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M

BACKGROUND REPORT

for Francis Point

Provincial Park and

Ecological Reserve

ANAGEMENT

P

LAN

Ministry of Environment,

Environmental Stewardship

Division

3

Francis Point Provincial Park and

Ecological Reserve

Prepared by

Lower Mainland Region

Environmental Stewardship Division

Background

Report

Table of Contents

Page

Introduction 1

Park Location and Setting 1

Park Establishment and Legislation 1

Management Direction from Land Agreements 5

Natural Values 7

Climate 7

Geology & Soils 7

Water 8

Biogeoclimatic Zone and Ecoregion Representation 8

Vegetation and Forest Cover 11

Rare and Sensitive Plant Communities 13

Wildlife 14

Adjacent Marine Values 16

Cultural Values 18

First Nations 18

Non-aboriginal 20

Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Values 22

Outdoor Recreation Features 22

Visual Values 23

Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Opportunities 23

Existing Facilities and Services 23

Visitor Activity Areas 24

Park Visitor Profiles 24

Visitor Use Trends: Past; Present; Future 24

Land Tenures, Occupancy Rights and Resource Uses 26

Tenures, Rights and Resource Uses in the Protected Area 26

First Nations Interests 26

Patterns of Land Use Next to the Protected Area 26

BC Parks Operations 28

Operations Infrastructure and Facilities 28

Key Management Issues 29

Bibliography 33

Appendices

Appendix 1 - Plant Lists Compiled by Terry Taylor and Hans Roemer

Appendix 2 – Map of Traditional Use Sites in the Pender Harbour Area

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List of Figures Page

Figure 1: Regional Context Map 2

Figure 2: Park Map 3

Figure 3: Legal Map 4

Figure 4: Surficial Geology Map 9

Figure 5: Slope and Soils Map 10

Figure 6: Forest Cover Map 12

Figure 7: Archaeological Sites Map 19

Glossary of Acronyms

CDC British Columbia Conservation Data Centre

CWH xm Very Dry Maritime Subzone of the Coastal Western Hemlock

Biogeoclimatic Zone

FPMPS Francis Point Marine Park Society

GEL Georgia Lowland Ecosection

NCC The Nature Conservancy of Canada

OCP Official Community Plan

SCRD Sunshine Coast Regional District

SIB Sechelt Indian Band

SOG Strait of Georgia Ecosection

TNT The Nature Trust of British Columbia

INTRODUCTION

This report provides natural, cultural and recreation information to support the development of a

management plan for the Francis Point Provincial Park and Ecological Reserve. The report relies

on existing information sources, including discussions with knowledgeable people and a brief

site reconnaissance conducted on August 21, 2001.

Park Location and Setting

Francis Point Provincial Park and Ecological Reserve are located approximately 35 km north-

west of Sechelt in Pender Harbour on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast (Figure 1). The 72.80

ha Park is situated on the south-west portion of Beaver Island, known as Francis Peninsula, and

is bounded on the north-west by a 10.30 ha parcel retained by the McQuarrie family, on the north

by residential properties, on the east by residential properties and forested land and on the west

and south by Malaspina Strait. The 9.22 ha Ecological Reserve located on Moore Peninsula

adjoins the Park on the Park’s western boundary north of Francis Bay (Figure 2).

Park Establishment and Legislation

The McQuarrie family owned the Francis Point Park and Ecological Reserve property from1911

to 2001. Other than a single residence and small portions of the property that were selectively

logged over 50 years ago, the property was never developed. In the late 1990’s, the McQuarrie

family expressed their desire to sell the property for conservation purposes, with the exception of

the north-west corner upon which the small residence is located. BC Parks was interested in the

property, but the original offer by the McQuarries to the Ministry of Environment, Lands and

Parks in 1998 was not completed due to lack of funds. Subsequently the McQuarries placed the

property on the open market. The Francis Point Marine Park Society (FPMPS) was incorporated

in 1998 to promote acquisition of the McQuarrie property for park use. The property was

evaluated by Conservation Data Centre (CDC) staff in the summer of 1999 and a Site Record

developed for the property which identified the occurrence of rare-listed plant associations (BC

Conservation Data Centre, 2000). An offer on the property by a private developer was accepted

in 1999 to log the land and develop it. In the spring of 2000, the deal collapsed. The Nature

Conservancy of Canada (NCC) working with the local Francis Point Marine Park Society started

raising funds to purchase the property and were able to secure a significant donation from the

U.S. based Paul G. Allen Forest Protection Foundation. With additional funds acquired through

the Private Forest Biodiversity Program, a partnership between Forest Renewal BC and The

Nature Trust of British Columbia (TNT), NCC, in conjunction with TNT, were able to negotiate

the purchase of the property for conservation.

The property was subdivided into three lots. Lot 1, a 72.80 ha parcel owned by TNT, will be a

Provincial Park under a 99 year lease between BC Parks and TNT. Lot 3, a 9.22 ha parcel owned

by NCC, will be designated as an Ecological Reserve under a 99 year lease between BC Parks

and NCC. Lot 2, a 10.30 ha parcel was retained by the McQuarrie family and is currently subject

to a further subdivision into seven lots with an additional parcel designated as a Regional Park

adjoining the Ecological Reserve (Figure 3).

Francis Point Provincial Park and Ecological Reserve – Background Report

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Figure 1. Regional Context Map


3

Figure 2. Park Map


4

Figure 3. Legal Map


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The Francis Point Provincial Park and Ecological Reserve is scheduled for designation by Order-

In-Council in 2002 (Diane Moen, Manager Land Assembly Program, BC Parks pers. com.).

Management Direction from Land Agreements

Management direction for the Park and Ecological Reserve are derived from several legal

documents that were conditional to the purchase and subdivision of the Francis Point property

originally owned by the McQuarrie family. The intent of the covenants and lease agreements is

to ensure that the property owned by TNT and NCC is managed by BC Parks to conserve the

biodiversity values of the site and representation of the Very Dry Maritime Subzone of the

Coastal Western Hemlock (CWH xm1) biogeoclimatic zone.

Park

Section 219 Covenant charging Lot 1 for Park Use

The covenant states that the use of Lot 1 (i.e. the Park) will be for wildlife habitat and

environmental enhancement purposes and for recreational, educational and scientific uses

appropriate to such purposes. The land is not to be developed, improved or altered except in

conformity with such purposes. It is noted that on-site parking will be provided in accordance

with a park use plan.

Lease with Right of Renewal charging Lot 1

A 99 year lease with a right of renewal for an additional 99 year term between TNT (lessor) and

BC Parks (lessee) instructs that BC Parks agrees to use, manage and develop the land only as a

day use public park under the provisions of the Park Act. BC Parks will not construct a road,

access point or any other access or egress into Lot 1 (i.e. the Park) from the new extension to

Francis Peninsula Road. The Park is to be managed and developed in accordance with a

management plan being developed by BC Parks. TNT has agreed with the owner (i.e. McQuarrie

family) of Lot 2 to consent to the renewal of the water lot lease in the Lagoon adjacent to the

existing residence while the McQuarries are still owners of the associated upland property. BC

Parks as lessee of both Lot 1 (Park) and Lot 3 (Ecological Reserve) also agrees to consent to the

renewal of the water lot lease in the Lagoon adjacent to the existing residence while the

McQuarries are still owners of the associated upland property.

Statutory Right of Way for a water line through the Park in favour of the South Pender Water

District.

The construction of a water line through Lot 1 (i.e. the Park) from the extension of Francis

Peninsula Road to Rondeview Place road at the eastern boundary of the Park was a condition of

the subdivision process (refer to Figure 3). The construction and any future servicing or

maintenance of the line must be conducted in such a manner as to minimize disturbance to the

vegetation and to comply with any recommendations provided by a habitat biologist, consultant

or from the BC Parks District Office.


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Ecological Reserve

Section 219 Covenant charging Lot 3 for Ecological Reserve

The covenant states that Lot 3 shall be used as an ecological reserve under the provisions of the

Ecological Reserve Act

Lease with Right of Renewal charging Lot 3

A 99 year lease with a right of renewal for an additional 99 year term between NCC (lessor) and

BC Parks (lessee) instructs that BC Parks agree to use, manage and develop the land only in a

manner that an ecological reserve under the provisions of the Ecological Reserve Act could be

used and developed. The manner in which the land is to be managed and developed will be in

accordance with a management plan being prepared by BC Parks.

Management Endowment Fund

Under the Private Forest Biodiversity Program a management endowment fund is established for

each property acquired under the Program and administered by TNT. Up to 10% of the

acquisition cost comprise the capital amount from which the income earned is used to ensure the

ongoing monitoring and management provisions are in place to protect the biodiversity values of

the property.

It is noted that a partial management endowment fund has been established for the Francis Point

Park and Ecological Reserve. There is an opportunity to top up this fund through fund raising

efforts to ensure effective ongoing management of the biodiversity values of the Park and

Ecological Reserve.


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NATURAL VALUES

Climate

The climate in the area of the Park and Ecological Reserve is classified as “Coastal Temperate”

which typically has warm, dry summers and rainy winters with temperatures that rarely dip

below freezing. With over 1,900 hours of sunshine annually and only eleven days a year that the

temperatures are below 0º C, the Francis Point Park and Ecological Reserve is drier and warmer

than average for the biogeoclimatic unit represented on the property (BC Conservation Data

Centre, 2000).

