October 2008
SEHAB Roundtable
Submitted October 31/08
Area – South Vancouver Island and Southern Gulf Islands
Representative – Don Lowen
Challenges/Issues and Opportunities/Successes of the Volunteer Aquatic Stewards
A Salmon Enhancement (Oceans, Habitat and Enhancement)
1 Howard English Hatchery (Goldstream River)
(a) Over 200 chinook return to date. Egg takes complete.
(b) Chum (750+) and coho in the river.
2 Jack Brooks Hatchery (Sooke River)
(a) 450K chinook eggs in incubation. Estimated escapement 500-600.
(b) Estimate 200 large, silver bright coho.
(c) Estimate 200 chum
3 Shawnigan Creek – too early
4 Cowichan River
(a) 2000 – 2500 escapement to river
(b) Cowichan Band Hatchery has close to 2M eggs, nearing its quota
B Stewardship & Community Involvement (Stewardship & Community)
1 Community Partners - Input for SEP audit
(a) David Aldcroft, SEHAB Alternate Member (South Vancouver Island)
I have been involved with fisheries issues since 1977 when I participated in the Fraser River estuary study. In 1978 I laid the first private prosecutions under the Fisheries Act and was successful both times. From 1979 until 1981 I was chairman of the Fraser River Coalition when we produced a slide show exposing the lax enforcement of provincial pollution control permits. Recently I have seen DFO download habitat protection onto municipal government (RAR), hand over salmon farming to the Province and seen enforcement programs slashed.
The only glimmer of hope for the future of salmon stocks on this coast is the SEP program. The thousands of people who participate in SEP need more community advisors, more money for hatcheries and more fishery officers.
The SEP community is trying to do its “bit” in helping wild salmon stocks. It is time for DFO to live up to its mandate of protecting wild salmon stocks and the habitat they require. DFO cannot continue to blame ocean productivity and climate change for its lack of action.
(b) Bryan Manning, Sooke
Assess the relevance of SEP to DFO’s mandate and strategic outcomes, as well as Government of Canada priorities - As far as Sooke Salmon Enhancement Society is concerned, we feel as we are out here by ourselves with little input from DFO and even less from Government of Canada. In some ways that is not a bad thing in that we have freedom to run our own operation the best way we see fit. WE ARE 100% BEHIND THE SEP.
Determine the success of SEP in meeting its objectives based on the extent to which the Program’s expected outcomes have been achieved, while also considering the trends in wild salmon stock survival (e.g. natural declines due to ocean productivity, climate change, etc.) - We do not have a working knowledge of SEP's objectives but our objective is to release as many fry from the hatchery as possible regardless of the % mortality ie we will try to raise as many eggs even if there is water or blood in the eggs when we remove the eggs from the female. All life is precious to us.
Assess the cost effectiveness of the governance and design and delivery - I cannot comment on this aspect since I only see our costs of running the hatchery. We have certain fixed costs - insurance, hydro, phone, etc. - that need to be met regardless of the number of eggs we have. Our fund raiser - the derby - requires similar man-hours as does running the hatchery - many times we have asked ourselves: “Are we a hatchery or fund-raiser?”
Assess public support for SEP, by fishing interests, community and Aboriginal groups, and the public. - I cannot comment directly on public support for SEP but this past summer we cancelled our derby due to lack of brood stock - moral high ground - and ran a public raffle. Our tickets were $20 each and were too expensive for many people but they gave donations with the comment "you are doing good work - keep it up." Nice to hear from people within your community.
(c) Bob Bridgeman, Mount Douglas Creek Streamkeepers
Assess the relevance of SEP to DFO’s mandate and strategic outcomes, as well as Government of Canada priorities;
• I understand DFO’s mandate through the Fisheries Act. SEP is relevant because of the community connections. The community is basically enforcing the Fisheries Act because the Government of Canada, in many instances, is not.
• I am not familiar with the large scale strategic outcomes but if one of them is restoring healthy salmon populations then SEP is again relevant because of the two-way transfer of knowledge and power between SEP and the restoration community.
• The Government of Canada has expressed strong support for the environment and healthy communities. Healthy coastal communities exist with healthy salmon populations.
Determine the success of SEP in meeting its objectives based on the extent to which the Program’s expected outcomes have been achieved, while also considering the trends in wild salmon stock survival (e.g. natural declines due to ocean productivity, climate change, etc.);
• I am not directly involved in the SEP structure. I am not privy to yearly objectives and monitored outcomes.
• We need to stop talking about climate change and ocean productivity and start talking about the restoration of fresh water habitat – an aspect we can do something about. It is incredible to me that people are bailing on the thousands of kilometres of ruined fresh water habitat by looking for excuses and clinging onto problems that are more difficult to do anything about. The historic evolution of salmonid and environment has been sustained by species resiliency: large diverse populations of salmonids are required for sustainability; these can be sustained by restored fresh water habitat.
Assess the cost effectiveness of the governance and design and delivery; and
• We just leveraged a $40,000.00 project out of the $1300.00 PIP grant that we receive through the Community Advisor. The PIP funds help us keep the ‘store front’ open. That’s not the end of it: several more projects will happen this year with our community partners. PIP funds help give us a place at the tables. This year I estimate that we will leverage $1300.00 into $60,000.00 NGO and in kind fresh water habitat restoration. The numbers say to me that the Program is effective and well delivered.
Assess public support for SEP, by fishing interests, community and Aboriginal groups, and the public.
