November 2009
SEHAB Roundtable
AreaNorth Side of Fraser River, Pitt Meadows to Burnaby
DFO CA areaMaurice Coulter Boisvert
Representative Dianne Ramage
Meeting DateNovember 9, 2009
I cannot say it any better than the following two stewards.These comments plus the previous roundtables express it all:
Hi Dianne: My biggest concern is a promised response hopefully coming from D.F. O. to the latest 2009 Federal Auditor Generals Report on Fisheries and Oceans . The Responses by the department to each issue by the Department was to move quickly to address them ! I would want that to happen, and would expect that to happen on all of Sheilagh Fraser's agree upon recommendations, that were agreed upon by the Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans . I would expect that a quarterly action report card be issued to the public on the time sensitive serious issues that would effect the 2010 migration of Juvenile and returning adult salmon coast wide !
A" Fisheries management": I just requested and received" a little late" the D. F. O. document titled 2008 Post Season Review and 2009 Planning Framework ,Salmon Central Coast, Areas 7-10 and found the document well written, good layout, easy for the public to understand and there for to comment on . I would recommend to the department that this type of in season and 2009 planning Framework document, be used for all coastal and interior regions .
D" Salmon Habitat In salmon river estuaries ": I would recommend to Fisheries and Oceans that a new Fraser River Estuary Study be undertaken in 2010 . This study would Focus on juvenile salmon habitat requirements, water quality, river water temperatures etc. in all the Arms and entrance channels of the Fraser River . Waste water Discharges directed directly into the river and outer Banks is a great concern also, Regarding the loss of some 2009 Fraser River Sockeye stocks . Again A. G. Fraser's report suggests in great detail the need for a new updated Salmon Habitat reviews and I am expecting immediate action by D. F. O. on all the Attorney Generals Salmon Habitat recommendations !
B Fisheries Enforcement : Today with the many poor returns of Salmon to rivers through out B. C. it is of great importance that all fisheries regulations are enforced . Native , commercial and recreational salmon harvesting must have adequate monitoring, for all of the Fisheries Act regulations ! A increase in funding not a continued decrease in funding for fisheries enforcement activities, must be found in the D. F. O. yearly budgets, as noted in the A. G. Fraser's report .
Public Consultation by D. F. O. : It is very obvious that consulting with the public today, has a low priority in the Department of Fisheries and Oceans directives . For example "The Fraser River Estuary Habitat Division of D. F. O. , has not consulted with the public etc., for many years now . The public needs to know how the River Estuary Juvenile Salmon Habitats are being monitored and protected by the D. F. Do’s department in charge ! I would suggest that a short general public meeting is necessary every year, to update the status of Estuary Salmon Habitats . Annual Dredging issues and riverbank alteration should be topics that the Habitat Department could also address ! Consultation with the public on Habitat Restoration , sharing ideas, could be very beneficial to the Salmon productivity of B. C. Rivers like the Fraser . The old Idea of "public river shore line walkabouts regarding new Projects that require environmental certification was done in the past and was very successful . Keeping the Interested Public Informed not in the Dark, with issues that could effect our wild salmon, is a part of just good Salmon Management ! Proactive not reactive , Precautionary Salmon Management , keeping the Public informed, with site visits and News Letters, its all very good public relations , but why today is it not implemented ? ? Please feel free to circulate this email !
Terry Slack 4093 west 33rd aver. Vancouver B. C. V6J 2H9 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Fraser River Action Coalition
Quotes From Community
Issues
·Where did the Sockeye go?
·North Alouette un-authorized water extraction, fish kill and agency response
·Community Advisor how are they sharing knowledge between themselves so they and we can learn from each other, communities of practice
·Ongoing sediment issues at Coquitlam River but with new uncertainties re: Eagle Mountain / BC Hydro Right of Way watercourse disturbances
·Infrastructure funds to DFO for major facilities and Cap’s but not for PIP or floodgate mitigation initiatives
·Environment Canada accountable to no-one - FOIL request from Burnaby and Byrne Creek for known polluter and fish killer at Byrne Creek resulted in ZERO action or outcome and no responses from EC
·Salmonopolis dead
Successes
·Best pink year ever since attempts at population rebuilding
·Very strong returns of Chum almost everywhere
·Brunette River channel reconstruction for Pink and Nooksack dace
·Ongoing complexing of restored habitat at River Springs in Coquitlam
·Capture and release to Alouette Lake of 45 Sockeye adults some of which were implanted with sonic tags and tracked
·capture and release of 1 sockeye at Coquitlam watershed
·Completion of next phase of Silverdale Wetlands by SASSES
·Committee formed at SFU re: salt storage facility relocation and improved management practices
·Successful Stream to Sea workshop for educators this summer
·PEP coordinator at Annacis Island now in place Karen Ballard
·Phase 3 of Coquitlam Watershed Initiative underway
·2nd Lower Fraser Coho Conservation and Enhancement Initiative Meeting
·PSF funding still coming to community
·CNGO, ENGO, SEHAB working at different levels to support work of community – what results though…
February 2008
Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Mission Area
Submitted by Dave Smith: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Urbanization of the watershed, hardening of the lowlands, wetlands, loss of riparian habitat, impact on main stems and tributaries. Thornvale, Spenser
Storm water management issues – using our creeks and streams as storm water/ surface water drainage systems for new developments.
The loss of our local ERC (environmental review committee) First the Province backed away, so has DFO. Only District or City now meets with developer.
Blue Mountain Forest Lands – Katzie and Kwantlen Community Forest and Woodlot Agreements with BC Min of Forests. Public input and meetings have been held.
These will impact Kanaka and the Alouette Rivers as well as the south side of Golden Ears Park / Alouette Lake.
Tourism, Sports + Arts Ministry will re activating the Blue Mountain Recreational Strategy meetings in early 2008 with rec stakeholders.
Vanc – Fraser Port Authority – proposed marine cargo / container docking, loading, unloading facility in Mission on farmland in the Silverdale wetlands. Jim Taylor and the Stave Valley Salmon Enhancement Society, Wetlands Patrol, Tom Cadieux, Neighbours and Silverdale Community Assoc. put on a public meeting, MP Randy Kemp, Secretary to the Fisheries Minister, was there as well CEO, President and VP of Procurement were there from the Port Authority. I have sent SEHAB the info. Five facility centres are being proposed throughout lower mainland to meet consumer cargo/container needs of ever increasing population.
Golden Ears Bridge impacts on Katzie Slough, low, wet areas are now filled and culverted.
Over 30 southwest BC proposed “in stream” Hydro projects – ie: Run of the River proposals. Will impact Pitt Lake and the upper Pitt Valley all the way to Squamish.
