Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => Fishing-related Issues & News => Topic started by: chris gadsden on January 21, 2015, 05:08:01 PM
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http://www.theprogress.com/news/289330141.html
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Great opportunity for other local First Nations, and perhaps even Eddie Gardner, a self proclaimed wild salmon warrior, to get involved in this issue.
Yeah, right ;D
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Great opportunity for other local First Nations, and perhaps even Eddie Gardner, a self proclaimed wild salmon warrior, to get involved in this issue.
Yeah, right ;D
The FRGSC would welcome you to the comittee as well. ;D ;D ;D
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http://www.vancouverobserver.com/news/province-approves-controversial-fraser-river-mining-endangering-last-truly-wild-sturgeon-world
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aYup - Again.
105,000 cubic meters this time. Smack in the middle of one of only two known spawning areas for the Lower Fraser River white sturgeon. ???
The "Seabird Band" (Stó:lō) are the proponents.
Already approved by the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations - you know, the same crew that is currently in the news for trying to privatize our wildlife resources
Now gone to DFO - Little doubt in my mind's eye how they are going to rule. But then again ... I might yet be pleasantly surprised... ::)
Nog
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The Honourable Steve Thomson,
BC Minister, Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
The Honourable Gail Shea
Minister, Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Re: Proposed 2014 gravel extraction on the Fraser River and government commitments to protect endangered white sturgeon
Dear Minister Thomson and Minister Shea:
We are writing to express our concern about a proposal by the Seabird Island First Nations to extract 105,000 cubic metres of gravel from the lower Fraser River near the Seabird Island reserve this winter (Feb – Mar, 2014). We are of the opinion that if this projects proceeds, there will likely be adverse impacts to lower Fraser River white sturgeon and their spawning habitat. In light of prior commitments both levels of government have made to carefully manage this fish, we are asking that you ensure this proposed project does not proceed.
We also want to raise concerns over the lack of opportunity stakeholders have had to provide input into this proposal. The David Suzuki Foundation has been an active participant over many years in the review of in-river gravel extraction proposals. This proposal stands out for its lack of opportunities for stakeholder input, whether through being notified that the project has been proposed, challenges obtaining copies of documentation related to the proposed works and/or the inability to reach and talk to staff who may be reviewing the proposal.
Lower Fraser white sturgeon are classified as a “species at risk”
In November 2003, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) determined that all white sturgeon populations in Canada should be considered an endangered species. The lower Fraser River white sturgeon was one of those populations .
In August 2006 the federal Cabinet approved for listing under the federal Species At Risk Act the Kootenay, Nechako, Upper Columbia, and Upper Fraser river white sturgeon populations. The lower Fraser River stock was not granted similar protection because of the “potential negative socio-economic impacts” that could result from such a listing under the SARA .
However, despite forgoing SARA listing, the federal government publicly remained committed to protecting these fish stating:
“All white sturgeon populations, whether listed or not listed, will continue to be carefully managed under SARA and the Fisheries Act. ”
And committing to continued work with stakeholders:
“Government will continue to work with stakeholders to ensure that threats to the survival of this species are adequately addressed.”
Additionally, in 1995, British Columbia signed the National Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk thereby committing the Province to taking actions to identify, protect and develop recovery plans for “species at risk” in BC.
The urgency of our concern for the lower Fraser River white sturgeon has not changed with the 2012 COSEWIC re-assessment of the fish as “threatened”.
Gravel removal and impacts on white sturgeon
In-river gravel mining was one of the key threats identified by COSEWIC as negatively affecting this species in 2003 and it remains so today . In 2004, the Fraser River White Sturgeon Working group (which includes government, industry and First Nations) concluded:
“In British Columbia, white sturgeon habitat has declined in both quality and quantity .… Dredging, gravel extraction, dyking and channelization have also been common practices throughout the province, and may be especially important on the lower Fraser River” … in negatively affecting sturgeon populations. (emphasis ours)
Additionally, in 2007 the Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat in examining the recovery potential for white sturgeon on the Fraser River stated that:
“Threats to [white sturgeon] habitat include river regulation; instream activities such as dredging for gravel or sand; linear development; alterations or development of riparian, foreshore, or floodplain areas; upstream use of land and water; and effluent discharge from both point and non-point sources.” (emphasis ours)
Most troubling are population assessments conducted by the Fraser River Sturgeon Conservation Society (FRSCS) over the past decade that have shown a steady drop in the numbers of juvenile sturgeon being recruited into the lower Fraser River population . It should be noted that the timing of these declines coincides exactly with the start of large-scale gravel removals in the lower Fraser River in the mid-1990s.