• The Friends of Mount Douglas Park Society and our community partners are connected through stewardship to SEP. We have worked with thousands of volunteers by providing quality stewardship opportunities on Douglas Creek: a local urban stream. We have enjoyed a lot of media interest here. We have raised the profile of the plight of the Pacific salmon and raised legitimate community interest in survival of the stocks as well as their enhancement. Public involvement is a critical component of the preservation of wild salmon stocks: the impact of people is everywhere. SEP channels this interest and energy in ecological restoration and healthy watersheds.
(d) From a letter from Nikki Wright (Sea Change Conservation Society)
“The benefits SeaChange Marine Conservation Society has reaped from the support of Community Advisors, education coordinators for school programs, and the community-based education programs such as Streamkeepers has been profound and immeasurable over the last ten years of our existence. We have established environmental education programs for well over 10,000 youth within the Capital Regional District based, in part, on the Streamkeepers protocol. The connections we make with local school teachers at the annual Salmon Lover’s – Salmonid Incubation Program dinner helps to promote outside environmental experiences for scores of school children. Continued and consistent support from Tom Rutherford in the past, and now Sonora Butterfield as our DFO Community Advisor, has helped to maintain a vibrant network of shore stewards along the entire BC coast (the BC Community Eelgrass Network).
SeaChange with its many partners within the CRD and all along the coast are hopeful that this extremely valuable program will stay in place to continue to support our efforts to conserve and protect our beautiful and at risk ocean resources.”
(e) From a letter from Trevor Morris, Community Advisor and Volunteer (Retired)
I am a former Federal Fisheries employee (Community Advisor, 12 years retired) and volunteer with the public participation component of the Salmonid Enhancement Program. Now, outside the program, I continue to be surprised by its success and the enthusiasm of the volunteers.
The group I volunteer with, the Mill Bay & District Conservation Society, dedicate at least three months time and effort each fall and, with the assistance of the Cowichan Fly Fishers and Shawnigan School, capture and transport an optimum 700 coho salmon above a series of impassible waterfalls. This group of volunteers has been involved in the monitoring and enhancement of habitat and fish stocks in this particular watershed for 28 years. Returning coho in excess of the system's carrying capacity, up to 1,300 fish, are transported to a volunteer hatchery on the Goldstream River in Victoria.
This small contribution to Fisheries and Ocean's management on the west coast we do willingly and over the years I have seen public understanding and awareness change dramatically for the better. Residents see and interact with Society members moving fish upstream and observe salmon in the streams on their property. They notice the predators searching streamside vegetation for the remains of spawners. They eagerly await the emergence of salmon fry in the spring and watch them grow throughout the following summer months. They, their neighbours, friends and the community at large are now more aware of the importance of their small portion of a minor British Columbia watershed in the coho salmon's life cycle. Community residents are the eyes and ears watching over their fisheries and wetlands. They have learned what to look for and who to contact when degradation or abuse threatens.
Students from kindergarten to college have gained an appreciation and awareness of our west coast fisheries resource through “Salmonids in the Classroom”. They in turn have influenced their parents and grandparents and in many cases watch as their own children partake in the same program. As adults in the work force decisions in and around watersheds are tempered with natural resource knowledge. Retirees voluntarily contribute countless hours and a myriad of diversified expertise to the Salmonid Enhancement Program.
Concern for Canada's renewable natural resources has changed considerably since I joined Fisheries & Oceans in 1969 with the most dramatic change being the awareness and respect for our marine resources. We are but one of thousands of community organizations of all sizes in British Columbia that voluntarily take an active part in furthering the enhancement, awareness and understanding of our unique salmonid resource.”
2 Stream to Sea Education Program
(a) Regional
i) EC’s and CA’s attended annual education conference in August. The Regional Education Steering Committee has expanded to include one CA’s (Barry Peters with Roy Argue/Tina Chestnut as alternates) and two EC’s (Don Lowen and Neil Brookes). Other members are Jeff Jung, Joanne Day, Theresa Southam and Bruce Adkins.
ii) New strategic plan to 2013, titled “Stream to Sea Education: Draft Guiding Document” to be ratified by December/08.
(b) South Coast Area
i) Organizational dinners this month in Nanaimo, Duncan and Victoria
ii) Cowichan Valley, Nanaimo and Alberni Districts have been without Program support (Education Coordinator) since Thanksgiving. SEHAB is not aware of plans to fill position.
South Coast Area secured support to initiate program (equipment checks, organizational meetings, TOC partnerships, broodstock collection, etc.) in September and early October.
February 2008
SEHAB ROUNDTABLE CONTRIBUTION - SOUTH VANCOUVER ISLAND 1
Representative – Don Lowen
Community Advisor – Tom Rutherford
Community – South Vancouver Island from Cowichan to San Juan River, and Southern Gulf Islands
February 3, 2008
Sooke Salmon Enhancement Society Cancels 2008 Fundraising Derby
As you know, SSES has cancelled its August salmon fishing derby, thus forfeiting the opportunity to raise $20K in funds for core expenses.
The media release issued in early January bases this decision on poor chinook returns to the Cowichan River, and calls on other organizations to reconsider their 2008 derby plans.
The media release and SEHAB’s written response are posted at www.sehab.org
The community response to date has been mostly positive. In fact, the response has become a potential impromptu fundraising strategy. Unconfirmed total donations to date is about $5,725.
