Finally Shuswap citizens can see and understand the full extent of their watershed …

The Shuswap Watershed Project
MEDIA RELEASE
February 25, 2010

Groundbreaking Shuswap Watershed Project Launched

A groundbreaking project to raise awareness and improve understanding of the Shuswap watershed was launched today in Salmon Arm, with the release of a large format poster that includes the first map ever made of the entire Shuswap region. ‘This is a win-win partnership for the watershed – it raises awareness, and it has built collaboration amongst many groups,’ said Ron Oszust, Columbia-Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) Chair. ‘Finally Shuswap citizens can see and understand the full extent of their watershed thanks to the cooperative efforts of so many governmental and non-governmental organizations and local businesses,’ explained project leader Jim Cooperman, president of the Shuswap Environmental Action Society (SEAS).

‘I am pleased to be able to support this project. The poster and this project will help residents to better understand how we are all inter-connected and the need to commit to collective improvements in managing this vital Shuswap Watershed as recommended by the Shuswap Lake Integrated Planning Process (SLIPP),’ said Ted Bacigalupo, CSRD Vice-Chair and Area C Director. ‘This project will add to the knowledge base of the people. Through knowledge comes empowerment, engagement and respect for each other and the environment they share,’ added Oszust.

Three thousand copies of the poster have been printed for free distribution in school classrooms throughout the Shuswap and for sale to the public in local stores. As well, the project includes the production of a Resource Guide that will provide teachers and students with ideas and information that will support their use of the poster. The Resource Guide is being developed by retired educator Kim Fulton who is also the watershed project educational coordinator. As Kim explains, ‘the overall educational goal is to help protect, preserve and restore the Shuswap watershed and ecosystems.’

With the release of the posters, the Shuswap Watershed Project team also announces plans for ‘Celebrate the Shuswap’ week, April 18-24, 2010. This week of activities will include displays, tree planting, litter cleanup, storm-drain marking, talks, hikes, and two major public events. On Earth Day, April 22nd there will be an evening of visual and musical entertainment at the Salmar Classic. On the following day there will be a Watershed Conference at the Salmon Arm High School that will include presentations, displays, readings of the award winning essays and a free, all-ages dance to Old Man’s Beard. A number of contests kick off today, including the ‘Song for the Shuswap’ song writing contest and the student essay and art-poster contests.

The Shuswap Watershed Project is being launched to improve public understanding of Shuswap geography. Information on the poster and in the manual includes: the size, shape and extent of the watershed; the values present in it; how the watershed functions; and potential human caused impacts and threats. ‘This project is a step in helping us all understand that our actions influence water, wherever we live in the Shuswap watershed,’ said Sarah Weaver of the Living by Water Project. King Campbell, with Ducks Unlimited Canada said, ‘We understand the importance of connecting the public to local geography and habitats. The Watershed Project will be valuable for demonstrating the importance of wetlands, waterfowl, wildlife, and water resources to Shuswap communities.’

‘The Shuswap Lakes are the life blood of the Secwepemc and have nurtured and nourished our people down through the ages and now they are polluted and the salmon are fast swimming towards extinction,’ explained Dr. Ron Ignace, SFU professor and the Lakes Division political coordinator. ‘Meanwhile the almighty dollar beats on to a misbegotten beat that there is an endless supply of fresh water to support continuous growth. I pray that this collective effort to shine a spot light on Shuswap Lakes is just the beginning,’ added Ignace.

Warren Bell, president of Wetland Alliance: The Ecological Response, noted, ‘Our group has been deeply involved in watershed-related work since its inception. But focusing on the watershed as a whole, which this project will do, is a huge step forward for all of us towards rational management of our precious water resource. It unites all our efforts around a single, critical natural feature.’ Bell added, ‘The beauty and significance of the two-dimensional image of the watershed — simultaneously abstract, and yet perfectly down-to-earth — is inspiring in itself.’

The watershed project was made possible through a partnership between SEAS, Okanagan School District #83, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, provincial government ministries, the Columbia-Shuswap and North Okanagan Regional Districts, the Living by Water Project, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Shuswap Trail Alliance, Mediability and Silvatech Consulting Ltd. As well, the project has received funding support from a diversity of local governments, First Nations, conservation groups and businesses (see the complete list below).

