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[Rodney]

The recent UBC Oyster River farm sale stirred up quite a bit of fuss in the local community as well as the sportfishing community. The following link provides a background information on this issue:

http://www.fishingwithrod.com/fishy_news/051202-1.html

This morning, I have received some good news from a representative of these concerned individuals:

The community is please to hear that Patrick Evans and his family have purchased the Oyster River Farmlands. The Evanses are a local farming family who have shown concern for fish and wildlife habitat and forest land. They have also stated that they are willing to offer the community the leases and covenants that UBC was unwilling to offer before the sale of the land.

The Evanses plan to expand their dairy farming operation to the Oyster River Farmlands and encourage everyone to purchase local agricultural products. If we support our local farmers, they are happy to support community and environmental values of this land.

We are optimistic and will work with Patrick and his family to provide tenure for the Oyster River Hatchery, the Shoreline Trail and for the Fish and Wildlife habitat in Woodhus Slough.

[troutbreath]

That is good news I wrote the Education Ministry (never heard back). I will be buying locally when in the area.

[Rodney]

http://www.comoxvalleyrecord.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=8&cat=23&id=554383&more=1

UBC Farm acquired by local farmer

By Bruce MacInnis
Record Staff Writer
Dec 14 2005

The University of B.C. Research Farm at Oyster River has been sold to a local farmer, the university announced on Monday.
Patrick Evans, owner of Evansdale Farm, said he plans to farm the land and does not intend to develop it or remove it from the Agricultural Land Reserve.
The sale price and date the property is to be transferred were unavailable at press time. The sale has been approved by the UBC board of governors, but requires assent by the Minister of Advanced Education, according to the university.
Evans has lived and farmed in the Valley since the 1960s.
“We want to work with our neighbours to preserve the salmon hatchery and we want to discuss with the regional district how we can make the main nature trail safe and accessible,” Evans said.
Evans said he would retain Montford House, a classroom building on the property used for public events.
The purchase allayed fears by local environmental groups that the farm would be sold to a developer.
Speaking for local groups who met recently to voice concerns about the sale, Kathy Campbell said she welcomes news that the Evans family has bought the property.
“They are a local farming family who have shown commitment to community trails with the Evans Trail that they have kept open near the school,” she said.
“We are into a new era and I look forward to working with Patrick and his family to make the most of this beautiful property.”
The UBC Research Farm includes 1,746 acres in two parcels, one of which fronts the Strait of Georgia. It was bequeathed to the university by New York stockbroker Barrett Montford in 1962 with the stipulation that it be used for agriculture and teaching for 20 years.
UBC phased out the farm and moved its dairy herd in 1999 when it consolidated its research farms on a property at Agassiz. The marketing board milk quota went with the herd and is no longer attached to the farm, according to UBC.
The property is currently held for the university by the UBC Management Trust.
Trust president Tom Gunn said proceeds from the sale will be used to support scholarships and research.
http://www.comoxvalleyrecord.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=8&cat=23&id=556322&more=

Funding improving salmon habitat

By Bruce MacInnis
Record Staff Writer
Dec 16 2005

A $15,000 grant from the Pacific Salmon Foundation helped the Oyster River Enhancement Society turn a dry channel into fish habitat, according to Bud Skinner, former president of the society.
The river changed its course decades ago and the Connelly side channel near the old Island highway was left dry.
Research by the Oyster River Enhancement Society and the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans indicated the channel could become valuable habitat for coho and other fish if it were restored, Skinner said.
“There are a number of these channels and in some cases the stream becomes overgrown, but we put in spawning gravel for adults and habitat for coho fry ... they are engineered by DFO habitat biologists and they are as close to nature as they can be,” Skinner said.
Piped water prevents the streams from drying out during summer months so coho fry can survive to swim out to sea the following year.
Total cost of the project is estimated at $103,247.
The Oyster River project was one of five projects funded by $42,000 in grants from the Pacific Salmon Foundation.
Other grants to local organizations announced by the foundation include:
• $4,680 to the Hart Watershed Society for habitat assessment on Hart Creek (Washer Creek) in Union Bay. Total cost of the project is estimated at $27,945.
• $6,200 to the Tsolum River Restoration Society for river bank stabilization plus assessment and prescriptions. Total cost of the project is estimated at $27,945.
• $5,150 to the Little River Enhancement Society for water aeration equipment and other improvements to the hatchery. Total cost of the project is estimated at $25,400.
• $2,000 to the Fanny Bay Salmonid Enhancement Society for a stream habitat survey of Rosewall Creek. Total cost of the project is estimated at $8,780.
“PSF works in partnership with the community, government and industry to restore salmon habitat. Applicants must be supported by Fisheries and Oceans Community Advisors and PSF is pleased to be part of such an integrated team,” said Paul Kariya, executive director of the foundation.
The foundation is an independent non-profit organization funded by government, corporate donations and groups with an interest in salmon enhancement.

