SEHAB Member: Jack Minard
Area: Central Vancouver Island/Campbell River Area
Community Advisor: Dave Davies/Barry Peters
Date: Nov 2, 2011

 

SEHAB Work Plan 2010-2011	Local Issue, Specific Examples	Actions by Community or DFO	SEHAB Opportunity
Wild Salmon Policy	Nothing is being done on the ground. There is no way for stewards to get involved Concerns about herring being overfished for example. How does the WSP address stewarding feed fish to protect salmon?	Farlinger et al at Coen Commission state that, in fact, the WSP is affecting all decision-making currently	Find and promote ways that groups can get involved
Stock Assessment	in the past 4-6 years in the adult fish returns in the streams we are stewards of and have been restoring in the past 15 years coho have been dwindling We have witnessed a decline in the herring population from over fishing in areas 12 and 13 for the last 20 years and there has been no let up on this fishery.	introducing hatchery fry has only maintained a constant smolt migration but not maintained an adult return. Three years ago we embarked on a study to find out what is happening to the main diet of our local coho which is herring. The science people at the Pacific Biological Station in Naniamo studied this years ago and have written many reports on this subject and also Harts study on the life cycle of herring tells us that coho need the herring for their survival from the larvae stage all the way up to their adult stage.	Continue to raise these concerns Urge a compilation of stock stressors. (let’s find out why each stock is in decline and share this information widely Align WSP and Stock assessment committee to meet these isues
Habitat	incursion into the 30 meter protection areas.  As the riparian area is pressured the stream gets restricted from its normal meander, we are seeing the streams being hardened restricting gravel recruitment and impacts to our instream work.      The handling of storm water outside off the property under review. In some case the water is piped through storm sewers into a completely different watershed, or returns the water back to the stream far downstream. This can dramatically reduce or even eliminate summer flow in one section and dramatically increase flow downstream of the outfall. Creeks are very important wildlife corridors	Community continually raises these issues at every opportunity           A bigger picture of Stormwater must be considered if we are trying to preserve habitat as development proceeds         mapping these as such and lobbying to restrict development within	Advocate for 30 metre buffers at the municipal and RD level         Suggest and advocate for the development of Watershed-based Rainwater Management Plans       Advocate for stream riparian zones to be protected for wildlife as well as aquatic values
Enforcement	We have seen several QEP's (hired by the proponent)  justifying incursions into the protected areas.  The appearance of impropriety could easily be removed by having the municipality (regional district) have a list that they appoint the QEP form for different applications keeping the proponent at arms length. We need the DFO to require impartial reports from QEP's before they will sign off   We are seeing more people impacting the creek without consequence.     Means must be found to prevent damage to sensitive areas prior to application for development. It is far too common for the worst of the alteration to be deliberately done prior to any official application.   Concerns about many “ditches” that are actually streams which have been moved and channelized for prior development of the land and either provide important habitat or are important for fish passage to other important areas.   What is to prevent a land owner circumventing these setbacks by putting the ditch in pipe?         stop destroying our fish stocks by playing games with politicians, lobbyists and the like. They haven't been doing their job because they are completely incapably of doing so.	Bring these concerns to all who will listen   Groups do local education as time and budget allows       There has to be a way to have a sliding scale of fines that can be imposed without the use of court to  enforce them.  There has to be consequences for damaging the irreplaceable riparian area and at this point there are none.    Ad Hoc unauthorized and poorly supported Volunteer monitoring       Recommend that all properties that contain such features be flagged, present owners and tenants made aware of sensitivities and expectations and a process established whereby this information is passed on to each new owner and any tenant. A “Land Owner’s Manual” of sorts.	Discuss the whole RAR in regards to its improvement   Produce and provide information to assist with public ed     Fisheries act does not “protect”. Have Fisheries act changed, advocate for improved RAR outcomes and for RD’s and Municipalties to create and implement strong bylaws   Proper recording and mapping of these sensitive “ditches” Make the “Do you Have A Stream, Lake, Wetland or Ditch on or beside Your Property?” brochure available on our website and assist to disseminate to groups. Landowner Education, advocate for better land use decision-making and regulations Two way education the stremakeeper needs to know what is ACTUALLY happening and DFO needs to know this perception exists

SEHAB Submissions, Comments from Groups:

The establishment seems to think of smolting coho is somewhat controlled by humans or hatcheries but nature has been doing this since the beginning of time and has established a successful system until we  humans screwed it up. The main diet for coho and chinook has always been herring so where the experts get there idea that they can eliminate herring and change their diet is beyond me. 

 

As a stream steward we can use all the help we can get.  I have been extremely grateful for all the help the SEP program has provided .  We were under the Comox SEP area for a while then we got our own SEP rep.  but there is talk now that when Barry Peters retires in Feb. we may be absorbed into another area. 