For more information, contact:
Jim Cooperman, Project Leader, 679-3693
Kim Fulton, Project Educational Coordinator, 546-3644
Monica Gail Kriese, ‘Celebrate the Shuswap’ Event Coordinator, 833-6100

Posters will go on sale to the public on February 25th at the following retail outlets:
Sicamous – True Value V & S
Enderby – Enderby and District Museum
Salmon Arm – Bookingham Palace Bookstore and Wickett Business Services
Sorrento – Beryl’s Books and Beans
Lumby – Lumby Health Foods
Cherryville – Franks Store and the Cherryville Emporium
Scotch Creek – Super-Valu
Chase – People’s Drug Mart
Vernon – Valhalla Pure
Kamloops – Second Glance Books and Valhalla Pure

Essay, art-poster and song-writing contests for students with cash prizes….

Shuswap Watershed Project
Media Release
February 25, 2010

Shuswap Watershed contests announced

With the release of the poster that defines the 1.5 million hectare Shuswap region for the first time, the Shuswap Watershed Project announces three contests for students with cash prizes donated by local businesses and individuals. The prizes will be awarded on April 22 and 23 during ‘Celebrate the Shuswap Week.:

For the budding writers, there is an essay contest that poses this topic, ‘What I can do to help preserve, protect and/or restore the Shuswap watershed.: Students from throughout the entire watershed regions in three age categories; grades 3-6, 7-9, and 10-12 will be competing for $50 second prizes and $100 first prizes.

For those who excel in art, there is an art-poster contest to produce an 11 by 17 inch poster with this theme, ‘Caring for the Shuswap.: The prizes and the age-categories for the art-posters are the same as for the essay contest.

Student musicians will have a major challenge to compete for the student category of the ‘Song for the Shuswap: contest. To win the $200 first prize, that also includes a glass sculpture award and a Roots and Blues Festival pass or the $100 second prize, contestants will be writing the lyrics and music for an original song that contains the words Shuswap and water. The top entrants will perform their songs at the Salmar Classic Theatre in front of an audience and the judges on April 22nd.

As Shuswap Watershed Project leader Jim Cooperman explains ‘All of these contests will help build enthusiasm for ‘Celebrate the Shuswap: week, scheduled for April 18-24, 2010, when the watershed-wide community will be able to come together to share experiences and learn more about our wondrous region.:

During this week the art-posters will be on display and the winning essays will be read by the authors at the Shuswap Watershed Conference, scheduled for April 23rd at the Sullivan campus of the Salmon Arm Secondary School.

Shuswap Watershed Project Educational Coordinator, Kim Fulton, explains, ‘The watershed poster released today, which so successfully illustrates the uniqueness and diversity of the Shuswap, will help spark awareness and interest in schools throughout our region. Our goal is that students will use this poster as a springboard to learn more and to take action about a watershed issue they are passionate about.:

On February 19th, the educational component of the Watershed Project was jump-started by Fulton during a Leadership Conference held at the high school. Over fifty students attended from ten schools throughout the region. These students will now be working in their schools to help build interest in the contests and in the watershed.

These contests would not be possible without the support of local businesses and individuals who are sponsoring the prizes. The Shuswap Watershed Project extends its gratitude to the following prize sponsors: Wickett Business Services, Pharmasave, Salmon Arm Observer, Lakeside Printing, Bookingham Palace, the Shuswap Association of Writers, Lakeshore News, Warren Bell, Shuswap Lake Coalition, Jake Jacobson, Yuill Herbert and Cammie Harbottle.

For more information,
Contact:
Jim Cooperman, Project Leader, 679-3693
Kim Fulton, Project Educational Coordinator, 546-3644
Monica Gail Kriese, ‘Celebrate the Shuswap: Event Coordinator, 833-6100

Student and adult musicians will be able to compete for substantial prizes in the ‘Song for the Shuswap’ contest….

The Shuswap Watershed Project
MEDIA RELEASE
February 25, 2010

Shuswap’s First Song Writing Contest Announced

Upon the release of the first ever map and poster of our region, the Shuswap Watershed Project is pleased to announce the first ever song writing contest dedicated solely to the Shuswap. Student and adult musicians will be able to compete for substantial prizes in the ‘Song for the Shuswap’ contest that were donated by local businesses and individuals.

Song writing contestants will need to compose lyrics and music for a song that has the words Shuswap and water in it and that conveys what it means to live in and appreciate the Shuswap region. The contest is open to both amateur and professional songwriters and musicians. Songs will need to be totally original works and be between 3 and 5 minutes in length. There are two categories available; Youth : 18 and under, Adult : 19 and over.

School District #83 Music Supervisor Gordon Waters is one of the contest judges and he remarked, ‘The Shuswap is fortunate to have so many talented musicians living here and this contest will give many of them a challenge to focus their creative energies to make music that celebrates our amazing region.’

