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Watershed Restoration Prioritization Tool/Solutions for Gold River Steelhead 

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BC SRIF Assistance: $324,953

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Project Partners: Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations & Rural Development (FLNRORD), Uu-a-thluk, Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation (MMFN), Western Forest Products

 

Total Project Costs: $348,453

 

Years: 2021-2024

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Project Description: 

Project Brief:

The Gold River watershed hosted one of the most abundant and diverse assemblages of anadromous salmonids on Vancouver Island. For millennia, these species have been used by First Nations and more contemporarily by recreational and commercial fishers supporting vibrant recreational and commercial fisheries. However, Gold River winter-run steelhead are now on the brink of extinction. The Gold River was one of the most iconic steelhead rivers in the world, contributing to regional economy and drawing visitors from near and far. Limited production resulting from habitat loss and degradation has undoubtedly impacted the Gold River stocks.

The Watershed Prioritization Tool/ Solutions for Gold River Steelhead project addresses two key imperatives that support our work. Firstly, as funds for habitat enhancement and restoration are limited and the need great, it is essential that we have a method to prioritize our watershed work for maximum impact of dollars invested. The first part of our two-part project addresses this prioritization question.

 

EcoFish Research will develop a computer model of fish-bearing streams to the reach level incorporating latest and historical information on land disturbance and other attributes, and model for cumulative effects and climate change. At the macro level the Prioritization Tool will be applied to our entire operating area enabling us to develop a ten-year strategic plan guiding future habitat work and assisting funding procurement. This provides a pathway to a stepwise road map of planning and executing projects. At the micro level, this Prioritization Tool will be applied to the Muchalat River Watershed to produce a list of verified (modeled + ground truthed) restoration opportunities. From this we can select actions supporting steelhead, that also benefit overlapping distributions of Chinook, Sockeye and Coho salmon.

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The second part of our project is to plan and implement and monitor a habitat improvement project in the Muchalat River Watershed, an area known as a sanctuary for these steelhead at risk. Our project goal is to select an action that has a lasting benefit to fish habitat with proven efficiencies and apply it to an area determined to be impactful for steelhead. We propose to use our riparian silviculture restoration expertise to address large woody debris deficit (LWD) - a limiting factor for fish production, and bank stability. These treatments aim to reduce harmful sediment introductions, stabilize banks and channels and reverse low-flow dewatering. We have honed our planning and implementation skills with a six-river project (Coastal Restoration Fund- CRF) and developed skilled worker capacity in our operating area.

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Work Plan:

 

2021-2022

 

Activity 1: Watershed Restoration Prioritization Tool Development (EcoFish Research Inc.)

• General Description of the Activity:

Develop a Watershed Restoration Prioritization Tool for Nootka Sound Watershed Society for use by its managers and biologist. It will include analysis of key performance measures such as sedimentation, peak flows, mass wasting, riparian disturbance, as well as examine equivalent clear-cut area, (ECA), ECA by slope class rating, road density, stream crossing density, and forest harvesting adjacent to spawning streams. The tool will be used to inform Activity 2 for the Gold River Watershed and can also be used by the Nootka Sound Watershed Society to prioritize future salmon conservation and restoration activities throughout Nootka Sound.

• Tasks:

1. Gathering Forestry and Road Development Metrics.

2. Gathering Stream Flow and Water Temperature Metrics.

3. Integrating Climate Change Projections.

4. Developing Forest Harvest History Reconstruction.

• Deliverables:

1) Draft watershed restoration prioritization webtool (stand alone html files or embedding on existing website).

2) Summary of the tasks and progress on tasks – background review, spatial data, metrics defined and early analysis updates.

 

Activity 2: Activity 2: Restoration Opportunities Assessment for Gold River Steelhead (EcoFish Research Inc.)

• General Description of the Activity:

Development of a Restoration Opportunities report based on field assessments of the Gold River. This will include a background review, georeferenced PDF maps, aerial video data collection, habitat assessment, and conceptual designs for restoration projects in key areas used by Gold River steelhead.

• Tasks:

1. Desktop research to prepare for fieldwork including Gold River background review.

2. Generate georeferenced PDF maps of watershed pressures from the webtool developed in Activity 1, and subsequent field verification.

