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shíshálh swiya Dock Management (formerly Pender Harbour Project)

Last updated on November 13, 2024

The shíshálh swiya Dock Management Plan was developed to support responsible and appropriate dock development in the shíshálh swiya.

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shíshálh swiya (Pender Harbour) Self-Registration System

Existing dock and boathouse owners can complete the self-registration form to receive a temporary authorization (a shíshálh swiya General Permission) under the Land Act. Refer to the Sample shíshálh swiya General Permission (PDF, 199KB) for an example authorization. These authorizations and existing tenures will be transitioned to long-term 20-year renewable authorizations upon individual review over the next three years.

Self-registration is for existing private moorage docks and boathouses in the marine area of the shíshálh swiya only. Visit land use – moorage for other forms of moorage.

Access the Self-Registration System

Refer to the Existing Dock and Boathouse Owners in the swiya Fact Sheet (PDF, 185KB) and Frequently Asked Questions (PDF, 357KB) for more details on what this means for existing dock and boathouse owners, existing dock tenure holders, and upcoming actions required to obtain long-term authorizations.

For freshwater docks and boathouses, the shishalh Nation and B.C. government are continuing with the pause on freshwater dock applications until the literature review and mapping of habitat is completed and any further changes are finalized. After the pause, existing tenured and untenured dock owners in freshwater will be expected to comply with any mandatory requirements and encouraged to adopt best management practices, similar to the process followed within the marine environment.

Updates and engagement on proposed amendments to the dock management guidance within the swiya

November 12, 2024, update: Dock Inventory criteria and reminder about self-registration system

Self-registration system reminder:

Thank you to those who have completed their self-registration for their existing marine docks in the swiya. Self-registration allows the shíshálh Nation and the government of B.C. to efficiently transition existing docks to 20-year renewable long-term authorizations. While there is no deadline to complete the self-registration form, early self-registration ensures you are prioritized in the transition process.

Please remember to email yourself a copy of the self-registration form once complete. The form does not auto-email. If you need the email link to your self-registration form sent to you as you have already completed your registration, please email ssDMP@gov.bc.ca.

Dock and boathouse inventory assessment criteria:

Jointly, the shíshálh Nation, the government of B.C. and public volunteers have been on the water collecting an inventory of docks and boathouses in the swiya over the last couple weeks. The inventory will ensure an accurate count of all docks in the water as of July 1, 2024.

The inventory collects three key pieces of information for each dock and boathouse:

  1. Photographs
  2. Location 
  3. Condition assessment (PDF, 153KB)

While the best management practices for freshwater docks remain paused, the lakes are being inventoried and the same information is being collected as above. An additional inventory may be required in the future should further considerations be raised during the review of the best management practices for freshwater docks.

September 20, 2024, update: Dock Inventory work in the swiya starting end of September

Staff from shíshálh Nation and B.C. government are conducting an inventory of dock and boathouse structures in the shíshálh swiya in the upcoming weeks. This is part of our ongoing work to protect existing habitat and cultural resources. Field crews will be in boats on the water in the swiya assessing the state and locations of existing private moorage structures.

The inventory will involve:

  • Photography used to develop a current (or confirm) inventory of existing private moorage structures
  • An assessment to inform a condition-rating. This will be used to support work planning for transition to 20 year long-term authorizations

September 18, 2024, update: Self Registration System released on September 18, 2024 

As announced on August 1, 2024, all tenured and untenured dock and boathouse owners are asked to self-register their structure by filling out a new form. The form is live for registration as of September 18, 2024.

The self-registration form is easy and free to use. By self-registering their structures, owners of existing tenured and untenured docks and boathouses within the swiya will receive a shíshálh swiya General Permission. This is applicable for the existing structure, as built, subject to upgrade requirements outlined in the Existing Dock and Boathouse Owners in the swiya Fact Sheet (PDF, 185KB).