Young musicians have the opportunity to win a $200 cash prize, plus a glass sculpture award by Chuck St. John, a Roots & Blues 2010 Festival pass, and a live interview on EZ Rock; and second place winners get a $100 cash prize. In the adult category, songwriters have a chance for a $400 cash prize, plus a glass sculpture award, a Roots & Blues pass, and a live radio interview; while second prize winners will receive a $200 cash prize.

‘I am excited to have the opportunity to help organize the events during Celebrate the Shuswap Week, especially the Song for the Shuswap Contest which will bring together the many musicians and music lovers in our region to share music about our beautiful watershed,’ said Monica Gail Kriese, event coordinator.
Registration forms are available online at www.shuswapwatershed.ca and at Acorn Music, EZ Rock 91.5fm, and the Salmon Arm Observer office.

Shuswap Watershed Project extends its utmost appreciation to our generous contest sponsors: Acorn Music, EZ Rock 91.5fm, Salmon Arm Observer, Barley Station Brew Pub, Takezushi Sushi Restaurant, Scotch Creek Super Valu, John & Sonja Woods, Doug & Joanne Leatherdale, Jan & Don Sawyer (NESA). ROXY FX Music, Roots and Blues Festival, Shuswap Water Action Team, Salmar Community Association, Shuswap Singers and Chuck St. John

For more information, contact:
Monica Gail Kriese, ‘Celebrate the Shuswap’ Event Coordinator, 833-6100

Plan calls for a $15-25 parcel tax to help pay for improved protection…

Note:
This is the news coverage of the presentation by SLIPP staff to the CSRD last week. A good article, but the title is a bit misleading, as the planning process is over and now the plan needs to be implemented (a better title would have been ‘Watershed Protection hinges on funds’). The ideal mechanism for implementation would be the proposed Watershed Council, but the province has no money or inclination to pay all the costs, so it is up to the people who live here to pay a nominal parcel tax ($15-25)/year. Cheers, Jim

Planning process hinges on funds

By Barb Brouwer
Shuswap Market News
Feb. 5, 2010

The plan is in place, but putting moving it forward is going to cost money; which raises the question of who’s going to pay?

Ian McGregor, Fish and Wildlife Science head in the Ministry of Environment’s Kamloops office, presented an update on the Shuswap Lake Integrated Planning Process Strategic Plan for Shuswap and Mara Lake to directors at a Columbia Shuswap Regional District board meeting last Thursday.

After providing a review of SLIPP’s past accomplishments and future challenges regarding lake protection, McGregor got down to the matter of governance.

He told directors a formal and inclusive governance framework is needed to expand the SLIPP process to include the entire Shuswap watershed, formalize group representation and establish a secure funding model.

“The reason we’re here, is that the CSRD is seen to be in a strong leadership position to take this (process) forward,” he told directors as he presented financing options.

McGregor said SLIPP needs to gain legal status and suggested the group consider three options, which he listed, along with their benefits and constraints.

Annual expenses to move SLIPP forward are anticipated to be $1.4 million, with income and in-kind resource support estimated at $695,000, leaving a funding shortfall of $705,000.

McGregor noted that MOE had contributed $130,000 in cold hard cash with another $150,000 in in-kind support such as staff, boats and other equipment.

He told directors that it seemed likely MOE and other agencies were moving to more in-kind support rather than financial, which drew Area C South Shuswap director Ted Bacigalupo to remind him that the regional district’s in-kind support through staff services should be taken into consideration.

“I hope the means to funding is not going to be the thing that sends the project down the drain,” he said.

In-kind support was a sore point with Electoral Area E director Rhona Martin and Salmon Arm director Kevin Flynn.

Martin pointed out how the province partnered with the regional district on milfoil harvesting in Shuswap Lake but has now pulled out leaving the CSRD to manage on their own.

“There’s a federal and provincial responsibility and there needs to be some kind of guarantee that there will be funds,” she said. “Local taxpayers cannot pay for everything. There are people living along the lake whose assessments have already skyrocketed.”

“I would suggest that in-kind support will go down over the years,” sadded Flynn, describing the provincial government actions as downloading. “Salmon Arm has always supported SLIPP but I’m concerned about who’s gonna pay.”

Under McGregor’s proposed funding model, the three regional districts in the Shuswap watershed would pick up the shortfall; CSRD with $322,000 or 54 per cent, the Thompson Regional District $171,000 or 24 per cent and the North Okanagan Regional District paying 22 per cent or $152,000.

McGregor said he had not included Salmon Arm or Area D Falkland-Ranchero because he did not have the necessary data.

