SEHAB Roundtable

 

Area Lower Fraser North Side, Burnaby to Mission

Community Advisor Maurice Coulter Boisvert

Representative Dianne Ramage

Date July 24 2011

 

 

Stock Assessment and Science

Concerns about chum declines, assessment of this trend and changes in fisheries management and enhancement strategies to deal with this, desire for DFO to discuss this with the SEP community

 

Stock Enhancement and Fish Management

SEP enhancement volunteers are still unsure/confused about the intuition-science that the decision to dial down stock enhancement is based on – especially after what they are hearing from the Cohen Commission

 

Enhancement Project at Hyde Creek this summer to provide emergency water supply to the hatchery and a slow moving one to determine what to do about the decreased well capacity

 

Enhancement Project at Port Coquitlam and District Hunting and Fish Club hatchery this summer to replace the electricity shack with a weather proof building with a floor and useful overhang

 

Enhancement Project at Allco Hatchery to replace the incubation area roof and to replace the generator and housing for it

 

Habitat Protection and Rehabilitation

Habitat is slowly been given away to developers or is being used by the cities themselves, metre by metre cities in this area are allowing it to be paved, built on or converted to trails

 

The life span of the developments being built right now exceed the expected biological success of our urban salmon populations: the opportunity to reclaim this habitat in 40-60 years will be too late as salmon face increased chronically degraded water quality, loss of riparian area and watershed function, climate change, human interference and predator-prey changes throughout their rearing and migration habitat

 

The time to protect and reclaim their habitat is NOW.The public must stand up – this is not up to DFO or the Province- we must express salmon are a public value, a global food source and ours to protect as loudly as we can- everyone, every time, everywhere

 

Habitat project on Maple Creek this summer- it is a compensation project for habitat damage the City of Port Coquitlam did to Broadway Creek

 

Habitat project on Katzie Slough this summer- it is a compensation project for habitat damage the Province of BC did building the new highway

 

Habitat project on Wilson Farm this summer - it is a compensation project for habitat damage the Province of BC did building the new highway- is delayed

 

Habitat project on Beecher Creek this summer- the proposed work is a series of drop pools which will backwater a perched culvert under the Lougheed Highway and thus improve fish access above the highway

 

3 Habitat projects at Delta schools, rain gardens being built to improve water quality of parking lot run off before it enters the creeks and to create out door learning grounds for students and teachers

 

Enforcement

We sincerely hope that there are more charges laid and successful convictions besides the pitifully few listed on the DFO website

 

Public Involvement, Consultations, Policy

SEP workshop in Campbell River was a huge success, 17 folks attended from Maurice’s area

 

Concerns about what the public is hearing at the Cohen Commission, we value and appreciate the people we deal with from SEP and DFO, but we are extremely disappointed and concerned about what we are hearing, doubly so because we know the budget cuts have not yet been implemented

 

SUBMISSIONS FROM SEP VOLUNTERS

TO SEHAB FOR FORWARD TO THE MINISTER’S REPRESENTATIVE

 

To SEHAB from the Rivershed Society BC

 

Call for Leadership and Action

The Fraser is the greatest salmon producing river system in the world and 80% of BC's economy is generated in the region. In addition, two thirds of British Columbians live in the Fraser Basin.

The health and resilience of the Fraser River water and fishery resources is central to sustainability in the Fraser Basin.While much work is being done by many people, the trend for many sustainability indicators tracked by the Fraser Basin Council is worsening, with salmon stocks being of particular concern.A recent survey on BC residents reaffirmed that a strong majority care deeply about our water resources and 72% strongly believe that “ensuring that the protection of nature, wildlife and species like salmon are always a top priority even if it slows economic development”. (http://www.watershed-watch.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/BCWaterPollingSummary-Nov2010.pdf)

The purpose of the Fraser Initiative was to convene 55 NGO stewardship groups that are working on sustainability of the Fraser River Basin in order to get their perspectives on the issues/threats to the Fraser and to identify key remedial actions.The complete listing is found in Attachment 1 of the final report and Summary Tables are provided below.

