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Location: Fraser Valley, Lower Fraser River, Metro Vancouver Member Municipalities with Fraser River Drainages Project Summary
SUMMARY This project will implement the action plan described in the Lower Fraser Coho Conservation and Enhancement Strategy (2010/11 FSWP 10-D106-P) by facilitating the implementation of up to four high priority pilot projects that protect, restore and enhance Coho habitats in the mainstream, estuary and tributaries of the Lower Fraser River. PSF will continue to work with First Nations, Streamkeeper Groups and municipal governments to facilitate the implementation of pilot habitat projects described in the Strategy. DESCRIPTION Two ‘Lower Fraser Coho Conservation and Enhancement Initiative: Pulling Together’ events were held that brought together First Nations, Government, Industry, Communities and stewards to share and inform each other through science, citizen science and local and traditional knowledge. Development of a Lower Fraser Coho Conservation and Enhancement Strategy was recommended to help focus priority activities that result in meaningful, effective and coordinated work by participants in the future. The goals of this project are: 1) to implement the action plan as described in the Lower Fraser Coho Conservation and Enhancement Strategy by facilitating the implementation of up to four high priority projects that protect, restore and enhance coho populations and their habitats in the mainstem, estuary and tributaries of the Lower Fraser River, and 2) to draft a typical formal agreement with principles, policies and operational procedures for the establishment of a ‘habitat banking’ or ‘conservation account’ between DFO and a Municipal Government. To achieve these goals, PSF will continue to work with First Nations (FNs) and Streamkeeper Groups (SGs) and coordinate with all levels of government to facilitate the implementation of coho habitat projects and to create the mechanisms necessary to expand the amount of protection, restoration and enhancement work done on Lower Fraser River habitat over the long term. The key issue this project addresses is to increase the amount of restoration work on existing streams, wetlands and tidal sloughs in the Lower Fraser River by broadening the types of projects considered eligible by DFO as habitat compensation under a Section 35(2) Authorization. When implemented, the pilot projects will provide working case examples of restoration or enhancement projects which were typically ineligible but are now considered eligible by DFO as habitat compensation projects under a HADD (harmful alteration, disruption or destruction of habitat, as specified in Section 35(2) of Fisheries Act). This change in how DFO applies the No Net Loss Policy will have been approved in principle by DFO for those selected pilot projects that are described in the 2010/11 Strategy document. The pilot projects may also showcase alternative mechanisms and approaches to habitat compensation such as habitat banking (conservation account); habitat credits to the landowner on which the habitat restoration, creation or enhancement project was implemented; and habitat credits based on pre- versus post-project increases in the number of native fish species re-established or net gains in native fish production. OBJECTIVES
METHODS The methods used to facilitate implementation of the pilot projects will include: BENEFITS When implemented, the pilot projects will provide working case examples of restoration or enhancement projects which were typically ineligible but are now considered eligible by DFO as habitat compensation projects under a HADD (harmful alteration, disruption or destruction of habitat, as specified in Section 35(2) of Fisheries Act). This change in how DFO applies the No Net Loss Policy will have been approved in principle by DFO for those selected pilot projects that are described in the 2010/11 Strategy document. The pilot projects may also showcase alternative mechanisms and approaches to habitat compensation such as habitat banking; habitat credits to the landowner on which the habitat restoration, creation or enhancement project was implemented; and habitat credits based on pre- versus post-project increases in the number of native fish species re-established or gains in native fish production. Larger projects that have often been identified by Streamkeepers and others are not easily implemented by Municipalities, FNs and volunteer organizations due to significant costs associated with, for example, design, regulatory approval, public consultation, and construction costs. In addition, FNs and SGs are unaccustomed to the procedural steps to follow and potential funding and habitat banking mechanisms available to them when they try to fund and implement these larger scale projects. Overall, implementing this scale of project is a big challenge for FNs and volunteer organizations. By facilitating collaboration between FNs, SGs and municipalities and spearheading the implementation of pilot projects, this project will provide case examples and precedents that these groups can follow as templates when implementing future high priority projects. These pilot projects are also considered high priority projects within the lower Fraser which are currently significant challenges for municipalities, FNs and SGs to implement on their own.
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