Suggested methods of collecting the money were through a parcel tax to all land parcels, which would amount to about $24 per year, or a value-based tax on the assessed value of properties and at five cents per $1,000 of value would cost about $25 per year on a property worth $250,000.

Phil Hallinan, former manager of the Fraser Basin Council’s Thompson Region, said he thought the presentation to the board went as well as possible.

“It’s a bit of a work in progress, its been shown to them for the first time and they know something needs to be done for the lake but they’re protecting their taxpayers,” he said. “It’s a bit like being nibbled to death by ducks.”

But he reassured that the Fraser Basin Council will continue to fund SLIPP.

“We consider SLIPP to be the flagship program of the Thompson Region,” he said. “One of the keys to this is MLA George Abbott. If he continues to support SLIPP, future funding from the province will be committed.”

Findings show more habitat to be protected…

Visit www.wa-ter.ca for more detailed information about this news about the big-box shopping centre proposed to be build on the sensitive Salmon River floodplain..

Report shrinks plan
by Lachlan Labere
Salmon Arm Observer
February, 24, 2010

Ecoscape: Findings show more habitat to be protected.

A community-funded report suggests the size of the proposed SmartCentres development will have to decrease dramatically so as not to impose on fish habitat.

On Monday, the Salmon Arm organization Wetland Alliance: the Ecological Response (WA:TER) presented the Ecoscape Report to city council. The report, explained WA:TER president Warren Bell, contains a description of the entire Salmon Arm Bay area and goes beyond the provisions of the Riparian Areas Regulations (RAR), which only protects fish.

He said the report was commissioned to Kelowna-based Ecoscape Environmental Consultants (recommended by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans), and paid for, in part, by a grant from West Coast Environmental Law ($3,512) and the rest through donations ($6,341), because the organization felt there were errors and omissions in the qualified environmental professional (QEP) report prepared for SmartCentres.

Soils and vegetation scientist Alex Inselberg summarized some of the findings in the Ecoscape Report (available at www.wa-ter.ca). On one topographical map dated May 14, 1993, Inselberg pointed to grey linear areas running throughout much of the SmartCentres property. He explained these areas resulted from the river overtopping its banks, carrying sediment.

‘The significance of this particular image is that it actually happens to be the one-in-five-year flood event, which everybody is trying to figure out and which everybody has been trying to, as I understand, model as well,’ said Inselberg. ‘Well, a photograph is much better than a model because it shows you precisely what’s happening.’

Taking RAR’s streamside protection enhancement area setbacks into account, the Ecoscape Report leaves as little as 40 per cent of the SmartCentres property outside of protected fish habitat.

Recognizing the report failed to fully acknowledge traditional uses on the property, Inselberg stepped aside to give Switzmalph Cultural Society chair Bonnie Thomas the floor. Thomas encouraged working together with the city to bring forward an educational process to the public regarding traditional knowledge of plants and animals documented by her mother, the late Mary Thomas.

Bell said two more studies are planned for the property, one by geoterrain specialist Murray Road, and one by hydrologist Alan Bates. Bell noted both have already commented on how firming up the soils on the SmartCentres property will result in flooding on the neighbouring Neskonlith land.

Coun. Ivan Idzan asked Inselberg if there’s been any comment from DFO or the Ministry of Environment on the Ecoscape Report. Inselberg stated they are aware of the information.

‘They are at this point being very quiet, and I think they’re waiting to see what the developer comes up with,’ said Inselberg.

The impacts from warm winters may cause far worse problems than icy roads…

What Happened to our Shuswap Winter?

By Jim Cooperman
A Shuswap Passion column for the Shuswap Market News
February 5, 2010

As one of our friends remarked a few weeks ago, so far this has been ‘quite the non-winter.’ Although it is not over yet, the record breaking warm temperatures and lack of snow may be a blessing for snow plowing budgets and safe winter driving, but the impacts from warm winters may indeed cause far worse problems than icy roads.

With melting arctic ice and glaciers and warming temperatures, industry sponsored climate change sceptics have changed their tune and now many agree that the planet is warming, but insist that the causes are due to sun-spots or earth wobbles instead of the obvious fact that humans are responsible. Here in the Shuswap, no one could deny that our climate is going haywire.

January is typically the coldest month of the year, and yet this January there was mostly above freezing temperatures with little snow. Like other gardeners, we are concerned about what the lack of snow cover could mean for sensitive perennials and bulbs, including garlic. Snow provides an insulating layer and without it, the frost can kill or severely damage roses, rhododendrons, tulips and other plants.

