Council should be aware of the progress made in the Cheakamus Ecosystem and funding opportunities not fully subscribed at this time.

DISTRICT OF SQUAMISH REPORT TO: Council FOR: Regular PRESENTED: November 6, 2007 FILE: FROM: SUBJECT: Administration Cheakamus Ecosystem Recovery Recommendation: For information only. 1. Purpose: Council should be aware of the progress made in the Cheakamus Ecosystem and funding opportunities not fully subscribed at this time. 2. Time Critical: No 3. Background: The following attachments provide a brief overview of works undertaken to restore the Cheakamus they are: 1. State of the River: This three page executive summary gives a clear snapshot of work being done to restore various species. This references the extensive Recovery Plan that can be found at www.certc.ca/recovery_plan.shtml. 2. Presentation Boards created for the October 25 th public open house at Totem Hall. 3. Power Point Presentation shown at the open house relative to recovery efforts. This work represents many months of work where collaborative efforts of the Technical Committee identified strategies, plans and initiatives to restore habitat. All efforts were made by the Technical Committee to establish consensus on the methods and resulting reports. This work requires a dedication beyond the scope of any of the participant s job description and I would like to recognize them by name in this report: Cheakamus Ecosystem Recovery Technical Committee (CERTC): Department of Fisheries and Oceans - Matt Foy Ministry of Environment - Greg Wilson CN Rail - Luanne Patterson and Normand Pellerin (Tom Watson and Peter Frederickson, L:\WPDocs\COUNCIL\Form.wpd Page 1

Triton Environmental = technical staff supporting CN) Squamish Nation - Randall Lewis (Melissa Evanson of Golder Associates, and Cori) Baraclaugh of AquaTex Consulting = technical staff supporting SN) District of Squamish Chessy Knight and Howard (Nautilus Environmental). Peter Woods will lead this file from DoS with Caroline, and technical support as needed Steering Committee: DFO - Corino Salomi MoE - Jennifer McGuire CN Rail - Normand Pellerin Squamish Nation - Randall Lewis DoS - Brent Leigh 4. Project Information: As the attached reports and presentations outline, there are many initiatives being undertaken and more will be added through the ten-year recovery period. The 2007 projects were: Physical habitat enhancement Dave Marshall Salmon Reserve, 2006 Large Woody Debris (LWD) demonstration, 2007 Km 6.5 side channel, 2007 Cheekye River bridge, 2007 Wilson Slough reunion, 2007 Km 8 side channel, 2008 Fish culture (hatcheries) In addition to the funding established to address this kind of project on an ongoing basis, the Cheakamus Ecosystem Recovery Fund (CERF) has been established by CN to complement recovery efforts and encourage the construction of community based enhancement projects on the Cheakamus River by local residents and environmental stewardship groups. The yearly budget for CERF projects is $400,000 and the program will run from 2007 until 2011. Projects which have been funded to date in 2007 through the CERF include: Assessment of juvenile survival of hatchery-reared coho salmon during downstream migration and early ocean survival. $50,000 Grant; Michael Melnychuk. Creel survey of the Squamish River watershed recreation fishery. Conditional Approval $36,650 Grant; Squamish River Watershed Society. Squamish River estuary training dyke culvert improvement project. Conditional Approval $59,550 Grant, Squamish River Watershed Society. Acknowledging that this fund could be under subscribed, District Staff will be identifying and L:\WPDocs\COUNCIL\Form.wpd Page 2

proposing programs and projects to CERTC. It is staff s belief that the District can undertake, or can identify projects it would like to undertake, that qualify well with respect to enhancing the Cheakamus River Ecosystem. We expect next year that CERTC will have another public meeting outlining recovery efforts and a listing, like the one shown above, will outline projects that show the CERF funding fully spent. 6. Alternatives to Staff Recommendation: As advised by Council. Brent Leigh, Deputy Administrator L:\WPDocs\COUNCIL\Form.wpd Page 3

