Squamish Marine Access Review

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The District of Squamish is conducting a Downtown Marine Access Review to assess community ocean access needs, coordinate marine access areas and infrastructure, and improve ocean access for all marine users. Working with the community, we want to ensure an inclusive, accessible, safe, healthy, vibrant and working waterfront for all.

Advancing actions in the 2018 Marine Action Strategy, the Downtown Marine Access Review aims to:

  • Create a unified map of marine access points in Squamish, as well as marine areas of cultural, ecological, social, and economic importance
  • Assess ocean access needs, challenges, and opportunities in Squamish for all marine users
  • Examine boat launching needs and options within the community
  • Develop recommendations for Council to improve ocean access, funding, and management

Project Area: Click here for a map of the core downtown area included in this review. The downtown core marine access review area includes community water access points and infrastructure (existing, interim, planned future) within the Mamquam Blind Channel (upper, mid and lower reaches), and Cattermole Slough (East of Third Avenue).


Last Call for Public Comments on the Draft Marine Access Review!

The Discussion Draft of the Marine Access Review presents community insights and priorities identified during the process and recommendations for Council for both short-term and long-term marine access planning.

View the June 2023 Staff Report and Discussion Draft

View Downtown Marine Access Reference Maps

The final stage of community engagement concluded on November 25, 2023. The 'last call' for comment provided opportunity for final inputs through the following means:

  • Quick Poll (3 Questions - see below)
  • Direct comment on the Discussion Draft and Marine Access Reference Maps (email Planner Sarah McJannet here)
  • In person meet-ups with District staff at informal community engagement 'pop-up' in the downtown in October and November, 2023

The Marine Access Review document is being finalized, incorporating Part 2 inputs from the community, and will be presented to District of Squamish Council in April 2024 for final endorsement. Details and links to the final document and Council agenda will be posted here shortly.


The District of Squamish is conducting a Downtown Marine Access Review to assess community ocean access needs, coordinate marine access areas and infrastructure, and improve ocean access for all marine users. Working with the community, we want to ensure an inclusive, accessible, safe, healthy, vibrant and working waterfront for all.

Advancing actions in the 2018 Marine Action Strategy, the Downtown Marine Access Review aims to:

  • Create a unified map of marine access points in Squamish, as well as marine areas of cultural, ecological, social, and economic importance
  • Assess ocean access needs, challenges, and opportunities in Squamish for all marine users
  • Examine boat launching needs and options within the community
  • Develop recommendations for Council to improve ocean access, funding, and management

Project Area: Click here for a map of the core downtown area included in this review. The downtown core marine access review area includes community water access points and infrastructure (existing, interim, planned future) within the Mamquam Blind Channel (upper, mid and lower reaches), and Cattermole Slough (East of Third Avenue).


Last Call for Public Comments on the Draft Marine Access Review!

The Discussion Draft of the Marine Access Review presents community insights and priorities identified during the process and recommendations for Council for both short-term and long-term marine access planning.

View the June 2023 Staff Report and Discussion Draft

View Downtown Marine Access Reference Maps

The final stage of community engagement concluded on November 25, 2023. The 'last call' for comment provided opportunity for final inputs through the following means:

  • Quick Poll (3 Questions - see below)
  • Direct comment on the Discussion Draft and Marine Access Reference Maps (email Planner Sarah McJannet here)
  • In person meet-ups with District staff at informal community engagement 'pop-up' in the downtown in October and November, 2023

The Marine Access Review document is being finalized, incorporating Part 2 inputs from the community, and will be presented to District of Squamish Council in April 2024 for final endorsement. Details and links to the final document and Council agenda will be posted here shortly.

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Marine Access Areas Mapping

almost 2 years

We need your input to develop a community marine access map. Use this mapping tool to add colour-coded pins and comments to identify:

  • Where and how marine users currently access the ocean; 
  • Areas of ecological and community cultural significance for protection and/or restoration
  • Existing and future desired ocean access areas, amenities and infrastructure; 
  • Barriers that currently exist to marine access; and 
  • Existing marine safety issues or user conflicts.

This will help guide and coordinate plans for improved accessibility, safety, cultural and ecological protections and enjoyment of marine areas in Squamish. 

Preliminary informational marine area maps that begin to illustrate the current marine use context, and existing and future planned waterfront areas, trails, amenities and improvements can be viewed HERE.

Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound holds great importance for the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), the Squamish community and the Bioregion. The marine environment provides critical ecological functions and supports human health, local and regional economic activity as well as social and cultural values and community use and enjoyment. 

While using this tool:

  • Your ideas will be public once they have been reviewed.
  • Your username and comments may appear in reports to Council as part of engagement reporting.
  • Ideas that do not contribute to a safe and respectful space for others, or are unrelated to this topic, will not be posted. Please review our moderation policy.

CLOSED: This map consultation has concluded. The mapping tool was open from February 17 - March 27, 2022. Thank you for all of your map contributions. A summary of input will be shared mid-April.
Page last updated: 13 Mar 2024, 02:44 PM