Derby
Crew Member
Canada's Fisheries Minister Keith Ashfield tells the House of Commons in Ottawa on Wednesday that changes are coming to the federal Fisheries Act.
Photograph by: Chris Wattie, Reuters , Vancouver Sun
Metro Vancouver is opposing the federal government’s proposed changes to the Fisheries Act, arguing it will greatly weaken fish habitat protection by allowing developers to build closer to the region’s streams and waterways.
Directors of Metro’s environment committee argue the move, outlined in a leaked document from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, would have a devastating effect on riparian zones, which act as a 30-metre buffer to salmon-bearing streams and waterways, leading to more sediment, silt and pollution.
“The fish would not be protected,” said Burnaby Coun. Sav Dhaliwal, who recommended the committee go on record opposing the changes. “We’re asking staff to join the many hundred scientists and environmentalists who have raised these issues ... the pending legislation is a step backwards.”
According to information leaked to retired fisheries biologist Otto Langer by a government source last month, the federal government is proposing to gut habitat-protection provisions that have been in place since 1976, making it easier for projects such as Enbridge Inc.’s Northern Gateway pipeline to B.C. to clear federal hurdles.
Wording for the proposed legislation would prohibit activity that would cause an “adverse effect” on “fish of economic, cultural or ecological value,” whereas the existing law bans activity that results in the “harmful alteration, disruption or destruction of fish habitat.”
Metro environment committee chairwoman Heather Deal, a Vancouver councillor, said destruction of fish habitat is a key issue for the region, which has hatcheries in its parks.
She noted that fish have different needs for habitat, and changing waterflows, dams or pollution could have a huge effect.
“Without habitat we will kill all the critters. This would be incredibly damaging,” Deal said. “If you don’t protect that, we’re going to lose the species.”
The committee’s motion still has to go to the Metro board for approval. If supported, it will be sent to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the Union of B.C. Municipalities.
Craig Orr, of the Watershed Water Salmon Watch, said he’s never seen such an outcry from the community over protecting salmon.
“The Fisheries Act is still one of the most powerful laws we have in protecting fish habitat,” he said. “It’s disturbing to think salmon and aquatic resources don’t rank higher [on the government’s agenda].”
Reconstruction of fish habitat is going on now at Colony Farm Regional Park, as part of a compensation package to mitigate the effects of the South Fraser Perimeter Road.
Transportation Investment Corp. aims to expand the tidal water flows on the Wilson Farm portion of Colony Farm to boost the number of salmon and other fish stocks within the park.
According to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the entire Colony Farm Park contains most of the Coquitlam River tidal delta, but the ecosystem has been declining over the past century as a result of urbanization, dams and climate change.
The Coquitlam River is frequently on the top-10 endangered rivers list of the Outdoor Recreation Council.
Orr noted that while work can be done to fix the problems, it won’t restore the habitat to its natural state. “We can’t recreate habitat to the same degree that nature can,” he said.
ksinoski@vancouversun.com
© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun
Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/Metro+V...eries+reeled/6428606/story.html#ixzz1rZNaa21y
Photograph by: Chris Wattie, Reuters , Vancouver Sun
Metro Vancouver is opposing the federal government’s proposed changes to the Fisheries Act, arguing it will greatly weaken fish habitat protection by allowing developers to build closer to the region’s streams and waterways.
Directors of Metro’s environment committee argue the move, outlined in a leaked document from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, would have a devastating effect on riparian zones, which act as a 30-metre buffer to salmon-bearing streams and waterways, leading to more sediment, silt and pollution.
“The fish would not be protected,” said Burnaby Coun. Sav Dhaliwal, who recommended the committee go on record opposing the changes. “We’re asking staff to join the many hundred scientists and environmentalists who have raised these issues ... the pending legislation is a step backwards.”
According to information leaked to retired fisheries biologist Otto Langer by a government source last month, the federal government is proposing to gut habitat-protection provisions that have been in place since 1976, making it easier for projects such as Enbridge Inc.’s Northern Gateway pipeline to B.C. to clear federal hurdles.
Wording for the proposed legislation would prohibit activity that would cause an “adverse effect” on “fish of economic, cultural or ecological value,” whereas the existing law bans activity that results in the “harmful alteration, disruption or destruction of fish habitat.”
Metro environment committee chairwoman Heather Deal, a Vancouver councillor, said destruction of fish habitat is a key issue for the region, which has hatcheries in its parks.
She noted that fish have different needs for habitat, and changing waterflows, dams or pollution could have a huge effect.
“Without habitat we will kill all the critters. This would be incredibly damaging,” Deal said. “If you don’t protect that, we’re going to lose the species.”
The committee’s motion still has to go to the Metro board for approval. If supported, it will be sent to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the Union of B.C. Municipalities.
Craig Orr, of the Watershed Water Salmon Watch, said he’s never seen such an outcry from the community over protecting salmon.
“The Fisheries Act is still one of the most powerful laws we have in protecting fish habitat,” he said. “It’s disturbing to think salmon and aquatic resources don’t rank higher [on the government’s agenda].”
Reconstruction of fish habitat is going on now at Colony Farm Regional Park, as part of a compensation package to mitigate the effects of the South Fraser Perimeter Road.
Transportation Investment Corp. aims to expand the tidal water flows on the Wilson Farm portion of Colony Farm to boost the number of salmon and other fish stocks within the park.
According to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the entire Colony Farm Park contains most of the Coquitlam River tidal delta, but the ecosystem has been declining over the past century as a result of urbanization, dams and climate change.
The Coquitlam River is frequently on the top-10 endangered rivers list of the Outdoor Recreation Council.
Orr noted that while work can be done to fix the problems, it won’t restore the habitat to its natural state. “We can’t recreate habitat to the same degree that nature can,” he said.
ksinoski@vancouversun.com
© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun
Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/Metro+V...eries+reeled/6428606/story.html#ixzz1rZNaa21y