STATE OF THE RIVER BACKGROUND On August 5 th 2005, a train derailment in the Cheakamus canyon, approximately 15 km north of Squamish, British Columbia, resulted in a sodium hydroxide spill into the Cheakamus River. After the spill the Cheakamus Ecosystem Restoration Technical Committee (CERTC), which is comprised of representatives from CN, the District of Squamish, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), BC Ministry of Environment (MoE) and the Squamish Nation, was formed. The CERTC mandate is to develop and implement recovery and monitoring programs to accelerate the return of the Cheakamus River ecosystem to a pre-spill state as quickly as reasonably possible. Assessment projects have been undertaken by CERTC to understand the impacts of the spill on various ecosystem components and assist with recovery planning. These programs looked at the direct impacts of the spill on fish and invertebrates, as well as the potential for other indirect ecological effects from a reduction in food availability (e.g. reduced availability of fish). The Cheakamus Ecosystem Recovery Plan (CERP) 2006 was completed in August 2006 and is available on the CERTC Website at www.certc.ca/recovery_plan.shtml. The CERP was revised in 2007 as part of a CERTC commitment to conduct an annual review. This document provides a brief summary of CERTC activities including monitoring programs and preliminary results, as well as recovery activities. More information regarding all of these programs is available on the CERTC Website at www.certc.ca. MONITORING PROGRAMS Since 2005, CN in cooperation with CERTC has undertaken a variety of programs to identify and implement recovery strategies and monitor recovery. Some of the fish monitoring programs rely on cooperative data sharing with BC Hydro as part of its Water Use Plan (WUP). Table 1 lists the monitoring programs developed to date. Study outlines for monitoring programs and results to date are available online at: http://www.certc.ca/monitoring_programs.shtml. Table 1. Monitoring Programs as of 2007 Monitoring Program Species Dates Off-Channel Habitat Mark Recapture - CN Juvenile salmonids 2006 Non-Anadromous Reach Fish Abundance Primary: rainbow trout Monitoring Program - CN Secondary: char, sculpin, stickleback 2006-TBD Char Adult Enumeration - CN Bull trout 2000-2014 Char Adult Radio Telemetry - CN Bull trout 2007-2009 Resident Fish Abundance Monitoring Program (RAMP) - CN Sculpin, lamprey, cutthroat trout, char, stickleback, rainbow trout/steelhead juveniles 2006-2014

Table 1 (Cont.). Monitoring Programs as of 2007 Monitoring Program Species Dates Benthic Invertebrate Recovery - CN Benthic invertebrates 2005 Steelhead Acoustic Tracking of Hatchery Smolts - CN Steelhead 2007-2008 Steelhead fish culture CN/MoE Steelhead smolts and adults 2007-2012 Coded Wire Tagging CN/DFO/PSF Chinook 2006 Steelhead Adult Enumeration BC Hydro Steelhead 2000-2014 Outmigrant Monitoring BC Hydro Coho, and steelhead smolts, chinook, pink and chum fry 2000-2014 MONITORING RESULTS The status of some fish species and communities affected by the spill are outlined in Table 2. Monitoring programs are ongoing and only results available to date are presented. Table 2. Fish population status - 2006 Species Recovery Target 2006 Status Chinook Salmon Coho Salmon Pink Salmon 60,000 to 220,000 outmigrants 39,000 to 128,000 outmigrants 10% increase over 2006 estimate (>326,045 fry) 2005 = 60,851 non-impact 2006 = no estimate - impact year 2005 = 39,087 non-impact 2006 = 36,209 impact year 2005 off year 2006 = 296,405 Cutthroat Trout Population stability Ongoing evaluation Steelhead Trout 255 to 469 Char (Bull Trout) Threespine Stickleback Sculpin Lamprey Target being developed through radio telemetry and snorkel surveys Population stability Population stability Population stability 2006 = 255 1 adults non impact 2007 = non impact, estimate forthcoming 2007 population estimate forthcoming Juveniles observed recruitment since the spill Sculpins more abundant in lower four kilometers Impacts overestimated multiple age classes 1-2006 adult steelhead returns reported as preliminary data from BC Hydro and subject to change