3. Site visits/habitat assessments on select subset sites of interest that appear viable for restoration based on biological, economic, and capacity considerations.

4. Aerial video data collection at priority restoration sites.

5. Post fieldwork analysis and report generation, including development and prioritization of restoration opportunities for the Gold River watershed for Steelhead.

• Deliverables:

1) Draft Restoration Opportunities Assessment report, which includes background review of watershed impacts and history, incorporation of on-ground data gathering and reconnaissance, and potential restoration project options, as well as rationale for the projects based on prescriptions from environmental engineer.

2) Draft table of projects with preliminary rankings in terms of feasibility, capacity, and economic viability, etc.

3) Draft report card for each project with georeferenced PDF maps, overlain sketch, photos and summary of prescriptions and draft PDF maps.

4) Draft UVA video files.

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Activity 3: Development of Riparian Restoration Silviculture Prescriptions (Strategic Natural Resource Consultants Inc.)

• General Description of the Activity:

Office-generated and field assessed identification of potential silviculture treatment sites within the priority river(s) and/or side channel(s) to develop associated prescriptions and plans to support implementation.

• Tasks:

1. Delineate Area of Interest (AOI) and engage with the appropriate First Nations within which the prioritized river(s) exist..

2. Conduct office work (may include, but is not limited to: conduct literature review, obtain spatial data/imagery and/or local knowledge, create Collector database and run relevant GIS analyses, obtain Letters of Support, and obtain direction from Government agencies as required) and field assessments (may include, but is not limited to: field walk through, collect site level information; spatial delineation of proposed treatment areas; obtain services of relevant Professionals as required).

3. Source service providers (may include, but is not limited to labour and supervision, archaeologists, geomorphologists, hydrologists, wildlife biologists, etc.), materials and supplies; draft contracts and purchase orders.

• Deliverables:

1) Summary report outlining delineated areas of interest, engagement with First Nations and field work conducted

2) Summary report of field data collected in assessment areas to develop the prescriptions and authorizations.

3) Summary of tasks completed during this activity.

 

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2022-2023

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Activity 1: Watershed Restoration Prioritization Tool Development (EcoFish Research Inc.)

• General Description of the Activity:

Complete development of web-based Watershed Restoration Prioritization Tool for Nootka Sound Watershed Society for use by its managers and biologist. It will include analysis of key performance measures such as sedimentation, peak flows, mass wasting, riparian disturbance, as well as examine equivalent clear-cut area, (ECA), ECA by slope class rating, road density, stream crossing density, and forest harvesting adjacent to spawning streams.

The tool will be used to inform Activity 2 for the Gold River Watershed and can also be used by the Nootka Sound Watershed Society to prioritize future salmon conservation and restoration activities throughout Nootka Sound.

• Tasks:

1. Finalization of Webtool.

2. Presentation of Webtool to NSWS and BCSRIF.

• Deliverables:

1) Finalized watershed Restoration Prioritization Modelling Tool for all Nootka Sound priority salmon watersheds with appropriate documentation of the model.

2) Engagement and presentation of results and model to the NSWS and BCSRIF – presentation of Webtool, it’s use, and interpretation of its data – can be done virtually (online via Teams or Zoom) or in person based on locations of participants confirmed for attendance).

 

Activity 2: Restoration Opportunities Assessment for Gold River Steelhead

• General Description of the Activity:

Development of a Restoration Opportunities report based on field assessments of the Gold River. This will include a background review, georeferenced PDF maps, aerial video data collection, habitat assessment, and conceptual designs for restoration projects in key areas used by Gold River steelhead.

• Tasks:

1. Finalization of Restoration Opportunities Report.

• Deliverables:

1) Restoration Opportunities Assessment report distributed to NSWS and BCSRIF.

2) Table of projects with preliminary rankings and report card for each project.

3) Report Cards of potential restoration projects.

 

Activity 3: Development of Riparian Restoration Silviculture Prescriptions (Strategic Natural Resource Consultants Inc.)

• General Description of the Activity:

Field assessed identification of potential silviculture treatment sites within the priority river(s) and/or side channel(s) to develop associated prescriptions and plans to support implementation.

