North Shore Streamkeepers Society

Presentation to: Port Metro VancouverNorth Shore Waterfront Liaison CommitteeNovember 17, 2016

Active since 1993www.nssk.ca

Who we areCommunity members, neighbours, friends; trained to care for streams

A partner with other North Shore groups as well as government agenciessuch as the City and District of North Vancouver and the DFO

Member of the PSFA member of the Pacific Streamkeepers Federation, which includes 300 groups working in BC to protect fish and their habitat

Monitor stream health• Students help

with stream monitoring projects -water quality and fish counts

Restore streamside habitat With community partnersRemove invasive species and replace with native plants

Raise awareness about streams & fish Organizing & participating in community events

Lifecycles at Coho FestivalBug ID’s at Lynn Valley Days

Adding milt to eggs at Lynn Creek tributary Fry release, MacKay Creek

Coho Festival Banner Heywood Park NSF&G Club Hatchery

Raise awareness about streams and fish Community art and workshops with schools

Documentary filmClassroom Art

Healthy streams need• Protection of riparian habitat –

for shade and bank stability• Un-polluted water – to keep fish

and invertebrates healthy• Tree cover and pervious surfaces

– to manage storm water volume and quality

• Advocates for healthy streams and their fish – to educate and motivate

• Actions that sustain and enhance streams – to make our community better

NSSK contribute to planning and decision making

• By working with other stakeholders

• By building trust and relationships

• By promoting open discussions and exchanges of information and data

Community Plans, Capital Projects, Operating Reviews are all opportunities for

stream improvements

North Shore Streamkeeper WorkshopFebruary 6, 2016

Dr. Ken AshleyDirector of the Rivers Institute at BCIT, an Instructor in BCIT’s Ecological Restoration Program and is an Adjunct Professor in Civil Engineering at UBC

Dr. Stewart CohenSenior Researcher with the Climate Data Analysis Section of Environment and Climate Change Canada, and an Adjunct Professor with the Department of Forest Resources Management, at UBC

Workshop Organizers:Glen Parker, Janet Dysart

Opening Remarks:• Mayor Richard Walton • MLA Jane Thornthwaite

Speakers

North Shore Streamkeeper Workshop February 6, 2016Conclusions: Both Advocacy & Action are needed

Advocacy1. Support integrated storm water management programs to improve stream

characteristics 2. Engage with Port Metro Vancouver to preserve and expand estuaries & stream

complexity3. Plan and build conservation areas in parks, especially along riparian areas4. Address trail building and ensure that trail standards protect riparian areas5. Support Cohen commission recommendations: #46 in particular (Set Backs)

Action1. Projects to add complexity to existing estuaries and streams2. Projects to cool and clean our streams3. Projects for ecological restoration4. Whistle blowers against stream channelization and encroachment on setbacks 5. Educate, educate, educate: especially the young

1. Support Integrated Stormwater Management Programs to improve stream characteristics

Adaptation of stormwater infrastructure for climate change should be an opportunity to improve riparian areas and stream complexity.

Conclusions: AdvocacyNorth Shore Streamkeeper Workshop February 6, 2016

2.Engage with Port Metro Vancouver to preserve and expand estuaries & stream complexity

• Stream channelization has caused significant loss of fish habitat on the North Shore.• Rising sea levels will SQUEEZE shorelines• Adaptation of shoreline infrastructure for climate change should be an opportunity to preserve and

expand estuaries and stream complexity.

Note: Maplewood is green again, Seymour is stable and Lynn can use some help

Conclusions: AdvocacyNorth Shore Streamkeeper Workshop February 6, 2016

2016

3.Plan and build conservation areas in parks, especially along riparian areas

Natural streams and their flood plains are dynamic ecosystems that perform valuable ecosystem services critical to managing climate change. Theyconvey water and sediment; temporarily store excess flood water; filter and entrap sediment in overbank areas; recharge and discharge ground water; naturally purify instream flows, and provide supportive habitat for diverse plant and animal species.