Run of River Power Inc. at http://www.runofriverpower.com/ Pitt River Power Cluster at http://www.runofriverpower.com/projects/pitt.shtml Project description at [PDF] Upper Pitt River
Fall activities included; Sex on the Rocks (return of the salmon – ROTS) late Oct. and the Fraser Valley Eagle festival in mid Nov. with displays, interactive models, info and handouts, photos/calendar sales for our Stewardship Centre. Mike Stefiuk has collected and created over 2200 photos of our watershed, wildlife, flora + fauna and unique natural features. www.keeps.org photos
90 Education programs were held with both students (K1 – 12) and adults, topics included FRY (fish reaching youth), Watershed Roadshow, Brook Learning, Outside Adventures, Watershed Animals and Mammals, Salmon Egg Takes, Salmon Dissection. Over 3600 visitors/participants since Sept. 30, 2007
Trail work with DFO, Metro Vanc. + HHA (Haney Horsemen Association) re established the 264th – north/south trail after spring erosion had closed it.
The Bell – Irving Hatchery has 217, 000 eyed CHUM eggs, 140, 000 COHO eggs and 416, 000 eyed PINK eggs. Brood stock numbers were estimated at 2007 Chum return at 3,500 and Coho at 680 - 720 and the Pinks at approx 150 – 200. There were 1200 Chum, 64 coho and 26 Pinks counted through the Kanaka Fish Fence Trap (Oct. – Dec. 3rd). No Coho Fry were released in 2007 due to no Coho Brood Stock was taken in winter 2006, due to high waters. The sump and pump house were replaced, still need to upgrade backup power supply. Salmon in the Classroom started late Jan. in area Schools.
Kanaka Watershed Stewardship Centre now has an architectural landscape plan for our new facility – preliminary plans are being reworked and it will go out for Tender by late summer / early fall.
The Thornhill Residents have begun to test their wells and groundwater with data being collected in cooperation with the Province + Distr. of Maple Ridge regarding ground / well water health and whether it is potable. East M.R.
The Canadian Environment Gold Medal Award was presented to Jim Taylor of the Stave Valley Salmon Enhancement Society + Wetlands Patrol of Mission BC. Jim was presented a BC Community Award in April 2007 in Victoria. As a school teacher Jim regularly works with Tom Cadieux in Mission watersheds.
Dr. Paul Lawson of UBC, Malcolm Knapp Forest (Alouette watersheds) has just returned to his duties after 10 months overseeing the Tree clean up program in Stanley Park caused by last winter’s devastation.
Jenny Ljunggren, executive director / manager for ARMS (Alouette River Management Society) who has dedicated the last 15 years to the Alouette Rivers Watersheds (Christmas Hamper Society, Adopt-a- Block, Festival Society, Rivers Day and more) has been diagnosed with terminal lung and brain cancer, she is already wanting for Palliative Care placement. The community has come together to set up an account for her children – she is a single parent with 2 teenage daughters – 2 community funding events have been held for the Jenny account – 1 just last weekend. The Alouette Group is in a state of shock and turmoil and Jenny will be missed not only by the Stewardship community but by the larger community because of her active involvement in so many aspects of Maple Ridge community. A very sad time for Geoff Clayton and ARMS - any encouragement or help would greatly appreciated. www.alouetteriver.org 24959 Alouette Rd. Allco Park, Maple Ridge, BC, V4R 1R8 Ph: 604-467-6401 Fax: 604-467-6478
The first invitational meeting for Workshop 2009 is slated for Feb. 14 in Maple Ridge. It will be an informational, theme creating meeting with regular meetings to be held over the next 15 months, leading up to May 2009.
October 2007
Lower Fraser Area, North Side, Burnaby to Maple Ridge
October 2007, Representative Dianne Ramage
Fish and Fish Habitat
Early unofficial
Fraser Chinook, early, lower than expected, return delayed
Fraser Chinook Summer Chinook ok
Fraser Chinook, Harrison White, OK, coming down east coast of Van Island though
Fraser, Pink lower than expected
Lower Fraser Chum reporting lowest number ever recorded
Brunette, None have been seen in the
Hoy and Scott CKs, very low
Stoney Ck, just starting to come in
Coquitlam R., starting to come in
Maple Ck., very low (3 males)
Run may be up to 3 weeks late
Spanish Banks Cr. starting to come in
Lower Fraser Coho not in yet
Other
Lake Washington Sockeye, lower than expected
Barkley Sound Sockeye, lower than expected
Northwest Sockeye, lower than expected
Coast Pink, lower than expected
Hake, pelagic, lower than expected
Oolichan, lower than expected
Herrin, improved, still depressed
These return numbers may be indicating an unpredicted and unusual shift that is delaying and reducing the adult returns. Migration patterns are shifting from inside to outside Vancouver Island indicating changes in salinity, feed, water temperatures (indicating additional and more severe problems than currently understood)
Good news: Silverdale Ck: released 400,000 pink fry last year, >twenty spawning pink, first significant
return of pink salmon since 1970's
Habitat Protection
Second DFO-ENGO Workshop, Ottawa Nov 4 ,5 2007, Objective: To bring together representatives of ENGOs (including fish habitat stewardship groups) and DFO from across Canada to discuss ways to improve the implementation of the habitat management program. More specifically, this workshop will focus on the risk management framework and the habitat compliance framework.
Scrutiny and publicity
High and Dry, Suzuki Report
No Response, West Coast Environmental Law
Development
Stewards want DFO to post Authorizations and compensation agreements on line, and Province RAR Reports and Assessment, to help public and stewards to monitor sites and effectiveness. Can SEHAB please officially ask again.
Lower Fraser Area, North Side, Burnaby to Maple Ridge Oct 2007
Capacity and Processes
UBCM
Resolution B172 Salmon Habitat Protection Passed, Oct 4, 2007
Endorsed as amended:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of British Columbia Municipalities request that the provincial and federal governments work in partnership with local governments to ensure the sustainability of wild Pacific salmon as a key priority and to mitigate threats so that wild Pacific salmon maintain robust populations, are resilient to climate change and benefit future generations.
Lower Fraser Coho Rehabilitation Initiative
Musqueam Fisheries have asked PSF to help them find a process to work with stewardship community and all five levels of government to reverse the declining trends for local coho stocks looking at habitat protection and stock enhancement. Regional workshop planned for mid January 2008
City Vancouver
Declares September Salmon Month, second year, many celebrations, including dine out events throughout the city
City Coquitlam
The City of Coquitlam, Kwikwetlem FN, Watershed Watch and DFO have stepped forward and committed to forming a management body to contract a Watershed Coordination Initiative. The stewards have been asking for this since the end of HCSP. We are fortunate that the PSF has undertaken the Fraser Salmon and Watershed Program, this is the source of some of the cash that is complimenting the community’s cash and in kind.
