| Abstract/Description or Keywords |
Travelling 1,370 kilometres from its headwaters in the Rocky Mountains to its mouth at the Strait of Georgia, the Fraser River is the longest river in British Columbia. Renowned for its biological diversity and natural beauty, the Fraser drains more than a quarter of the province. The Fraser River Basin is now home to 2.73 million people or 67% of British Columbia’s (BC) population. The main stem of the river was nominated as a Canadian Heritage River in 1997 and designated in 1998 in recognition of its exceptional natural, cultural, and recreational values. Over the past 10 years, the key natural and cultural heritage values, and recreational values of the Fraser River that supported its Canadian Heritage River designation remain and are described in this report. The Fraser River is somewhat vulnerable to the impacts of human population growth, habitat loss and degradation, pollution and invasive species, and to the overarching threat of climate change, which is projected to impact both water flow regimes and water temperatures. Climate change is also predicted to result in sea level rise with significant potential impacts to the ecosystem of the Fraser River estuary. For the most part, the cultural and recreational heritage values of the Fraser River have remained intact since the time of designation in 1998. The most significant exception involves those cultural and recreational values related to fishing. Aboriginal, commercial and recreational fisheries have all been adversely impacts by declines in salmon stocks and corresponding reductions in harvest rates. There are many activities that have positively contributed to the natural, cultural and recreational values of the Fraser over the past decade: o Formal commitments to Greenhouse Gas reductions to mitigate climate change impacts (BC’s Climate Action Plan); o Provincial introduction of a Living Water Smart Plan, and a provincial commitment to better protect groundwater in BC – important for the health of freshwater systems; o Work of the Fraser Basin Council to advance sustainability in the Basin and encourage collaborative solutions among authorities and interested parties across sectors; o Investment of time and resources through the Fraser Salmon and Watersheds Program, focusing on fisheries management, habitat improvement, watershed governance and public education and engagement; o International recognition of key ecosystems features in BC, in particular for migrating shorebirds and waterfowl of the Fraser River delta; o An invasive plant strategy for BC, and management plans that are underway in many communities; o Species recovery plans; o Opening of the Fraser River Discovery Centre to educate the public on the importance of the Fraser as a living, working river; o Opportunities for the public to experience natural and cultural heritage on the Fraser, existing historic sites and museums and new and pre-existing parks; o Growth of BC’s tourism sector, including the Aboriginal tourism sector and activities on the Fraser; o Steps towards recognition of Aboriginal rights and title through treaties and other means, various partnerships and co-management agreements and leadership in economic sectors; and, o Leadership by watershed stewards and advocates. In the context of this report, it is also timely to flag the challenges ahead for the Fraser. While Canada is blessed with 7% of the world’s freshwater, its rivers are not immune to the pressures on freshwater ecosystems worldwide. The Fraser River is vulnerable to the impacts of human population growth, habitat loss and degradation, pollution and invasive species, and to the overarching threat of climate change, which impacts water flow regimes and temperatures. It is timely to recognize the importance of quality data, monitoring and information-sharing in the management of watersheds and water resources. Because responsibility for the management of the Fraser River and its resources is shared across many agencies and organizations, the future of the river calls for collaboration among all orders of government (federal, provincial, local and First Nations), the private sector, non-profit organizations and the general public. The collaborative management of the river would be improved through a more detailed and updated management plan involving various communities and organizations along the Fraser River. The Ministry of Environment will work with the Canadian Heritage Rivers Board to determine appropriate scheduling for drafting a revised management plan. The Fraser River’s current designation as a Canadian Heritage River has potential to raise public appreciation for Canadian rivers generally, and for the Fraser in particular. Perhaps most importantly, it is a fresh opportunity to encourage decision-makers and all those interested in the river’s future to come together on current issues. Maintaining the Fraser River’s designation as a Canadian Heritage River for its natural, cultural and recreational values over the long-term will demand a serious commitment, but one worth assuming. The river is worth it. |