RECOVERY PROGRAMS In addition to monitoring programs, recovery projects make up a major component of the CERP. Numerous recovery programs funded by CN have been developed and are in different stages of implementation in cooperation with CERTC members. These programs are listed in Table 3 below while more detailed information is available online at: http://www.certc.ca/recovery_programs.shtml. Table 3. Summary of recovery programs funded by CN to date Recovery Program Type of project Date Status Fish Culture Fish stocking 2005-2010 Ongoing Dave Marshall Salmon Reserve (NVOS) Habitat enhancement 2006 Complete Cheekye Bridge Fish Passage Modification Habitat enhancement 2007 Pending Km 8 Re-Wetting Habitat enhancement 2008 In Development Km 6.5 Channel Re-Wetting Habitat enhancement 2007 Complete Wilson Slough Reunion Habitat enhancement 2007 Pending LWD Demonstration Project Habitat enhancement 2007 Complete Cheakamus Ecosystem Recovery Fund Enhancement projects 2007-2011 Ongoing Fish Culture Program Fish culture programs funded by CN and implemented by DFO and the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC (for MoE) are being used for a short period of time to increase fish numbers during the years populations are expected to be low. The total number of fish to be released is close to 3 million (Table 4). Table 4. Fish Culture Program releases Species 2005/2006 2006/2007 2007/2008 2008/2009 2009/2010 1 Actual: 7,378 Target: 100,000 eggs Target: 100,000 eggs Program Chinook fry Actual: 106,513 eggs Actual: 108,000 eggs ends Spring 2006 Spring 2007 Fall 2007 Pink Actual: 574,533 fry Spring 2006 Off Year Target: 1,000,000 eggs Actual: 442,000 eggs Fall 2007 Coho Not Planned Not Planned Target: 80,000 fry Steelhead Not Planned Target: 20,000 smolts Actual: 21,480 Spring 2007 1 - No fish culture programs proposed post 2009/2010 Target: 20,000 smolts Actual: 18,000 fry rearing Off Year Target: 1,000,000 Program ends Program ends

Cheakamus Ecosystem Recovery Fund The Cheakamus Ecosystem Recovery Fund (CERF) has been established by CN to complement ongoing recovery efforts and encourage the construction of enhancement projects on the Cheakamus River by local residents and environmental stewardship groups. The yearly budget for all projects will be $400,000 and the program will run from 2007 until 2011. Additional information, application criteria and application form can be obtained online at: http://www.certc.ca/recovery_fund.shtml. Projects which have been funded to date in 2007 through the CERF include: Assessment of juvenile survival of hatchery-reared coho salmon during downstream migration and early ocean survival. $50,000 Grant; Michael Melnychuk. Creel survey of the Squamish River watershed recreation fishery. Conditional Approval $36,650 Grant; Squamish River Watershed Society. Squamish River estuary training dyke culvert improvement project. Conditional Approval $59,550 Grant, Squamish River Watershed Society. CERTC Website The Cheakamus Ecosystem Restoration Technical Committee (CERTC) maintains a website to provide updates on recovery projects and monitoring activities. Information available includes meeting summaries, proposed study outlines, and additional information on recovery projects, as well as impact assessment and monitoring reports as they become available.

CHEAKAMUS ECOSYSTEM RECOVERY Welcome Welcome to the fourth Cheakamus Ecosystem Recovery public information session. 4:30 6:30 pm Open House 6:30 7:45 pm Technical Presentation / Q&A Session 7:45 8:30 pm Open House Please... Review the displays and information materials. Ask the technical staff any questions you may have regarding recovery programs and activities. Fill out the comment form provided. Thank you for your participation.