[searun17]

this is all great news ,just curious if any of the funding for the oyster river project is coming from all the salmon and steelhead stamps we are paying for?

[Rodney]

Searun, yes and no. Doug on this forum would be able to answer that more for us, I'll add what I know. The money generated from the salmon conservation stamp on the tidal licences goes to the Pacific Salmon Foundation, which funds projects across the province such as the one you read above. The Pacific Salmon Foundation is a key supporter of the Chilliwack River Action Committee, which has been developing projects to stabilize the clay slides on the Upper Vedder River. The stabilization of these clay slides is beneficial to both the fish and anglers as there would be less days with dirty water if there are less run-offs from the slides.

I am not entirely sure about the salmon and steelhead supplement stamps on the non-tidal licences. I would think the WLAP/MOE gets that money, or it may just be going into general revenue in the province? Others may be able to answer this one better than me.

The money generates from your non-tidal licence fee goes to the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC, which operates trout hatcheries across the province and provides fantastic fishing opportunities at the interior lakes for the trophy hunters as well as local lakes for the families.

Funding of this type of project may also come from Fisheries and Oceans Canada (they are the main financial supporter of the Chilliwack/Vedder River Cleanup Coalition) and sportfishing organizations, so it would only be beneficial to you if you join a affiliation that is active in the sportfishery.

[searun17]

Thanks rod for the info,its good to see that the money is actually making it back into the resource,the less that goes into general revenues the better.

[fishingbc]

Just want to correct you on the Salmon Conservation stamp posting....we pay $6.42 for the salmon conservation stamp on our tidal water licenses, of that $5.42 goes directly into general revenue (federal) and the Pacific Salmon Foundation receives just $1.00. They have only been getting this small amount for the last 2-3 years. The P.S.F is the major funder of volunteer driven salmon enhancement and stream restoration projects in B.C.....They do outstanding work......the whole foundation , directors and staff are totally committed to saving our wild pacific salmon stocks.....try and get out to one of their many fundraisers held all over BC.....the next PSF dinner,dance and auction will be in Oceanside  ( Parksville / Qualicum ) Jan 21 2006 at the Ravensong Community Center in Qualicum Beach......great dinners.great time...tons of great auction items,trips etc......always sellouts....The announcement of the $42,000.00 in PSF funding to many Comox Valley enhancement groups is great for all concerned....The Comox Valley PSF Dinner in Sept raised around $40,000.00......in it's inaugural year.......also sold out, with over 300 in attendance......have at look at the PSF website at    www.psf.ca     

[fishingbc]

Just a follow up tp the oyster river farm sale.....UBC handled the wlole sale terribly.....absloutey no consultation or even notification given to the Oyster River Enhancement Society or anyopne else, prior  to the sale. UBC then refused to put any type of covenant on the sale to protect any of the valuable assets the lands contained , the hatchery,watershed,forests, trail systems, etc......the PSF has been a huge supporter of the ORES along with many other groups.......DFO has over $1,000,000.00 into the Oyster River Hatchery......anyway good to hear the Evans family has taken over the lands and  stepped up to the plate the same day the sale was announecd saying that putting covenants on the hatchery and many other incedibly important parts of the farm "will be a no brainer"......If it wasn't for public pressure put on UBC by thousands of Vancouver Islanders,enhancement groups,DFO ,PSF etc the sale could of ended up being something other than what it turned out to be........a large riverfront/oceanfront commercial venture.......UBC showed little regard for what many or ALL of us value so dearly.........MERRY CHRISTMAS.......

[Rodney]

Thanks fishingbc, for clarification. I knew about the one dollar deal but didn't want to get into the specific detail of the allocation of fund without documentations etc to accompany with it. Merry Christmas.

[searun17]

Thanks for the clarification fishnbc,only 1 dollar goes back into the resource,thats sad , i allways hoped that there would be a bigger portion of the stamp money going back into the resource,then what does the purpose of the cost increase to the conservation stamp serve, maybe i am missing something here but wasn't the proceeds from the   conservation stamp supposed to go back into the resource?

[fishingbc]

Most people have no idea that this is happening......the PSF is lobbying to get all of the monies we supposedly give to DFO for salmon conservation......we have a voice, some collective thinking on this issue could put pressure on the powers to be....maybe start a posting to see the response.....or even what percentage of sportfishers even know about this ridiculous situation....