Province of BC
Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services invited citizens to give presentations or to send in responses to questions on greening of the economy, many great presentations throughout the province, not enough from volunteer groups
Groups
Staying Steady
Not enough capacity to participate in all the consultations: development, rezoning, major projects, attend the council meeting, work on streams…
Events
Salmon Come Home, Hyde Creek Festival, EagleFest over next 4 weeks.
June 2007
Maurice Coulter-Boisvert - North Side of Fraser, Burnaby to Mission
SEHAB Members - Dave Smith, Dianne Ramage
Ongoing issues of Habitat Loss and Degradation/Urbanization (Kanaka and Alouette systems) enforcement and monitoring new developments (approx 2500 units).
Flooding on the North and South Alouette systems – Dyke work continues on the Fraser and along Kanaka Riverfront
Blue Mountain, owned by the Ministry of Forests is entering into agreements with the Katzie + Kwantlen First Nations for a Community and a new Woodlot, (there are 2 existing woodlots, Blue Mountain. and BCIT). Ministry of Sports, Tourism and Recreation: Trails are implementing a process for use by Mountain Bikes and Motor cycles (dirt bikes) to use Blue Mountain and area; it seems to be a done deal, hikers, horse riders and others will have to coordinate their own trails and uses. This is only beginning will probably take until next year.
Education programs continue, community events and outreach activities (5 since Feb.)
Riparian / Invasive Species, Catching Kanaka Spirit Youth Program
Design work and research continue on our new Kanaka Stewardship/Hatchery/Education Centre hopefully we will be half way through for our Community Workshop 2009
Stock Assessment needs from both DFO and BC regarding our Kanaka species.
More Enforcement, Enforcement, Enforcement needed .
Beaver Dams creating real problems on Whonnock Lake, District of Maple Ridge and MOE are exploring options. KEEPS and GVRD are re- negotiating with Ministry of Forests regarding having the Kanaka Headwaters protected and included into Kanaka Creek Regional Park
District of Maple Ridge and ERA Consultants are involved in the carbon neutral tree planting program leading up to 2010 Olympics – although concerns and criticisms are coming out because they are going into Conservation Areas and Riparian Zones and clearing out the Alder, Cottonwoods and low growing vegetation during April, May, June and will also continue in July. Concerns and issues regarding nesting season disruptions, loss of wildlife trees, creating mono species, losing bio diversity of species, loss of taller older trees, clearing riparian areas and hillsides, just to plant 1 and 2- ft trees
Over 30 southwest BC proposed “in stream” Hydro projects – i.e. Run of the River proposals. Will impact Pitt Lake and the upper Pitt Valley all the way to Squamish.
Rural residents still have no ground water protection for their wells, Maple Ridge not interested in creating Community wells. Run of River Power Inc. at http://www.runofriverpower.com/ Pitt River Power Cluster at http://www.runofriverpower.com/projects/pitt.shtml
Project description at [PDF] Upper Pitt River
Stormwater management issues – using our creeks and streams as storm water / surface water drainage systems for new developments.
Volunteer workload ever increasing, more meetings, more consultations, more time spent, more money spent by volunteers (sure could use some support/admin/core funds)
Need to have local and regional voices at the upcoming DFO public meetings and consultations.
Maple Ridge (Albion) is one of the fastest growing neighbourhoods in BC. Next community events include: National Aboriginal Day June 21, displays and hands on activities, July - Webster’s Corners Community Days, August - Pitt Meadows Airport Day, September - Rivers Day 2007 – Kanaka Connection and Return of the Salmon (aka Sex on the Rocks)
Also two pages of Issues from Rod Stott, Maple Ridge Environmental Affairs Manager
February 2007
SEHAB Roundtable Report, February 2007
North Side of Fraser, Coquitlam Area
Dianne Ramage, Representative
1. Habitat: The number one concern of the stewards in our area remains habitat degradation, still.
a. Water Quality
Despite Riparian Area Regulations (RARs), EPMP and existing Fisheries Act habitat continues to be degraded or lost. The Coquitlam River is once again nominated to the list of the ORC Most Endangered Rivers in BC where it has had a permanent place for the past 15 tears due to the unrelenting impacts from gravel mining that spew sediments into the river that exceed allowable limits in excess of 220 days per year, year after year. The last efforts of DFO to bring action was stopped by DFO Justice when they indicted the impacts were a result of acts of god. When companies continue to demonstrate complete disregard for the law and nothing is done about it: who is to blame- the enforcer for not enforcing the law or the operator that is doing what is being tolerated.
The Community still wants to know how does the EPMP and the proposed Fisheries Act changes support the wild salmon policy? Where is not net loss entrenched into the language for these two documents? Why was the stewardship community not consulted on either of these critical developments in regulations and policy. They were for the WSP. How do the RARs signed off by DFO support the wild salmon policy and their Oceans and Habitat mandate? Where is the budget to fund the Wild Salmon Policy itself.
The Coquitlam River Proximately Gravel Mining Impacts Coalition (CRGMIC) is organizing another meeting : March 2007, One Year later, Update from MoE, DFO and MEMPR on what has changed in one year. Community to give information and evidence support their claims that nothing has improved for the fish. DFO has been attending and supporting the Aggregate Task Force. We are looking forward to the update on process and are eager to find out when it will make a difference on the ground. In the meantime the volunteer community continues to take photos, water samples and call the ORR line: 604 666-3500.
Our urban streams continue to be used as free stormwater conveyance systems. This practice is acknowledge by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environment Canada, Health Canada, the Province and our Municipalities as being a cause if degraded water quality and habitat for humans and fish/wildlife as Fishers
b. Water Quantity
Still, the relationship between low flows in our local streams and percent impervious and effectively impervious areas in our watersheds, especially at the close of one of the driest summers on record is a concern as hardening of our watersheds increases and the groundwater recharge rates decline. Development driven changes to hydrologic regimes in urbanized watersheds is insidiously destroying habitat, including water quality. No way to seek funds from watershed land users to fund mitigation and treatment options. Yet new development is still allowed to have catch basins and storm drain outfalls pour untreated flows directly to our local streams.
c. Access
Is DFO demanding all new diking and raised dykes, to encroach on the developed side and not the riparian side? Is DFO demanding unimpeded fish access and egress for both juveniles and adults and their prey? As climate change and the hydrograph changes and many municipalities are upgrading their flood protection infrastructure is the extra footprint coming from the developed side of the dyke and not the riparian side as many dykes do not allow for natural stream meander function. A new pump is being installed on Maple Creek we are requesting DFO to only approve pumps that are designed to be fish friendly to both adults and juveniles. We shall all watch this as pilot of DFO WSP in action and shall report back to you.