A summary of the top 10 issues of concern is listed in Table 1 in no particular order.

 

Table 1

 

	Top 10 Issues of Concern in the Fraser Basin
1	Habitat: Loss of key habitat lands & gravel extraction in sensitive spawning and rearing grounds
2	Climate change: Impacts on water and land resources
3	Oil tanker traffic along the West Coast and the proposed Enbridge pipeline
4	Pollution: Risk of oil spills associated with Enbridge pipeline and tanker traffic in the ocean
5	Water: Widespread pollution & lack of legislation protecting groundwater
6	Funding and resources: Funding and staffing cuts to DFO and Ministry of Environment
7	Fundingfor stewardship: Lack of stable funding to support valuable stewardship initiatives
8	Monitoring effectiveness and enforcement actions are woefully inadequate
9	Governance: Top down structure not responsive to local watershed concerns
10	Fish farms: Threat of sea lice, viral infections during salmon migration

 

 

There are many more issues of concern, but these were highlighted because of their significant impacts and/or their chronic nature.However, merely listing issues is insufficient – practical and concrete actions need to found.To this end, the Fraser Initiative identified a number of recommended actions that could be taken to put us on track towards sustainability in the Fraser Basin.

 

Call for Leadership and Action

What key actions are needed, where and by whom to address these 10 Issues of Concern?

 

Numerous actions and recommendations were identified in this process and are listed in Appendix 2 in the final report.From this list, 10 Key Actions were selected and are listed in Table 2.This Call for Leadership and Action is largely aimed at Governments because they are in a position to provide the leadership and to channel resources where they are needed most.

 

Table 2

 

List of Key Actions and Leadership Roles

 

Key Actions	Leadership Roles ( L= lead, S= support)					Issues
	Fed	Prov	Local	First	Stewards	addressed
				Nations
1. Provide the requisite funding & staff	L	L	L	S	S	1,6,7,8
resources that reflect the importance
of wild salmon to our society,
environment and economy including
continuing the Fraser Salmon &
Watersheds & Living Rivers programs.
2. Adopt an ecosystem-based management	S	L	L	L	S	1,2,4,5,6,7,8
approach to land and water
including updating the
Fraser River Heritage River Mgt Plan.
3. Formally recognize the importance	L	L	S	S	S	1,2,4,5,8,9
of the Heart of the Fraser
Bio-region; initiatea moratorium on
gravel extraction, and develop a
Sustainability Plan for this area.
4. Develop a comprehensive Best	S	L	S	S	S	1,4,5,8
Management Practices for Agriculture
5. Initiate and move to collaborative,	L	L	L	L	S	9
watershed-based governance models.
6. Move to closed containment for fish farms	L	S	S	S	S	10
within 5 years including
immediate closure of farms along
the Broughton during fish migration.
7. Oppose expansion of oil tanker traffic	L	L	L	L	L	1,3,4
& the proposed Endbridge Pipeline
8. Implement the recommendations in	L	S	S	S	S	1,4,8
Auditor General's report
9. Acquire key parcels of land in the	S	L	L	S	S	1,2
Heart of the Fraser region to protect
spawning and rearing habitat.
10. Develop a National Climate Change policy	L	L	L	S	S	1,2,5
& limit the production of greenhouse gases

 

 

Key Actions

 

The Key Actions were chosen because they are seen as levers for change.These actions can provide a ‘domino’ effect that will stimulate fundamental and widespread change in the Basin.This coalition of NGO”’s believes these Actions will increase the effectiveness of their volunteer efforts that will, in turn, energize even more volunteers.

1.A lack of financial and human resources is a perennial issue identified by stewards.The situation has only gotten worse even though, prior to the recession, there was significant economic growth.It is important for Government to look at this as an investment and opportunity to leverage other grant $ and volunteerism.The FSWP program evaluation report found that groups leveraged, on average, 1.6 times more value.This program is seen as critical to maintaining positive momentum.

2.This approach has been identified by many groups including the Pacific Fisheries Resource Conservation Council.It simply makes sense to think and act holistically.The Fraser river Heritage plan is 12 years old and 2 years overdue for revising.The Federal and Provincial governments have not moved on this despite the importance and potential for this process to start talking about the many issues listed here for resolution.