The nearest weather station is located at Merry Island situated south of the site in Welcome

Passage between Sargeant Bay and South Thormanby Island. The records from the Merry Island

Weather Station since 1954 indicates that the average annual rainfall is 995.1 mm, with over half

of it falling in the October to January period. The average annual snowfall is 32.8 mm.

Temperatures are generally mild, with the warmest months being July (daily high 21º C, and

daily low 14.3º C) and August (daily high 21º C and daily low 14.6º C), and the coldest months

being December (daily high 6.5º C and daily low 3.2º C) and January (daily high 6º C and daily

low 2.6º C).

Geology & Soils

The Sunshine Coast falls within the eastern section of the physiographic unit known as the

Georgia Depression, a coastal trough extending from Alaska to the Gulf of California, and

consisting of numerous straits, the Georgia Lowland, and the adjacent Coast Mountains. This

unit is characterized by deep inlets and fjords broken by reaches of long sandy beach.

The Park and Ecological Reserve are situated on a variably foliated portion of the Western

Canada Plutonic Complex, comprised of hornblende quartz to nalite, and hornblendediorite

intrusive to Gravina-Nutzotin rocks (Geological Survey of Canada’s Tectonic Assemblage Map

open file 2948A).

The entire site is bedrock controlled with generally shallow soils and drier than average sites in

this biogeoclimatic zone (BC Conservation Data Centre, 2000).

Park

The topography of the Park is varied, ranging from sea level to approximately 100 meters in

elevation at two hills on the north and south sections of the site. The hills are separated by a low

area in the middle of the property adjacent to Middle Bay. The terrain varies from level, to

gently/moderately undulating, to steep slopes and abrupt drop-offs. The surficial geology of the

Park varies from none (bedrock outcrops) to colluvium, fluvioglacial sediments, to morainal

materials. Over the northern and southern portions of the Park, the associated soils are bedrock

outcrops, Kenworthy (generally 1 metre depth over bedrock), Cannell (shallow to bedrock),

Porpoise (commonly greater than 1 metre depth over bedrock) and lesser occurrences of Eunice

(greater than 10 cm organic material). These areas have limited development capability due to

steep slopes, unstable terrain and shallowness to bedrock. The mid section of the Park from


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Middle Bay to the eastern boundary, the soils are primarily Sunshine (variable, but commonly

greater than 1.5 metres thick and overlying fluvioglacial sediments or bedrock). The soils in this

mid section of the Park provide the least constraints to the development of Park facilities. Refer

to Figures 4 and 5 which illustrate the surficial geology and the soils and slopes in the Park

(Sunshine Coast Regional District, 1998 + 2001).

Ecological Reserve

The Ecological Reserve includes Moore Peninsula, and the isthmus joining the north-western

boundary of the Park. The topography ranges from sea level to approximately 20 metres. The

surficial geology of the Ecological Reserve is colluvium which is loosely packed, non-cohesive

and well drained material. Associated soils are Kenworthy (generally 1 metre depth over

bedrock) and Cannell (shallow to bedrock). This area would have limited development capability

due to steep slopes, unstable terrain and shallowness to bedrock. Refer to Figures 4 and 5 which

illustrate the surficial geology and the soils and slopes in the Ecological Reserve (Sunshine Coast

Regional District, 1998 + 2001).

Water

Surface water infiltrates into the ground, as well as following natural drainage patterns, most of

which drain into Malaspina Strait. The outlet of a wetland that straddles the eastern boundary of

the Park just south of Merrill Road is a small creek that drains to Middle Bay (refer to Figure 2).

There is also evidence of a second drainage that discharges into Middle Bay. Groundwater in the

vicinity of the Park is inferred to flow towards Malaspina Strait, adjacent to the west and south.

There is no available potable water in the Park or Ecological Reserve.

Biogeoclimatic Zone and Ecoregion Representation

The Francis Point Park and Ecological Reserve are identified in the ecosections Georgia

Lowland (GEL) and Strait of Georgia (SOG) (BC Conservation Data Centre, 2000). Field notes

from the Sensitive Ecosystem Inventory mapping for this area indicates that this site is in the

GEL. As of January 2001, representation of both these ecosections was only between 1 and 4%

protected within provincial parks or ecological reserves.

The Park and Ecological Reserve are mapped as being in the Very Dry Maritime Subzone of the

Coastal Westerm Hemlock biogeoclimatic zone (CWH xm1). This low elevation forest type is

exclusive to the eastern side of Vancouver Island, and to small areas on the Sunshine Coast. Prior

to the establishment of the Francis Point Park and Ecological reserve, the CWH xm1 variant was

only 1.9% protected and thus grossly underrepresented in existing protected areas (Nancy Butler,

LUCO, 2001). This threatened forest type is sensitive to disturbance and in many areas has been

displaced by development along the coast. As a result there are very few examples remaining on

the coast of BC of mature forest stands that represent the CWH xm1 ecosystem variant.

Initial site assessments conducted by Dan Bouman and Andy MacKinnon indicate that this area

may represent a transition between the CWH xm1 and the Moist Maritime Coastal Douglas-Fir

(CDF mm) subzone (Bouman 1997, MacKinnon 1998). However, further site assessment work


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Figure 4. Surficial Geology


10

Figure 5. Slope and Soils


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conducted by Hans Roemer, vegetation ecologist with BC Parks, concluded that all the plant

associations on the site are representative of CWH xm1 (Roemer, 2001).

This site offers the opportunity to conserve a relatively undisturbed example of one of B.C.’s

most under-represented biogeoclimatic variants (CWH xm1).

Vegetation and Forest Cover

The vegetation cover is primarily an open canopy coniferous-dominated forest and open moss

covered rocks. The forest cover mapping indicates that a number of the age classes on the

property are over 100 years with a number in the 141 – 250 year class (refer to Figure 6). There

is evidence of past logging in the mid and northern sections of the Park. Hand loggers removed

some of the large diameter Douglas-fir early in the twentieth century (Dan Bouman, 1997) and

the stand was again partially disturbed in the 1940’s (review of 1947 air photos URS-Norecol

Dames & Moore, 2000). A number of centuries-old but not especially large Douglas-fir have

burn scars indicating survival of past forest fires (Sunshine Coast Inventory of Environmentally

Important Sites).

There is a large area of mature second growth, some portions of which are approaching old-

growth, Western Hemlock - Douglas-fir - Oregon Beaked Moss Association. There is also

representation of the Douglas-fir - Lodgepole Pine - Rhacomitrium Association. The dry exposed

sites are treed with Douglas-fir, shore pine and arbutus. A number of trees along the shoreline

appear to be limited in size, possibly through susceptibility to wind-throw on exposed sites with

thin soil layers (Sunshine Coast Inventory of Environmentally Important Sites).

The central depression in the Park between Middle Bay and eastern boundary of the Park is

wetter and forested with Douglas-fir, western red cedar, and western hemlock. In this mesic to

moist area, there is an excellent legacy of old-growth characteristics derived from the original

stand of veteran trees present, which were left standing for quality reasons in the early days of

logging. Stands that now classify as Western Redcedar - Swordfern Association were once

dominated by Douglas-fir as evidenced by old stumps. South-east of Middle Bay these stumps

are enormous, indicating very rich soil conditions and the potential for the second-growth cedars

to grow to impressive dimensions (Roemer, 2001). A two hectare wetland straddles the east

boundary with associated wetland plants. The drainage from the wetland to Middle Bay has

some riparian vegetation including bigleaf maple, alder and willow.

About 20% of the property is not forested because of extreme dry conditions, and rocky

substrates (e.g. rocky shoreline, south and west aspect slopes and hilltops, particularly on the

southern tip of the Park, and around Moore Peninsula in the Ecological Reserve). The open areas

support scattered shrubs, and a carpet of mosses, lichens, wildflowers and grasses. An unusual

grass-moss/lichen community is part of and forms the most sensitive part of the rock outcrop

vegetation. It contains a combination of uncommon grasses that is not found elsewhere in the

Douglas-fir - Lodgepole Pine - Rhacomitrium site series (Roemer, 2001). Refer to Table 2 in

Appendix 1which shows the species combination of this community.


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Figure 6. Forest Cover Map


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The total species richness is above normal for an area of the size of the Park and Ecological

Reserve. The survey conducted by Hans Roemer and the two surveys completed by Terry Taylor

resulted in a combined number of 161 vascular plants (refer to Table 1 - Appendix 1).

The little evidence of exotic or weedy species on the property was a feature that attracted

conservation interests in acquiring this site. Aggressive non-native species such as Scotch broom,

Himalayan blackberry, orchard grass and sweet vernal grass are very uncommon and Kentucky

bluegrass is completely absent. However, it may be only a matter of time until the most

aggressive species, broom and blackberry, become more dominant and spread at a greater rate. A

challenge will be to manage access and peoples activities to minimize transport of exotic weedy

species into the Park and Ecological Reserve. Refer to Table 3 – Appendix 1 for management

measures for a number of the non-native plant species on the property.

Rare and Sensitive Plant Communities

The Park contains two red-listed (endangered or threatened) and one blue-listed (vulnerable)

plant associations.

Red-listed:

CWH xm1- 01 Western Hemlock - Douglas-fir - Oregon Beaked Moss; and

CWH xm1- 02 Douglas-fir - Lodgepole Pine - Rhacomitrium.