Conclusions: AdvocacyNorth Shore Streamkeeper Workshop February 6, 2016

4.Address trail building and ensure trail standards that protect riparian areas

• There's more to building a trail than moving rocks and dirt. Trails are part of larger systems and need careful and diligent planning and collaboration. Trail systems must serve the needs of multiple user groups and take environmental and geographical factors into account.

• Enforcement of standards and rehabilitation of sub-standard trails is needed as climate change will increase erosion.

Conclusions: AdvocacyNorth Shore Streamkeeper Workshop February 6, 2016

5.Support Cohen commission recommendations: #46 in particular

Recommendation 46: Fisheries and Oceans Canada should encourage the Province of British Columbia to amend the Riparian Areas Regulation: to require provincial approval of setback variances; and to require local governments to enforce compliance with the assessment reports on which development proposals are approved.BC Response: Accept intent of the Recommendation. Variance approval is an obligation that Fisheries and Oceans Canada has agreed to in the inter-governmental cooperation agreement. The Province has included mechanisms in the various Riparian Areas Regulation implementation tools for Fisheries and Oceans to meet these obligations. Where a variance results in an impact to fish habitat only the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans or a regulation under the Fisheries Act (Canada) can authorize that impact. The Riparian Areas Regulation currently requires local government use their tools to protect riparian fish habitat and to accomplish this local government can enforce their bylaws.

Conclusions: AdvocacyNorth Shore Streamkeeper Workshop February 6, 2016

Fish thrive when there is:• Large woody debris• Boulders• Bedrock outcrops• Cobbles• Riffles

1. Projects to add complexity to existing estuaries and streams

Conclusions: ActionNorth Shore Streamkeeper Workshop February 6, 2016

Fish thrive when there is:• Adequate vegetation• Groundwater infiltration• Minimal contamination

Ecotoxicology Research Group (ERG), Department of Biological SciencesFaculty of Science, Simon Fraser University

2.Projects to cool and clean the streams

Conclusions: ActionNorth Shore Streamkeeper Workshop February 6, 2016

3.Projects for ecological restoration

Expanding off-channel habitat on Lynn Creek Wetlands adjacent to MacKay Creek

Conclusions: ActionNorth Shore Streamkeeper Workshop February 6, 2016

4. Whistle Blowers against stream channelization and encroachment on setbacks Provide training to Streamkeepers on what is

allowed

Conclusions: ActionNorth Shore Streamkeeper Workshop February 6, 2016

5.Educate, Educate, Educate: Especially the young

Conclusions: ActionNorth Shore Streamkeeper Workshop February 6, 2016

Wrap Up North Shore Streamkeepers’ objective is to protect and

enhance our streams and fish habitat Opportunities to do this can be incorporated into

development projects and climate change adaptations We solicit your support to have “improve fish habitat” as

part of every project

Questions?

PS: Successes are out there – Canada Place, New Brighton Park, deep water ballasting, G3 Permit, estuary enhancements all along the North Shore…

Port Metro Vancouver NVCLC Committee membersAboriginal representatives

•Tsleil-Waututh Nation: TBDCommunity representatives

•City of North Vancouver: Heather Drugge and Ian McMurdo •District of North Vancouver: Jillian Cooke and Glen Webb •District of West Vancouver: Alex Tunner and Michael Evison

Municipal representatives•City of North Vancouver: Larry Orr •District of North Vancouver: Charlene Grant •District of West Vancouver: Kristi Merilees

Organizational representatives•CN Rail: Emile Scheffel•British Columbia Marine Terminal Operators Association: Dave Lucas, Western Stevedoring •North Shore Waterfront Industrial Association: Ron Sander, Neptune Terminal •Vancouver Fraser Port Authority: Duncan Wilson •Seaspan: Jeff Taylor

North Shore Streamkeepers representatives• Barbara Frisken - President NSSK• Zo Ann Morten – Board Member NSSK• Glen Parker - Board Member NSSK