Potential impacts of the proposed 2014 gravel mining project on white sturgeon
In 2013 the FRSCS conducted side scan sonar surveys in the Seabird Island area that provided clear evidence that several spawning size sturgeon could be found in areas where gravel was extracted in previous years and where gravel may be extracted in the future. They concluded that:
“Given the current concerns regarding the reduced levels of juvenile recruitment for lower Fraser sturgeon population and the potential for sturgeon spawning and rearing in the Seabird Island area, the FRSCS strongly opposes the removal of gravel from in-river locations in the Seabird Island area.”
We agree with them.
However, in January of this year, the FRSCS was advised by a provincial biologist of a proposal to extract gravel in the vicinity of one of the adult sturgeon congregations observed by the FRSCS during their 2013 spawning survey, that being Seabird Island. This is disconcerting as it strongly suggests that adult sturgeon spawning habitat may be directly impacted by this, or any future, proposed excavation.
Stakeholder consultation
The David Suzuki Foundation has worked hard over the past nine years to develop a good working relationship with Emergency Management B.C. and Fisheries and Oceans Canada on matters related to in-river gravel removal. Until recently, we were afforded the opportunity to review and comment on proposals such as this. However, in regards to this particular proposal, we’ve been mostly excluded from the project review process.
In our past discussions with the provincial and the federal governments on matters related to in-river gravel extraction we have argued for a long-term management plan for sediment removal on the lower Fraser River and in February 2013, we were assured that just such a planning process was being developed:
“All parties agree that a long term plan is preferred. As such, the detailed work on the development of a long term plan for sediment management within the Fraser River is beginning with the focus being on what areas provide the greatest benefit to the flood profile and at the same time, limit the impact to the natural environment. This plan will not only involve the Technical and Management Committee but also key stakeholders who have an interest in the Fraser River.”
We have yet to see any significant movement on the development of such a plan; instead, we are seeing concerned stakeholders now being shut out of the review process.
In addition to ensuring this proposed project does not proceed, we are hoping that you will instruct staff in your Ministry and Department to commence work with stakeholders as soon as possible to develop a comprehensive long-term management plan for in-river sediment removal for the lower Fraser River so that only projects that are scientifically sound, support the need to mitigate for flood protection purposes and ensure protection for threatened and endangered species come forward in the future.
Thank you for your consideration.
We would be happy to meet with you or your designated staff to discuss this matter further.
We look forward to your reply.
Sincerely
___________________
Jay Ritchlin
Director-General
Western Canada
David Suzuki Foundation
CC: The Honourable Suzanne Anton, B.C. Attorney General and Ministry of Justice
The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada
Sue Farlinger, Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region
Karl K. English, Chair, Fraser River Sturgeon Conservation Society
Carol Loski, Director, Flood Protection Program, Emergency Management BC
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Interesting that the Sto:lo and the BC Assembly of First Nations is not cc'd on this letter.
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http://www.theprogress.com/news/292243531.html
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Looking at the picture in the article, it sure looks like a great opportunity to mine tons of grave and to convert the area to a beautiful bottom bouncing bar that you can charge fishermen for the privilege of easy access, pristine bb-ing.
The money that could be made here is mind blowing. Parking, washrooms, restaurants, daycare, tackle shops, hotels and guiding services... the potential for an endless revenue stream is massive. And the beauty of it all is that fresh gravel comes in every year to harvest and the salmon keep coming despite threatened extinction. Sturgeon keep coming as well despite pollution, gravel mining, increased water temperatures, lost habitat and poaching.
This area is currently a gravel pit - turn it into usable portion of the river again. The DFO and the local Band could really get some mileage by promoting the short term economic improvements with this opportunity.
Looking at that property, there is potential there for a large scale inland fishfarm.
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Love your perspectives Rieber ;D
Seriously, you're absolutely right regarding economic opportunities for FN on the Fraser.
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Love your perspectives Rieber ;D
Seriously, you're absolutely right regarding economic opportunities for FN on the Fraser.
It really saddens me to think that the only effective partnering with DFO will be FN groups. I say this without prejudice. This will happen simply because there is too much money available to ignore. When the resource dries up, fish management will be sold off to a private corporation who has figured out another way to exploit the remainder of the fisheries and the property they hold and manage.
Sorry for my little rant and for not having any useful solution to the mess.
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http://www.vancouverobserver.com/news/money-and-influence-cast-long-shadow-over-provinces-decisions-fraser-river-records-suggest
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It is underway, video I shot today. Comments?
http://youtu.be/pgy2EmOwhvk
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http://www.vancouverobserver.com/news/money-and-influence-cast-long-shadow-over-provinces-decisions-fraser-river-records-suggest
Good to see you are back at it Chris!
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Some facts to consider on this issue.
