Cowichan Bay Float Home and Live-aboards

From the Introduction
Many float homes in Cowichan Bay, British Columbia, currently discharge untreated domestic sewage as both black and grey water to Cowichan Bay. This is a concern to the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) which is updating the Cowichan Bay Official Community Plan (OCP).
The draft OCP (2013), which includes the Cowichan Bay Area, identifies the health of the Cowichan Estuary as a primary concern due to threats to environmental quality and human health. CVRD contracted Hemmera to prepare this report to help inform development of OCP policies and corresponding land use regulations that address environmental issues related to float homes in Cowichan Bay.
CVRD has initiated this project to evaluate the current status and issues associated with float home siting and usage in Cowichan Bay, the recommendations from which will be considered in the development and implementation of a management strategy that is consistent with long term environmental protection and sustainability goals.
In addition, the CVRD, Cowichan Tribes, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Transport Canada, RCMP, Living Rivers, and BC Wildlife Federation are seeking to establish Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations (VORR) in order to designate specific areas as off-limits to motorized vessels in order to protect eelgrass habitat in Cowichan Bay.
Click here to download the full report (8.6 mb)