CHEAKAMUS ECOSYSTEM RECOVERY Stakeholder Team The Cheakamus Ecosystem Restoration Stakeholder Team is a public advisory group comprised of representatives from organizations with an interest in the Cheakamus River, as well as individuals with local knowledge of, and experience with, the Cheakamus River. Members of the Stakeholder Team provide input into the development and implementation of monitoring and recovery programs for the Cheakamus ecosystem. The Team also helps coordinate and communicate comments and recommendations from interested parties to the Cheakamus Ecosystem Restoration Technical Committee (CERTC), and, in turn, receives updates on CERTC activities. The Stakeholder Team has met nine times since March 2006, developing and adopting terms of reference, reviewing CERTC activities and providing recovery project suggestions. The Team is comprised of individual community members and representatives of the following organizations: Angling Guides Squamish Anglers Association BC Federation of Drift Fishers BC Federation of Fly Fishers BC Wildlife Federation North Vancouver Outdoor School (School District #44) Pacific Salmon Foundation Seymour Salmonid Society South Coast Steelhead Coalition (Squamish Chapter) Squamish Downtown Neighbourhood Association Squamish Environmental Conservation Society Squamish River Watershed Society Steelhead Society of BC Squamish Streamkeepers Whistler Angling Club

CHEAKAMUS ECOSYSTEM RECOVERY Next Steps CHEAKAMUS ECOSYSTEM RECOVERY IS ONGOING The Cheakamus Ecosystem Recovery Plan (CERP), endorsed by the Cheakamus Ecosystem Restoration Technical Committee (CERTC), is an adaptive management plan designed to remain active until 2016, with annual reviews and more thorough reviews every three years to update the plan, as required. CN and CERTC are committed to communicating the efforts made to assist Cheakamus. ECOSYSTEM RECOVERY To keep up-to-date on recovery programs and activities, including the summaries of CERTC and Stakeholder Team meetings, please visit the CERTC website at www.certc.ca. Thank you for your participation this evening.

CHEAKAMUS ECOSYSTEM RECOVERY Recovery Fund CN provides the Cheakamus Ecosystem Recovery Fund to increase community involvement and complement ongoing recovery efforts on the river. Funds are available to any group, association, agency, university or committee that would like to undertake enhancement, restoration, assessment or education activities on the Cheakamus River from the Daisy Lake dam to the Squamish Estuary. To date, the following programs have been approved for funding in 2007: Assessment of juvenile survival of hatchery-reared coho salmon during downstream migration and early ocean survival Michael Melnychuk Creel survey of the Squamish River watershed recreation fishery Squamish River Watershed Society Squamish River estuary training dyke culvert improvement project Squamish River Watershed Society The project review and selection committee is represented by CERTC membership (CN, District of Squamish, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ministry of Environment and Squamish Nation). BC Hydro also reviews projects that have the potential to affect BC Hydro's interests on the Cheakamus River. Recovery Fund application forms are available at the registration desk. PROJECT SUGGESTION FORM Individuals also are encouraged to submit suggestions for recovery projects to be implemented by CN. Project Suggestion Forms are available at the registration desk.

CHEAKAMUS ECOSYSTEM RECOVERY Cheakamus Ecosystem Restoration Steering Committee (CERSC) FUNCTION: Reviews and approves programs recommended by the Technical Committee. MEMBERS: Includes representatives from CN, District of Squamish, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, BC Ministry of Environment and Squamish Nation. Cheakamus Ecosystem Restoration Technical Committee (CERTC) FUNCTION: Recommends programs for implementation based on input from experienced professionals, external specialists, interested parties and the public. MANDATE: To understand the ecosystem level impacts and develop restoration and monitoring strategies for species affected to accelerate the return of the Cheakamus ecosystem to a pre-spill state as fast as reasonably possible. MEMBERS: The Technical Committee includes representatives from CN, District of Squamish, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, BC Ministry of Environment and Squamish Nation. Communications CHEAKAMUS ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION & YOUR INPUT INFORMATION PRESENTATION, FEEDBACK & PROGRAM REFINEMENT YOUR VIEWS & INPUT INTEREST GROUPS & STAKEHOLDER TEAM MEETINGS OPEN HOUSE MEETINGS E-MAIL comments@certc.ca CORNERSTONE PLANNING CERTC WEBSITE www.certc.ca CHEAKAMUS ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION TECHNICAL COMMITTEE (CERTC)