Its important to have our own representatives in the area to help with the funding and maybe more important help with the networking that happens at the meetings. Soo as a first "ask" can you please advocate for retaining our own SEP Community Advisor.

 

Now we see the fish farms are now spreading diseases that are affecting herring  and could finish off what is left of the population. If there is no herring there will be no salmon. That's what an old fisherman said back in the 1930's. I would like your comment on this subject.

It is estimated that there will be a 2 meter sea level rise within the lifetime of many buildings and infrastructure, 1 meter by 2030. Note: On October 19^th the provincial government hosted a seminar “Climate Change Adaptation Guidelines for Sea Dikes and Coastal Flood Hazard Land Use (Forest, Lands and Natural Resource Operations and the Climate Action Secretariat).

 

It recommends not building in these areas or having “retreat” alternate rebuilding sites identified before construction. Comox Valley and Duncan are the 2 areas on Vancouver Island identified as being at risk of inundation. Note: Seawalls and other such flood protection measures are not recommended; avoiding building in flood prone areas is recommended.

The stream is dying from a thousand cut as each one of the things above happens.

 

Dave Davies has been a great help to us, particularly with dealing with the latest bumf from the crackers higher up in DFO.

 

I spent a week attending the Cohen Commission Hearings in Vancouver, as I wanted to hear for myself what transpired. What I heard and saw during that week clearly showed that DFO is openly run for the benefit of the fish farms with political interference rife from top to bottom.
DFO could care less about wild salmon, they have written them off and are trying hide their actions by mouthing inanities about conservation. It's all lies.

The entire upper half or 2/3ds of the DFO bureaucracy needs to be fired and not replaced, science needs to be moved front and center with fish health the goal, not the current 'exploit to termination' that DFO and the politicos espouse.

The ruin of the East Coast cod fishery was predicted and DFO and the government muzzled the science. Right now on your watch DFO, the fish farms, and Ottawa are repeating their plans for decimation on Canada's West coast. Given that some of the owners of fish farms also own radio stations and newspapers, the future of what was once a public resource is seriously compromised.

 

We receive very high quality support from Dave Davies, Dave Clough and others here in the field, but it is not enough.

In addition to the ongoing pressures outlined in our letter, we are neglecting strategic, longer term planning for our watersheds. We need greater availability of the expertise that these resources provide.

 

 

QUALICUM BEACH STREAMKEEPERS 221 Elizabeth Avenue Qualicum Beach BC V9K 1G8 250 752 9297 phone   250 752 0531 fax This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

July 11, 2001

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SEHAB Member: Jack Minard

Area: Central Vancouver Island/Campbell River Area

Community Advisor: Dave Davies/Barry Peters

Date: Nov 2, 2011

 

SEHAB Work Plan 2010-2011	Local Issue, Specific  Examples	Actions by Community or DFO	SEHAB Opportunity
Wild Salmon Policy	Nothing is being done on the ground. There is no way for stewards to get involved Concerns about herring being overfished for example. How does the WSP address stewarding feed fish to protect salmon?	Farlinger et al at Coen Commission state that, in fact, the WSP is affecting all decision-making currently	Find and promote ways that groups can get involved
Stock Assessment	in the past 4-6 years in the adult fish returns in the streams we are stewards of and have been restoring in the past 15 years coho have been dwindling We have witnessed a decline in the herring population from over fishing in areas 12 and 13 for the last 20 years and there has been no let up on this fishery.	introducing hatchery fry has only maintained a constant smolt migration but not maintained an adult return. Three years ago we embarked on a study to find out what is happening to the main diet of our local coho which is herring. The science people at the Pacific Biological Station in Naniamo studied this years ago and have written many reports on this subject and also Harts study on the life cycle of herring tells us that coho need the herring for their survival from the larvae stage all the way up to their adult stage.	Continue to raise these concerns Urge a compilation of stock stressors. (let’s find out why each stock is in decline and share this information widely Align WSP and Stock assessment committee to meet these isues
Habitat	incursion into the 30 meter protection areas.  As the riparian area is pressured the stream gets restricted from its normal meander, we are seeing the streams being hardened restricting gravel recruitment and impacts to our instream work.      The handling of storm water outside off the property under review. In some case the water is piped through storm sewers into a completely different watershed, or returns the water back to the stream far downstream. This can dramatically reduce or even eliminate summer flow in one section and dramatically increase flow downstream of the outfall. Creeks are very important wildlife corridors	Community continually raises these issues at every opportunity           A bigger picture of Stormwater must be considered if we are trying to preserve habitat as development proceeds         mapping these as such and lobbying to restrict development within	Advocate for 30 metre buffers at the municipal and RD level         Suggest and advocate for the development of Watershed-based Rainwater Management Plans       Advocate for stream riparian zones to be protected for wildlife as well as aquatic values
Enforcement	We have seen several QEP's (hired by the proponent)  justifying incursions into the protected areas.  The appearance of impropriety could easily be removed by having the municipality (regional district) have a list that they appoint the QEP form for different applications keeping the proponent at arms length. We need the DFO to require impartial reports from QEP's before they will sign off   We are seeing more people impacting the creek without consequence.     Means must be found to prevent damage to sensitive areas prior to application for development. It is far too common for the worst of the alteration to be deliberately done prior to any official application.   Concerns about many “ditches” that are actually streams which have been moved and channelized for prior development of the land and either provide important habitat or are important for fish passage to other important areas.   What is to prevent a land owner circumventing these setbacks by putting the ditch in pipe?         stop destroying our fish stocks by playing games with politicians, lobbyists and the like. They haven't been doing their job because they are completely incapably of doing so.	Bring these concerns to all who will listen   Groups do local education as time and budget allows       There has to be a way to have a sliding scale of fines that can be imposed without the use of court to  enforce them.  There has to be consequences for damaging the irreplaceable riparian area and at this point there are none.    Ad Hoc unauthorized and poorly supported Volunteer monitoring       Recommend that all properties that contain such features be flagged, present owners and tenants made aware of sensitivities and expectations and a process established whereby this information is passed on to each new owner and any tenant. A “Land  Owner’s Manual” of sorts.	Discuss the whole RAR in regards to its improvement   Produce and provide information to assist with public ed     Fisheries act does not “protect”. Have Fisheries act changed, advocate for improved RAR outcomes and for RD’s and Municipalties to create and implement strong bylaws   Proper recording and mapping of these sensitive “ditches” Make the “Do you Have  A Stream, Lake, Wetland or Ditch on or beside Your Property?” brochure available on our website and assist to disseminate to groups. Landowner Education, advocate for better land use decision-making and regulations Two way education the stremakeeper needs to know what is ACTUALLY happening and DFO needs to know this perception exists