• Tasks:

1. Create riparian silviculture prescriptions.

2. Create monitoring plans for proposed treatment areas.

3. Obtain exemptions and authorizations as required.

Once areas and activities have been identified though Activities 1 and 2, authorizations and/or exemptions may be required, such as: BC Forest and Range Practices Act Section 52(1)(b) exemption (if prescription requires the ability to cut, damage or destroy Crown timber, for example, creation of felled openings for brushing and planting, or felling or girdling of deciduous tree species to promote conifer tree species growth), BC Forest Planning and Practices Regulation Section 69 exemption (if prescription includes works within a legal Ungulate Winter Range), and/or the Water Sustainability Act Section 39 (if prescription requires changes in and about a stream). Other exemptions or direction may be required or given if there are proposed works within a Fisheries Sensitive Watershed, Old Growth Management Area or on municipal land.

4. Create implementation plan and budget that considers multiple options and budgets. Includes development of relevant safety and pre-work documents.

5. Source service providers (may include, but is not limited to labour and supervision, archaeologists, geomorphologists, hydrologists, wildlife biologists, etc.), materials and supplies; draft contracts and purchase orders.

• Deliverables:

1) Silviculture prescriptions or plan signed by a Qualified Professional, including georeferenced maps.

2) Monitoring Plan specifying short and long-term monitoring objectives using fixed photopoints on return visits in years 2 and 5 (by NSWS). The objective is to measure survival, girdling success and stand density/composition and growth as well as measure implementation and effectiveness of the treatments.

3) Copies of the Authorizations as required by BC Forest and Ranges Practices Act, Forest Planning and Practices Regulation, Water Sustainability Act

4) An Implementation Plan will be developed for 2022-2023 that will specify the priority vegetation polygons and specific treatments necessary to reach the objectives of 1) re- establishing or accelerating the growth of riparian coniferous forest to provide bank cohesion and 2) future large woody debris sources in a section of the river. The plan will specify the priority treatment sites locations, treatments and anticipated costs of implementation and will be signed off by a Qualified Professional (Registered Professional Forester).

 

Activity 4: Implementation of Riparian Restoration Silviculture Treatments (Strategic Natural Resource Consultants Inc.)

• General Description of the Activity:

Implement the works as prescribed in Activity 3. As this project has a multi-phased approach, one activity drives the next. Activities completed up to this point will determine the priority, location, amount, and requirements for physical implementation of prescribed works. This Activity will implement what is possible based on the aforementioned

• Tasks:  

Purchase and delivery of relevant materials and supplies, as per available funds (may include, but is not limited to: seedlings, tree shelters/protectors and stakes, brush saws, pruning saws, girdling tools, chains/fuel/oil, flagging tape, tree marking paint).

1. Notifications – engage with and inform relevant tenure holder/First Nations of proposed works.

2. Pre-work and safety plan delivery to contractors.

3. Training days to support crew with techniques to be employed as required.

4. Professional oversight/quality control; track production and site level information.

5. Establish permanent plots within proposed treatment units and control areas, as required.

6. Design interpretive sign and install at Muchalat Lake campground.

7. Prepare final report(s) and summary brochure.

• Deliverables:

1) Final Project Report detailing the project components above and 1 page summary brochure outlining project achievements including:

a. A quantity of area treated with georeferenced map and monitoring plots established.

2) Appended Final reports as required by relevant authorizations and/or exemptions (as determined in Activity 3)

3) Copies of pre-work and safety plan delivered to contractors and trainees

4) A list of names of trainees and type of safety and work-related training received

5) Photographs of treatment site examples and image of the interpretive sign installed in high visibility location.

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2023-2024

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Activity 1: Post-implementation Effectiveness Monitoring - Implementation of the post project monitoring Plan

• General Description of the Activity:

In order to measure and monitor the results and effectiveness of the project’s activities, the monitoring plan will take into account and address the sub-objective questions listed below. Will the prescribed treatments result in the following:

·   Accelerated growth of formerly suppressed conifers?

·   Larger diameter and taller retention trees?

·   Larger crown ratios on retention trees?