CHEAKAMUS ECOSYSTEM RECOVERY Recovery Projects 2006 Fish Habitat Enhancement: Dave Marshall Salmon Reserve OVERVIEW: Enhancement of existing fish habitat in the Dave Marshall Salmon Reserve by channel excavation and installation of habitat structures to provide cover for juvenile fish. RESULT: Project resulted in 2287m 2 of new or improved habitat for stream rearing fish. ACTIVITIES: MILE 49 CHANNEL Channel excavation and installation of 7 large woody debris structures resulting in 1956m 2 of new or improved fish habitat GORBUSCHA CHANNEL Installation or repositioning of 31 large woody debris structures and installation of approximately 20 boulder clusters to enhance juvenile rearing habitat GORBUSCHA EAST CHANNEL Installation or repositioning of 41 large woody debris structures MYKISS CHANNEL Installation or repositioning of 10 large woody debris structures, and installation of approximately 40 boulder clusters to enhance juvenile rearing habitat www.certa.ca

CHEAKAMUS ECOSYSTEM RECOVERY Recovery Projects 2007 Fish Culture OVERVIEW: Numerous fish culture programs have been implemented since 2005 on the Cheakamus River as part of the chinook, pink, coho and steelhead recovery efforts. THE CN-FUNDED FISH CULTURE PROGRAMS: Include the eventual release of 3 million fish Involve upgrades to both the Tenderfoot and Fraser Valley Hatchery facilities Are implemented in co-operation with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and BC Ministry of Environment STATUS OF THE 2007 CHEAKAMUS FISH CULTURE PROGRAMS: Species Goal Status Chinook Pink Steelhead 2005/06 no egg target 2006/07 100,000 eggs 2007/08 100,000 eggs 2005/06 500,000 eggs 2007/08 1,000,000 eggs 2009/10 1,000,000 eggs 2006/07 20,000 smolts 2007/08 20,000 smolts 2005/06 7,378 fry released 2006/07 106,513 fry released 2007/08 > 85,000 eggs collected* 2005/06 574,533 fry released 2007/08 415,000 eggs collected Hatchery infrastructure improvements in progress 2006/07 21,482 smolts released 2007/08 rearing ~ 18,000 fry Coho 2007/08 80,000 eggs 2007/08 gamete collection scheduled for fall * Number of eggs collected as of October 12. Chinook salmon egg collection still in progress. www.certa.ca

CHEAKAMUS ECOSYSTEM RECOVERY Recovery Projects 2007 Large Woody Debris Demonstration Project OVERVIEW: A partnership between CN and the British Columbia Conservation Foundation (BCCF) resulted in the completion of a Large Woody Debris demonstration project in the Cheakamus mainstem near the North Vancouver Outdoor School in the late summer of 2007. RESULT: Eleven triangular large wood structures were constructed to provide rearing habitat targeted at steelhead trout and chinook salmon juveniles. Other species are also expected to benefit from the habitat structures. Project was completed in cooperation with the North Vancouver Outdoor School and includes evaluation of habitat structure utilization. Photo courtesy Carl Halvorson, North Vancouver Outdoor School Photo courtesy Carl Halvorson, North Vancouver Outdoor School ACTIVITIES: Structures were installed to accelerate natural recovery and mimic natural ecological processes for long-term sustainability. Project included public consultation and on-site signage to alert recreational users about the location of the habitat structures. www.certa.ca

CHEAKAMUS ECOSYSTEM RECOVERY Recovery Projects 2007 Km 6.5 Side Channel OVERVIEW: The km 6.5 side channel project involved re-watering a relic side channel of the Cheakamus River 200 metres downstream of the Paradise Valley Road Bailey Bridge. The project was completed in cooperation with the North Vancouver Outdoor School (NVOS) staff who provided input to all phases of the project including project design and construction. RESULT: The project resulted in 1650 m 2 of new fish habitat with 30 woody debris structures and 48 boulder clusters for stream rearing juveniles (chinook, steelhead and rainbow trout). Pink salmon adults were observed entering the channel to spawn almost immediately after the channel was re-watered. Three viewing platforms were constructed to allow educators from NVOS easy access to the channel for educational purposes. ACTIVITIES: Project took place in four phases Channel excavation Installation of bank protection Habitat structure installation and pool excavation Channel reconnection and re-watering www.certa.ca