Report on SFAB Cowichan chinook meeting – 28 November 2007
About 120 people attended an evening meeting in Cowichan Bay to discuss poor returns of Cowichan chinook. The Sport Fishing Advisory Board organized the event.
Moderated by South Coast Area Director Wilf Luedke and SFAB member Paul Ricard, the agenda inlcuded:
1. Opening statements by Larry George, Cowichan FN and Wilf Luedke, South Coast Area Director, DFO.
2. About 75 minutes of presentations by Wilf Luedke, Arlene Tompkins, Dick Beamish, Tom Rutherford and Brian Tutty – all DFO staff. Here are some of the points made:
Luedke – interpreted large turnout as an indication of support to put “more resources” into Cowichan River.
Beamish – Climate Change has huge effect on salmonid marine survival in Georgia Strait. Historical survival rates at sea of 10-15% are now 1% or less.
Tompkins – Using CWT assessment strategy, Department has found that Georgia Strait chinook survival to age 2 in late 1980’s was 6%, now is 1%.
Rutherford – Cowichan Band Hatchery has been strategic enhancement facility for chinook and coho for 30 years. Goal is increase in returns of wild stock. In spite of existing strategies, including intense assessment, there is a decrease in survival, especially of early releases. Net pen releases showing some survival rate increase. Recent $150K funding increase after budget frozen for 10 years.
Tutty – Reviewed Tom Rutherford’s successful project to shore up Stoltz bluffs and reduce sedimentation.
3. Table discussions – Groups asked to formulate questions for the panel – ones that were not answered during the presentations.
Participants expressed a broad range of opinions. Another public meeting is planned.
Friends of Mt. Douglas Park Streamkeepers
“The burning issue for us is stormwater management. We can, year by year, tinker with the ecology of Douglas Creek; what we can't do is to control the upstream processes that poison and tear apart Douglas Creek and other Creeks like it.
It may seem a long stretch from habitat units and fry output to PAH’s and PAB’s, but as you know stormwater lies at the heart of every urban stream restoration.
I don't think for a minute that this information is any revelation, but I do think that it is time we raised and re-raised the stormwater issue - it is global.
I won't bore you with what the Fisheries Act says about deleterious substances - you know all of this. Again I think that stormwater needs to be raised whenever and however. So ... our two cents and please raise the issue.”
- Bob Bridgeman, January 13/08
Education
Local Stream to Sea
Local coordinators have recently completed egg delivery to about 120 classroom incubation projects in Tom Rutherford’s area, which includes 5 public school districts.
Regional Stream to Sea
I am currently working on two committees for the Regional education program.
The strategic planning committee meets monthly by phone as it moves toward the creation of a strategic plan that will guide the program through to 2012. The group is considering changes to the structure of the Regional Education Steering Committee and of the Working Group model that was created to address action items between conferences. The strategy continues as a systems-based collection of human and curriculum resources that adapts to the needs of many Pacific Region communities.
The training and support working group is organizing the August 2008 annual conference to be held in the Fraser Valley.
October 2007
SEHAB ROUNDTABLE CONTRIBUTION - SOUTH VANCOUVER ISLAND 1
Representative – Don Lowen
Community Advisor – Tom Rutherford
Community – South Vancouver Island from Cowichan to San Juan River, and Southern Gulf Islands
October 27, 2007
Log Jams and Fish Passage
The Provincial Emergency Program (PEP), responding to public safety concerns related to log jams on certain Vancouver Island streams, recently provided $.5M to address the jams.
The result was an improvement in fish passage in the following systems: Koksilah, San Juan and Sutton (upper Cowichan).
PEP engaged community groups with sufficient capacity to complete the work.
RAR Not Working
Because of the Riparian Area Regulations, there is a growing perception among volunteers that the Department is not able to protect fish habitat.
Eg – A landowner who lives on a salmon-bearing stream with a long history of volunteer restoration/enhancement, engaged an RP Biologist to assess the stream in the context of a proposed project on his property. The biologist requested a setback.
A neighbour engaged the provincial Water Branch with the same request. The Branch decided that the stream was “not a watercourse”, and the landowner subsequently filled in the stream.
Cowichan Roundtable – New Way of Doing Business
Please see Tom Rutherford’s October 27/07 presentation to the Board.
Poor Chinook Returns
Lower Georgia Strait and lower Juan de Fuca Strait chinook returns are exceptionally low this year. This includes the Nanaimo, Cowichan, Chemainus (10), Goldstream (2), Sooke and Nitinat (4K) systems.
Education
Stream to Sea
The Department’s education program continues to thrive on South Vancouver Island, thanks in part to the Department’s commitment to provide warm bodies to support activities.
About 120 classroom incubation projects will operate over the winter in Tom Rutherford’s area, which includes 5 public school districts.
The classroom incubation program continues to facilitate the development of other activities such as Salmon Express, storm drain marking, shorekeeper and streamkeeper activities. The consistent participation of School Districts and the Department allows this evolution over time.
The Goldstream Volunteer Salmonid Enhancement Association lost a long-time volunteer when Bryant Wood recently passed on. Before he died, Bryant requested that family funds be used to establish a project at the school that his grandchildren attend.
Very quickly, a partnership was struck between the school, the Watership Foundation, the Department and the Wood family to ensure that all materials and tech support would be provided to start a project this year.
The Goldstream volunteers will honour Bryant’s life at a ceremony on the River on November 2nd.