Starting September 2024, existing dock and boathouse owners will be given the following timelines for repairing or upgrading dock and boathouse components to be more environmentally sensitive:

  • Dock and boathouse owners will have 10 years to update Styrofoam to encapsulated or a non-Styrofoam floatation system
    • If Styrofoam is actively breaking apart, dock and boathouse owners will have 2 years to replace it with encapsulated Styrofoam or a non-Styrofoam floatation system that ensures light penetration through the structure to the sea floor
  • Dock and boathouse owners will have 10 years to upgrade to light transparency decking or another option supported by academically peer reviewed research regarding shading mitigations approved by shíshálh and the B.C. government
  • When dock and boathouse owners need to replace pilings, they must not be replaced with creosote pilings.

To support the overall health of the marine environment, dock and boathouse owners are encouraged to make repairs to their structures in alignment with other dock management plan best management practices wherever possible, but they are not mandatory.

August 1, 2024 update: Simplified requirements and approval process for existing dock owners in the swiya and updates from the Dock Management Plan Advisory Group (DMPAG) work

Updates to management plan provide certainty for Sunshine Coast dock owners.

Together, the shíshálh Nation and B.C. government are proposing changes to the shíshálh swiya Dock Management Plan to address community interests regarding existing docks and boathouses. Existing dock and boathouse owners will complete a self-registration form and will receive a temporary authorization under the Land Act. Over the next three years, these authorizations and existing tenures will be transitioned to long-term 20-year renewable authorizations upon individual review.

Please see the updates to Existing Dock and Boathouse Owners in the swiya Fact Sheet (PDF, 185KB) and Frequently Asked Questions (PDF, 357KB) for further details on what this means for existing dock and boathouse owners, existing dock tenure holders and upcoming actions required to obtain long-term authorizations.

If you have an existing dock or boathouse in the swiya, please sign up for updates regarding the upcoming release of the swiya Dock Registration system at ssDMP@gov.bc.ca.

These updates were informed through the work and recommendations received through the Dock Management Plan Advisory Group (DMPAG). The Province and shíshálh would like to thank and acknowledge the tremendous amount of work the DMPAG members and those who supported them put in to providing feedback and further considerations for the Dock Management Plan amendments.

A Meeting Summary (PDF, 22.5MB) outlining the topics and documents reviewed at each DMPAG meeting with the DMPAG is available. Documents reviewed and written submitted recommendations received by the DMPAG are included in the link for reference.

An Overview of the Recommendations and Feedback (PDF, 264MB) the Province and shíshálh Nation received from DMPAG members is available. The Province and shíshálh recognize that more follow-up is needed with Freshwater dock and boathouse owners, commercial moorages owners, and commit to further engagement.

May 8, 2024 update: Dock Management Plan Advisory Group Engagement

On Friday April 26, lhe hiwus Lenora Joe, shíshálh Nation councilors, Ministers Nathan Cullen and Murray Rankin, MLA Nick Simons, representatives from the Sunshine Coast Regional District, local mayors, and representatives from the Waterfront Protection Coalition had an opportunity to tour kalpilin (Pender Harbour) to see the area up close. The tour and discussions allowed everyone to see first-hand the passion and commitment that is shared by all across the swiya. Later that day, lhe hiwus Lenora Joe and shíshálh Nation councilors hosted everyone and the Dock Management Plan Advisory Group to hear first-hand from the representatives of the Advisory Group.

On March 14, the Province and shíshálh Nation announced both proposed changes to the Dock Management Plan in response to feedback received from over 1700 submissions from individuals and groups on and off the Sunshine Coast; and, the formation of an Advisory Group with representation from across the Sunshine Coast.

The Dock Management Plan Advisory Group has been meeting regularly since then to learn more about the Dock Management Plan, the processes followed by the Province and shíshálh Nation in reviewing dock applications, and to talk about the foreshore values we are all trying to maintain.