2. Capacity
a. Stewardship Resources: Stewards are talking about the need for watershed and project coordination and the lack of core funding needed to take in the upcoming needed works, advocacy and education needed to slow the decline of habitat loss. This is a huge issue and getting bigger.
b. Government Resources: Stewards are concerned about the reduced resources within government to meet their own mandate and plus provide support to us stewards to assist the Department to do its job as we have felt we have done in the past. We want to get together to talk about changes in policy and resources and the government’s ability to hold the line on habitat and watershed function loss. This is an even bigger issue and getting bigger.
c. ORR Line: DFO’s ORR line response is being reviewed. Several people received calls from Staff regarding tier experience. Will follow up when we hear what the outcomes and outputs are. NOTE, last complaint call made was well received by a staffer previously perceived as rude.
3. Good News
Our CAs Maurice and Mark continue to provide support and encouragement and to reduce loss to the stewardship community through burnout from the overwhelming flood of information and communication and the pressing need to participate in meetings, consultations (if you even know about them), participate in processes at higher levels to change policy, educate decision makers, change public behaviours, develop multiyear habitat projects with increasing fear of liability and risk avoidance and limited funds.
Fingerling Festival, Great Salmon Send Off, Tree Fest, Earth Day, Arbour Day, Environment Week, Oceans Week, Coquitlam River Watershed Clean Up, Save the Coquitlam River Protest and Celebrate Coquitlam River Festival are all scheduled for the next few months.
Kwikwetlam First Nations is having an open house April 21, 2007
Streamkeepers training, instream works completion, stormceptor installation in upper Maple creek watershed, invasive plant removal and wildlife tree stewardship, gravel mining monitoring, development site monitoring are all keeping stewards very busy.
October 2006
Roundtable Report Oct. 2006
Dave Smith
1. The ongoing issues of Habitat Loss and Degradation/Urbanization (Kanaka and Alouette systems)
2. Community outreach events + activities
a. Education Program (approx 6300 students- 130 groups, international students)
b. Bell – Irving Hatchery approx 13,230 visitors
c. Riparian / Invasive Species, continuing inventory, removal with students
d. Storm Drain Marking – 2 classes at Fairview Elem School
e. Youth – Catching Kanaka Spirit (20 young people over 8 weeks)
f. World Urban Forum, presentation on Partnerships
g. Dream of Streams, 2 sessions with Joan + Louise, Kanaka Elem.+ Bell – Irving Hatchery
h. Great Canadian Shoreline Clean up
i. Silt workshop with District + Developers, Province + community
j. Rivers Day events, 3 – Kanaka Creek, Alouette River + Whonnock Lake
k. Rod Stott hired as Municipal Environmental Manager (has produced GPS mapping in North Vancouver, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge / Pitt Meadows)
l. Spenser Creek (was used for over 75 years as drainage from area gravel pits) Samuel Robertson School environmental studies students doing water studies, inventory and data collection – great help with eyes, hands and documentation
3. More Enforcement, Enforcement, Enforcement Needed
a. 10 stop work orders issued by District of Maple Ridge
b. 6 bears killed this year already due to loss of habitat and contact with humans
c. Homeless Tent Camps, 2 Boats living at mouth of Kanaka / Fraser
d. Beaver Dams on mainstem and tribs
4. Low Water Flows - Province + GVRD + ALR have required Maple Ridge to hold more Public Meetings on the OCP and the need for inclusion of Aquifers and Groundwater protection policy.
5. Miscellaneous
a. Fish Fence in Sept. 21 (will take 360,000 Chum eggs + about the same for Coho) some concerns about returning numbers of Coho.
b. Sex on the Rocks (return of the salmon) coming Oct. 22 (approx 750 people)
c. KEEPS + GVRD are still negotiating with Min. of Forests regarding having the Kanaka Headwaters included into Kanaka Creek Regional Park
d. Regional Parks Forum Group – super Sat. Nov. 4, sustainability, partnerships, putting passion into practice (a day of learning and sharing)
e. Work has started on Langley side of Fraser (Golden Ears Bridge, north south crossing)
f. Fraser Eagle Festival Nov. 25 + 26 (7 locations North Fraser Region)
g. Stewardship / Hatchery / Visitors Centre planning continues (approx $ 1.5 million)
h. Alouette River (ARMS) is still working with Fisheries and Hydro to get sockeye re established above Alouette Dam
i. Volunteer workload ever increasing, more meetings, more consultations, more time spent, more money spent by volunteers (sure could use some support/admin/core funds)
j. Need to have local + regional voices at the upcoming DFO public meetings/consultations
k. Maple Ridge (Albion) is one of the fastest growing neighbourhoods in BC
May 2006
SEHAB Roundtable Report, May 2006
North Side of Fraser, Coquitlam Area, Dianne Ramage Representative
The number one concern of the stewards in our area is habitat degradation.
Concern that the Provincial Riparian Area Regulations (RARs) being adopted by communities combined with Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Environmental Processing Modernization Plan (EPMP) and both levels of senior government’s emerging policies of reduced enforcement, self assessment of potential impacts and voluntary notification may not only be bad for fish and fish habitat but may in fact be a violation under the acts they are intended to support.
When did DFO give the Minister’s authority to determine a HADD to a developer or a QEP contracted by the developer?
How does the EPMP support the wild salmon policy? How do the RARs support the Living River Plan?
Please tell us how the Municipalities’ loosing the right and ability to have input or oversight on projects self assessed or signed off by employees of the proponent, lack of ability to do watershed or cumulative impact assessment, no appeal process, the departments lack of ability to prosecute for impacts are being addressed by the EPMP.
The Coquitlam River Proximately Gravel Mining Impacts Coalition (CRGMIC) met with DFO, MOE, EMPR, and 47 stewards from the Coquitlam watershed representing more than 12 groups to develop a strategy or plan to improve the river. The CRGMIC then met with 3 MLAs. Lack of resources and low priority were the reasons given for lack of action, however, EMPR has said they are working on a new compliance model; we are waiting to see it. DFO has responded with contact info for Fishers officers and has received the photos; MOE said they do not have the resources to respond. All levels said we need to make this a priority of the governments and so we will continue the process of informing and engaging the regulators in enforcing the Fisheries Act and the mining Authorizations. The community will continue to monitor the agency’s’ responses. A frustrated steward has begun a Private Prosecution.
Fish kills on Byrne Creek and Eagle Creek from non-point pollution were in the paper. Untreated rainwater and other deleterious substances entering salmon bearing streams through storm drains- is continuing to degrade water quality.
The stewards are gearing up to begin juvenile salvages as they do each summer because the low flows of changed flow regimes from hardening of the watershed - increased impervious surfaces.
Blueberry and cranberry framers are out do their early summer pesticide spraying. Who monitors to see how much of this enters the watercourses.