Blue-listed:

CWH xm1- 05 Western Redcedar - Swordfern

Although, there are no tracked plant occurrences on record (Marta Donavan, CDC pers. com.),

the survey conducted in August 2001 noted the presence of the blue-listed dune bentgrass

(Roemer, 2001). Hans Roemer makes special mention of the grass-moss/lichen component of

the CWH xm1- 02 site series, as it contains a combination of uncommon grasses that is not found

elsewhere in the site series. These grasses are the blue-listed dune bentgrass and a native rare

subspecies of red fescue. Two more co-dominant grasses in this community, poverty oatgrass

and western witchgrass are also rather uncommon in such abundance (refer to Table 2 in

Appendix 1 for the species combination of this community). This unusual grass-moss/lichen

community forms the most sensitive part of the rock outcrop vegetation and on the basis of the

August 2001 survey, it is recommended that this rare combination be considered a non-forested

community (Roemer, 2001).

The Ecological Reserve has representation of one of the three rare-listed plant communities and

part of the rare grass-moss/lichen rock outcrop community described above.

To date low human impact has left most of the shallow-soiled, coastal bluffs with intact coverage

of mosses and lichens. This is unique along the inner south coast of BC, since these fragile layers

are readily damaged or destroyed by excessive human traffic. The challenge to maintaining this

intact coastal bluff ecosystem will be managing access by people and other domestic animals.

The informal trails along the bluffs from Middle Bay to the Navigation Aid at the southern tip of

the Park are already starting to show the trampling effect on the mosses and lichens.


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Wildlife

No site specific wildlife inventories or bird surveys for the Park and Ecological Reserve were

identified. However, habitat observed on the property, general wildlife use information for the

Pender Harbour area, a bird checklist for the Sunshine Coast and a Raptor/Heron Nest Survey

and Wildlife Bio-Inventory (Robertson Environmental Services Ltd., 2001) for the proposed

subdivision of Lot 2 adjoining the north-west corner of the Park provided information on

probable use by various wildlife species.

The habitats within the Park (coniferous and deciduous forest, a two hectare wetland that

straddles the eastern boundary of the Park south of Merrill Road, a small riparian area along the

drainage from the wetland to Middle Bay, coastal bluffs with intact coverage of mosses and

lichens, numerous intertidal areas, and a small salt marsh at the head of the Lagoon between the

Ecological Reserve and the McQuarrie’s property (i.e. Lot 2) provide for a diversity of habitats

for a variety of species. The largest habitat type in the Park and Ecological Reserve is the mature

second growth forest (primarily coniferous) with a number of old growth elements (e.g. veteran

old growth trees and snags) which provide habitat to a number of species dependent on such

habitat conditions. For example snags, a number of which were observed during the August 21,

2001 site reconnaissance, are used by primary and secondary cavity nesters, insectivorous birds,

small mammals, and bats.

Birds

The forested areas in the Egmont/Pender Harbour area provide resting and over-wintering

environments for migrating birds on the Pacific flyway and year round habitat for non-migrating

species. A total of 35 land bird species have been identified, including various types of woodland

ducks, hawks, grouse, owls, woodpeckers, and passerines such as flycatchers, swallows,

thrushes, vireos, warblers, sparrows and finches (Tony Greenfield as per Sunshine Coast

Regional District Egmont/Pender Harbour Plan Area Technical Background Report). Land bird

species (other than raptors) observed during the December 2000 survey of the proposed seven lot

subdivision of Lot 2 included Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-breasted Nuthatch,

Varied Thrush, American Robin, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Winter

Wren, Spotted Towhee, and Dark-eyed Junco (Robertson Environmental Services Ltd. 2001).

Snags are used by raptors for nesting and perching. An eagle nest has been reported in the past

on the lot north-west of the Park (Federation of BC Naturalists, 1997) and a raptor nest has been

observed along the bluffs between Middle Bay and the Navigation Aid at the southern tip of the

Park (P. Baker, Park Caretaker, pers. com.). No active raptor nests were observed during the

December 2000 survey of Lot 2, however raptor feeding sign was observed along the shoreline

in the Lagoon (Robertson Environmental Services Ltd. 2001). According to the “Birds of the

Sunshine Coast – a Checklist” (Greenfield 1997), a number of raptor and heron species have

been recorded breeding along the Sunshine Coast. From these records, the Francis Point area

may provide nesting habitat for osprey, bald eagle, sharp-shinned hawk, Cooper’s hawk,

northern horned owl, northern pygmy owl and northern saw-whet owl as well as great blue

heron. The December 2000 survey on proposed subdivision of Lot 2 did not observe any of these

species, but judged that the habitat on the site has some potential for the occasional occurrence of

woodland species such as Cooper’s and sharp-shinned hawks, and northern pygmy and saw-whet


15

owls. A small owl was observed in the Park in August 2001 (Graham Downs, Park Ranger, pers.

com.).

Great blue herons (blue-listed) are considered vulnerable because of the continuing and

persistent threat to their nesting colonies. The nearest confirmed colony of great blue herons is

located at Paq Lake, approximately two kilometres east of the Park. One great blue heron was

observed flying off Moore Point during the August 21, 2001 site reconnaissance.

Previous surveys indicate that 45 marine bird species have been identified in the Egmont/Pender

harbour area. Some of the more common species observed on the marine waterways and

shorelines include various species of loons, grebes, cormorants, sea-ducks (scoters, goldeneyes,

mergansers), gulls and alcids. Species recorded in high numbers include the Pacific Loon,

Canada Geese, Bald Eagle, and Bonaparte’s Gull (Tony Greenfield as per Sunshine Coast

Regional District Egmont/Pender Harbour Plan Area Technical Background Report). During the

December 2000 survey 100 Common Goldeneye, 215 Barrow’s Goldeneye, and 220 Surf Scoters

were observed off Moore Point. Other species observed during the survey were Common Loon,

Double-crested Cormorant, Red-necked Grebe, Bufflehead, American Widgeon, Marbled

Murrelet, Mew Gull and Glaucuos-winged Gull (Robertson Environmental Services Ltd. 2001).

The Marbled Murrelet, a red-listed species, has been noted to be common during winter in the

marine waters in the area. The Strait of Georgia is the world centre of abundance of this species

in winter. Two Marbled Murrelet nests have been found in the Caren Range which is just outside

the Egmont/Pender Harbour area.

Mammals

Columbian black-tailed deer sign was recorded in all habitats in the proposed subdivision of Lot

2 during the December 2000 survey. A deer skeleton was also observed on Moore Point during

an August, 2001 site reconnaissance. The December 2000 survey did not expect that the area

around the Park to be an important summer or winter habitat for the black-tailed deer (Robertson

Environmental Services Ltd. 2001).

Roosevelt elk, which were introduced to the Pender Harbour area in the late 1980’s are probably

not present in the area of Francis Point Park and Ecological Reserve (Chris Price Conservation

Officer). The Douglas squirrel, northern flying squirrel, snowshoe hare, black bear, cougar,

racoon and other species of shrews, rodents and bats may occur on the property. Other mammals

found in the Egmont/Pender Harbour area in lesser quantities include river otters, minks and

beavers (Sunshine Coast Regional District, 2001). In the guide book “Paddling Sunshine Coast”

(Drope, 1997) a note is made of two river otters and a ground squirrel while picnicking on the

bluffs above Middle Bay. During the December 2000 site survey of the proposed subdivision of

Lot 2, Douglas squirrels and their sign were encountered throughout the study area, and river

otter sign was recorded along the shoreline of the Lagoon (Robertson Environmental Services

Ltd. 2001).

It is suspected that the Keen’s long-eared myotis, a red-listed bat, is restricted to lower elevation

coastal western hemlock forests in association with rock crevices for roosting. Keen’s long-eared

myotis likely uses tree cavities, rock crevices and small caves to roost. Many of the cavities


16

found in snags and stumps in the study area may provide roosting habitat for this species

(Robertson Environmental Services Ltd. 2001).

As the Pender Harbour area grows and develops, natural areas, particularly old growth and older

second growth greater than 20 hectares will become even more important for species dependent

on these forested ecosystems. Francis Point Park and Ecological Reserve will become

increasingly more important for species dependent on these types of forested habitats as

development increases in the Pender Harbour area.

Adjacent Marine Values

The Park and Ecological Reserve are within the BC Marine Ecological Classification, the Strait

of Georgia Ecosection. This ecosection is characterized by a broad shallow basin surrounded by

coastal lowlands (Georgia Depression), protected coastal waters with significant freshwater

input, high turbidity and seasonally stratified (e.g. very warm in the summer). Biological features

include nursery areas for salmon, herring, abundant shellfish habitat and neritic plankton

community (Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management, June 2001)

The shoreline of the Park and Ecological Reserve is adjacent to Malaspina Strait, an active

navigation channel. Although the site, particularly around Moore Peninsula, has a number of

embayed areas, they have remained relatively undisturbed from historic industrial marine or

logging activities (e.g. log storage) as they are not conducive to handling marine traffic and the

fact that the previous upland property owner never developed the foreshore area along the Park

or Ecological Reserve. The Lagoon, an intertidal area of mud/sand interspersed with rocks with a

small salt marsh at the head of the Lagoon, is colonized with Japanese oysters, clams and sand

dollars. The diversity of the shoreline from rock bluffs, small bays and intertidal areas with

pocket beaches in a relatively undisturbed state likely provides habitat to a variety of foreshore

and intertidal marine plants and animals. The high intertidal areas of many of the small bays are

littered with marine debris (e.g. logs, old boat parts) brought in by the prevailing winds.