Regional Stream to Sea
About 25 Education Coordinators and Community Advisors attended the annual education conference, held last August in Bamfield.
Along with waterborne field trips, beach investigations and presentations on new online curriculum, the group completed the next phase toward the creation of a strategic plan that will guide the program through to 2012. The group is considering changes to the structure of the Regional Education Steering Committee and of the Working Group model that was created to address action items between conferences.
The strategy continues as a systems-based collection of human and curriculum resources that adapts to the needs of many Pacific Region communities.
June 2007
Tom Rutherford - South Vancouver Island
SEHAB Member - Don Lowen
In late May, we lost the services of two pioneers in salmon enhancement.
Lucille (Lou) Tremblay in Port Renfrew, and Bill James in Sooke, had already established enhancement projects prior to the arrival of Trevor Morris and the Salmonid Enhancement Program. Along with Howard English’s initiative on the Goldstream River, they were Trevor’s community projects when he showed up for work in 1978.
Lou Tremblay and her husband Maurice began their strategic enhancement efforts in the mid 1970’s on the San Juan River, using streamside incubation boxes. Today, the San Juan Enhancement Society operates a CEDP hatchery, enhancing coho and chinook.
Also in the mid 1970’s, Bill James helped create the Amalgamated Conservation Society on South Vancouver Island before establishing a strategic enhancement facility on the Sooke River. Today, the Sooke Salmon Enhancement Society (Jack Brooks Hatchery) implements enhancement strategies for coho, chinook and steelhead, and rivals the Goldstream group as the oldest volunteer enhancement organization in the Pacific Region.
Overview – Tom Rutherford, Community Advisor
Tom sent the email message below to his project coordinators on April 27th. It encapsulates the extent to which the Community Advisor’s role in the South Coast management area has been sidetracked, and his energies misdirected.
From: Rutherford, Tom [mailto:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.]
Sent: April 27, 2007 4:17 PM
To: Angela Evans; Angus Stewart; Arild; Bernie Bowker; Bill Gibson; Bill Neill; Bill Pannell; Brad Drew; Brian MacNeill; Brian Mooney; Byron & Karen; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; Cathy Carolsfield; Christopher Bos; cowichan land trust; Dave Lindsay; David Aldcroft; Denis Coupland; Don Lowen; George DeLure; Gerald Fleming; Glen & Charmian; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; HAT; Helen Dunn; Ian Bruce; Ian Graeme; Jack McLeod; James Hamly; Jody Watson; John Bergbusch; Judy Ackinclose; Kathy Reimer; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; Laurie Mcbride; Loren Duncan; Lynn Wilson; Mary Haig-Brown; Miqualyn; Nikki Wright (E-mail); P.I.C.A.; Peter McCully; Rick Jones; Robert Bridgeman; Roger Hart; Scott Noble; Susan King; Ted Burns; The Gallaughers; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; Tom Davis; Trevor Morris; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; Jody Watson (VEHEAP) (E-mail); This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; lou&This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Cc: Adkins, Bruce; Don Elliott; Ernie Elliott; Bonnell, Gregory; Brouwer, Robert; Hop Wo, Leroy; Jung, Jeff
Subject: DFO support to Community Involvement programming on South Vancouver Island
“Hi All,
Just a short note to apologize for my delayed response to inquiries, phone calls, emails, and for my failure to follow up on some of the projects we have been working on together. Over the last 7 weeks I have been assigned to supporting the Lower Georgia Strait (Cowichan) Chinook rebuilding process and this work has been taking up the lion's share of my time. There have been some rigid (and very short) time lines involved with implementing changes to existing programs that we have been able to meet thanks to great support from our partners outside the department and my DFO colleagues.
The cost, however, has been in the level of support afforded to you and your programs. I am currently working with my supervisor to put in place a plan that will ensure our ability to support you and the important work you are engaged in while continuing to work towards long term solutions for rebuilding Lower Georgia Strait Chinook stocks.
Please don't hesitate to give me a shout or drop me a line about this or about details regarding the stewardship/assessment/enhancement/restoration/education projects you are working on. I have started re-connecting with most of the groups I am involved with (particularly those dozen or so that have in stream restoration works scheduled for this summer) and look forward to talking to you soon.
Thanks for your patience
Tom”
Group Reports
1. Erosion of the Community Involvement Program - I received the following comments from representatives of Peninsula Streams, Goldstream Volunteer Salmon Enhancement Association and Mt. Douglas Creek Streamkeepers, all concerning the Department’s ability to support volunteer enhancement and restoration efforts through the Community Involvement Program:
a. “My number one concern is the dilution of the role/duties of the Community Advisor.”
b. “Area bureaucrats do not understand the role of the CA.”
c. “The Department needs to provide more support for CA’s.”
d. “Our CA is getting pulled apart, and I’m concerned we’ll lose him.”
e. “We need more support on the ground for stewardship – more funding for more CA’s and watershed coordinators.” (HRSEP model)
f. “Our CA needs assistance in supporting projects.”
2. Mt. Douglas Creek Streamkeepers – Stormwater management is the group’s biggest challenge to success, and they hope that the new Marine Conservation Area, which includes Mt. Douglas Creek’s watershed, will have a positive impact on storm water quality.
3. Sooke Salmon Enhancement Society
a. Low flows in coastal streams continue to have a negative impact on south coast coho.
b. Excellent steelhead returns last winter.
c. Society is working to improve communication between local agencies and municipalities to protect riparian areas.