CHEAKAMUS ECOSYSTEM RECOVERY Recovery Projects 2007 Cheekye River Fish Passage Improvement OVERVIEW: This project involved the removal of a remnant concrete apron in the Cheekeye River to improve passage for adult steelhead accessing spawning grounds in Brohm Creek. Before After RESULT: The concrete apron was removed in October 2007 and the stream bed was restored to align with the existing channel gradient to address concerns about fish passage. Wilson Slough Reunion OVERVIEW: This project involves the installation of a steel culvert to connect the Wilson Slough to the Squamish River estuary to improve water quality and flow, and increase fish passage and usage of the estuarine rearing habitat. The culvert design focuses on flood control and protection of existing rearing habitat. Track and road closures are being scheduled to minimize impact to local residents, the Whistler Mountaineer and other rail services. STATUS: Construction began in early October 2007 www.certa.ca

CHEAKAMUS ECOSYSTEM RECOVERY Monitoring Programs 2007 Measuring Recovery Several programs monitor fish populations in the Cheakamus River to evaluate the success of recovery efforts. If necessary, recovery strategies are adapted to target species of high priority. PROGRAMS COMPLETED OR UNDERWAY INCLUDE: Acoustic tracking of hatchery steelhead smolts Acoustic receivers monitor the presence of tagged hatchery steelhead to track their movements in the Cheakamus River and Georgia Strait in an effort to determine if smolts are residualizing in the river and to monitor migration patterns. Chinook coded wire tagging A coded wire tagging program targeting 2006/2007 chinook juveniles released from the Tenderfoot Hatchery. Non anadromous reach fish abundance monitoring Fish sampling using electroshocking and minnow trapping at two sections of the river, one above and one below the spill site, three times per year. Off-channel habitat mark re-capture program Evaluation of post-spill juvenile salmonid abundance through mark recapture techniques and density comparisons. www.certa.ca

CHEAKAMUS ECOSYSTEM RECOVERY Monitoring Programs 2007 Measuring Recovery Several programs monitor fish populations in the Cheakamus River to evaluate the success of recovery efforts. If necessary, recovery strategies will be adapted to target species of high priority. PROGRAMS COMPLETED OR UNDERWAY INCLUDE: Resident fish abundance monitoring program Twice per year monitoring of resident fish species abundance at typical habitat study sites in order to measure recovery. Adult char enumeration Radio tagging and tracking of char to provide information about char life history and develop a reliable measure of recovery through calibrated snorkle surveys. This program also benefits from cooperation efforts with BC Hydro s adult steelhead snorkle surveys. Adult steelhead enumeration Enumeration of adult steelhead by BC Hydro using calibrated snorkle surveys. This program also benefits from cooperative efforts and additional snorkle surveys funded by CN s adult char enumeration program. Juvenile salmonid outmigration Rotary screw traps at the North Vancouver Outdoor School and fish counters at key side channels provide fish population estimates.

CHEAKAMUS ECOSYSTEM RECOVERY Future Recovery Activities Km 8 Side Channel Re-watering CN is cooperating with Fisheries and Oceans Canada to design a new intake near river km 8 to enhance and re-water an existing 600 metre-long side channel. This project will help eliminate fish stranding and provided year round habitat for a variety of juvenile and adult fish species. The project is currently in the design stage and construction is scheduled for 2008. Fish Culture Fish culture programs focused on recovery of affected species are ongoing. In addition to efforts already completed in 2007 for pink and chinook salmon, Tenderfoot Creek hatchery will be collecting an additional 80,000 coho salmon eggs above their annual egg target. This program, funded by CN, will focus on collecting broodstock from the upper Cheakamus River to assist recovery of Cheakamus River coho. Squamish River Training Dyke Culvert This project, funded by the Cheakamus Ecosystem Recovery Fund, will allow the installation of a new culvert to improve juvenile fish access to the central channel of the Squamish Estuary. This program complements an ongoing Fisheries and Oceans Canada initiative to improve fish access to important estuary rearing habitat and is scheduled for construction in the winter of 2007/08. In addition to the projects above CN and CERTC are continually looking for new opportunities for feasible projects to improve habitat conditions and accelerate recovery of the Cheakamus River. www.certa.ca