The sub-tidal terrain along potions of the property is a tiered wall that extends from the shore to

35 m below the sea level, with rock faces, tall narrow ravines, crevices and caves which reach

deep into the rock. The sub-tidal topography which varies from a steep wall on the south-east

end of the site (i.e. around Francis Point) to a variety of rocky substrates at the north-west end

(i.e. off the tip of Moore Point) provides high habitat diversity for rock and ling cod (Bernie

Hanby pers. com.).

A report completed by Pacific Marine Life Surveys Inc., provides a summary of SCUBA diving

observations from 32 separate dives from 1982 to 2001 at two defined dive sites adjacent to the

protected area (i.e. Francis Point and Moore Point). Over 330 species have been recorded

providing a preliminary indication of the macro flora and fauna associated with the shoreline

from the intertidal habitats to a depth of 35 m. Twenty-seven species were selected to assess

potential trends over the 20 years that records were kept. Over the period of observation these

species were consistently recorded at the two sites and at relatively steady levels indicating a

reasonably stable population (Pacific Marine Life Surveys Inc. 2001). The marine flora and


17

fauna adjacent to the Francis Point Park and Ecological Reserve appear to be typical for the

marine habitats in the area.

Eelgrass beds have been noted in a polygon in Francis Bay in 1961 (Sunshine Coast Habitat

Atlas database Cheryl Trent pers. com.). Seaweed occurs along the coastline as horizontal bands

related to varying amounts of available sunlight. A narrow fringe of high density seaweed and

kelp is located off shore for the entire length of Moore Peninsula and off shore along the

southern part of the Park from the south side of Middle Bay to the southern tip at the Navigation

Aid (Sunshine Coast Regional District, 2001). A variety of seaweeds were also recorded off

Moore Point and Francis Point (Pacific Marine Life Surveys Inc. 2001).

Harbour seals are year round residents and frequent intertidal and sub-tidal waters where they

prey on salmon, herring, and cod. Stellar and California sea lions are seasonal residents in the

Pender Harbour area. In the spring 2001 herring spawned in Middle Bay, which also attracted

seals and raptors (P. Baker pers. com.)

South of Francis Point is noted as a popular sports fishing area (BC Outdoor Maps Sunshine

Coast).


18

CULTURAL VALUES

The present day Pender Harbour area was once home to as many 20,000 inhabitants. The

shishálh1 occupied the land for winter home sites, food-gathering purposes, and for ceremonial

and defence purposes. The imprint of European migration after 1880 has left today’s settlement

pattern and place names. (Egmont/Pender Harbour OCP, May 1998)

First Nations A traditional use assessment was conducted in the summer of 2001 to identify and review new

and previously known culturally significant sites associated with the Francis Point Park and

Ecological Reserve (Peacock, 2001). This included documenting, and mapping the current

condition of site features, identification of Aboriginal practices or cultural activities that have or

are occurring on the property and a protection strategy for any sites, natural resources and

practices associated with ongoing Aboriginal use.

The Pender Harbour area is part of the shishálh traditional territory. Pender Harbour was one of

three locations that the Aboriginal communities would gather during the less active months of

winter. Due to the proximity of large and small original village sites in the Pender Harbour area,

seasonal settlements would also have been established throughout the area to facilitate the

harvesting of local resources.

During the 1800’s diseases including smallpox, influenza, measles and tuburculosis introduced

through European contact led to devastating epidemics that severely impacted the Aboriginal

populations and their settlement patterns. The influence of religious missionization took hold in

the region with the resettlement of most of the shishálh population in Sechelt in 1868 (Peacock,

2001).

Traditional Aboriginal use of the Francis Point Park and Ecological Reserve area was of a very

specialized and strategic nature (i.e. transient camp and lookout). Traditional use of the Pender

Harbour area is illustrated on the map in Appendix 2. Potential traditional use sites in the area of

the Park and Ecological Reserve would most likely be situated at or near the limited points of

shoreline access, or particularly well situated vantage points on Malaspina Strait. Probable site

types would likely include – artifact scatters related to hunting or travel, historical structures and

associated debris, and small midden deposits near accessible shoreline or inland terraces. Modern

culturally modified trees (springboard notched stumps and girdled CMT’s) were observed in

Francis Point Park though no aboriginal examples (bark or plank strip, pitch tap, etc.) were

identified (Peacock, 2001).

Sixty-four recorded archaeological sites are located in the Pender Harbour area. The one

recorded archaeological site located within the Park (refer to Figure 7) is a midden at the head of

Middle Bay, which is limited in size and reasonably well protected by natural obstacles. Three

recorded sites, one of which includes a fish weir and canoe skid, are located along the Lagoon in

Lot 2 just north-west of the Park and two recorded sites are located around the head of Dutch

Mike’s Cove just south-east of the Park boundary. The site feature types are primarily middens.

1 Shishálh (Sechelt Band) - the term for the resident First Nations people of the region from the Native language

sháshishálem (Peacock, 2001)


19

Figure 7. Archaeological Sites Map


20

Non-aboriginal

The first non-aboriginal contact in the area was probably by Captain George Vancouver and his

crew who explored the Sunshine Coast area in June of 1792. The crew under the command of

Lieutenant Peter Puget, landed for a night in a cove near the south point of an island, which was

named Beaver Island, now generally known as Francis Peninsula. On June 16, 1792, Captain

Vancouver named the point after St. Francis (Francis Point Marine Park Society, 1999).

Given the erratic shorelines and extensive bays, early European settlement in Pender Harbour

followed the First Nations pattern of dispersed communities linked by water. As with other

coastal communities, by the 1890’s Union Steamship service further emphasized the regions

maritime nature and encouraged facilities development in proximity to the water (Peacock,

2001). Commercial fishing played an important role in the establishment of small communities

along the BC coastline, including many of the permanent settlements in the Egmont/Pender

Harbour area. The communities of Irvines Landing, Francis Peninsula, Garden Bay, Madeira

Park and Egmont all grew out of the commercial fishing boom in the early part of the twentieth

century. Pender Harbour served as a fishing and logging outpost. By the early 1900’s colonies of

Japanese and Scottish settlers populated parts of Francis Peninsula. The main economic activity

in the Sunshine Coast region today is logging, pulp and paper, tourism and retirement related

services (BC Stats).

Accessibility to the area was limited until the mid 1950’s when the road linking it to Vancouver

via the Langdale ferry terminal was completed (Sunshine Coast Regional District, 2001). The

Pender Harbour area was connected to Sechelt by telegraph in 1910 and a trail along the

telegraph line was for many years the only land access south of the area. A gravel road was

constructed between Sechelt and Pender Harbour in the mid 1930’s and was eventually paved in

1957 (Peacock, 2001).

Review of 1947 air photos shows that Francis Peninsula was largely undeveloped and forested.

By 1957, air photos show that sparse residential development had occurred on Francis Peninsula

and that the area was now accessed from the Sunshine Coast by a bridge at Bargain Narrows.

The 1964 air photos show a slight increase in residential development. However, by 1980, the air

photos show that Rondeview Road, Merrill Road and a portion of Merrill Crescent had been

constructed. Adjacent to the east and the north of Rondeview Road, a small lake had been

excavated. Air photos from 1990 and 1996 show additional residential development (URS-

Norecol Dames & Moore, 2000).

The west side of Francis Peninsula was surveyed by H. Nevel Smith, B.C.L.S. in 1909. The

property on which the Francis Point Park and Ecological Reserve is located was purchased in

1911 from the Crown and owned by the McQuarrie family until 2001 when it was acquired by

The Nature Trust of British Columbia (TNT) and the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) and

leased to BC Parks to manage. The property has been largely undeveloped and forested. There is

evidence of past logging in scattered areas in the centre and north portions of the Park property

and a former logging road appears to have run through portions of the property. This logging was

during the first part of the twentieth century. Review of 1947 aerial photographs indicates that

either a trail or a former road – largely overgrown with vegetation – came from the north end of


21

Francis Peninsula. It ran close to the east boundary of the Park for a short distance before curving

diagonally to the north-west across the property and ending at the Lagoon. There were several

areas which appear cleared of trees along the road and there were three large areas of unforested

land in the approximate centre of the Park in the vicinity of Middle Bay. Reviews of air photos

from subsequent decades (e.g. 1957, 1964, 1980, 1990, 1996) indicate no further logging and

regrowth of former cleared areas and roads that were observed in the 1947 photos (URS-Norecol

Dames & Moore, 2000).


22

OUTDOOR RECREATION AND TOURISM VALUES

This is a new Park and Ecological Reserve, that was previously under private land ownership.

There are no recreational facilities in the Park or Ecological Reserve. Despite the lack of

facilities and the fact that “no trespassing” signs were posted when the lands were under private

ownership, people have enjoyed hiking along undeveloped trails, accessing them from both the

road ends at the Park Boundary and from the water, primarily at Middle Bay.

Outdoor Recreation Features

The Pender Harbour area is characterized by an intricate shoreline of bays, islets and islands,

providing sheltered conditions for year round marine recreational activities. The abundance of

water and land resources in the area provides a diversity of recreation opportunities to local

residents, seasonal residents and tourists. Pender Harbour provides sheltered water for swimming

and boating. Opportunities for scuba diving, kayaking and other marine sports exist along the

foreshore of Malaspina Strait. The marine and fresh waters in the area are favoured by many for

sports fishing and shellfish harvesting. Public access to the water is limited by the amount of

privately held shoreline property.