Volunteer Recognition
Representatives of the Goldstream Volunteer Salmon Enhancement Association and Mt. Doug Streamkeepers attended Workshop ’07 in Williams Lake last month. Comments were more than favorable on overall event organization and the quality of the workshops. Bob Bridgeman asked to pass on particular appreciation to ZoAnn Morten for organizing transportation to and from Williams Lake.
Education
1. Stream to Sea
The Department’s education program continues to thrive on South Vancouver Island, thanks in part to the Department’s commitment to provide warm bodies to support activities. About 120 classroom incubation projects operated over the winter with good results. A fungus issue originating in one of the hatcheries carried over into classroom projects; however, survival rates were average or better after an initial spike in mortalities shortly after egg delivery.
The classroom incubation program continues to facilitate the development of other activities; the result is a whole greater than the sum of its parts. The consistent participation of School Districts and the Department allows this evolution over time.
2. EcoJustice Conference – Victoria
The Anglican Church of Canada hosted an ecojustice conference at UVIC in May. Eighty delegates from across Canada and Australia attended.
Two of the focus groups were streamkeepers and shorekeepers. Up to 15 delegates in each group completed ‘keeper training on survey sites near or on campus.
3. Regional Stream to Sea
On June 21st, the Department’s RHQ is hosting the second of two workshops toward a five-year strategic plan for the Pacific Region’s education program. All Community Advisors, Education Coordinators and OHEB Area Managers are invited to attend.
This one-day event will incorporate recent studies on the program into a draft strategy. The Department will present this draft to the annual Regional education conference in August. The new strategy will replace the existing plan which expired last year.
May 2006
Overview – Tom Rutherford, Community Advisor
Based on presentations made at the May 6/06 Community Partners Recognition Day for South Vancouver Island partners, community programming is alive and well. Most participants are engaged, effective and inspired.
The community’s ability to protect habitat is always an “in your face” challenge.
Tom is concerned that the effects of global warming will affect the morale of community partners. The Department needs a strategy to deal with this possible outcome of climate change on salmonid populations. In the face of this, is public involvement still a meaningful experience? The Department needs to find ways to ensure that it is.
Common Themes in Presentations Made at Community Partners Recognition Day - Based on reports from 20 organizations supported by Tom, these recurring themes emerged:
1. The Department’s inability to respond to habitat issues.
2. Decrease in presence of Fishery Officers.
3. Constituents feel powerless.
Volunteer Recognition
Community Involvement Recognition Day, May 6/06 - Tom Rutherford (Chair), Don Lowen, Peter McCully and Micqualyn Waldie planned this biennial recognition event for Tom’s clients. A full day of group presentations, workshops, awards and great food included talks by Dr. Don McKinlay, DFO Senior Enhancement Biologist (“The Past, Present, and Future Role of Hatcheries for B.C. Salmon”) and Dr. Peter Ross, DFO Research Scientist (“What do marine mammals tell us about the state of the ocean?”)
Approximately 85 representatives from 35 organizations attended. Ten groups received awards for years of participation.
Reception for Tom Rutherford¬ – Those attending the above event conspired to surprise Tom Rutherford with a lunch reception on the same day, honouring twenty-five years of outstanding public service. James Boland, who designed and implemented the Public Involvement Program, Salmonids in the Classroom, and the SEP Task Group, spoke on behalf of the Department. Peter McCully (Goldstream Volunteer Salmonid Enhancement Association) spoke on behalf of DFO’s community partners.
Three of the four original Community Advisors – Bob Hurst, Don Lawseth and Trevor Morris – joined James, Tom and his family at the head table. The organizers collected about $2.5K for a cash gift for the Rutherford's.
Education
Shorekeeper Training Weekend October 22/23 – Victoria Stream Team - The Victoria Stream Team presented a Shorekeeper Training Workshop for Greater Victoria secondary students, April 28th, 29th and 30th. The agenda included mapping, ID and inventory skills required to assess the health of the intertidal area of a shoreline.
Ten students from five institutions participated. Fisheries and Oceans staff provided classroom instruction Friday evening and assisted with onsite work through the weekend at Patricia Bay. DFO contracted Shelee Hamilton to oversee onsite work.
Classroom Incubation, South Vancouver Island - Projects in the five school districts that encompass Tom Rutherford’s area all enjoyed outstanding success this year. Although reports are still coming in, it appears that mortality rates are very low. I will include a detailed report in the fall roundtable submission.
EcoMotion Summer Institute - August 28th to 30th - From August 28th to 30th, EcoMotion Institute offers three days of inspiration, healthy movement and relaxation. All activities will take place in or leave from the Mary Winspear Center in Sidney.
Community and classroom educators will find ways to develop teaching and organizational skills that will further our collective effort to create stewards. EcoMotion will feature case studies of, and journeys to, some of Greater Victoria’s field study sites and venues. Workshops include “what to do when the bus arrives”, the specifics of the new science curriculum (BC Ministry of Education), unit and lesson planning ideas, and the art of storytelling.
To receive an information/application package, contact Don Lowen at 388-4756 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Community-Based Social Marketing - How effective is your outreach program? Research demonstrates that simply providing information usually has little or not effect on behaviour. Join environmental psychologist and community based social marketing guru Doug McKenzie-Mohr for a one-day workshop to learn more effective approaches to delivering programs that change environmental behaviour. Registration fee of $145 covers lunch and a free copy of Dr. McKenzie-Mohr’s book Fostering Sustainable Behaviour: An Introduction to Community-Based Social Marketing. To register see www.waterinthecityvictoria.ca/registration or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. More information on this approach can be found at www.cbsm.com.