A new pump is being installed at our creek at the dyke; we are requesting DFO to only approve screw pumps that are designed to be fish friendly to both adults and juveniles. Can DFO please send us a letter assuring the group that this will be so on Maple Creek?
Our smolts from our hatcheries are almost all released, wild ones are leaving too.
Salmon goodbye festivals every weekend, Streamkeepers training, planning instream works 2006, volunteering with PSF at dinner and auction, invasive plant removal and wildlife tree stewardship committee development meeting, developing a native plant nursery, EPMP meeting, RARS meetings, gravel mining monitoring, development site monitoring all keeping stewards very busy.
February 2006
North Side of Fraser, Coquitlam Area, Dianne Ramage Representative
The number one concern of the stewards in our area is habitat degradation. Some authorized, some not and the lack of response from senior governments about it and the lack of ability by stewards to stop or change the chronic, insidious, ongoing, blatant, massive- all scales, temporal and spatial degradation
The Coquitlam River proximately gravel mining operations spewing tonnes of sediment into the river, day after day, year after year, decade after decade. Killing fish, destroying habitat, diminishing productivity of watershed for all species with FULL AWARENESS OF ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT- Federal Mandate, Prov Mandate
The Community, beyond stewards, has formed a Coquitlam River Watershed Coalition to begin a process of informing and engaging the regulators in enforcing the Fisheries Act and the mining Authorizations . The community will monitor the agencys’ responses.
Other resource and industrial activities each doing exactly the same thing
Non point pollution and untreated rainwater and other deleterious substances entering through storm drains- entering our salmon bearing streams completely untreated every day, free stormwater conveyance systems and flood control, Federal Mandate, Prov Mandate
The insides of local watercourses ripped out by changing flow regimes from hardening of the watershed - increasing impervious surfaces, especially in watershed that have in excess of the thresholds from sustainable functioning coldwater ecosystems, yet massive destination parking lots and huge subdivisions are still approved, Federal Mandate, Prov Mandate, Municipal Mandate
Agriculture and other close utilization of land practices removing all riparian cover, no set backs, and pesticides leaving the operation in water, soil and air into surrounding ecosystem
Dyking, damming and impounding watercourses, then encroachment from headwaters to confluence from linear development (road, pipelines, railroads) and urbanization. The channelization and confinement of the river and tribs to prevent flooding of development on the flood plain destroys the river’s ability to create and recreate meanders and other flow regulating and habitat creating features.
Private landowners removing, altering and destroying habitat, some unaware, some aware and some illegal with little or no consequences or incentives to do it differently.
The Second concern is the changing regulatory environment regarding habitat and fish. Federal, Provincial and Municipal. For Provincial changes and impacts see the most excellent West Coast Environmental Law site http://www.wcel.org/issues/deregulation/ or http://www.wcel.org/
The federal regulations are being operationilized within new frameworks and with limited budgets and restricted hiring practices. An undisclosed risk management decision framework being used by a risk adverse ministry equals? What? Does two risky things equal abandonment or do two negatives equal a positive, can’t remember? Does it discourage the accumulation of corporate knowledge while vaults of knowledge are retiring every day? Google SMART, EPMP, DAP, Harmonization and so on
Direct from local Stewards:
“There appears to be a lot of consultation going on for federal legislation and processes but no clear way to know what is going on, when consultations are taking place, who is attending and if it makes an ounce of difference if anyone does. While small groups like the CWG who have not evolved out of SEP programs may or may not need to be involved I do often get the feeling we're pretty much finding out about this stuff way after the fact. Case in point was the wild salmon policy consultations, the EPMP (which I still have no idea if there are, were, will be meetings that us peons can attend) and other issues that will have ramifications for any group working on conservation where water and fish are involved.” Pamela
You already know mine/our concern, Dianne: a lack of enforcement, specifically on the Coquitlam, a lack of enforcement, specifically on the Coquitlam, & a lack of enforcement, specifically on the Coquitlam. Need I say more? Tim
My concerns about groundwater, would include hydrocarbon derivatives, Cidal materials, (i.e. Pesticides, Herbicides, Fungicides, Detergents) and Road de-icing materials entering the groundwater. Nitrates, (Nitrogenous materials) I was glad to see would be discussed, they can a problem to even large animals,(who knows what these materials are doing to smaller life-forms). The municipalities should encourage re-charging of the aquifers, if the recharge water is suitable. NIALL
SEHAB Roundtable Report – J. Jarvis Lower Fraser Regional Stewardship
Greater Vancouver Invasive Plant Committee
Based on initial workshops and meetings in the past year, the Greater Vancouver Invasive Plant Committee was created to more effectively manage invasive plants in Greater Vancouver. Previously, the management of invasive plants in parks, natural areas, and the rural/agricultural fringe was neglected because of the historic emphasis on agricultural weeds. Increased recognition of the scale and cost of invasive plants in Greater Vancouver has heightened interest from regional governments, municipalities, industry, stewardship groups, and the broader community to improve collaborative management of invasive plants.
As part of this a committee and coordination structure has been set up to facilitate partner interests. Over the next three months the GVIPC will be strategically planning to formalize its structure and consultation network, set long-term objectives and highlight relevant activities of its various partners. Though the present focus is on plants, the need to integrate issues surrounding introduced fauna, species at risk and biodiversity conservation will be part of the long-term goals of the committee.
A workshop is planned for April/06 in the Lower Mainland to bring potential partners together for information sharing.
Wildlife Tree Stewardship Program (WiTS)
WiTS is moving to the Lower Mainland. The goal of WiTS is to create, coordinate, and assist a network of community stewards committed to conserving coastal wildlife tree habitats through volunteer monitoring, landowner agreements and community education. Several information sessions were held in January in order to draw in potential volunteers. Field naturalists, municipal staff, educators, students and other NGOs have all shown interest. Lisa Dreves at (LEPS) is now the Lower Mainland Coordinator for WiTS. If interested call Lisa at
604-514-4554 www.leps.bc.ca. Additional info sessions and training sessions are being planned for the near futre. For further information on the program see: http://www.wildlifetree.org/
Lower Mainland Conservation Land Forum
GVRD Parks is currently conducting a scoping study for the establishment of a Regional Conservation Land Forum. The need for this sort of forum has evolved from the work of three key initiatives focused on enhancing conservation and biodiversity protection in the GVRD and the Province of BC. The goal of the Land Forum is to increase the efficiencies and effectiveness in coordinating the securement and management of lands and waters for biodiversity conservation through out the Lower Fraser area. The project will examine the concept of a Regional Land Forum and provide options and recommendations for its establishment with respect to potential membership, structure and function. Several workshops involving stewards, government staff, industry, funding agency and NGO representatives were held in November. A summary document and suggested recommendations for next steps will be circulated shortly.
