretches along the centre of Vancouver Island and encompasses a variety of mountains and lakes. Strathcona is a popular destination for wilderness seekers, as it provides two large campgrounds as well as a myriad of hiking trails.

Strathcona Provincial Park

While many of the parks are well known, such as Miracle Beach, Rathtrevor, Little Qualicum Falls and Bamberton, others are often known only to a select few. Parks such as Artlish Caves, White Ridge and Sooke Mountain are not featured in magazines or tourist brochures, but are simply there to be found for those seeking an adventure.

Miracle Beach Provincial Park

Some of the parks are marine parks, encompassing bodies of water that have been deemed worthy of protection. While beaches or small islands may be associated with these parks, generally they are accessed by boat. A few, like Raft Cove, do have trail access but it is not well maintained.

Raft Cove Provincial Park

The numerous parks on the island provide a wonderful opportunity for exploration and speak to the amazing natural beauty of this area.

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Winter Fishing

The cold and damp doesn't deter the desire to fish, and so winter finds many people out on the water.

January means the arrival of the winter Springs, and salmon fishing off Campbell River is very popular on days that the water isn't too rough. A crab trap or two dropped over the side of the boat on the way out to the fishing grounds is just a good use of time.

Ed fishing for winter Springs.

River fly fishing is also active in the winter months. Good waders and warm boots are a requirement. Steelhead in particular are active in January and February in Gold River, the Stamp River and Cowichan River among others.

Lake fishing isn't as common, as many of the smaller lakes are frozen at least at the edges for much of the winter.

For true lovers of fishing, Vancouver Island is a year-round paradise.

It's a Coastal Lifestyle ... Live It!

BCO Coastal Gems: Winter Harbour

On the north-west tip of Vancouver Island sits the community of Winter Harbour. Renowned for access to amazing west coast fishing, this small village is home to about 20 full-time residents yet services hundreds of people during the fishing season. Well-protected moorage, services in the village, and (gravel) road access make this a popular choice with fishermen and adventurers looking to access the northern west coast of Vancouver Island.

The boardwalk adds a charm to this village, and is a nice walk. It's also a great spot to watch the boats or just look out over the water. There is a nice walking trail in the village as well. Winter Harbour has its own Post Office, and a small general store. There are a number of fishing charter companies that base out of Winter Harbour, and the docks do get busy in the summer.

Winter Harbour is a great place to visit while exploring Northern Vancouver Island, providing vistas that not many people get a chance to see.

Winter Harbour is at the mouth of Quatsino Sound, and is also accessible by boat from Coal Harbour (45 - 60 minute boat ride). The drive in from Port Hardy can take up to 2 hours, and it is advised that you watch for logging trucks!

It's a Coastal Lifestyle ... Live It!