Salmonpeople – The Victoria Tour (Peter Donaldson and Don Lowen) - Salmonpeople is a watershed of partnership projects based on the power of stories and the life work of educator, community facilitator, and performance artist, Peter Donaldson.
Peter Donaldson and Donald Lowen are building a community coalition to bring the Salmonpeople Tour to Victoria as a civic centerpiece for catalytic change. The tour requires a broad and diverse coalition of local entities to cross-promote it with their own programming and stewardship efforts. Here’s the calendar so far:
1. On August 30th, Peter will present a storytelling workshop at the EcoMotion Institute. (See above.)
2. From September 21st to 23rd, Peter and Don will organize three days of sustainability workshops with students, teachers, business leaders and community groups.
3. On September 24th, the coalition will collaborate with a local theater to co-produce Salmonpeople.
Current coalition members include the Watership Foundation, Greater Victoria School District, Victoria Stream Team, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada. To find out how you can participate, contact Don Lowen at 388-4756 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
February 2006
Overview – Tom Rutherford, Community Advisor
“There is a perception by my clients that DFO is "caught between models" with respect to implementing habitat protection programming. We aren't doing it "the old way" and nobody seems to be sure what the "new way" will be. This concern in no way reflects on habitat practitioners or C&P staff, but there seems to be some confusion (both inside and outside the department) about who will be doing what and how, with respect to protecting fish and fish habitat. (and whether we have the horsepower to do so...)
I've received comments about PSEF's seemingly unilateral decision to allocate all funding to the Fraser River. This could just be sour grapes from Vancouver Island, but the perception was that David Anderson's vision was a trust fund for fish and fish habitat coast-wide, not for one river system.
The current and collective revision of our South Coast education delivery model is another example of everyone working together despite some differences in viewpoint, ensuring that we are achieving the best possible outcomes with our education programming.”
David Aldcroft, SEHAB Alternate (Cowichan Valley Naturalists)
1. There is a continued perception on the ground that all levels of government continue to download responsibilities to volunteers, community groups, or to the wrong agency. Why give the responsibility of investigation of deleterious substances in fish-bearing streams to an agency (Environment Canada) that cannot respond? This is occurring at a time when there is no shortage of public funds to properly protect vital habitat, assess stocks, etc.
2. (Following attendance at a Marine Protected Area meeting) MPA’s are another unnecessary level of bureaucracy. Much of the MPA mandate is already a DFO mandate. Why did the Department not receive these resources?
3. There has been no response from the Department – or the media, for that matter – on poor coho returns last fall. What are the management implications of this disaster?
4. Re EPMP – We have evolved from
a. No net loss, to
b. No net loss of production, to
c. No net loss of production unless it impinges on profit
d. What’s next?
Education
Streamkeeper Training Weekend October 22/23 – Victoria Stream Team
The Stream Team and Terasen Gas, Inc. presented a Streamkeeper Training Workshop for Greater Victoria secondary students, February 11th and 12th at Edward Milne Community School, 6218 Sooke Road. The agenda included mapping, inventory and measuring skills required to assess the health of a stream – watershed mapping, water quality, aquatic invertebrate inventory, physical characteristics, etc.
Twelve students from five institutions participated. Susan Low provided instruction.
Note – Susan Low believes that there is a market for 5 to 7 workshops per year, just for students. Since the resources for a Streamkeeper Coordinator disappeared about 5 years ago, no one is able to tap this demand. The Victoria Stream Team commits to organizing one streamkeeper event per year. More of these events would increase the Stream Team membership and the number of trained volunteers ready to join an aging corps of volunteer stewards.
Classroom Incubation, South Vancouver Island
In spite of warm hatchery incubation temperatures that hurried the delivery schedule, the eggs are extremely viable this year. Only one of 95 projects has reported greater than average mortality to date.
Volunteer Recognition
1. South Vancouver Island Pacific Salmon Foundation Dinner Auction - The dinner committee has chosen Kathy Reimer’s Island Streams and Enhancement Society as the volunteer group to be recognized at its February 25th event.
2. Community Involvement Recognition Day, May 6/06 - Tom Rutherford (Chair), Don Lowen, Peter McCully and Micqualyn Waldie are planning this biennial recognition event for Tom’s clients. This is a full day of group presentations, workshops, awards, great food and better company.
Report - Muir Creek Protection Society
Muir Creek and Tugwell Creek are two watersheds just west of Sooke on the southwest slope of Vancouver Island. Muir Creek takes its name from John Muir and the first pioneer family who settled in the area in the late 1800’s. John Muir was a magistrate and a member of the first provincial legislative assembly. Two of his sons were killed at Muir Creek in a wagon accident.
The T’souke First Nation traditionally used the area for winter dancing and smoking fish. The world’s tallest freestanding totem pole came from Muir Creek and was carved by a team led by Mungo Martin. It was erected in Beacon Hill Park. T’souke First Nation has been informed of our intentions and is supportive.
The land around both of these creeks is owned by TimberWest (http://www.timberwest.com/woodstour.cfm#).