·   Increased or decreased crown closure?

·   Increased occurrence of disease and pests in the stand?

·   Increased occurrence of snags in the stand?

·   Increased height, density and diversity of shrubs?

·   Increased occurrence of large woody debris?

·   Increased volumes of large woody debris?

·     Increased diversity?

• Tasks:

1. Finalization of representative Indicator Monitoring site within treatment area.

2. Measure appropriate site attributes to measure short-term implementation success.

• Deliverables:

1) Final monitoring report describing implementation effectiveness of treatments. measured by the site riparian forest stand attributes above.

 

Activity 2: Implementation of Riparian Restoration Silviculture Treatments (Strategic Natural Resource Consultants Inc.)

• General Description of the Activity:

Implement the works and finish treatments which were started in 2022-2023, as prescribed in Activity 3 (2021-2022), and includes the installation of an interpretive sign of the project, and installation of overhead hazard signs in select treatment sites.

• Tasks:

1. Purchase and delivery of relevant materials and supplies, as per available funds (may include, but is not limited to: seedlings, tree shelters/protectors and stakes, brush saws, pruning saws, girdling tools, chains/fuel/oil, flagging tape, tree marking paint).

2. Notifications – engage with and inform relevant tenure holder/First Nations of proposed works

3. Pre-work and safety plan delivery to contractors (planting, brushing and tree protection installation).

4. Professional oversight/quality control; track production and site level information.

5. Design interpretive sign and install at Muchalat Lake campground

6. Prepare final report(s) and summary brochure.

• Deliverables:

1) Final Project Report detailing the project components above and 1 page summary brochure outlining project achievements including:

a. A quantity of area treated with georeferenced map and monitoring plots established.

2) Appended Final reports as required by relevant authorizations and/or exemptions (as determined in Activity 3 from 2021-2022)

3) Copies of pre-work and safety plan delivered to contractors

4) Photographs of treatment site examples and image of the interpretive sign installed in high visibility location

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Year End Report 2023-2024

Executive Summary at Year-End/ Project highlights:

We have made progress on the riparian restoration project along the Oktwanch River. We treated 19.20 hectares with a collection of treatments including brushing, tree planting and tree cone protection following the previous year’s treatment efforts on girdling overstorey canopy. 

An information and interpretive sign was installed at the Muchalat Lake Recreation Site.  This sign highlights the purpose of the project, the works undertaken and the project proponents involved in delivering and supporting these efforts.

 Project Benefits – Summary of the project benefits in brief: 

Ecological benefits realized to date:

Girdling has been conducted on 13.97 hectares of the treatment area, which has helped release understory conifers and accelerate ecological succession within the riparian area. We anticipate that these treatments will bring significant ecological benefits, such as reducing erosion, improving water quality, and promoting healthy plant growth and biodiversity.  Brushing, tree planting and coning to protect the new trees from browse was also completed through the 2023/2024 fiscal year.  These efforts will help to reestablish long lived tree species, create canopy coverage and closure, and aid in bank stabilization and habitat improvement into the future.  

However, it's important to note that the benefits of these treatments may take several years to materialize due to the long time frame between treatment and effect.

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Socio-Economic benefits realized to date:

While the majority of socio-economic benefits associated with the riparian restoration project will take decades to materialize, the project has already had an immediate positive impact on the local community by providing employment opportunities. Specifically, 16 individuals from Tahsis were employed in the implementation of the project, while an additional 10 professionals were employed in various capacities in Campbell River. In addition to the direct employment benefits, local businesses such as restaurants, hotels, and gas stations have also benefited from the increased economic activity associated with the restoration planning, monitoring, and treatments. By supporting local employment and stimulating economic activity, the riparian restoration project is contributing to the long-term sustainability and well-being of the local community. 

 

Benefits to partners and communities realized to date:

We're proud to report that the treatment works have created employment opportunities for people from the remote community of Tahsis, with 16 individuals currently involved in the project. Additionally, the development of the treatment prescription has involved the expertise of 10 professionals in various capacities based out of Campbell River. We're committed to supporting local communities and businesses through our work and are pleased to be able to provide meaningful employment opportunities.