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Location: Cariboo-Chilcotin, Project Summary
SUMMARY The Chilko Watershed Roundtable brings together groups and individuals to discuss ongoing watershed issues that affect the well being of fish and fish habitat in the Chilko watershed. Opportunities arise from these meetings to help protect, conserve and enhance the fishery resources of the area and to further the ongoing Xeni Gwet’in Quality Waters Management Plan. A healthy salmon resource is key in the planned development of an eco-system based plan for the watershed. The process is timely bringing First Nation and non-First Nation people together as the community faces a number of challenges within the Caretaker area; i.e. pending mining project, gas and oil exploration and the landmark Proven Title and Rights court case decision. Xeni Gwet’in communities are remote, off the grid and this process allows them to be directly involved in a special planning opportunity over a pristine watershed that is a key priority for the Fraser Basin and Province. OVERVIEW The Xeni Gwet’in First Nation Government in partnership with the Chilko Resorts and Community Association have organized and initiated the Chilko Watershed Roundtable to protect the salmon resource of the Chilko River and the Xeni Gwet’in Caretaker Area. The Roundtable compliments their ongoing Quality Waters Management Plan that seeks to protect, maintain and enhance fish and fish habitat in this area. The Xeni Gwet’in First Nation relies heavily on salmon for sustenance as a recent survey showed that fish provide for their dietary needs at least twice per week. Salmon is also a very important part of their culture. The Xeni Gwet’in First Nation have been working on their Quality Waters Management Plan for many years through a variety of funding sources to gradually address and implement an ecosystem based plan to manage the resources in their caretaker Area. The Roundtable provides a venue to discuss this initiative with others in the watershed. The issues are daunting and include a collapse of the Fraser River sockeye run in 2009 and the pending decision to build the Prosperity copper/gold project in their Caretaker Area. It is clear that we have a special opportunity to manage this well - the area remains largely intact which provides us a unique opportunity to proactively build our capacity and prepare our communities to manage this resource well. The following projects have been part of the ongoing Quality Waters Management Plan: 2001 Chilko Watershed Overview Report. A View to Sustainability All of the projects have reports associated with them and are available upon request or in most cases have been distributed to regional government agencies including MoE and DFO. The Roundtable provides a venue to discuss the results of these ongoing initiatives which are primarily field oriented and build on the recommendations and strengthen the decision-making process for better resource management in the area.
Objective #1 Develop a management structure and project management plan
The 2010/11 Xeni Gwet’in Chilko Roundtable Watershed Plan intends to build on the Chilko Watershed Roundtable achievements of the 2009/10 year. Additionally, the Quality Waters Management planning and subsequent field work done to date in the area suggests a parallel with the Watershed-Based Fish Sustainability Planning process. Xeni Gwet’in is developing a system that achieves the same goals, is not process driven but rather results driven and has been very successful to date while meeting community needs. _ Staff and consultants hired BENEFITS Watershed Roundtables have effectively assisted salmonids in numerous watersheds throughout BC for several years. The Chilko Watershed Roundtable, the Xeni Gwet’in First Nation and the Chilko Resorts and Community Association have all been active in implementing related projects that contribute to the health of the local salmon resource. By continuing this process it is assumed that the ongoing dialogue will highlight the need for all those engaging in watershed activities that salmon are of great importance to the local residents. They desire a stronger voice on what happens to the fish and fish habitat of their watershed and are committed to their sustainability which in turn strengthens the Fraser Basin’s sustainability.
The project is proposed by the Xeni Gwet’in First Nation and the Roundtable brings together government agencies, community groups and NGOs Complement or implement local and / or regional plans (e.g., recovery plans, watershed plans) The Roundtable will work closely with both levels of government at the Roundtable to complement and/or implement existing plans should they exist. Value-added aspects The Watershed Roundtable has been invaluable in bringing together a broad spectrum of people dedicated to the salmon resource. New relationships have been built and the ultimate outcome is to influence policy and the decision making process. The local residents and groups would like a greater say in the activities of their watershed that impact on the health of salmonids that are so important to their First Nation and non First Nation culture. This community process was agreed to between MoE and DFO at some level however, the Roundtable does question the commitment by these government agencies for a “collaborative government initiative” in this region and also question how the recommendations of this table will be received and acted on by government in the future. The process is working very well with those participating and the pristine qualities of the area are being more recognized as a unique opportunity to manage the area well and sustainable. There is momentum at the table recognizing this is a multi-year planning process. There is a deep sense of commitment to carry-on and participants are working hard to bring recognition to the area, its issues and solutions which will benefit everyone in the Fraser Basin and Province.
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