The Editor, The Chilliwack Progress
Dear Greg Knill:
Re: Jennifer Feinberg article, January 21, 2015
Gravel debate fired up with new application near Chilliwack
Following from the recent January 21, 2015 article by Jennifer Feinberg on the application for gravel removal near Seabird Island for February/March 2015, the Fraser River Gravel Stewardship Committee (FRGSC) would like to make a few comments.
Firstly, we recognize that the issue of aggregate removal from the Fraser River, over the last 20 years, has been extremely contentious. Notwithstanding the differences that the various sides have, we hope that the ultimate decisions (to be made by the agencies) will be based on the best-available science and engineering.
Secondly, over the years the FRGSC has tried to educate the public in regard to the extra-ordinary fisheries, social, ecological and First Nations values of the Fraser River between Mission and Hope, the location of the proposed gravel removal. There are almost 30 species of fishes that use this part of the river for spawning and/or rearing and/or migrating, etc., in addition to the myriad of non-fish species of plants, invertebrates, birds and land animals. Much of what makes this section of the Fraser so ecologically special and biologically productive is the presence of these large, old gravel bars; it is these very gravel bars that are being targeted for mining.
Thirdly, much of the contention surrounding gravel removal, between Mission and Hope in the Fraser River, has been around the issue as to whether or not gravel removal can provide meaningful benefits for flood protection, and the FRGSC has repeatedly pointed out that the relevant agencies have failed to show this to be true.
Thus, in the context of this new application for gravel removal near Seabird Island for 2015, we state the following:
1. As we understand this proposal, both from direct communication from Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the British Columbia Water Stewardship Division staff, and the actual-project proposal obtained through Access to Information and Privacy, the proposed gravel removal is solely for the purpose of obtaining construction aggregate and there are no known or effective flood-protection benefits to be derived from this project;
2. While the proponent’s application report was replete with errors and omissions, it is clear that this mine will significantly alter and disrupt the stream habitats, change the local hydrology, affect sedimentology, etc., at this location, at least for fish and other species;
3. The proposed gravel is to be taken from an area and type of habitat that is known to be extremely good juvenile Chinook salmon habitat, and will disturb, alter and/or destroy this habitat without any meaningful mitigation or compensation;
4. The location on and within which the proposed mine is situated comprises one of two-known-remaining White Sturgeon spawning habitats in the lower Fraser River
(White Sturgeon are a federally-listed species at risk.) The proposed mine-site at Seabird Island appears to be important spawning habitat for lower Fraser River White Sturgeon based on sonar inventory and assessment, and the observation of substantial numbers of mature adults located at this site during the 2013 and 2014 spawning seasons.
White Sturgeon eggs/embryos and larvae have also been captured at this site confirming that spawning truly does take place at this location. Because of the intricate network of channels, and the extra-ordinary numbers of large, mature adult fish seen at this proposed-mining location during the spawning periods, it is probably a particularly rich and critical spawning habitat for lower Fraser White Sturgeon.
In summary, the FRGSC is of the opinion that this proposed mine will not only destroy valuable juvenile Chinook salmon rearing habitat, it also has the potential to profoundly impact the spawning and/or incubation habitat of White Sturgeon and it’s embryos at this Seabird Island gravel-mine location. This of considerable concern given that there are, now, fewer-and-fewer young fish recruiting into the lower Fraser River White Sturgeon population over the last decade-and-a-half. That is, young sturgeon numbers, which are being born into the population of fish, are in a steep numerical decline; this may be due, in part, to the extensive gravel mining that has taken place in the lower Fraser River, between Mission and Hope, over the last 20 years.
To put this proposed project into context, we suggest that mining this location is the White Sturgeon equivalent of putting a gravel mine into the lower Adams River where the world-famous Fraser River Sockeye run spawns. The fundamental question is: Why would you allow such a precious piece of British Columbia to be destroyed?
We urge the authorizing agencies, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the British Columbia Water Stewardship Division, to refuse this application.
Dr. Marvin L. Rosenau
Fraser River Gravel Stewardship Committee
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http://www.vancouverobserver.com/news/fishing-guides-despair-fraser-river-mining-begins-sturgeon-spawning-area
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Our understanding was the project was to end yesterday but when we went up today they were still hard at, why are the rules not followed?
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Chris, just a question.
If there is proven fry at this location with sturgeon, aren't they protected? Forests remain standing over 2 owls, can't an argument be made over sturgeon?
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Chris, just a question.
If there is proven fry at this location with sturgeon, aren't they protected? Forests remain standing over 2 owls, can't an argument be made over sturgeon?
Our technical people have done what they could but governments donot want to listen it seems, here is a video of what was going on today, one day past the stop time. Sorry it is bit shaky because of the wind and the distance I shot it from. https://youtu.be/Y6L12RoB-lA
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RCMP?