The purpose of the Advisory Group is to build a greater understanding of the Dock Management Plan, provide feedback on the proposed amendments presented by the Province and shíshálh Nation on March 14, and offer any other recommendations, including additional amendments, that could be used to inform further amendments or implementation considerations.

The Terms of Reference (PDF, 224KB) for the Advisory Group is now available.

May 3, 2024 update:

The Province has proactively released the comments and attachments received regarding the proposed amendments to the Dock Management Plan. Some information has been withheld pursuant to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Read the Proactive Disclosure (PDF, 66.8MB).

March 14, 2024 update: Next Steps and Changes Proposed

Together, the Province and shíshálh Nation are proposing significant changes to the Dock Management Plan to address community interests and protect shíshálh’s rights and title, and are forming an Advisory Group with representation from across the Sunshine Coast to review the new proposed changes. Please see the Summary of updates to shishalh swiya Dock Management Plan (PDF, 156 KB) for details on the proposed updates to the shíshálh swiya Dock Management Plan to respond to concerns and balance interests. 

Joint statement on shishalh swiya Dock Management Plan being updated following public engagement

March 8, 2024 update: What We Heard Report Posted

From November 24, 2023 to February 16, 2024, the province and shishalh Nation requested feedback from the public on a set of proposed amendments to the shíshálh swiya Dock Management Plan. This What We’ve Heard Report (PDF, 146.6KB) is our commitment to share with the public what has been heard throughout the engagement process. The report summarizes the key themes and feedback captured during the engagement.

February 16, 2024 update: Thank you

Thank you for taking the time to engage on the proposed changes to the Dock Management Plan. By commenting you have contributed valuable public input into how BC and shíshálh governments work together to create and adjust planning and policy tools that support our shared goals.

Your contributions will be given full consideration and will assist our governments in determining next steps and continued implementation of dock management in the swiya.

We remain committed to sharing a What We Have Heard report and more information about our next steps. The report will be posted here on March 8, 2024.

January 12, 2024 update: Extending the Public Commenting Period to February 16, 2024
The public commenting period regarding the proposed amendments to the shishalh swiya Dock Management Plan has been extended to February 16, 2024. Questions, comments and feedback can be directed to the Applications, Comments and Reasons for Decision website (file # 2412772) until that date. Provincial staff will be monitoring comments received through the website and will provide additional clarity and answers to common questions. Comments received via email or phone call will not be reviewed, so please direct all comments to the website above to ensure your questions/comments are received.

In addition, a summary document of “What We Have heard So Far” will be compiled and shared here in a couple of weeks’ time.  

November 24, 2023 update: 

Proposed amendments to dock management guidance within the swiya are currently open for public engagement and review. 

The Dock Management Plan with proposed amendments and additional guidance documents are available below and on the Applications, Comments, and Reasons for Decisions website (Search for File # 2412772).

Comments on the proposed amendments to the Dock Management Plan can be submitted online at the above website, or in writing to:

Section Head, Crown Land Authorizations
Julia Grant, Section Head
Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship
South Coast Regional Office
200-10428 153 Street
Surrey, BC V3R 1E1

Please be advised that public comments received on the proposed amendments to the shíshálh swiya Dock Management Plan will be provided to the public upon request. Comments must be submitted by February 16, 2024.

Proposed Amendments Supporting Documents:

About the Pender Harbour Dock Management Plan

The plan Pender Harbour Dock Management Plan was implemented on April 4, 2018.

The Pender Harbour Dock Management Plan was developed by government in consultation with the shíshálh Nation, taking into account environmental and archaeological values in the area.

The plan defines requirements for dock design and construction, and further identifies three zones where additional requirements or restrictions apply. The plan aims to minimize impacts to marine resources, protect archaeological resources, address impacts of dock development and advance collaborative management between the shíshálh Nation and the province.

If you are looking for information regarding constructing a dock in Pender Harbour, replacing an existing dock, or conducting any activities on Crown foreshore in Pender Harbour or Madeira Park, please review the links and resources provided below.

Links and resources