The Francis Point Park and Ecological Reserve can be characterized as rugged west coast

waterfrontage bounded to the west by Malaspina Strait with the mouth of Pender Harbour to the

north. The property has an expansive stretch of undisturbed waterfrontage and a high percentage

of the land tends to consist of high-bank rocky bluffs with difficult access from the upland to the

waterfront. However there are also a number of small coves with pocket beaches characterized

by low rock tables at or near sea level, providing numerous access points and good recreational

appeal.

The outdoor recreation features of the Francis Point Park and Ecological Reserve include:

public access to the water

day hike and picnicking

approximately four kilometres of undeveloped shoreline with varied topography, bluff and

forested landscapes that provide significant viewscapes both from and to the water.

The CDC Site Record notes that the Park has moderate values for coastal recreation, including

low impact trails, and marine access for kayakers. Guide books (e.g. Paddling Sunshine Coast)

reference day paddles around Francis Point and picnicking opportunities on the bluffs above

Francis Bay.

The Park is currently accessible by various trails that traverse most sections of the Park and are

relatively easy to find and follow. These trails have been utilized by the public for hiking and

sometimes horse back riding even when the property was privately owned and “no trespassing”

signs were at the property boundary. The easiest existing access is from the end of Merrill Road

where a well established foot path leads down to Middle Bay. From Middle Bay less travelled

trails continue north toward the Lagoon and south around the navigation aid at Francis Point

towards Dutch Mike’s Cove. A second access point is from the end of Rondeview Place road at

the Park’s eastern boundary north of the Merrill Road access point. The trail from Rondeview


23

Place, which heads south-west and intersects the trail to Middle Bay from Merrill Road, is not as

well worn as the trail from Merrill Road to Middle Bay. The Park can also be accessed from the

north at the end of the new extension to Francis Peninsula Road and following the right-of-way

for the new water line which links into the trail from the Rondeview Place road end. (Refer to

Figure 2)

The Ecological Reserve can be accessed via the trails through the Park, however signage at the

Ecological Reserve boundaries notes that the reserve area is closed to all visitors except with a

BC Parks permit.

Visual Values

Malaspina Strait, adjacent to the Park and Ecological Reserve is a busy navigation channel. The

varied shoreline and upland topography with forested cover and open bluffs provide important

coastal viewscapes for the high volume of marine traffic (BC Conservation Data Centre, 2000).

From the upland, the shoreline of the Park and Ecological Reserve offer west and southwesterly

exposure with spectacular panoramic views across Malaspina Strait. The most southerly portion

of the Park extending north from Dutch Mike’s Cove around Francis Point to Middle Bay

includes the highest percentage of open rock-bluff waterfrontage with moderate-to-steep

topographical features and excellent panoramic views. Much of the interior parts of the Park

have an open forest canopy with limited understorey vegetation, resulting in a park-like setting.

Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Opportunities

The Sunshine coast is a popular tourist region with the summer population swelling by 25% to

approximately 32,000 people (The BC Fact Book). Pender Harbour has 10.5% of the population

of the Sunshine Coast and has grown from 1943 people in 1986 to 2573 people in 1996.

The Park provides an opportunity for visitors to experience a relatively undisturbed natural

coastal setting and to learn about the natural plant communities on the site.

Existing Facilities and Services

At present there are no recreational facilities or services in the Park or Ecological Reserve.

Signage at the Merrill Road end entrance to the Park states that the land has seen very little

human presence and that the fragile plant communities and marine life will be easily impacted as

people begin to visit the area. The sign requests that visitors minimize their impact. Camping and

fires are prohibited, pets must be on a leash and people are requested to stay on marked trails.

There are numerous signs around the boundary to the Ecological Reserve which restrict visitor

use as follows:


24

Ecological Reserve This area has been set aside for the preservation and study of natural systems and processes. The removal or disturbance of plants, animals and materials, including hunting, fishing, or tree cutting is prohibited. Camping and lighting fires are also not permitted within the ecological reserve. Due to the sensitive features of this ecological reserve, it is CLOSED to all visitors. Entry without the issuance of a permit from BC Parks is prohibited. We request your help in reporting any damage or disturbance to the nearest BC Parks office.

Visitor Activity Areas

There are no formal visitor activity areas within the Park. Informal trails on the Park property

have been used in the past by people trespassing on the private property. During the campaign by

the Francis Point Marine Park Society (FPMPS) to raise money to purchase the property for park

purposes, regular guided tours were conducted on the Park site with the permission of the

previous owners. Most people using the trails from the Merrill Road end go to Middle Bay, with

a few venturing down to the navigation light at Francis Point on the southern tip of the Park

(Patsy Baker pers. com.).

Park Visitor Profiles

Visitors to the Park prior to 2001, were primarily locals who “trespassed” on the private property

owned by the McQuarries. The primary use was to access the water at Middle Bay from the

Merrill Road end. There was also use of some of the trails by local residents for horse back

riding. In addition, over the last few years, the FPMPS took people on guided tours of the

property as part of their fund raising initiative to acquire the property for park purposes. The

people on the tours ranged from local residents, residents of the lower mainland to people from

out of province and out of Canada.

From casual discussions with visitors to the Park during July and August 2001, most were locals

or from the lower mainland (Patsy Baker, pers. com).

Visitor Use Trends: Past; Present; Future

The tourist industry is one of the Sunshine Coast’s economic mainstays. Tourism in the Sunshine

Coast Regional District is mainly in the form of fishing, sightseeing, recreational activities such

as hiking, cycling, golfing, boating or overnight accommodation in motel, bed and breakfast, or

private campground facilities. Approximately 82% of all tourists to the Sunshine Coast are BC

residents, another nine percent are foreign visitors and the remainder originate from other parts

of Canada.

In addition to the Provincial Parks in the vicinity of Francis Point, there are also a number of

Regional Parks, Community Parks, Mini Parks (e.g. road ends), and Special Feature Parks in the

area. Unfortunately records are not kept on the use of the various regional and community level


25

parks in the area. Statistics on day-use attendance are available for the following Provincial

Parks:

Table 1: BC Parks Day-Use Attendance Figures for Day-Use Areas near the Francis Point

Park and Ecological Reserve

2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991

Smuggler Cove*

Day Use

Boat

22,106

4,515

19,960

4,476

20,051

4,819

22,666

5,397

17,426

5,218

10,496

4,308

19,152

5,183

10,538

4,641

4,959

5,558

1,981

5,005

Sargeant Bay

Day Use

65,201

77,402

79,390

69,436

73,696

75,204

79,047

63,339

66,510

12,071

Skookumchuk

Narrows

Day Use

31,636

33,922

33,715

29,438

27,629

25,427

31,111

17,976

9,243

6,331

* includes 5 walk in camp sites

Table 1 illustrates an increase in day use of the Provincial Parks in the early 1990’s. Since the

early 1990’s, the annual day use numbers have been relatively consistent, with little over all

increase in numbers.

Records kept by the Pender Harbour Information Centre, indicate that they received 3,409

visitors at the Centre from June to September in 2000 and 3,828 visitors over the same period in

1999.

Due to the recent establishment of the Francis Point Park and Ecological Reserve, and the

previous status of the property being privately owned, current existing visitor use figures are

limited. A counter was installed at the Merrill Road entrance to the Park July 30, 2001. Readings

over the month of August indicate that there were between 200 and 240 visitors based on meter

readings of approximately 25 to 30 people visiting the Park every four days.

Use of the areas parks is likely to increase with the expected doubling of the Egmont/Pender

Harbour area population over the next 25 years (Sunshine Coast Regional District, 1998).


26

LAND TENURES, OCCUPANCY RIGHTS AND RESOURCE

USES

Tenures, Rights and Resource Uses in the Protected Area

There is a statutory right-of-way in favour of the South Pender Water District that was

established to facilitate the construction, servicing and operation of an eight inch diameter water

line, and air release valve. This right-of-way bisects the Park from the end of the extended

portion of Francis Peninsula Road travelling eastward and joining Rondeview Place, where the

road abuts the eastern boundary of the Park. (refer to Figure 3).

BC Parks intends to acquire tenure for 100m of the foreshore adjacent to the Park and Ecological

Reserve with the exception of the water lot lease owned by the McQuarries in the Lagoon

adjacent to Lot 6 in the proposed subdivision of Lot 2. With further information on the intertidal

and sub-tidal values adjacent to the Park and Ecological Reserve, there may be adjustments made

to the 100m foreshore rights acquired by BC Parks to ensure that the most sensitive areas are

within the zone acquired by BC Parks.

First Nations Interests

Though Francis Point Park is perhaps less accessible to the Sechelt Indian Band (SIB)

membership given their primary residence in Sechelt, there are regular summer visits made by

Elders and students groups. The SIB has for several years utilized the Parks and proximate Band

Lands for a variety of youth challenge and traditional culture programs. These programs may

involve the minimal harvest of traditional resources (Peacock, 2001).

Acknowledging that the Pender Harbour area thrives on summer tourism, the SIB, as the original

hosts in the area, would like to be involved in future culture based tourism and would welcome

the opportunity to conduct Park interpretive tours (Peacock, 2001).