Local Habitat Degradation
Habitat violations continue to be a problem in Maple Ridge. We have a number of stewards watching and recording siltation events. We are concerned as always that DFO doesn’t have enough resources to respond to these local issues and that habitat is being lost, degraded or both. This has been on the table at every SEHAB meeting and I want to make sure it stays there as an ongoing concern.
Kanaka Education and Environmental Partnership Society (KEEPS)
KEEPS will be holding its General Meeting on March 8th at 7:00-9:00 PM in the Fraser Room of Maple Ridge Library. The focus of this meeting will be silt runoff issues in local waterways. An Agenda is attached.
Education Program, Nov 1/05 - Feb 17/06
- 38 sessions involving 850 participants
- programs included Watershed Road Shows, and Fish Reaching Youth (Coho enumeration; habitat assessment; water quality monitoring)
- GVRD purchased new educational props (bears, otter, raccoon, eagle, owl, wolf) that were immediate hits
- Education Committee meeting
November highlights
- Doc Quack visit / Ideas Fair
- Inaugural meeting of Maple Ridge / Pitt Meadows Environmental Council
- Hatchery coho broodstock collection stopped due to low escapement concerns
December highlights
- record low escapement (zero) recorded at Thornvale Creek
- pink salmon eggs (Chehalis stock) incubating at Bell-Irving Hatchery
January highlights
- Spencer Creek monitoring with Samuel Robertson Technical School commences (view results here) http://www.keeps.org/Projects/Spencer%202006/Spencer%202006.htm
- Ongoing siltation of Spencer Creek generates considerable media attention, and outrage from the Mayor of Maple Ridge.
- DFO officials quoted in media as questioning District's allowable levels of silt releases over background, also note that volunteers / NGO's can initiate Fisheries Act charges by appearing before a judge.
- Wettest ever January; over 500mm rain at Bell-Irving Hatchery
- Site meeting re: Riverfront location of donation station
- KEEPS AGM
February 1-17 highlights
- Spencer monitoring continues
- KEEPS and Stream of Dreams form partnership with intent to complete mural(s) at Bell-Irving in late spring / summer 2006
- KEEPS organizing silt runoff information session for its March General Meeting
- Site plan meeting at Kanaka Elementary regarding Community Ecosystem Restoration Initiative tree planting project
- Presentation at Kanaka Elementary school assembly re: above
- Workshop at District 42 professional development forum at Thomas Haney
Burnaby Round Table – Jennifer Atchinson
The stewardship community needed an understanding of the bigger picture before they were able to understand and respond to the questions posed by the PSF. I met to discuss how DFO is committed to streamlining referrals to regulatory reviews of low risk works. It is called Environmental Process Modernization Plan. We spoke on how industry is looking at the market place where they can sell fish. Sports fishermen and the stewardship community are the ones interested in wild salmon and the protection of their habitat although sports fishermen can be more interested in certain species of salmon. PSF has funds for the stewardship community to protect wild fish and this is your opportunity to partner with them and others to protect wild salmon.
This set the stage to understand the question that was posed, “what is it that prevents you from planning and implementing goals that you would like to set for your stream and habitat so you can accomplish these goals.” In responding to those questions I found their answers are what SEHAB needs to hear as well.
• Stewardship motivation and support has dropped
• They want to stay interested but motivation has dropped
• Partnerships fall through due to cut backs within those they would partner with
• They have been unable to get support to negotiate with the landowners and right of way holders so they are unable to promote projects
• There’s more to the problem then money can solve, someone needs to engage the contractors, need to hire and administer, who is the right person to do the job, where are the resources, what is the liability involved. These questions are not resolvable at this time
• Need encouragement
Reports from stewards as to fish returns, spawning returns and behaviours
• In some streams high ratio of males returned, in others high ratio of females. A number of adult female did not spawn out.
• Water temperature was up and water levels were down during normal return periods.
• Coho and Chum were unable to migrate into the higher reaches as they did in 2004
• Brunette Basin and Stoney Creek will have a report on spawner returns and behaviour
October 2005
SEHAB Roundtable October 2005
Rep: Dianne Ramage
Area Coquitlam and neighbouring watersheds
Kwikwetlem and Katzie Bands have both been sent information about SEHAB, both responded. Mike Leone will contact us from Katzie and Glen Joe from Kwikwetlem.
Stewards from Port Coquitlam to Burnaby have some good news and some bad news to share.
SALMON ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM OUTCOMES BEING REALIZED
Extirpated stocks are being reintroduced with success, fish are coming back
First pink in the Brunette system for over 50 years were reported, seen above Lougheed Highway in Stoney Creek Burnaby- several pairs, chum are in and coho just starting
Stewardship is growing-
Education and stock assessment and stock enhancement
The Hyde Creek Watershed Society is just completing an $850,000 project- building of an education centre and conservation hatchery in central Port Coquitlam. This group and other maturing stewardship groups have grown from single activity projects such as stock enhancement to changing individual and community behaviour through education and advocacy.
Habitat Protection - Land acquisition Stave Valley Stewards just completed the process of acquiring the protection of a significant wetland in Mission, stewards with expertise in the development and implementation of habitat management plans and have the capacity to volunteer to assist this process please contact Jim Taylor, Stave Valley Salmon Enhancement Society This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Advocacy - Port Coquitlam and District Hunting and Fishing Club is celebrating its 50th year of working to protect and rehabilitate the Coquitlam River and its fish stocks. They recently hosted a stewards’ retreat to discuss options to reduce proximity gravel mining impacts to fish habit. DFO and the Province have failed.
Habitat Rehabilitation - Sapperton Fish and Game Club began in 1968 to improve water quality in the Brunette system through citizen guardianship- they monitored the river and ran to pay phones and called fisheries enforcement when industrial waste was being dumped in the river, worked with local towing companies to haul cars, trucks, industrial debris, demolition waste and other garbage out of the river and eventually built a small conservation hatchery. They now have sufficient coho returns to collect their own brood stock. They have chum and now pink spawning in the system, chinook rearing, steelhead and cutthroat numbers increasing in a river once considered too polluted to ever be viable habitat and written off as a “stormwater conveyance system.”
HOWEVER:
Habitat Degradation Reports - both terrestrial and aquatic, have been coming in from local groups. Authorized and unauthorized works and developments have caused “temporary” and long term or permanent impacts, small and large projects alike, maintenance and “upgrading” of infrastructure, instream works, riparian area destruction, encroachment, tree removal, water quality impacts and other habitat related issues.
In many cases DFO has not responded.