3.Identifying geographical areas as biologically worthy of protection and subject to more intense management is not a new concept.The Lower Fraser was identified and has been administered through the FREMP program.The Heart of the Fraser is worthy of a similar designation and attention.This program should be centered on sustainability and address the social, environmental and economic values simultaneously in a open collaborative forum.In this way it would be similar to the Sea to Sky branding that has served the Whistler/Squamish corridor well in terms of tourism, recreation and managing sensitive lands.

4.Water quality and quantity issues associated with agriculture are present in much of the Fraser Basin.The challenges and pressures are being exacerbated by climate change.The Water Modernization Act will move us closer to solutions concerning water resources and is a good start.Following through with implementation will be key and that is an area where Government has not always excelled.

5.The top down approach of old has not been particularly successful at addressing complex issues especially with the reduced budgets and resources allocated by all levels of government.The Federal Government should evaluate new governance models being piloted in the province such as the Coquitlam river watershed, and the Cowichan region on Vancouver Island and support further work as needed.

6.The weight of scientific evidence from sea lice on wild salmon cannot be ignored any longer.It is unconscionable that government continues to support activities that are counter to its own Wild Salmon Policy.A recent study has confirmed the economic viability of closed containment salmon ranching.Leadership is sorely lacking on this critical issue.

7.History has shown that land and sea pollution is guaranteed from tankers and pipelines. The consequences of a major event are potentially catastrophic and unacceptable to society, as evidenced in surveys.

8.As outlined in the Saving the Heart of the Fraser report by the Pacific Fisheries Resource Conservation Council all levels of government must step up to the plate in collaborating to protect this remarkable area.NGO’s have already started the work but really need government support to bring it to the next level.

9.Even the retiring Auditor General clearly outlines what others have been saying for years – we need a national climate change policy.Other levels of government are actively working on this issue owing to its importance .It is blatantly obvious that the Federal government is not showing any leadership on this issue.

 

 

To SEHAB Roundtable July 2011

 

My main concern is our common concern about chemicals reaching urban streams through the storm drain system (es.Byrne Creek).

 

*Accidents*: when a fish kill happens we need to know results of water analysis and have easy access to all the public information.Who should we report these accidents to, to optimize info coming back to Streamkeepers?Is there a way that the Streamkeepers could be informed of all the aspects? Could they (City, EC, DFO) put in place a procedure about informing the Streamkeepers of the watershed?

 

*Accidents that can be prevented or consequences reduced*: for example –firefighting foam – the development and implementation of emergency response procedures to cover storm drains and to suck up foam/waste water.Fire Departments are part of City government – can municipal staff work with fire fighters.We can help with the development and implementation of these procedures.The foam shouldn't go to the streams at all. Input from DFO and EC would help with this too.They could also work with the city and fire department - giving scientific information about foam and what happens when it goes in a stream and help make this a public to prevent these events.

 

Cheers,

Pina

 

 

To SEHAB from Maple Creek Streamkeepers

 

SEP conference very good, we want to ensure DFO put this on their priority list of” things to keep”

 

ORR- no reply back to us when we call in- no officer calls us back to follow up- we are not seeing evidence that DFO is following up, we are not seeing charges being laid

 

Habitat violations in other areas: can’t find evidence that charges are being laid in other areas either from the DFO website

 

Important for DFO to go after small infractions as cumulatively they are destroying salmon habitat in our area and disheartening Streamkeepers

 

Really concerned about DFO cut backs – if DFO has no legs, who will stand up to the Cities and the developers,who will help us – the public volunteers- hold up the Fisheries Act or achieve the wild salmon policy

 

DFO No $ - No legs – no support for us

 

We learn from DFO, we learn at conferences and at meetings and even city council meetings- how others are doing things, what we can do to be better

 

DFO- don’t cut too deep- you can’t just put money back in a few years when you have it and expect things to be fine- public partnerships are not a burner you can just turn up and down

 

Thanks for asking.