The RDEK’s Fairmont Hot Springs Hazard Guidance Project is aimed at:

  • Developing and considering policies that can further guide development and land use in the identified hazard areas within Fairmont Hot Springs; and,
  • Increasing community awareness and understanding of the debris flow and debris flood hazard and risks associated with Cold Spring Creek and Fairmont Creek.

The project is 100% grant funded through a Union of BC Municipalities Grant and will not have any impact on taxes oustide of staff time). It is being led by consultants from BGC Engineering and Pinna Sustainability with support from the RDEK Planning team.

Latest Project Update - October 27, 2025

The final Guidance Report prepared by BGC Engineering & Pinna Sustainability Inc. has now been accepted by the RDEK.

The Guidance Report provides direction on how the RDEK should integrate updated information on the hazard risk related to debris flow hazards for both Fairmont Creek and Cold Spring Creek into existing policy documents and what new policies that reflect the identified level of hazard risk should be adopted. More specifically, the Fairmont Hot Springs Hazard Guidance Project Report recommends the following:

  • future updates to the Official Community Plan and regulatory bylaws (zoning bylaw and floodplain management bylaw) to reflect the updated hazard information for both Fairmont Creek and Cold Spring Creek.
  • adoption of a Risk Tolerance Policy, including specific criteria for the Fairmont Hot Springs area;
  • updates to the Official Community Plan with new Development Permit Areas for both creeks; and
  • development of Development Approval Policies guided by a combined framework that integrates consideration of the adopted risk tolerance policy and identified level of hazard.

The focus of the report is guidance for future changes and will not result in changes to the Official Community Plan or regulatory bylaws until such time as specific actions to implement the recommendations are taken by the RDEK. Community consultation will occur prior to proceeding with formal changes to the Official Community Plan or Bylaws. It is anticipated that the implementation will occur in phases and community consultation will occur at each phase.

How does this project relate to the Fairmont Debris Mitigation Project?

The Fairmont Debris Mitigation Project resulted in updated engineering reports for both creeks that outline the level of debris flow hazard that is currently modelled based on the existing community-level structural mitigation works. These reports provide the baseline information on the current level of hazard for both creeks that informed the professional recommendations in the Guidance Report and will be considered during future processes to guide future development in the Fairmont Hot Springs area.

Community Information Meeting

A community information meeting will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, November 18 at 7:00 pm. The Guidance Report will be available online from October 31. A link to the meeting and an opportunity to provide questions in advance of the meeting are available on the Fairmont Debris Mitigation Project page.

If you would like to submit a question in advance of the meeting they can be submitted via the comment form on the Fairmont Debris Mitigation Project page.


FAQs

Fairmont Hazard Guidance Project Report

There is no immediate impact at this time. For both developed or undeveloped parcels, when a building permit is required, RDEK staff will reference the new hazard mapping for both creeks to provide guidance on whether a report from a Qualified Profession (e.g. Engineer) must be submitted as part of the permit process. Determinations will continue to be made on a parcel specific basis based on the hazard rating of the parcel.

If policies as recommended by the Guidance Report are adopted in the future, it is anticipated that the new policies will provide guidance on how safe development is considered based on the hazard and risk associated with potential debris events. For example, a new Development Permit Area would provide clear direction on when reports from Qualified Professionals will be required by the RDEK rather than parcel specific determinations by a Building Inspector. The new policies will also assist in increasing awareness about the implications of the hazard rating under the current hazard and risk assessment levels for the community.

Following presentation of the Guidance Report to the Community it will also be presented to the RDEK Board of Directors. Consideration will be given by RDEK staff and elected officials on when and how to implement the recommendations of the Report. It is expected that a phased approach that accommodates community priorities, available staff resources and opportunities for community engagement will be the path forward. Once more information is known on the next steps and associated timing it will be shared with the community.

There is no change to the annual requisition of taxes under the Fairmont Flood and Landslide Service Area Bylaw at this time.

Implementation of the recommendations in the Fairmont Creek report and the Guidance Report will require the future dedication of staff resources to explore options, conduct community engagement, and make an application for alternate funding through Provincial and/or Federal funding programs. Decisions on the timing of implementation will be determined through priority project prioritization and direction to RDEK staff by the Board of Directors in 2026 and beyond.