NORTH SHORE STREAMKEEPERS SOCIETY – 2016 MAY 18 MINUTES AND ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

2016 MAY 18 MINUTES and AGM – Download as a .pdf

Present (18) Nat Cicuto, Guest Speaker, Barbara Frisken, Chair, Karen Munro, Ron den Daas Jan Lander, Bob Gelling, Angela Negenman, Richard Boase, Glen Parker, Dolores Parker, Doug Hayman, Sandie Hollick-Kenyon, Tasha Hyde, Janet Dysart, Brian Comey, Richard Tak, Penny Whittam, Anne Kearns

Regrets: Marc Guimond, Rhiannon Coppin, Lyle Vallie, Alecia Greenfield

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Saturday, June 18, 2016– Lynn Valley Days, NSSK Display
• Saturday, June 18, 2016 – Ugly Bug Ball, more information to follow
• Sunday, June 19, 2016 – Save Our Shores walk from Cates Park to Deep Cove
• Sunday, September 11, 2016 – Coho Festival, NSSK Display
• Wednesday, September 21, 2016 North Shore Streamkeepers Meeting, 7:30 p.m. District Hall
• Sunday, September 25, 2016 – Rivers Day, Interpretive Walk (TBD)

Ron den Daas’s book – Ron’s book ‘The MacKay Creek Series’ is available now. Please contact Karen Munro if you would like a copy.  Ron has given about 20 books to NSSK to sell for $30.00 each, proceeds will go to education fund.

Guest Speaker – Nat Cicuto, Project Manager for redevelopment of McKenzie Shipyard talked to group about “Cates Landing; a transformation from industrial land to park”

In these times of high real estate prices in Vancouver/Lower Mainland, it can make economic sense to remediate and restore property to previous conditions in order to redevelop the land. Developers are spending millions on land acquisitions and much more on remediation and habitat enhancement projects. Cates Landing is an example; this is a $1.1 million remediation project of the site of the Dollarton Shipyards.

Some highlights:

• When finished, 5 acres of land and 4.3 acres of foreshore will be remediated
• The land will be redeveloped for townhouses and condos
• Remediation involves removal of contaminated soils (15,0000 tonnes), creosote piles, logs, beams, metal structures and concrete (2000 m3)
• Lillooet & Pemberton jade found by archeologists indicating trade in 1200 AD
• Work commenced Aug 2015, planting should occur Fall 2016
• Roche Creek habitat restored up to Dollarton Hwy
• Pea gravel placed along foreshore for smelt spawning
• When complete, there will be public access on a path along the foreshore

NSSK members raised the possibility of a historical display to commemorate the importance of this area. Nat suggested contacting Cynthia at Polygon about this.

For details, please see a copy of Nat’s presentation, which is attached to the end of these minutes. This includes lots of great photos, and the last two pages have great suggestions to assist Streamkeepers in working with, not against stakeholders including:

• Appoint one person as primary communicator
• Get to know the engineer consultants responsible for the project
• Contact the environmental consultant if you see a problem and let them do their jobs; this can help them keep their projects out of the media
• Get to know ESC (Erosion Sediment Control Plan) designs for various phases
• Monitor water quality before and after first storm events

Some words in an email to us from Nat—-

I’ve worked as a Volunteer Stream Keeper since 2000. Throughout this time, I’ve been frustrated along with other Stream Keepers from other groups, with Environmental ‘Activist’ Groups or Individuals that have attempted to take over our peaceful group(s) for a certain cause. These individuals / groups rarely if ever, support us or show up to help at our yearly events.

But it would appear that these ‘activist’ groups serve a meaningful cause of their own, which is perhaps best we do not interfere with each other either way back and forth; let them do their thing, with sensational media and all.  Let us do our thing with a more peaceful approach and as Glen describes as ….”… what can be done by concerned people working “in the system” rather than against it….”.

Moving forward, I wish to share and pass on the catch phrase I am proud to have championed; “… if Stream Keepers can’t stop the wheel of change being in the delicate position we are in, … then at least we can kick out a few spokes and have the wheel steer in a slightly different direction that will maximize the benefit to our Watershed and to Nature”.

Please pass this along.

Where things get really interesting, is when we can assist with reducing costs on the new chosen path. This is when it becomes a win-win for everyone.

Perpetual conflict never reduces costs.

Sincerely, Natal (Nat) Cicuto

Annual General Meeting and Election of the Board (Barbara Frisken)

Adoption of minutes of Annual General Meeting held May 20, 2015 – moved by Brian Comey, seconded by Janet Dysart, carried.

The following NSSK members agreed to stand for the board this year; Barbara Frisken, president, Ron den Daas, vice president, Janet Dysart, secretary, Karen Munro, treasurer, and Bob Gelling, Glen Parker and Jan Lander as members at large.

