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Surrey council grants final approval to controversial streamside policy

Surrey council gave final approval on April 28, 2024, to amend bylaws affecting streamside protection and ecosystem permits.
The amendments stemmed from a staff recommendation to reduce the development permit trigger area from 50 to 30 metres from fish-bearing streams.
Council heard that this change aims to cut red tape by exempting about one-quarter of affected properties and speeding environmental reviews without weakening protections.
At a public hearing on September 9, 2024, speakers condemned the proposed amendments for undermining environmental safeguards and cautioned that the policy changes could result in the transfer of up to 1,000 acres of publicly owned land, valued at approximately $6 billion, into private hands.
Despite controversy and mostly negative public feedback, the amendments are expected to reduce permit applications and align setback requirements with provincial and federal standards.

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