These problems are not limited to just gardening, as farmers are concerned about the potential for hard frost killing their alfalfa if temperatures fall to minus 10 for a few days without the protection of snow cover. Problems are already occurring where the melting snow is unable to drain through the frozen ground and has pooled in the fields killing the roots of grass and alfalfa. Impacts could also include the time, work and high costs of replanting low elevation hay fields, as well as the expense of buying imported alfalfa and grain in the interim.

The buds on trees and bushes can also be affected by unseasonably warm winter temperatures by opening prematurely and then getting hit by frost. So far, orchardists have not noticed any problems, as nights have remained cool. However, if the current El Nino warming continues, this could result in damage to orchards throughout our region if a hard frost follows more intensive warming.

Perhaps the greatest impacts could take place this coming spring and summer, if the Shuswap snowpack remains low. Adequate soil moisture levels are critically important not only for agriculture, but also for the forests. Lack of moisture, especially in the spring, weakens the trees when moisture is needed for growth and makes the trees more susceptible to pests and disease. Young plantations are particularly sensitive to the combination of unseasonably warm winters and lack of moisture from snow.

Of greatest concern, is the threat of forest fires, when there is a lack of snow to maintain soil moisture. And without adequate snow at mid-elevations, the creeks may not have enough water to flow during the summer. Throughout the Shuswap, thousands of rural residents depend on these creeks for their domestic and farm water supplies. Unless there are substantial snow falls in February and March, these creeks could run dry long before the summer is over.

While it is important to keep up the pressure on politicians and decision-makers around the world to take actions to reduce carbon emissions and other greenhouse gases, it is also necessary to consider and implement climate change adaptation measures. With climate change, there will be more extreme weather patterns that could mean an increase in drier than normal and wetter than normal years. Consequently, any industry or activity that is weather dependent now requires options or alternatives. As well, land and resource management should reflect the need to be prepared for the extremes.

Adaptation measures for the Shuswap could include better fire-proofing around communities, drilling wells and adding more water storage, protecting higher elevation lakes for their water storage potentials, considering different crops for agriculture, devising better road maintenance techniques to cope with more frost heaves and extreme rain events, and avoiding development in flood plains. This year’s green lawns in January could well be a harbinger for a very different future climate, for which some foresight is needed.

As expected, the houseboat industry gets another year to comply….

…..To give you an idea of how the industry deals with this issue ‘apparently Sicamous houseboat companies build boats for other regions with a greywater holding tank installed’ because in the U.S. greywater containment is the law!
It may be the law here too, but until a solution can be found for the need for more pump-outs (such as a barge with a huge container), the companies here will continue to resist complying. Here is the latest news from the government:

Shuswap /Mara Lakes Greywater update

As you have expressed previous interest in the greywater discharge issue on Shuswap Lake, I am relaying to you our recent message sent to the houseboat industry on the lake.
MOE has been engaged with the House boating industry on the Shuswap /Mara lakes system since 2007, working towards greywater containment. One our projects was a water quality monitoring project in 2009. The results can be viewed at the following web link:
a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eirs/viewDocumentDetail.do?fromStatic=true&repository=EPD&documentId=10060

As the imposed deadline of 2010 approached, and is now here, MOE has been contemplating the direction we are taking with this project. Just recently we have given direction to the Houseboat industry on the greywater issue and I wish to forward to you the message we are now conveying.

The message being delivered to the CSRD, the boating industry and community, as well as interested stakeholders is:

In consideration of the work been done to date, most importantly the efforts by the houseboat industry and results of the environmental monitoring, MOE has re-visited the strategy on this pilot and have recently adopted the following approach:

– In 2010, we will continue our promotional compliance efforts for the elimination of grey water discharges.

– We retain the option of full enforcement if quantifiable progress with the houseboat industry does not continue and/or there is a significant public health or environmental impact issue that arises.

– We will continue to work collaboratively with other ministries, other levels of government and the public in implementing strategies to protect the water quality of Shuswap Lake and the human health of those associated with it.

– We will be actively engaging the houseboat industry and boating public in a public education campaign during the 2010 boating season.

– Based on further progress towards containment, the findings of the Fraser Basin Council-s study, and our discussions with Transport Canada we will appropriately adjust the strategy of this pilot in the fall of 2010.

The Ministry-s long term goal for the appropriate management of boat discharges has not changed. In moving ahead with this pilot we are balancing the desires of the community, reasonable targets for industry and adjusting the priority as supported by science.

If you have any questions this, please feel free to contact our office.

Regards,
Neale Waters
Environmental Protection Officer
Ministry of Environment
email: Neale.Waters@gov.bc.ca