Financial Report for 2015 year, Balance, Jan 1, 2014 – $1705.42, Closing, Dec 31, 2015 – $5374.40. Jan Lander moved the Financial Statement circulated at this meeting be adopted, Brian Comey seconded, carried.

A copy of the 2015 Financial Statement is attached to these minutes.

AGM adjourned.

Municipal Reports – District of North Vancouver (Richard Boase)

Notes for 2016 in-stream work.

The following is a list of projects that the DNV has sent either notification or an application request to the Province of BC under the Water Sustainability Act for changes in and about a stream.  Please keep in mind that the list of projects is subject to change and usually does change as a result of design and budget considerations.

• Bank/Slope Stabilization at 1485 Ross Road (Hastings Creek); approval pending previously submitted in 2015
• Thames Creek Flood Mitigation Work (debris basin and related work); to be submitted
• Thames Creek/Kilmer Creek Avulsion Prevention Berm on Fromme Mountain; to be submitted
• Kilmer Creek Flood Mitigation work (upstream of Dempsey Rd. and upstream of Michener Way); to be submitted
• 4116 Madeley Road Creek bank/Slope Stabilization (Mission Creek); submitted
• Repair Existing Erosion Protection at 3636 Fromme Road (Kilmer Creek); submitted
• Culvert and Channel Maintenance (Panorama Creek) at Panorama Drive; submitted
• 600 West Queens Road Culvert Replacement (Mission Creek Tributary); submitted
• Silverdale Place Culvert Replacement (Mission Creek); submitted
• Maplewood Creek Culvert Replacements, Culverts B & C first two culverts above (north) of Mt. Seymour Pky.; to be submitted
• Panorama Creek Culvert Replacements (2 culverts) along Indian River Drive; to be submitted;
• Roche Creek Drainage Improvements (Tsleil Waututh Nation); to be submitted
• Various drainage improvements (clearing debris from culverts and grizzly barriers); locations to be determined

One problem – we have 3 permanent staff in environment. Busy and out on jobs. Decided on a generic email – environment@dnv.org which goes to all 5 employees. They will get someone immediately to look into the matter.

Saturday and Sunday – Bylaws (Bylaw emergency line) are on call. Time permitting, will collect info and call environment.

Municipal Reports – City of North Vancouver (Angela Negenman)

Earth Day at Wagg Creek Park – A celebration of Earth Day with the City of North Vancouver, Evergreen and other community groups. Many thanks to the over 78 volunteers who planted 212 native trees and shrubs and removed 393 cubic meters of invasive holly, ivy, and blackberry. There was a craft table, information tent (including ISMP), light refreshments and by-donation leaf litter compost, tomato and basil seedlings, where $160 was raised for the North Shore Neighbourhood House through the Charitable Giving Campaign. The craft table included button making and sunflower seed planting in hand-made newspaper pots. Beefriendly and the North Shore Black Bear Society had display tents and this year we also had live music and a vegan food truck. Thank you everyone for your hard work, dedication, and support of this great event!

Rain Barrel Sale – The City and the District of West Vancouver hosted a rainbarrel sale at Ambleside Park in West Vancouver on May 7. Over 900 rain barrels were sold and the event was sold out in a few hours.

Spirit Trail from Sunrise Park to Lynnmouth Par – Funding for this easternmost section of the City’s portion of the Spirit Trail has been shifted to the Mosquito Creek Marina section. The Lynnmouth section is still in design with construction anticipated for next year. The Mosquito Creek marina section is anticipated to occur over the next two fish windows for instream work and will include an underpass under the boat launch and a foot bridge over Mosquito Creek.

Integrated Stormwater Management Plan – Thank you for your input, support and patience in the ISMP process to date. As we move forward in creating the plan, we are focusing the next workshop on prioritizing projects. There will be a join City and District staff work workshop and the next stakeholder workshop in the near future. Details of the workshop will be posted to the NSSK noticeboard.

DFO Community Advisor (Sandie Hollick-Kenyon)

The UBB (Ugly Bug Ball), is a dinner event to thank stream & SEP volunteers by our DFO CA’s and Pskf.  It is on June 18, starts at 1 pm, dinner at 6 pm. Location: A Rocha’s Brooksdale Centre, 19353 16^th Ave Surrey, B.C. For more details, see www.pskf.ca/ubb. If you plan on attending, please complete and return form attached to these minutes to: Sandra.Hollick-Kenyon@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Coho Festival, traditionally the 2^nd Sunday in September, is Sep 11, 2016 this year. We need volunteers. See  www.cohosociety.com for particulars of this festival held annually at Ambleside.

