SLIPP All-Committee Meeting: Shoreline Update 12-April-2012

Shuswap Lake Integrated Planning Process (SLIPP) All-Committee MeetingShoreline Update

Ken Ashley and Keith Weir April 12, 2012 Quaaout Lodge

Shuswap Lakes Foreshore Habitat Restoration

Ken Ashley, Ph.D.

Outline §  Background §  Site restoration in 2011-12 §  Restoration plans for 2012-13 §  Questions

Background

§  Unprecedented increase in the scale and scope of development on the Shuswap Lake System.

§  Minimal base line bio-physical information for the

Shuswap Lake System to track changes over time, consider cumulative impacts and assist directing land / foreshore use planning.

§  FHIM project initiated in 2007.

§  Key partners CSRD, other local governments and MOE.

§  Funded by the Real Estate Foundation, Fraser Salmon and Watersheds Program, DFO and MOE (“in kind support”). Total project costs approx $100,000 to date.

§  Substantial modification of riparian and foreshore adjoining private land and IR

§  Many modifications lie with sensitive habitats.

§  Significant non compliance with BMP, OS and Guidelines. Works without Approvals

§  Extensive unauthorized use and trespass of crown foreshore.

Beach Modifications

Over 1,100 groynes or substrate windrows

Retaining Walls

>1,500 retaining walls - 60% of private properties

>50% below MAHWM

Majority of walls are for retaining upland fill and landscaping

Infilling

Few large infills but many small leading to cumulative impacts

Boat Launches

>180 boat launches

Riparian Removal or Infill

Majority of new development would not comply with RAR standards

Upland Drainage Modifications

Often difficult to detect.

Drainages are important to shore spawning.

Removal of Emergent Vegetation

More chronic in small bay areas coinciding with high boat traffic.

Often associated with stripping of larger cobble beaches.

Abandoned Docks

Most occurrences in Mara Lake, Salmon Arm – Arm and Seymour Arm. Often associated with Squatter sites.

2011-12 Site Restoration Completed Example

Removal of concrete boat ramp from Crown Land and restoration of

natural foreshore

Before

Before

After

During

During

During

During

During

During

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2011-12 Site Restoration Completed Example

Removal of groyne/fireplace on Crown Land and restoration of

natural foreshore

Before

During

During

After

Next Steps

§  Phase 2 of shoreline restorations planned for late summer/fall 2012

Sicamous  Narrows  Inventory  Project  

Keith  Weir,  BC  Ministry  of  Forests,  Lands  and  Natural  Resource  OperaDons  

What  is  the  Project?  

•  An  inventory  of  all  commercial/strata  marinas,  private  docks  and  uDlity  sites.      

•  InformaDon  collected  will  focus  on  safety,  environmental  and  social  issues  related  to  these  works.      

Why?  

•  Data  gathered  may  be  used  for  various  purposes:  

1. To  check  for  consistency  with  Sicamous  Narrows  management  plan  and  legal  documents  authorizing  the  use  and  occupaDon  of  Crown  land  

2. Evaluate  impacts  to  the  environment.        3. Aid  in  future  management  strategies.      

Next  Steps  

•  Consolidate  informaDon  gathered  in  the  field.  •  Develop  strategy,  based  on  idenDfied  impacts.  •  Present  SLIPP  Steering  CommiVee  with  findings  and  recommendaDons.  

•  Implement  strategy  to  address  idenDfied  issues.