Pacific Streamkeepers Federation
SEHAB Roundtable January 29th 2011 Issues are numbered 1 to 11
1) Environmental Assessments – current process. Can only see where one request for development (change to landscape) had been denied due to an EA report.
http://a100.gov.bc.ca/appsdata/epic/html/deploy/epic_project_list_report.html
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wld/documents/bmp/devwithcare2006/DWC%202006%20Sec%201%20Introduction.pdf
http://www.llbc.leg.bc.ca/public/pubdocs/bcdocs/374290/ebmp%20pdf%201.pdf
2) New process underway Towards an Environmental Mitigation and Offsettng Policy for British Columbia: A Discussion Paper
Can be found at http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/emop/docs/EMOP_DiscussionPaper.pdf
It will be policies like this that oversee the development that IS going to go ahead determines how to / who will “fix” the problem, or replace habitat elsewhere (yet one example was of amphibians being moved during the building of sea to sky, not sure this is my idea of mitigation of habitat loss.)
EA data that is collected by proponents is not being captured into a database for future (or present use)
3) Aquaculture Licensing – including SEP projects under this
Found out about this via a listserve informing First Nations of upcoming meeting with DFO / Aquaculture Working Group
Minutes from SEHAB conference call into RHQ included: (but didn’t know what it meant, internal SEHAB communications issue)
. Report: Immediate impact of recent court decision (Morton vs BC) on Departmental policy and
structure - Andrew Thomson (Regional Director, Aquaculture)
Morton et al vs Attorney-General of BC determined that DFO must manage salmon farming as a fishery.
Licensing still under BC authority
Regs include bivalves and fin fish (Fisheries Act also protects marine mammals)
Court decision applies to enhancement facilities
Draft of regulations sent to Cabinet
“What we Heard” document contains all 530 comments from public, considered in drafting of new regs.
Enhancement facility license not same as aquaculture license
July 1/11 deadline for licensing PIP/CEDP facilities.
Aquaculture Branch plans to attend May 2011 Workshop in Campbell River to outline new licensing requirements and to process applications.
Classroom incubators will require one license to cover large areas.
Proposed $0 fee for conservation facilities
Quote from community on this, seems enhancement in lower mainland had their target numbers cut right before this, would like to use historical numbers for license in case cuts by percent not by written policy change comes into play.
Weird formatting here that I can’t get rd of
Strongly feel this was ideal time for department to come to SEHAB prior to application. (or even the CA’s)
Quote from community “You can’t fish down the food chain and then punish “us” (volunteer SEP) by reducing numbers.
This new change to the way DFO does business is happening SO fast, “we” are often told DFO can’t change things quickly but courts DFO took over responsibility of overseeing aquaculture in B.C. from the provincial government on December 18, 2010. and new licensing policy and 52 new employees on the books, with new signed agreements (licenses) complete by July 1st. Either this was already in the works or department can act quickly when they want.
4) Dear Zo Ann Morten:
On December 17, 2010 the Ministry of Environment released a Policy Proposal on British Columbia’s new Water Sustainability Act. Part of the BC Government’s Water Act modernization initiative, the proposed Water Sustainability Act will update and build on the current Water Act and position BC as a leader in water stewardship.
Over the coming weeks, we’ll be further explaining the proposed framework and the seven key policy areas of the proposed Water Sustainability Act on the Living Water Smart Blog. We welcome your feedback and encourage you to join the conversation by posting your comments and questions on the Blog. Comments and questions can also be submitted by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by fax to (250) 356-1202.
While we appreciate your emails, letters and faxes, participating in the dialogue on the Blog allows others to build on your ideas. It also allows you to view and rank the comments and questions of other British Columbians, which will help us to better understand what’s important to you as we move forward. Thisquestion and comment period on the proposed Water Sustainability Act will be open until February 21, 2011.
We thank you for your commitment to water stewardship and look forward to hearing from you. Together, we can build a sustainable future for British Columbia’s water resources.
Huge, need to comment as one voice can sway a meetingzm
5) Attended session on Charitable reporting, very worthwhile CD of how to’s for groups able to copy
http://www.thecharitiesfile.ca/en/content/fundraising-learning-example-20 for more information
6) I did get a note from Habitat Monitoring department
We are fully staffed with 12
A biologist and Technician in each area and 2 biologists in
headquarters. Took a wee bit longer to get hiring and in place then aquaculture hiring and process.
7) WSP – data from community to inform. Working with DFO Nanaimo to bring community data into WSP implementation.
EPMP / Habitat Monitoring update – form is now “live” and ready to be populated. Write up will be in next StreamTalk as to when, where why to send in this info.
8) Staffing changes CA positions – process? Skillset? Fish husbandry / knowledge of policy / acts / able to get permits / engineering / biology / Have concern over process slipping and new hires not as connected to community / fish husbandry skills as in the past. Would like DFO to review criteria for past hires compared to new hires. With more accountability to fish culture protocols / risk, is even more important now that CA’s have knowledge.
9) With new alignment of SEP hatcheries falling under aquaculture (need more info on this) would it be prudent for SEHAB to attend one of these sessions (if able) or ask to be a part of the process so we can help mold the future? Take care ZoAnn
FIRST NATIONS FISHERIES COUNCIL
SUPPORTING STEWARDSHIP OF FISHERIES RESOURCES
FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS
Sent: January-11-11 1:23 PM
To: Regional First Nations Fisheries Organizations
Subject: Important Meeting Notice -- Aquaculture
Importance: High
Hello everyone,
The First Nations Fisheries Council and the Aquaculture Working Group will be hosting a series of important aquaculture meetings. On January 24, a joint DFO-FN aquaculture workshop will be held in Richmond. This initial workshop will be followed by a number of First Nations community sessions in February (Port Alberni, Alert Bay, Bella Bella, Prince Rupert, Kamloops). These meetings will provide an opportunity for First Nations to learn more about the proposed aquaculture management framework for BC, ask questions, and provide feedback.
10) Breakfast meeting- topic Myths of Water – Myths were things we think are good in Canada but aren’t quite as good as we believe. (will expand on this and repost with comments) Myth that we have lots of water, yes lots of standing water (lakes) Lake Superior refreshes at 1% per year
11) Rumor of Stock Assessment budget cut, outfall will be that Black creek will not be monitored this year. Black Creek is indicator stream for Coho (only one?)
Thoughts from ZoAnn
Our world is changing
Aquaculture licensing
Water act changes
Habitat protection (EPMP)
CA hiring processes
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Mitigation and Offsetting of damage
How can anyone keep track?