Burrard Inlet Surf Smelt Sampling, sign-up sheet if interested – Barbara to contact Ramona de Graaf and connect with NSSK.

SEHAB (Salmon Enhancement and Habitat Advisory Board) is a forum for volunteers to provide advice to the Federal and Provincial government about salmon and habitat issues. If you have concerns or ideas you would like brought to the meeting, please contact our representative Brian Smith, manager@seymoursalmon.com  604 761-5335. The meeting is in June.

Delbrook Lands Community Stakeholder meeting sign up – June 18. It is an all-day workshop, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If you plan on participating, please register your interest at   dnv.org/delbrooklands.

Spartina in Burrard Inlet – removal of invasive shoreline plant. Below is information and internet resources.

• Community Mapping Network provides web mapping and other information on the distribution of Spartina sp. in BC. spartina.ca
• The BCSWG uses an email “List Serve” to communicate & coordinate with identified volunteers and partner organizations in BC. spartina-ca@vancouvercommunity.net
• Friends of Semiahmoo Bay Society uses their web site for volunteer call out, information & partner links http://www.birdsonthebay.ca/
• Corporation of Delta website: http://www.delta.ca/environment-sustainability/plants-wildlife/invasive-plants
• City of Port Moody website: http://www.portmoody.ca/index.aspx?page=1260#Saltmeadow Cordgrass (Spartina patens)
• Coastal Invasive Species Committee: http://www.coastalisc.com/priority-invasive-plants

Hastings Creek (Doug Hayman)

We did a smolt trapping on April 22^nd with a good turnout of local people. Trapping results: 16 coho smolts, 13 cutthroat trout and 9 crayfish. The creek is very low but we are seeing a good number of fry. We will be doing a fry trapping in September when there is more water in the creek.

Mackay Creek (Brian Comey)

On April 11^th I gave Alcain College students and teachers a tour of our Mackay Creek Hatchery. I explained how the hatchery operates and the process we use to help produce fish. I told them about the different types of salmon and their life cycle. They were fascinated. I gave them all keychains and stickers with salmon information to take with them. I received a thank you letter from the teacher saying how much the group enjoyed the visit to our hatchery.

We have turned the hatchery over to the spiders as there isn’t much happening there until the fall.

I believe there has been a weed pull and some planting in Mackay Creek and also a salmon walk at Mackay Creek/Spirit Trail.

Upper Mackay Creek (Ron den Daas)

This year’s Coho Fry have emerged and seem to be developing well.

Changes in the creek course from this year’s weather events have formed new pools creating opportunities for Coho fry and other creatures to occupy. It’s interesting to note that as soon as new habitat is created the fish move in.

In the last weeks I’ve observed large (Spring/ Steelhead?) salmon spawning in the Capilano River.

Upper Mackay Creek community members are planning an annual creek clean-up day. Graham Knell provided significant support for these events in previous years. A replacement team for this role will be greatly appreciated.

This year’s Coho Workshops have been completed successfully and introduced hundreds of elementary school students to Mackay Creek habitat including the Mackay Creek Hatchery in Heywood Park.

This year’s Coho Workshops which are also supported by NSSK will result in a 100 x 30 foot mural being installed beside Mosquito Creek Estuary in the next month.

New funding has been applied for to support further Coho workshops. Additionally, the proceeds from the sale of the newly released ‘Mackay Creek Series’ book featuring paintings from Mackay Creek will go towards this environmental education program.

Morten Creek (Doug Hayman)

Lots going on at Morten. We released about 32000 chum on the 22 of March with a good turnout of friends and neighbours. One of the Chum was an albino which was the first one I had seen in 14 years. We now have 3500 coho in the trough. Looking for a release date in early June. We are putting them directly into Lynn this year because of the Otter problem we had earlier this year. We also have been busy cleaning out the trailer. It took two pickup loads of stuff to the transfer station. Wally built some new shelves to keep everything nice and neat.  Glen got the generator running, so now we are good to go with the pond work. We met with the district and they are on board to help out Dredging out the pond, hauling the dirt and things away, getting some root balls for which are hard to find. Glen, Jan and I met to make a work plan, which of course depends on everybody’s time line. We will need some help with all this and will put out a call for help as things come up. We will be starting soon and going into July, but like I said, a lot depends on the district and DFO time line. Sandie just gave us some plans for pipe which could be in various lengths. These seem to be better than root balls. So it now looks like we will not need the root balls.

McCartney Creek (Glen Parker)

McCartney Creek – Creek survey (visual count) to be done in first 2 weeks of June. Date dependent on Sandie’s availability.

Permit Approvals (Bob Gelling) Approvals starting February 2016: 55 plus; March 2016: 64 permits, including 17 demos, April 2016: 57 permits, including 11 demos. Bob submitted the date they were obtained, address, and has noted some that are on creeks, are new developments, or are in Lynn Valley.