CHEAKAMUS ECOSYSTEM RECOVERY Estimated impact on fish in the Cheakamus River Steelhead juveniles (spring 2004 brood year) Chum Salmon juveniles Pink Salmon juveniles Steelhead juveniles (spring 2005 brood year) Steelhead juveniles (spring 2003 brood year) Coho Salmon juveniles (fall 2003 brood year) Chinook Salmon juveniles (fall 2004 brood year) Coho Salmon juveniles (fall 2004 brood year) MINIMAL / UNMEASURABLE IMPACT MODERATE SEVERE IMPACT Pink Salmon adults Chinook Salmon adults (2005) Chum Salmon adults Char (Dolly Varden shown) Coho Salmon adults Coastal Cutthroat Trout Steelhead adults Lamprey (2 species) Rainbow Trout Sculpins (2 species) Three Spine Stickleback Information summarized and adapted from McCubbing et. al. 2006: Assessment of the CN Caustic Soda Spill, August 5th, 2005 on the Fish Populations of the Cheakamus River, Final draft report March 2006 www.certa.ca

Cheakamus Ecosystem Recovery Public Information Session 4:30-8:30 pm Totem Hall, 102 Baker Road Squamish, BC

Cheakamus River Recovery Public Information Session Prepared by: Triton Environmental Consultants Ltd. and Canadian National Railway Company Presented by: Dr. Tom Watson, R.P.Bio. Triton Environmental Consultants, Ltd.

Presentation Outline Recovery management Committee structure and activities Recovery projects Recovery monitoring Adaptive management CERTC status Review how success is being achieved Slide 3

Recovery Management Recovery Cheakamus Ecosystem Recovery Technical Committee (CERTC) Cheakamus Ecosystem Recovery Steering Committee (CERSC) Stakeholder Team (ST) Slide 4

Committees Cheakamus Ecosystem Restoration Technical (CERTC) and Steering (CERSC) Committees Members: BC Ministry of Environment (MoE) Canadian National Railway (CN) District of Squamish (DoS) Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Squamish Nation (SN) Stakeholder Team (ST) Non-profit organizations Individuals Other interested parties Slide 5

CERTC CERTC strives for consensus among members on all programs and reports CERTC (www.certc.ca) Monthly meetings (24) Open houses (3) Impact evaluation Recovery Plan (CERP) and projects Fish culture Habitat enhancement Monitoring programs Slide 6

Recovery Projects Physical habitat enhancement Dave Marshall Salmon Reserve, 2006 Large Woody Debris (LWD) demonstration, 2007 Km 6.5 side channel, 2007 Cheekye River bridge, 2007 Wilson Slough reunion, 2007 Km 8 side channel, 2008 Cheakamus Ecosystem Recovery Fund (CERF) Fish culture (hatcheries) Slide 7

Dave Marshall Salmon Reserve Fish access and habitat enhancements Mile 49, Gorbuscha, Gorbuscha East & Mykiss channels Target species Coho Chinook Rainbow (steelhead) 2290 m 2 of new or improved habitat Report on CERTC website Slide 8

LWD Demonstration Project Install mainstem habitat structures Increase available habitat Target species Rainbow (steelhead) Chinook Bull trout Cutthroat 550 m 2 of new or improved habitat 11 habitat structures Slide 9

Km 6.5 Side Channel Re-water side channel Install habitat structures Increase available habitat Target species Coho Rainbow (steelhead) Chinook Bull trout 1650 m 2 of new habitat 30 LWD structures (100m 2 ) 48 boulder clusters (100m 2 ) Slide 10

Km 6.5 - Construction Slide 11

Cheekye River Bridge Improving access Increase available habitat Target species Steelhead Cutthroat Bull trout Concrete apron removal Slide 12