The portion surrounding the adjacent West Coast Road on the east of Muir Creek by the ocean was sold by TimberWest and is now being developed. The upper slopes, in between the two creeks, have been flagged with falling boundaries but not yet cleared. Old growth trees can be found in the lower areas along both sides of Muir Creek and its embankments for a distance of almost two kilometers. The largest tree found so far is a cedar at 29’ 6” in circumference. There are numerous Sitka spruce over 20’ in circumference, the largest being 25’3”. In all 9 trees have potential to be included in the Big Tree Registry of B.C. Some of the watershed areas by the creeks were previously logged in the late 19th early 20th century, but impressive old growth trees have survived right by the rivers, and on the slopes. These trees are now surrounded by more or less mature second growth. Logging has proceeded recently above the creek watersheds and in the upper reaches of both streams, but so far both streams flow clear, even in recent months with high precipitation.
These areas are easily accessible since West Coast Rd., part of the new Pacific circle route, travels right through it. In fact, the area is a popular swimming place in the summer, and the Muir Creek estuary is a haven for fly fishers. There is abundant wild life in and around the streams, including river otters, mink, bears, eagles, herons, king fishers and dippers, all of whom depend to some extent on the population of fish in these streams. In both streams, there are substantial runs of chum (hundreds to thousands) with subsequent forays of foraging sea run cutthroat and steelhead. Recently, there have also been sightings of Coho and a few occasional Spring/King Salmon.
Ocean beaches next to Muir Creek have one of the most prominent and easily accessible showings of Cenozoic fossils on Vancouver Island. School children, including ESL students, have visited on educational field trips for years.
TimberWest is currently poised to log both watersheds. Since it is now privately owned land, they are entitled to log down to the stream - the regulations require them only to leave 20 to 40 trees per 200 m of creek length, depending on the size of the stream – more trees for wider streams. The trees stand up to 250 feet tall. Due to the costs incurred by needing to use helicopters in order to remove these trees it is felt that the area will be harvested of all of its old growth fir, cedar and spruce trees on the slopes above creek. There are also large trees located right beside the stream - hopefully they would not be felled due to the impact on the creek, but TimberWest is not prohibited from taking them. The second largest registered yew tree in B.C resides at Muir Creek. TimberWest has currently numbered trees on Muir Creek to presumably create a space for clearing the big trees out by helicopter.
Meanwhile, a Muir Creek Protection Society (MCPS) formed and registered as of November 25, 2005. (http://www.muircreekprotectionsociety.org/) Under the leadership of its president, Alanda Carver, it is rapidly accumulating members (currently 200), as well as support from numerous individuals and organizations who have a stake in the watershed, including the Otter Point & Shirley Residents & Rate Payers Association (OPSRRA, http://opsrra.ca/), Shirley Education Action Society, Surf Riders, Charter fishermen, Fly Fishermen, the Sierra Club of Canada, BC Chapter (http://www.sierraclub.ca/bc/), Juan de Fuca Community Trails and Seaparc Parks Commission .MCPS would like to pursue a business like approach which includes benefits for the owners of the land, i.e., TimberWest, and to avoid confrontation in the effort to preserve this watershed.
One potential solution would be to turn the lower end of the creeks into a park. This would be a matter which would have to be spearheaded by the Capital Regional District (CRD) here in Victoria or the provincial government. The Regional Director and local planner have expressed support in concept for this idea. The local developers also seem to be interested in a park on the basis that it would enhance the value of their developments. MCPS would like to work towards a deal with TimberWest, which might be possible if some kind of compensation can be offered.
We are therefore hoping to form a coalition that might be able to purchase the trees in place before they are cut, and/or the land or perhaps the provincial government could be convinced to offer some less ecologically sensitive land in exchange for pieces around these creeks. Our very rough estimates are that the area in question should encompass a few km of stream and a variable width riparian zone up to 500m wide where required to protect the old growth trees. There are no parks available for recreation in this area, most of the land is privately owned by forest companies due to the E&N land grant. After harvesting it sounds as though the plan for the area may include TimberWest selling the land for residential use. Between Grant Rd. in Sooke and French beach Provincial Park there is only thirty five acres of parkland in an area spanning over 10 000 acres. When this area is developed where will these people recreate if we’ve cut all the trees?
October 2005
Overview
Community Advisor Tom Rutherford and I have discussed the fact that several South Vancouver Island community groups are currently appealing for volunteers for their projects or activities. We agree that this trend will continue as groups maintain their current high level of capacity to participate in restoration, enhancement and assessment activities, and as the Department continues to divest these responsibilities to volunteers.
Tom is very concerned about the report of cuts to Community Advisors’ budget in the North Coast Management Area. He and other South Coast CA’s are working on a meeting with their Area Chief as soon as possible.
Education
Secondary Students!! Streamkeeper Training Weekend October 22/23 – Victoria Stream Team
The Stream Team and Terasen Gas, Inc. present a Streamkeeper Training Workshop for Greater Victoria secondary students, beginning Saturday October 22nd (9 AM) at Edward Milne Community School, 6218 Sooke Road. Training will be two full days – Saturday and Sunday – from 9 to 4:30 PM.
Mapping, inventory and measuring skills required to assess the health of a stream – watershed mapping, water quality, aquatic invertebrate inventory, physical characteristics, etc.
Salmon Lovers’ Dinner, Wednesday November 2nd, 5 PM at SJ Willis Auditorium – Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)
Those wishing to participate in DFO’s Stream to Sea environmental education program are invited to attend this annual dinner meeting.