The Coquitlam River, Upper Byrne Creek, Hyde Creek, Smiling Creek, Watkins Creek, Maple Creek, Amore Creek each have experienced these challenges
Special Recognition:
The Outdoor Recreation Council of BC has once again put the Coquitlam River on its list of BC’s most endangered rivers. Coquitlam River has run opaque with sediment and fines for years every time it rains. The chronic sub-lethal water quality degradation is a constant threat to humans, vertebrates, invertebrates and insects.
Reports of DFO Pacific Region eroding habitat staff from a high of over 100 a few years ago to the proposed reallocation of staff and resources to bring this number to less that 50 (47 reported) for fiscal 2006 does not align itself with the community value of protecting salmon habitat and the salmon culture of this region.
Stewards are willing to document, photograph and report all habitat and stock violations and to forward documentation to their local DFO office, stewardship rep or media, which ever tactic will result in protected habitat, rehabilitation habitat and stocks.
Dave Smith, North Fraser Valley area
Hi; we in the Kanaka Creek, Maple Ridge area have had a busy year again, we continue to see massive development in the area, and have noticed an increase in sediment, siltation in all 3 watersheds. The Alouette systems and the Kanaka Creek have begun to document all high volume, dirty water, silty muddy water events in both watersheds and have begun to send the pictures and related info to City Council, senior staff, Provincial and Federal Ministries our MLA’s and MP and to the newspapers and TV stations and we have noticed an increase in negative press for the District and the individual developers.
KEEPS will have attended 14 public events and community celebrations by the end of 2005. We once again (thanks to John Heaven, our Bell – Irving Hatchery Manager) have 23 plus elementary schools involved in Salmonids in the Classroom program. I am especially proud to report on our Catching Kanaka Spirit Youth Program, over the past 5 months Kanaka Youth (this is their second year in Kanaka) well, they have been actively helping our watershed with our ongoing Invasive Species inventory and removal in 3 sites, the day lighting of approx 123 ft of Mainstone Creek – it was covered over on private property back in the late forties, so now we have 123 feet of creek bed back and the new property owner and family are ecstatic about having a creek in their back yard – the kids go to local elementary school where KEEPS has Watershed Roadshow, Fish, invertebrates and aquatic species, Water Quality testing / monitoring Kanaka Creek sites; so the kids are all pumped up that Salmon will come up their creek; our education coordinator Ross Davies has worked with over 7300 kids and young people over the past 14 months. A great success story and a wonderful feeling of connection for all involved. Our Catching Kanaka Spirit Youth also spent time in the Blue Mountain Woodlot with owners and Foresters (who are KEEPS partners and one is a Director with KEEPS) and the BCIT Woodlot classifying trails, routing and clearing recreational through trails and access, monitoring and sampling creek water. As I said our Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows area have been very active, our 3 Watersheds, each held a Rivers Day event with KEEPS and Kanaka celebrating World Rivers Day as well, ARMS Rivers Day celebrating 10 years, the 4th Annual Kanaka Connection with KEEPS and Whonnock Lake Days. We participated in the longest public hearing process in the history of Maple Ridge, 6 evenings of public presentations for the review and comment on proposed changes to the Official Community Plan, main issues concerned rapid development, urban sprawl, dealing in such a helter – skelter fashion, storm water management, groundwater, area aquifers and wells, ALR farm land, lack of vision and commitment to downtown core, policing, enforcement and other topics. I am happy to say we in Maple Ridge are continuing to GPS map and inventory Wildlife species, populations, habitat areas, as well as continuing to identify ESA’s in every section of the District and continue the baseline data collection, locations and prescriptions for invasive species and ultimate removal. The addition of Codd Island and Blaney Bog as GVRD Regional Parks has greatly improved the natural wild beauty of the area and allow both Codd Island and Blaney Bog to provide habitat to millions of birds, mammals and small wildlife that live and travel in the Pacific Flyway Path for the future. A 130 year old orchard with fruit trees has been recently identified (it was planted on the first European settlers began farming at the mouth of the Kanaka Creek, near the Fraser) and a recovery program will be started late this year, with KEEPS, GVRD, UBC Landscape Dept., ERA –environ restoration activities working together with local students on a multi year prescription.
KEEPS Board of Directors recently held a weekend visioning and strategic planning session and reaffirmed our intention to help create a new stewardship / hatchery / education / visitors centre at
2)
the present Bell – Irving Hatchery site, the GVRD Board of Directors have endorsed the idea and discussion and funding searches are presently underway. We also reaffirmed our commitment to
education, volunteer recruitment, specific group / individual targeting (seniors/gardening, school groups, company / corporate involvement.
There has been a noticeable lack of Fisheries presence along the waterways in the lowermainland, over the past couple of years, little if any enforcement, NO Habitat charges or even follow up on complaints, some investigations have been totally dropped because some many fisheries people have left and no one has the time or personal interest anymore. Very evident is the lack of DFO presence, equally in regards to monitoring development major problem areas, hotspots and ongoing watershed / development issues, in all lowermainland communities (compliance with Provincial and Federal Laws). Although we at KEEPS are increasing possessive and sensitive to the resources and abilities (that seem to be diminishing, like their budgets) of our Community Advisor, we are happy we have Maurice Coulter – Boisvert, he recently brought news of how a Port Coquitlam group has worked for approximately 4 years and have now completed building a new Hatchery for $ 850,000 – all through the volunteers and community of Port Coquitlam, talk about commitment and sustainability.
We have a few events yet this fall, the next is Sex On The Rocks – AKA Return of the Salmon, at our Kanaka Creek Fish Fence on Sun. Oct. 23 / 2005, with Panago Pizza and Tim Horton’s partnering with us to feed our volunteers and helpers. Then we have the GVRD Parks Partnerships Super Saturday of Learning, Sat. Nov 5 with Dr. Quack coming the East Bay Area Parks and Wildlife, 18 years studying and documenting birds, wildlife, managing public lands and working with volunteers, a leader in visitor services, interpretive programs and a host of other great info and know how skills. The Fraser Valley Eagle Festival will also be having an activity at the Bell – Irving Hatchery with KEEPS hosting family fun and activities as well as egg takes and plenty of hands on opportunities on Sat. Nov. 19 / 2005.
Our Kanaka Creek Salmon have started to return, we are presently taking Chum with Coho and Pinks still to come. The Bell – Irving Hatchery / KEEPS will take approx 500,000 to 560,000 chum eggs, approx 480,000 to 500,000 coho eggs, and approx 350,000 to 400,000 pinks eggs, the fish fence will operate once again from mid Sept. until mid to late Dec., Kanaka will be having a Coho Jack fishery during the 30 days of Nov. with KEEPS volunteers conducting a creel survey and talking with fishermen on the creek during the fishery, spreading info, educational info, documenting activities in the Kanaka Watershed. The Bell – Irving Hatchery / KEEPS supply 7 other lowermainland watersheds with chum, coho and pink fry annually (although pinks are only every 2 years) this of course is authorized, supported and managed through DFO (one program / resource that still works very efficiently). We will be doing our annual Steelhead Floats with the Province (Alan Hansen) in approx March/April and then doing steelhead parr density studies in the spring, (we are still committed to a steelhead population in Kanaka).