Wilson Slough Reunion Re-connect Wilson Slough to Squamish Estuary Improving access and water quality Increasing habitat Target species Pink Chinook Cutthroat Construction underway Slide 13

Wilson Slough - Construction Slide 14

Km 8 Side Channel Re-water side channel Reduce stranding Install habitat structures Increasing habitat Target species Rainbow (steelhead) Chinook Char Intake design underway Slide 15

Cheakamus Ecosystem Recovery Fund (CERF) Established and funded by CN CERF is additional to CN/CERTC initiatives $400,000 per year / 5 years Encourage community involvement Focus on physical habitat projects Funded projects: New training dyke culvert Coho smolt POST tagging assessment Creel survey Slide 16

Fish Culture Species Targets Status Chinook Pink Steelhead Coho 2006 100,000 eggs 2007 100,000 eggs 2005 500,000 eggs 2007 1,000,000 eggs 2009 1,000,000 eggs 2007 20,000 smolts 2008 20,000 smolts 2007 80,000 eggs 2007 ~ 114,000 fry released 2007 ~108,000 eggs collected 2006 574,533 fry released 2007 ~442,000 eggs collected 2009 scheduled for fall 2009 2007 21,480 smolts released 2007 rearing 18,000 fry 2007 scheduled for fall 2007 Slide 17

Recovery Targets - Juvenile Salmon Outmigrants Species Chinook Coho Pink Recovery Target Range: 60,000-222,000 Range: 39,000-128,000 Minimum 326,045 2006 Status 2006 = no estimate - impact year 2007 data under preparation 2006 = 36,209 impact year 2007 data under preparation 2006 = 296,405 impact year 2007 off year (no adults expected) Slide 18

Recovery Targets Other Species and Age Classes Species Steelhead Cutthroat Char Stickleback Sculpin Lamprey Recovery Target (range: 255-469 adults) Equilibrium Target under development Equilibrium Equilibrium Equilibrium 2007 Status Information pending from BC Hydro Few juveniles captured post-spill Adult and juveniles observed post-spill 2007 population estimate forthcoming Adults and juveniles observed post-spill More abundant in lower four kilometres Multiple age classes observed suggesting spill impacts less than originally estimated Slide 19

Recovery Monitoring Slide 20

Recovery Monitoring Resident fish abundance monitoring (RAMP) Non-anadromous reach fish abundance Off-channel habitat mark-recapture Acoustic tracking of hatchery smolts Char radio telemetry and enumeration Chinook coded wire tagging Information sharing BC Hydro Juvenile salmon migration Steelhead adult enumeration Other species Slide 21

Resident Fish Abundance Monitoring Program Monitoring abundance Below barrier Multiple methods Target species Bull trout Cutthroat trout Lamprey Sculpin Stickleback Ongoing Program Slide 22

Non-anadromous Reach Fish Sampling Monitoring abundance Above barrier Electrofishing and minnow trapping Target species Trout Char Sculpin Stickleback Ongoing program Slide 23

Off-channel Habitat Mark-recapture Evaluated post-spill abundance Capture and mark juveniles Size and density Population estimate Target species Coho Report on CERTC website Slide 24

Acoustic Tracking of Hatchery Smolts Monitor smolt migration Track tagged smolts in Cheakamus River and Georgia Strait Target species Steelhead Coho Ongoing programs Slide 25

Char Radio Telemetry and Enumeration Fill information gaps Radio tag adult char Monitor migration Identify life history strategies Snorkel surveys to estimate population Target species Bull trout Ongoing program Slide 26

Chinook Coded Wire Tagging Fish culture evaluation Migration patterns Hatchery rearing strategies 200,000 CWT in 2007 Funded by CN & Pacific Salmon Foundation (PSF) Ongoing program Slide 27

Information Sharing - BC Hydro Juvenile salmon migration Population estimates for chinook, coho, pink, chum and steelhead 2000-2007 complete, ongoing to 2014 Steelhead adult enumeration Snorkel surveys to estimate population 2000-2007 complete, ongoing to 2014 Slide 28