A scanned document with the 3 months of permit approvals can be obtained from Jan – please email jan.lander@shaw.ca. You may want to keep an eye on ones in your neighbourhood.

DISCUSSION OF OTHER CREEKS AND CONCERNS

Glen Parker:

• G-3 Grain Terminal on Lynn Estuary – Requests that NSSK members funnel questions and comments through one point of contact. Glen Parker will be the contact for now. Sharing of information ongoing.
• Canada Parks and Wilderness “Wild Ambassadors” Salmon Walk on McKay Creek Event was a success with 31 participants and much thanks to Sandie for providing a commentary on enhancements to the creek and history.
• New Brighton Park Salt Water Marsh – Open house for public input attended by NSSK, the $3 million marsh has many good features. Input from NSSK may lead to more “Herring Friendly” piling on the new dock for public viewing.
• Port Metro Vancouver – a positive response to the request for participation on the Community Liaison Committee. The request to have Glen Parker as a member will be reviewed at their June meeting.
• Save Our Shores Group (SOS) – The 2016 walk will be on June 19^th from Cates Park to Deep Cove to assert the publics right of access to the shore. NSSK are welcome both as participants or volunteers.
• SOS passed a motion supporting NSSK efforts to have a representative on the Port Community Liaison Committee.
• Maple Wood Village Centre – ongoing engagement between Richard and Glen. Glen to monitor opportunities for NSSK to provide public comments.
• West Vancouver Streamkeepers – WVSK invited several NSSK to their AGM. The guest speaker Brian Riddell who reviewed the Salish Sea Marine Survival Project designed by Pacific Salmon Foundation and US partner, Long Live the Kings.

Talk for September Meeting (Janet Dysart) Janet would like to talk about Invasive Species along with Angela. Some new information to share.

Rivers Day Sep 25 (Barbara Frisken) Would like to make plans for an interpretive walk on MacKay Creek. May be able to partner with Angela and CNV events.

New NSSK email (Barbara Frisken) A new address (info.nssk@gmail.ca) has been set up and Glen Parker, has volunteered to monitor it daily. He will direct enquiries/requests for information to streamkeepers with expertise in the appropriate area.

NEW BUSINESS:

Monthly Group Projects – Discussion as to whether we want to do monthly projects – decided to leave for now with a lot going on this summer.

BUSINIESS:  Finance (Karen Munro) by email

Current bank balance and finance report for the minutes

Balance April 30, 2016 was $5899.27

Income since March 1 was $553.97

$340 (book fund for education)

$90 (memberships)

$0.97 (interest)

$123 (donations at workshop

Expense was $325.87 (Climate Change workshop)

NEXT MEETING –  WEDNESDAY, Sep 21, 2016 – 7:30 to 9:30 pm, District Hall, 355 West Queens Road, North Vancouver

DFO VIOLATION REPORTING:  OBSERVE, RECORD, RECORD (ORR) 1-800-465-4336

A SPILL OF ANY TYPE:  Environment Canada

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT B.C. – 1-800-663-3456   www.embc.gov.bc.ca/index.htm

DNV – Monday to Friday, generic email: environment@dnv.org; on weekends call By-Laws at 604-990-2311

CITY OF NV – Operations Division 604-987-7155 (8 am – 4:30 pm Monday to Friday) or After-Hours Emergency Line 604-988-2212 (after 4:30pm, weekends & Holidays).

• President: Barbara Frisken, 604-985-9497, frisken@gmail.com
• Secretary: Janet Dysart, 604-983-3092, mervynd@telus.net
• NSSK Contact – nssk.ca, info.nssk@gmail.com
• NSSK Message board: board http://disc.yourwebapps.com/Indices/232171.html
• Pacific Streamkeepers Federation: Zo Ann Morten 604-986-5059, pskf.ca
• Community Advisor: Sandie Hollick-Kenyon- 604-666-0743, Sandra-Hollick-Keynon@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
• District of North Van: https://www.dnv.org/programs-and-services/protecting-our-environment
• City of North Van: Angela Negenman 604-982-3932 anegenman@cnv.org.www.cnv.org
• Hastings Creek: Doug Hayman 604-987-0434, pastoys@yahoo.com
• Lower Mackay Creek and North Shore Fish and Game Club incubation facility: Brian Comey, bmcomey@hotmail.com
• Upper Mackay Creek: Ron den Daas, ecosystem@shaw.ca
• Morten Creek: ZoAnn Morten 604-986-5059, zmorten@shaw.ca
• Seymour River: Sharee Dubowits, 604-288-0511; volunteering@seymoursalmon.com or seymoursalmon.com