Patterns of Land Use Next to the Protected Area

Francis Point Park and Ecological Reserve and adjacent lands on Francis Peninsula are located in

the Sunshine Coast Regional District within electoral area A. Land use in this area is subject to

the Egmont/Pender Harbour Official Community Plan (OCP) (Sunshine Coast Regional District,

1998) and Zoning Bylaw No. 337 (Sunshine Coast Regional District, 1990). The land use

adjacent to the Park is designated in the OCP as “Residential A”, which requires a minimum lot

size of 2,000 square meters (one-half acre) (Sunshine Coast regional District, 1998). Zoning for

the land on the eastern Park boundary, south of Merrill Road (i.e. DL 997) and abutting the

north-west boundary of the Park (i.e. Lot 2) is Rural Resource 2 (RU2). Permitted uses allowed

under this zoning include single-family residential with up to four dwelling units, riding stables,

animal shelters, intensive agriculture, and campgrounds with up to 10 sites per hectare of parcel

area. Zoning for the land along the eastern Park boundary north of Merrill Road and along the

northern Park boundary is Single and Two Family Residential (R2). Permitted uses include

single-family residential with up to two dwelling units per parcel.


27

The 10.30 ha parcel (Lot 2) joining the north-west corner of the Park, is currently undergoing a

subdivision process which includes seven lots and a small lot designated as a Regional Park that

is contiguous with the boundary of the Ecological Reserve and the Provincial Park. It is

understood that the intent of the Regional Park is not yet determined, but that it would be

consistent and compatible with the purposes and use of the Ecological Reserve and Provincial

Park (Paul Thompson, Planner Sunshine Coast Regional District pers. com.).

The large parcel (i.e. DL 997) that adjoins the eastern boundary of the Park south of Merrill

Road is currently farmed, with the area along the Park boundary still primarily forested. Most of

the wetland that straddles the boundary of the Park and DL 997 is located in DL 997. It is noted

that the area along the Park boundary including the wetland is identified as “high constraint” in

terms of terrain suitability for residential development. DL 997 is also identified to include a

future neighbourhood public use area. The OCP (Sunshine Coast regional District, 1998) states

that a park site should be acquired at the time of future multi-lot subdivision approval. “A level

site south of the Merrill Crescent subdivision may be suitable for a playing field or playground.

The present lack of play fields in the Francis Peninsula area would make this site a valuable asset

to the neighbourhood and community.” Despite the diversity and number of parks in the Pender

Harbour area, public campground facilities are lacking and it is unlikely that the provincial

government will develop such facilities at either Skookumchuk Narrows Provincial Park or

Garden Bay Marine Park. Commercial campgrounds could fill this void and provide an alternate

form of accommodation for the travelling public (Sunshine Coast Regional District, 2001).

Commercial campgrounds are permitted on parcels over 1.75 hectares in RU2 zones which is the

zoning for the lands adjacent (i.e. Dl 997 and Lot 2) to the new Francis Point Park (SCRD

Zoning Bylaw No. 337, 1990).

East of the Park, north of DL 997, there are residential subdivisions along Rondeview Road,

Merrill Road and Merrill Crescent. However a number of the parcels between these subdivisions

and immediately adjacent to the north-east boundary of the Park are larger and primarily

undeveloped with significant amounts of forest cover. Two of these parcels at the north-east

corner provide a forested continuum between Francis Point Park and the Special Feature Park

called Beaver Island Subdivision Park. This is a 2.6 ha site that surrounds a small man-made

marshy lake, locally known as Trout Lake.

Opportunities exist to encourage appropriate natural buffer areas along the Francis Point Park

boundary. This could include encouragement of cluster development with natural areas being left

along the Park boundary at a time that there is a multi-lot subdivision of DL 997 and the

development of a future neighbourhood public use area in DL 997 that would also augment the

services in Francis Point Park. Opportunities should also be explored to encourage the

maintenance of the forested continuum between the north-east portion of Francis Point Park and

Trout Lake.


28

BC PARKS OPERATIONS

Operations Infrastructure and Facilities

At present there are no recreational facilities or services in the Park or Ecological Reserve. BC

Parks retained a part time caretaker during the summer of 2001 to monitor visitor activity.


29

KEY MANAGEMENT ISSUES

Ecological Mapping and Sensitivity Assessment

Issue: There is a need for mapping the rare and sensitive plant communities within the Park.

Park management would also benefit from additional marine inventory information.

There is an understanding of the forested plant communities on the property, including facility

development restrictions in the rare-listed forested plant communities and a broad understanding

about the sensitivity to disturbance of the open, moss and lichen covered rock outcrop

communities. Mapping the plant community polygons, particularly the unusual grass-

moss/lichen community which forms the most sensitive part of the rock outcrop vegetation

would assist planners in determining appropriate management for the Park, and the appropriate

placement of recreation facilities, including parking areas and the overall layout of the trail

system. Existing surveys, together with mapping of the plant communities using air photos and

field checks would also provide baseline conditions from which to monitor impacts from future

use of the Park. It is noted that currently there is no visitor access to the Ecological Reserve

except with a permit from BC Parks.

There is the possibility for high marine intertidal and sub-tidal values adjacent to the Park and

Ecological Reserve (BC Conservation Data Centre, 2000). More information about the intertidal

and sub-tidal values relative to other areas in this Ecosection will be needed to:

In the short term - make adjustments to the 100m foreshore rights that BC Parks is in the

process of acquiring; and

In the longer term - explore the potential for obtaining marine protected area status.

Appropriate Recreational Activities in the Park

Issue: There is a need to determine which recreational activities are appropriate within the

Park area.

Consideration should be given to what activities are appropriate in the Park given that Francis

Point Provincial Park is designated under the lease agreement between TNT and BC Parks as a

day use public park with a wildlife habitat and environmental enhancement purpose and for

recreational, educational and scientific uses appropriate to this purpose.

The lease agreement between TNT and BC Parks also states that no access point or any other

access or egress is to be constructed into the Park from the extension of Francis Peninsula Road.

Recommendations from the Ecological Assessment of Francis Point Park and Ecological

Reserve state that under no circumstances should the areas occupied by the rare-listed plant

communities be utilized for park facilities including buildings, picnic and campgrounds,

playgrounds or roadways.


30

Information on Park Opportunities

Issue: There is a need to provide direction on what information should be distributed on the

Park and how it should be distributed.

In managing visitors to the Park, consideration should be given to how the use of the Park is

promoted including the information provided about the Park on web sites, brochures, signs in the

Park and the amount of signage from Highway 101 etc. There may be opportunities to facilitate a

multi-faceted experience for visitors to the Pender Harbour area by offering information on the

various types of parks in the area and the products they offer. The Francis Point Park could

provide a self guided educational experience of natural coastal plant communities in a relatively

undisturbed state, where as other parks in the area may focus on the fresh water aquatic systems,

and more intensive recreational uses.

As the original hosts in the area, the Sechelt Indian Band (SIB) would like to be involved in

future culture based tourism and would welcome the opportunity to conduct Park interpretive

tours.

Park Access and Facility Development

Issue: There is a need to determine where access to the Park will occur and what facilities are

required for access and to support appropriate recreation activities within the Park.

The property has high access potential from both land and water. Control of access by people

and domestic animals will be needed to ensure that fragile moss and lichen communities on

shallow soiled, rocky sites are protected. Steep rocky knolls may also provide hazards to hikers.

If public access is to be allowed, a safe trail network will need to be designed (BC Conservation

Data Centre, 2000). Management of access also relates to concerns for fire control, garbage and

weed control (e.g. seeds transported on people and dogs).

Potential marine access points include Francis Bay area (e.g. Middle Bay), Dutch Mike’s Cove at

the southern end of the Park and the Lagoon between Moore Peninsula and the private property

owned by the McQuarrie family (i.e. Lot 2). Developing management options for near shore

marine use and marine access to the Park should consider intertidal and sub-tidal resources and

their relative sensitivity to disturbance.

There is road access to the Park boundaries from the north and east, but no road access into the

Park. Concerns may arise from the parking of vehicles along the roads to the Park. Consideration

of future parking facilities within the Park boundaries is required and determination which access

point will serve as the main entrance to the Park. Potential for parking within the park would be

at the east side of the Park at the end of either Rondeview Road or Merrill Road. Currently the

Merrill Road end serves as the primary Park entry point. Consideration should also be given to

installing a Park gate that is locked after dusk to discourage potential evening or night time

parties.


31

Under normal circumstances there is no concern against constructing and/or maintaining trails

that traverse the rare-listed plant communities. However trails on the open, moss and lichen

covered rock outcrop areas cause abrasion and potentially contribute to alien plant introductions.

It is recommended that on these sites that trails be kept to a minimum and that existing trails be

shifted away from slanting rock surfaces and areas where trail proliferation is likely or already a

problem (Roemer, 2001). Consideration should be given to designing trails that encourage foot

traffic to stay on the trail and discourage other types of use (horseback riding, motorized

vehicles, mountain bikes). Barriers or fences may be required to prevent access to particularly

sensitive areas or high hazard areas.

New trail access must not be created in the Ecological Reserve. While the forest communities in

the Ecological Reserve are no more fragile than those in the Park, the terrain of the peninsula is

such that any foot traffic would be concentrated on the open rock outcrop sites, mainly along the

shorelines, and the isthmus connecting the Park to the Ecological Reserve would be particularly

affected (Roemer, 2001). Current signage around the Ecological Reserve, both from the upland

and at potential marine access points states that the area is closed to all visitors except under a

permit from BC Parks.

Control of Introduction of Exotic or Invasive Species

Issue: There is a need to determine how exotic or invasive species will be controlled and

managed.