The evening also features exhibits of many of Greater Victoria’s organizations and agencies offering environmental education materials, activities and classroom presentations.
New Climate Change Education Program – Sierra Club of BC
The Sierra Club has a new program! The Climate Change Education Program (CCEP), for grades 4-8, offers new ways of engaging students and teachers to take action on climate change issues.
The CCEP has three components:
1. Climate Change Solutions Teacher Workshops: With Wild BC, workshops that train teachers to teach about climate change.
2. Climate Change Solutions In-class Presentations: School presentations that educate about the causes, effects and solutions surrounding climate change.
3. Take Action! On Climate Change Projects: Projects that take direct actions to lower greenhouse gas emissions and to participate in the One-Tonne Challenge.
Sooke Salmon Enhancement Society
This summer, Sooke Salmon Enhancement Society (SSES) members completed much-needed upgrades to the hatchery’s water filtration system. The new “state-of the-art” two-part filtering system consists of a round tank that works on centrifugal flow in the first stage of cleaning, followed by a second stage that involves a series of filters to do the final scrubbing. The Sooke Lions’ Club purchased and donated the new system to SSES.
The installation required significant modification/upgrading/cleaning of the water intake system, valves, spigots and filters, plus relocation of the pressure system and new lights.
SSES President Bryan Manning thanked volunteers for their efforts and noted that the next big job will be broodstock capture starting this month. He also invited members and prospective members to the AGM and election of officers at 7 PM on November 9th in the Sooke Community Hall.
Goldstream Volunteer Salmon Enhancement Association
Volunteers have already started their chinook broodstock capture program. They have counted 165 at the fence, and estimate another 100 have spawned in the river. The Cowichan Band is engaged in harvesting them at the present time. It is too early for coho and chum, and only a few are showing.
Sea Change Marine Conservation Association
Sea Change is organizing a catalogue of potential eelgrass restoration sites within the Strait of Georgia. So far, they have 41 sites that we will be assessing for restoration. This list would be used in cases where off site habitat compensation is required for loss or damage to eelgrass beds.
Sea Change, with Joanne Day’s assistance, is putting together a list of DFO staff who could contact them if such restoration was needed in their area. This would be most useful for letting the word out that a scientific advisor (Cynthia Durance), a WCB qualified dive team, conservation community groups, Sea Change and a province wide Seagrass Conservation Working Group are working together to create a net gain in fish habitat within the Strait.
Bonsall Creek – Project Completion
Partners in the North Cowichan community have nearly completed a five-year habitat restoration project on Bonsall Creek. The work included the installation of 13 weirs, extensive bank stabilization and 3,000 feet of fencing. Planting in the riparian area is the last phase to be completed.
Partners include the First Nations, Municipality of North Cowichan, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Salmon Foundation, Fisheries Renewal BC, and BC Ministry of Highways. Engineer Mark Garboury designed the project and donated his time.
Update – Cowichan Band Hatchery
Last Christmas, a failed backup power system resulted in the loss of 1M chinook alevins at the Cowichan Band Hatchery near Duncan.
Community Advisor Tom Rutherford reported the following adjustments:
1. Infrastructure
a. Install larger fuel tank
b. Install $20K alarm system
c. Overhaul genset
d. Replace pumps
2. Protocols
a. Establish relationship with Vancouver Island Trout Hatchery re emergency measures
b. Designate a maintenance person
c. Implement changes to generator’s “exercise” program.
Cowichan River Notes
1. The Cowichan Band is now conducting all stock assessment and creel surveys.
2. Two FTE’s are operating a native plant nursery, growing them in unused raceways. These are endangered species normally used for food and will be planted in the Cowichan riparian area.
3. There is a serious conservation concern re Cowichan chinooks. For a river that has the capacity for up to 8,000 chinook to spawn, observers have counted only 600 through the fence.
South Vancouver Island Pacific Salmon Foundation Dinner Auction
The dinner committee has chosen Kathy Reimer’s Island Streams and Enhancement Society as the volunteer group to be recognized at its February 25th event.
JUNE 2005
Peter McCully (Goldstream Volunteer Salmon Enhancement Association) Peter would like more information on James Boland’s new stewardship initiative. He does not believe that any fisheries issues will be addressed given the political situation in Ottawa.
Nikki Wright (Sea Change Marine Conservation Society) Sea Change’s main link with DFO is the Seagrass Conservation Working Group. DFO is a primary sponsor of the Community Mapping Network, which is the recipient of all field information produced by this project. Nikki is very pleased with the Department’s support of this Working Group, and with the “on the ground” support she receives from DFO staff. (Tom Rutherford, Rob Russell, Shelee Hamilton)
Nikki is despondent that there is a rumour that education/outreach programs face more cuts. She is extremely angry at what she sees as Ottawa’s strategy not to fulfill its mandate to protect salmon, habitat or to truly support stewardship. Stewardship activities should be sustainable and support should be long-term and Ottawa’s will to do this is non-existent.
Sooke Salmon Enhancement Society
Sooke Salmon Enhancement Society hatchery will have most of its fish released by the end of May. Until they are ready for release we will be maintaining a small number of steelhead (3000) from the single female that we obtained this year. Hatchery volunteers will focus on significant renovations over the summer months. We are also maintaining a sea pen of Nitinat springs at the government wharf in Sooke.
The society will provide a salmon barbeque during Sooke’s Canada Day celebrations and will also run a salmon derby on July 30 and 31st.