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Apparently they wrapped up yesterday, I guess they knew we we were watching. Most likely SS told them. ;D ;D
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Apparently they wrapped up yesterday, I guess they knew we we were watching. Most likely SS told them. ;D ;D
Where is Ernie Crey? He is apparently concerned about the proposed Aevita's facility location along the Fraser River, but this intrusion is ok. Yet, Crey and the other opponents of the hazardous material recycling location are all on board as one cohesive group opposing that proposed location. Seems like he is being pretty consistent, huh Chris? Even Crey doesn't seem to have much time for some environmental groups. During that press conference you filmed earlier this year near the proposed location of the Aevitas facility you should have told him what you told me which was that this province and country would be worse off if it were not for environmentalists. :P
"The issue of gravel removal on the lower Fraser River is highly emotionally charged," said Ernie Crey, senior policy advisor for the Sto:lo Tribal Council, in an interview with the Times Wednesday. "There's a lot of misunderstanding about the removal of gravel and some of the confusion is fed by statements in the press by environmental groups."
Gravel removal from the river is an important public safety work and an important component in maintaining fish habitat," Crey is quoted as saying in the release.
Found here:
http://www.fishingwithrod.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=16719.msg162036#msg162036
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Crey is for anything as long as money is involved.
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Gosh it must be hard to both carry the weight of the world on your shoulders, suffer from the idiots who dare to have an opinion or dare to care about the environment, and to know everything about anything, and always be right, never, ever wrong ::)
I feel for ya Steve. ;)
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Apparently the Vancouver Sun is doing a story on this and they have asked to use one of the pictures I took recently.
Bringing this activity to the public's attention is always important as a good number of us try, to the best of our ability to protect our fragile environment as difficult as it is sometimes.
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Gosh it must be hard to both carry the weight of the world on your shoulders, suffer from the idiots who dare to have an opinion or dare to care about the environment, and to know everything about anything, and always be right, never, ever wrong ::)
I feel for ya Steve. ;)
C’mon Nova, Steve’s right. Gravel extraction by FN and its harmful implications for salmon and sturgeon on the Fraser is never mentioned by Ernie Crey , a man I really do respect, or by the famous salmon warrior, Eddie Gardner. Why is that?
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C’mon Nova, Steve’s right. Gravel extraction by FN and its harmful implications for salmon and sturgeon on the Fraser is never mentioned by Ernie Crey , a man I really do respect, or by the famous salmon warrior, Eddie Gardner. Why is that?
He needs to learn to talk to people Dave - Not down to them. Whatever message he's trying to convey gets lost in his personal angst and weird, and I really mean weird, anger issues, but that's the way it comes across. I find his smug attitude that he's always correct revolting, somewhat humourous and frankly childish all at the same time.I'm guilty of the same thing, but I'm slowly learning to temper it. He musta got picked on a lot as a kid or something. ::)
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He needs to learn to talk to people Dave - Not down to them. Whatever message he's trying to convey gets lost in his personal angst and weird, and I really mean weird, anger issues, but that's the way it comes across. I find his smug attitude that he's always correct revolting, somewhat humourous and frankly childish all at the same time.I'm guilty of the same thing, but I'm slowly learning to temper it. He musta got picked on a lot as a kid or something. ::)
I guess if you don't like what he has to say you can always threaten him with a lawsuit.
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He needs to learn to talk to people Dave - Not down to them. Whatever message he's trying to convey gets lost in his personal angst and weird, and I really mean weird, anger issues, but that's the way it comes across. I find his smug attitude that he's always correct revolting, somewhat humourous and frankly childish all at the same time.I'm guilty of the same thing, but I'm slowly learning to temper it. He musta got picked on a lot as a kid or something. ::)
If you are going to take jabs at me then you are going to get some back. If you can't take it then you should stop dishing it out. I don't agree with Chris all the time but at least we talk civilly and respectfully. On the other hand, you are automatically confrontational and rude. Maybe take a page from Chris sometime and you might be surprised.
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C’mon Nova, Steve’s right. Gravel extraction by FN and its harmful implications for salmon and sturgeon on the Fraser is never mentioned by Ernie Crey , a man I really do respect, or by the famous salmon warrior, Eddie Gardner. Why is that?
Exactly, Dave. It is harmful, but apparently there is a difference between these 2 intrusions. Rosenau certainly sees a problem with this gravel removal. Eddie Gardner also....where is he? Why is he not protesting where they are extracting this gravel? This gravel removal is going on in the "Heart of the Fraser River" and is apparently given a free pass by these two individuals who are protesting the Aevita's proposed location.
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http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/First+Nations+series+Natives+seen+better+protectors+land+despite+occasional+clashes/11110121/story.html