One of the unique aspects of the Park and Ecological Reserve property is the relative lack of

weeds or invasive species. Plant surveys conducted in 1998, 1999 and 2001 indicate that there

were few introduced weedy species (refer to the plants with an asterisk listed in Table 1 in

Appendix 1). The few individuals of aggressive introduced shrubs, principally Scotch broom and

Himalayan blackberry, must be eliminated at the earliest possible opportunity to prevent a

situation where proliferation would necessitate very major and continuous control efforts

stretching over decades. Table 3 in Appendix 1 lists some of the control measures that can be

implemented to control a number of the introduced plant species.

Currently dogs are allowed in the Park only on a leash and people are requested to stay on

marked trails. Management of access into the park and construction of any required

infrastructure (e.g. recent waterline) will need to consider how the introduction of weeds can be

minimized. Consideration should be given to planting of native species in any disturbed areas

(e.g. waterline right-of-way), designing trails that encourage foot traffic and discourage other

types of use (horseback riding, motorized vehicles, mountain bikes as seeds can be left in

droppings or tracked in on the vehicles), and barriers or fences to prevent possible livestock

access.


32

Monitoring

Issue: There is a need to determine what monitoring programs need to take place within the

Park and Ecological Reserve.

Consideration needs to be given to monitoring the use of the site and any deterioration noted to

the natural resources present both on the upland and the adjacent marine foreshore. Particular

attention should be paid to the open moss/lichen plant communities present that are most

sensitive to disturbance. Existing ecological inventories, together with mapping sensitive plant

communities and field checks conducted by a qualified professional prior to the design and

development of recreation facilities including parking, trails and viewpoints will provide a

baseline to monitor use and condition of the Park’s resources.

It is noted that these natural resources are also valued by the SIB and recognition be given that

these resources be managed on a sustainable basis while also providing for Aboriginal rights of

access. The SIB has for several years utilized the Parks and proximate Band Lands for a variety

of youth challenge and traditional culture programs. These programs may involve the minimal

harvest of traditional resources (Peacock, 2001). In the traditional use assessment conducted

during the summer of 2001, it was noted that efforts should be made to monitor and assess

contemporary use patterns and their effects on resources (Peacock, 2001).

Consideration should be given to information signage, barriers and fencing of particularly

sensitive areas and monitoring by local stewardship groups. The possibility of providing guided

tours by local stewardship groups may serve as both an educational experience, particularly for

first time visitors to the Park and as a mechanism to monitor use of the trails.


33

BIBLIOGRAPHY

BC Conservation Data Centre, 2000. Georgia Basin Ecosystem Conservation Partnership –

Catalogue of Site Records. Francis Point, Sechelt Site Record, prepared by Andrew Harcombe,

February 2000.

Bouman, D. 1997. Environmental Assessment Report of Francis Point Property. prepared by Dan

Bouman for Howard White, November 1997 (2pp, 2 inventory forms)

Coastal Waters Recreation, British Columbia Outdoor Maps #12 Sunshine Coast

Drope, Dorothy and Bodhi, 1997. Paddling Sunshine Coast, Harbour Publishing

Federation of BC Naturalists, 1997. Environmentally Important Sites and Streams on the

Sunshine Coast. Land for Nature Initiative, November 1997.

Francis Point Marine Park Society, 1999. Proposal Francis Point Marine Park, prepared by J.

Johnstone and M. Larsen for the Francis Point Marine Park Society, Madeira Park, June 1999.

Land Agreements Between The Nature Trust of British Columbia, the Nature Conservancy of

Canada and the Province of BC:

Section 219 Covenant charging Lot 1 for Park Use, March 13, 2001

Lease with Right of Renewal charging Lot 1, March 14, 2001

Statutory Right of Way for a water line through the Park in favour of the South Pender Water

District, March 5, 2001

Section 219 Covenant charging Lot 3 for Ecological Reserve, March 13, 2001

Lease with Right of Renewal charging Lot 3, March 14, 2001

MacKinnon, A. 1998. Letter to Peter Robson, Francis Point Marine Park Society, October 1998

Pacific Marine Life Surveys Inc. 2001. A Dive Log Species Report and Analysis: Prepared for

BC Parks as background information for a report on the Francis Point property, October, 2001.

Peacock, A. 2001. Francis Point Provincial Park shishálh (Sechelt Band) Traditional Use

Assessment and Site Protection Plan. Prepared for Ministry of Environment, Land and Parks BC

Parks. Global Village Research Consultants, Sechelt, Summer 2001

Robertson Environmental Services Ltd. 2001. Proposed 7 Lot Subdivision of D.L. 2792 of

Francis Peninsula McQuarrie Property Raptor/Heron Nest Survey and Wildlife Bio-Inventory.

prepared by Claudio Bianchini and Ian Robertson for Peter M. Gordon Land Surveying Inc.

January 2001

Roemer, H. 2001. Ecological Assessment of Francis Point Park and Ecological Reserve.

Prepared by Hans Roemer, BC Parks, August 2001


34

Sunshine Coast Regional District, 1990. Pender Harbour – Egmont (Electoral Area A) Zoning

Bylaw No. 337

Sunshine Coast Regional Distyrict, 1998. Egmont/Pender Harbour Official Community Plan.

Bylaw No. 432, 1996, adopted May 1998.

Sunshine Coast Regional District, 2001. Egmont/Pender Harbour Plan Area Technical

Background Report. Prepared by SCRD Planning Department. Completed 1995, compiled

January 2001.

Taylor, T. 1998 and 1999. Plants Observed on McQuarrie Property, Francis Peninsula,

September 12, 1998 and additional plants observed in proposed Francis Point Marine Park, May

29, 1999.

URS-Norecol Dames & Moore, 2000. Stage I Preliminary Site Investigation Francis Point

Property Sunshine Coast, British Columbia. Prepared for the Nature Trust of British Columbia,

December 8, 2000.


35

Appendix 1

Plant Lists compiled by Terry Taylor (September 1998 and May 1999)

and Hans Roemer (August 2001)

Table 1. Vascular Plant Species

Recorded in Francis Point Provincial Park and Ecological Reserve Inventories by Terry Taylor, September 12, 1998 and May 29, 1999, and Hans Roemer, August 21/22, 2001

(* denotes introduced species)

