Minor or intermittent watercourses are sometimes by themselves, of relatively low ecological interest, although people are often surprised to find out how far up small watercourses fish can go. However, ditches almost always connect to bigger, fish-bearing streams and rivers, or the ocean. Any material entering that ditch could subsequently end up damaging habitat further downstream. It is important therefore that we protect all such watercourses from unintended effects happening further upstream. Information on Streamside Development Permits can be found
here (381 KB).