SEHAB Submissions, Comments from Groups:

The establishment seems to think of smolting coho is somewhat controlled by humans or hatcheries but nature has been doing this since the beginning of time and has established a successful system until we  humans screwed it up. The main diet for coho and chinook has always been herring so where the experts get there idea that they can eliminate herring and change their diet is beyond me. 

 

As a stream steward we can use all the help we can get.  I have been extremely grateful for all the help the SEP program has provided .  We were under the Comox SEP area for a while then we got our own SEP rep.  but there is talk now that when Barry Peters retires in Feb. we may be absorbed into another area. 

Its important to have our own representatives in the area to help with the funding and maybe more important help with the networking that happens at the meetings. Soo as a first "ask" can you please advocate for retaining our own SEP Community Advisor.

 

Now we see the fish farms are now spreading diseases that are affecting herring  and could finish off what is left of the population. If there is no herring there will be no salmon. That's what an old fisherman said back in the 1930's. I would like your comment on this subject.

It is estimated that there will be a 2 meter sea level rise within the lifetime of many buildings and infrastructure, 1 meter by 2030. Note: On October 19^th the provincial government hosted a seminar “Climate Change Adaptation Guidelines for Sea Dikes and Coastal Flood Hazard Land Use (Forest, Lands and Natural Resource Operations and the Climate Action Secretariat). 

 

 It recommends not building in these areas or having “retreat” alternate rebuilding sites identified before construction. Comox Valley and Duncan are the 2 areas on Vancouver Island identified as being at risk of inundation. Note: Seawalls and other such flood protection measures are not recommended; avoiding building in flood prone areas is recommended.

The stream is dying from a thousand cut as each one of the things above happens.

 

Dave Davies has been a great help to us, particularly with dealing with the latest bumf from the crackers higher up in DFO.

 

I spent a week attending the Cohen Commission Hearings in Vancouver, as I wanted to hear for myself what transpired. What I heard and saw during that week clearly showed that DFO is openly run for the benefit of the fish farms with political interference rife from top to bottom.
DFO could care less about wild salmon, they have written them off and are trying hide their actions by mouthing inanities about conservation. It's all lies.

The entire upper half or 2/3ds of the DFO bureaucracy needs to be fired and not replaced, science needs to be moved front and center with fish health the goal, not the current 'exploit to termination' that DFO and the politicos espouse.

The ruin of the East Coast cod fishery was predicted and DFO and the government muzzled the science. Right now on your watch DFO, the fish farms, and Ottawa are repeating their plans for decimation on Canada's West coast. Given that some of the owners of fish farms also own radio stations and newspapers, the future of what was once a public resource is seriously compromised.

 

We receive very high quality support from Dave Davies, Dave Clough and others here in the field, but it is not enough.

In addition to the ongoing pressures outlined in our letter, we are neglecting strategic, longer term planning for our watersheds. We need greater availability of the expertise that these resources provide.

 

 

QUALICUM BEACH STREAMKEEPERS 221 Elizabeth Avenue Qualicum Beach BC  V9K 1G8 250 752 9297 phone   250 752 0531 fax This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

July 11, 2001