I will end by inviting all SEHAB members and all our BC salmon enhancement volunteers to join us in May of 2009 at the Workshop to be held at (hopefully) our new North Fraser Stewardship/ Education/ Bell – Irving Hatchery/ visitors centre, we will hopefully just be finished creating a new Facility on Kanaka, by KEEPS.
Anyhow thanks for listening, as always our Kanaka Team makes a lot of work happen by sharing and team work. Thank you on behalf of my area watersheds, the Alouette Rivers, the Kanaka Creek, and the Whonnock Creek.
Talk soon, Dave Smith, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. www.towerridge.iwarp.com
June 2005
Dianne Ramage – North Side Fraser River, Burnaby to Mission
Many community members, representing both themselves and several regional groups participated in the Wild Salmon Policy Consultations. They, as well as those who were not in attendance submitted comments and recommendations to improve the document.
Many of the same individuals participated in the Greater Vancouver Regional District’s Sustainable Region Initiative consultations on Air, Water and Parks policy. Same again for Environmentally Sensitive Mapping consultations, dam seismic upgrading meeting and consultations on watercourse protection.
There is cautious concern with the fisheries on the Coquitlam and Kanaka and other watersheds with recovering runs and the lack of visible Fisheries Enforcement to ensure that the new regulations are being abided and or that the recovering runs can support a kill fishery.
The prolific fairs, events, and festivals are draining the energies of some groups however, when asked what was more rewarding events or the numerous meeting and processes, almost all said they preferred the events.
Two provincial nurturing events were held, Rivershed Society’s 108 Retreat and SEP Community Workshop. Both well attended by local stewards. Lots of sharing, learning and networking to help sustain groups over time was abundant at both events. Thank you to all that organized both of these worthy events. Green Drinks for environment type downtown each month, info at www.pskf.ca.
All groups still active and doing what they need to do to protect and rehabilitate fish and fish habitat.
Words of collective thank you to each of you for your valued contribution to the protection and rehabilitation of our wild and important places.
Jennifer Atchison - North Side Fraser River, Burnaby to Mission (Maurice Coulter-Boisvert)
Imidacloprid is a pesticide available for use by professional and other gardeners but restricted for homeowners use in Burnaby. It is toxic and restricted near water and in the air yet is recommended by gardeners to condominiums that are near water. Could SEHAP post alerts to the public and take any appropriate lobbying action? Burnaby City has sent letters off to all the known professional Gardeners in Burnaby requesting them to use nematodes instead of imidacloprid.
Salmon in the class rooms participants have been bring bus loads of student to release fry in some of Burnaby’s creeks. We are asking if SEHAP can get a handle on the schools that have these programs and get them to register with DFO. Many streams are collecting data of emerging fry for the first time and wonder if they are from releases by the schools. Are all schools releasing chum only?
Stoney Creek environment Committee has achieved success of returning spawning coho and chum to the system after 14 years of stewarding. The challenges faced for safe passage and protection and conservation for all life cycles has become a social challenge. We are seeking funding for educational development in a number of Asian languages and means.
Janice Jarvis – North Side Fraser River, Burnaby to Mission (Maurice Coulter-Boisvert)
Dave Smith, North Side Fraser River, Burnaby to Mission (Maurice Coulter-Boisvert)
Brian Smith, Burrard Inlet Indian Arm Vancouver (Sandie Hollick-Kenyon)
Water Land and Air Protection (WLAP); Are Partnerships Important??
The issue that I would like to bring to the table is not only a community issue but a province wide issue as well. I have spoken to people from many areas of B.C. (Vancouver Island, The Lower Mainland and the Northern B.C.) and the over whelming message that I hear when provincial fisheries management is discussed is; Water Land and Air Protection (WLAP) is very difficult to deal with and unwilling to acknowledge the important contribution to fisheries management that community/volunteer organizations can make.
For many years community groups have approached WLAP with the offer of volunteer labour and expertise for different projects only to be discouraged and have the offer refused. The explanation has consistently been that WLAP have their own people to complete the task. The understanding by the community has been that WLAP is unwilling to accept information and help from the volunteer community. Many groups have also requested that they be included in the decision making process, only to be ignored. If WLAP truly would like to build partnerships with these groups (which they have stated they would like to do) then their attitude towards these groups must change. WLAP must allow outside organizations to contribute the many years of information they have gathered as well as the experience and knowledge gathered to be included in fisheries management decisions.
As I mentioned above, community and volunteer based groups have approached WLAP with the offer of support and the request to be included in the decision making process. The following are examples of these offers:
1.Wild Steelhead/Stream Classification Policy: There have only been three public meetings across B.C. on this issue. Despite much concern over the policy, there has been a lot of resistance from WLAP to accepting information and incorporating the information from outside organizations in to the policy. My understanding is that the policy is now final and it has been made final without any public debate over the feed back that WLAP has accepted/received about the policy during the last year.
2.Volunteer Participation in Snorkel Counts (lower mainland issue): The Seymour Salmonid Society has used volunteers since the late 1970’s when conducting snorkel counts on the Seymour River. In the past year WLAP informed us that they would not participate in snorkel counts on the Seymour if volunteers would be participating as well. It was only after the Seymour threatened to with draw all support and cooperation with WLAP when snorkel counts were conducted on the Seymour that they relented and allowed our volunteers to be involved in a limited way. The Seymour Salmonid Society believed that the involvement of volunteers in snorkel counts was a benefit to WLAP only to be told that WLAP perceived it to be a liability issue.
3.Despite offers of support from stream keeper groups working systems that WLAP is concerned with, there is still reluctance from WLAP to include the groups in on going monitoring programs.
4.Many groups have years of information gathered and have offered this information to WLAP only to be told that the information is not required or that the information has not been gathered according to WLAP specifications.
5.Province Wide Bait Ban: Why not approach stakeholder/community/volunteer groups with the proposal, seeking input, rather than announcing their intentions through the fresh water fishing regulations. Another example of missing the opportunity to communicate with outside organizations.
6.Elimination of the Coquitlam River Steelhead Program (lower mainland issue): The steelhead culture program at this community-based hatchery was ended with a letter. No meetings, no negotiation on how to improve the program, no communication. It should be noted that this program had been running for more than 20 years. This is not how to build partnerships.
The above-mentioned are examples of how not to build partnerships and trust. If WLAP truly would like to build relationships with community-based operations than their attitudes towards these groups has to change. There are many organizations that are more than willing and able to help if WLAP would simply allow them to do so.