Trees

Abies grandis Grand fir T R

Acer macrophyllum Bigleaf maple T R

Alnus rubra Red alder T R

Arbutus menziesii Arbutus T R

Ilex aquifolium* Holly T R

Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper R

Pinus contorta var. contorta Shore pine T R

Prunus emarginata Fire cherry R

Pseudotsuga menziesii Douglas-fir T R

Salix scouleriana Scouler’s willow T R

Salix sitchensis Sitka willow R

Taxus brevifolia Pacific yew R

Thuja plicata Western redcedar T R

Tsuga heterophylla Western hemlock T R

Shrubs

Amelanchier alnifolia Saskatoon berry T R

Cytisus scoparius* Scotch broom R

Gaultheria shallon Salal T R

Holodiscus discolor Ocean spray T R

Juniperus communis Common juniper T R

Lonicera ciliosa Orange honeysuckle T R

Lonicera hispidula Hairy honeysuckle T R

Mahonia aquifolium Tall Oregongrape T R

Mahonia nervosa Dulll Oregongrape T R

Pachistima myrsinites Falsebox T R

Prunus laurocerasus* Russian laurel R

Pyrus fusca Pacific crabapple R

Ribes lacustre Swamp gooseberry R

Rosa gymnocarpa Baldhip rose T R

Rosa nutkana Nootka rose T R

Rubus discolor* Himalayan blackberry R

Rubus laciniatus* Evergreen blackberry T

Rubus parviflorus Thimbleberry R

Rubus spectabilis Salmonberry T R

Rubus ursinus Trailing blackberry T R

Sambucus racemosa Red elderberry R

Symphoricarpos albus Snowberry T R

Vaccinium parviflorum Red huckleberry T R

Others

Achillea millefolium Yarrow T R

Agropyron repens* Quackgrass T

Agrostis gigantea* Tall bentgrass T R


36

Agrostis pallens Dune bentgrass R

Agrostis scabra Hair bentgrass T R

Aira caryophyllea* Silver hairgrass T R

Aira praecox* Early hairgrass T R

Allium cernuum Nodding onion R

Anthoxanthum odoratum* Sweet vernalgrass T R

Arctostaphylos media Kinnikinnick – manzanita hybrid T R

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Kinnikinnick T R

Aspidotis densa Indian dream fern T R

Asplenium trichomanes Maidenhair spleenwort T R

Athyrium filix-femina Lady fern R

Atriplex patula Orache T R

Blechnum spicant Deer fern R

Boschniakia hookeri Vancouver groundcone T R

Brodiaea coronaria Harvest brodiaea T

Bromus hordeaceus* Soft brome T

Bromus sitchensis Sitka bromegrass R

Bromus vulgaris Common bromegrass R

Cardamine oligosperma Few-seeded bittercress T

Carex lyngbyei Lyngby’s sedge T

Carex obnupta Slough sedge R

Cerastium glomeratum* Sticky chickweed T

Chenopodium album Lambsquarter R

Chimaphila umbellata Prince’s pine T R

Claytonia sibirica Sibirian miner’s lettuce T

Collinsia grandiflora Large-flowered blue-eyed Mary T

Crepis capillaris* Smooth hawksbeard R

Cryptogramma acrostichoides` Parsley fern T R

Dactylis glomerata* Orchard grass T

Danthonia spicata Poverty oatgrass T R

Daucus pusillus American wild carrot T

Digitalis purpurea* Foxglove R

Distichlis stricta Seashore saltgrass R

Dryopteris expansa Spiny woodfern T R

Eleocharis obtusata Blunt spike-rush R

Elymus glaucus Western wildrye R

Epilobium ciliatum Purple-leaved willow-herb T R

Equisetum hiemale Common scouring rush R

Equisetum telmateia Giant horsetail R

Eriophyllum lanatum Wooly sunflower T R

Erythronium oregonum White fawn lily T R

Festuca arundinacea* Giant fescue T R

Festuca occidentalis Western fescue T R

Festuca rubra* Red fescue R

Festuca rubra ssp. arenariai Native red fescue T R

Festuca subulata Bearded fescue T

Festuca subuliflora Crinkle-awn fescue R

Fragaria virginiana Wild strawberry T R

Fritillaria affinis Chocolat lily T R

Galium aparine* Cleavers T R

Geranium bicknellii Bicknell’s geranium R

Geranium molle* Dove-foot geranium T

Geum macrophyllum Large-leaf avens T

Glaux maritima Sea milkwort T

Gnaphalium purpureum Purple cudweed T R

Gnaphalium uliginosum* Marsh cudweed R

Goodyera oblongifolia Rattlesnake plantain T R

Grindelia integrifolia Puget Sound gumweed T R

Heuchera micrantha Small-flowered alumroot T R


37

Hieracium albiflorum White Hawkweed T R

Holcus lanatus* Velvetgrass T R

Hordeum brachyantherum Meadow barley T R

Hypochaeris radicata* Hairy cat’s ear R

Juncus balticus Baltic rush T R

Koeleria macrantha Junegrass R

Lactuca muralis* Wall lettuce R

Leymus mollis Beach rye T R

Lilium columbianum Wild tiger lily T R

Linnaea borealis Twinflower T R

Listera caurina Northwestern twayblade T

Luzula multiflora Many-flowered woodrush T R

Lysichiton americanum Skunk cabbage R

Madia cf. glomerata Cluster tarweed R

Madia madioides Woodland tarweed T

Melica subulata Alaska oniongrass R

Mimulus guttatus Yellow monkeyflower T

Mimulus guttatus var. depauperatus Dwarf monkeyflower T

Monotropa uniflora Indian pipe T R

Montia parvifolia Small-leaf montia T

Myosotis stricta* Blue forget-me-not T

Oenanthe sarmentosa Water parsley R

Panicum occidentale Western witchgrass T R

Panicum oligosanthes var. scribnerianum Scribner’s witchgrass R

Pentagramma triangularis Goldback fern T

Perideridia gairdneri Gairdner’s yampah T R

Plantago major* Common plantain T R

Plantago maritima Seaside plantain T R

Plectritis congesta Seablush T R

Polygonum douglasii ssp. spergilariiforme Spurry knotweed T R

Polypodium glycirrhiza Licorice fern T R

Polystichum munitum Swordfern T R

Potentilla pacifica Pacific silverweed R

Prunella vulgaris Selfheal T R

Pteridium aquilinum Bracken fern T R

Rumex acetosella* Sheep sorrel T R

Rumex aquaticus var. fenestratus Western dock T

Rumex crispus* Curly dock T R

Salicornia virginica American glasswort T R

Saxifraga ferruginea Alaska saxifrage T R

Sedum acre* Goldmoss stonecrop T

Sedum oregonum Oregon stonecrop T R

Selaginella wallacei Wallace’s spikemoss T R

Senecio sylvaticus* Wood groundsel T

Sonchus arvensis* Perennial sow-thistle T R

Sonchus asper* Prickly sow thistle T R

Spiranthes romanzoffiana Lady’s tresses R

Stellaria media* Chickweed T R

Trientalis latifolia Broad-leaf starflower T R

Trifolium dubium* Small hop-clover T

Trifolium tridentatum Tomcat clover R

Trifolium variegatum White-tipped clover T

Triglochin maritima Seaside arrowgrass T R

Trisetum canescens Tall trisetum R

Triteleia hyacinthina Fool’s onion T R

Veronica americana American brooklime R

Vicia americana American vetch T R

Vicia gigantea Giant vetch T R

Vinca minor* Periwinkle T


38

Vulpia microstachys Pacific annual fescue T R

Vulpia myuros* Rattail fescue T R

Zygadenus venenosus Death camas T R

1 Note: Taylor’s Festuca idahoensis replaced by this name. Presumably, “idahoensis” was used to designate F. roemeri (Pavlick)

Alexeyev. The present taxon is rhizomatous and belongs to the F. rubra complex.

Source: Roemer, H. 2001. Ecological Assessment of Francis Point Park and Ecological Reserve. Prepared by

Hans Roemer, BC Parks, August 2001


39

Table 2. Cryptogam - Grass community on hilltops and exposed rock outcrops

Francis Point Park and Ecological Reserve

Surveyed and compiled by H.Roemer, August, 2001

(x = present; X= present with high cover/abundance)

Scattered trees, tree

saplings and

seedlings:

Pinus contorta x x x x x x x x x Shore pine

Arbutus menziesii x x x x x x x x Arbutus

Pseudotsuga menziesii x x x x x x Douglas-fir

Tsuga heterophylla x Western hemlock

Shrubs:

Juniperus communis x x x x X x X Common juniper

Amelanchier alnifolia x Saskatoon

Lonicera hispidula x Hairy honeysuckle

Herb/Grass layer:

Festuca rubra ssp. arenaria x x X X X x x x X “red” fescue, native subsp, (glaucous)

Hypochaeris radicata x x x x x x x x Hairy catsear

Agrostis pallens X X x x x x X Dune bentgrass

Danthonia spicata x X X x X x Poverty oatgrass

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi x X X x x x Kinnikinnick

Agrostis scabra x x x x x Hair bentgrass

Aira praecox x x x x x Early hairgrass

Prunella vulgaris x x x x Selfheal

Cryptogramma acrostichoides x x x x Parsley fern

Panicum occidentale x x x x Western witchgrass

Achillea millefolium x x x x Yarrow

Fragaria virginiana x x x Wild strawberry

Saxifraga ferruginea x x x Alaska saxifrage

Heuchera micrantha x x Small-flowered alumroot

Allium cernuum x Nodding onion

Madia sp. x Tarweed

Holcus lanatus x x Velvetgrass

Rumex acetosella x Sheep sorrel

Luzula multiflora x Many-flowered woodrush

Eriophyllum lanatum x Woolly sunflower

Moss/Lichen layer:

Cladina portentosa X X X X X X X X X Pacific reindeer lichen

Polytrichum juniperinum X x x x x x x x X Haircap moss

Racomitrium canescens x x x x x x x X x Gray rockmoss

Cladina rangiferina x X x x X Reindeer lichen

Selaginella wallacei x x x x Wallace’s spikemoss

Dicranum scoparium x x x Broom moss

Cladonia spp. x x x x Other Cladonia lichens

Cladonia gracilis x Intricate Cladonia lichen

Hylocomium splendens x Stepmoss

Eurhynchium oreganum x Oregon beaked moss

Cladonia uncinata x Hook-tip Cladonia lichen

Source: Roemer, H. 2001. Ecological Assessment of Francis Point Park and Ecological Reserve.


Table 3. Introduced Plant Species2

which may require preventative or control measures

Species Name Presence in this

protected area3

Potential invasiveness Management

measures Cytisus scoparius

(Scotch broom)

Only one large plant

observed on a hilltop,

however covered with

hundreds of seed pods

Very high likelihood for

becoming a problem on the

shallow soils on rocky

outcrops

Must be removed and

the site subsequently

monitored for seedlings

Rubus discolor

(Himalayan blackberry)

One plant established on

rocky opening

Not an optimal site for the

species, but could still be

spread by birds

Remove

Rubus laciniatus

(evergreen blackberry)

Reported by T. Taylor;

number unknown

Similar to above, but less

aggressive

Remove

Ilex aquifolium

(holly)

Occasional specimens in

forest

Has become a major

problem close to populated

areas elsewhere

Remove

Prunus laurocerasus

(Russian laurel)

Only one small seedling

observed in forest

Occasionally seen to

survive, but not a significant

problem now

None needed at this

time

Daphne laureola

(leather-leaf daphne)

Not reported from this

area; bird-distributed and

likely to appear

Highly invasive in semi-

open areas in CDF

Must be removed

immediately when

appearing in area

Hedera helix

(ivy)

Not reported at this time,

but virtually certain to

appear

Highly invasive in forests

under similar conditions

elsewhere

As above

Vinca minor

(periwinkle)

Reported by T. Taylor;

abundance unknown

Occasionally invasive

elsewhere as forest floor

species

Remove where found

Anthoxanthum odoratum

(sweet vernalgrass),

Dactylis glomerata

(orchardgrass), Holcus

lanatus (velvetgrass),

Hypochaeris radicata

(hairy cat’s ear), Rumex

acetosella (sheep sorrel)

Elsewhere these species

are the main invaders of

non-forested shallow soils,

but except for

Hypochaeris, have not

made major inroads

locally

Gradual increase to be

expected

Control of these species

has not been attempted

anywhere else in

protected areas; it

appears not feasible at

this time and may result

in more disruption than

benefit

Remaining species with

* in Table 1

Occurring in various

amounts

Not considered disrup-tive

for native plant

communities

As above

Source: Roemer, H. 2001. Ecological Assessment of Francis Point Park and Ecological Reserve.


2 For complete list refer to species with asterisks in Table 1

3 Includes both the Park and Ecological Reserve area

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