| Abstract/Description or Keywords |
The health of the Nechako watershed is critical to the long-term social, economic, environmental and cultural well being of all its residents. Yet, this system faces a number of significant challenges. The changing climate has contributed to the mountain pine beetle epidemic and other adverse impacts; the iconic Nechako White Sturgeon have become an endangered species; creeks and streams throughout the watershed have degraded; and the diversion of water out of the Nechako River system continues to impact many aspects of watershed health. Many projects and initiatives are underway to address these issues; however, there is a need for improved coordination and more effective sharing of knowledge and other resources. The Nechako Watershed Roundtable (NWR) was established in 2015 to address this need for collaboration and to develop a strategy to further advance the vision of a healthy Nechako. This report represents the first version of the Nechako Watershed Strategy. It builds on the findings of a Nechako Watershed Health Report and online atlas – completed in 20151 - which compiled and analyzed available information to characterize the state of the watershed. The Strategy process added to these findings by engaging communities and technical advisors to discuss the issues and concerns they were observing and to propose actions to address those concerns. The Nechako watershed is located in the northwest portion of the Fraser River Basin. It includes the eastern portion of the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako and the western portion of the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George. Prince George is the largest city in the region, with about 71,000 residents. Other municipalities include Vanderhoof, Burns Lake, Fraser Lake and Fort St. James. The region includes the communities and traditional territories of many First Nations including (in alphabetical order) the Carrier-Sekani Tribal Council (and its member First Nations including Burns Lake, Nadleh Whut’en, Nak’azdli, Saik’uz, Stellat’en, Takla Lake, Tl’azt’en and Wet’suwet’en,) as well as Cheslatta Carrier Nation, Lake Babine Nation, Lheidli-T’enneh, Nee-Tahi-Buhn Indian Band, Skin Tyee Band and Yekooche First Nation. One of the major challenges to advancing the health of the Nechako watershed is limited coordination between government agencies, First Nations and local governments, industry, environmental organizations and academic institutions – each responsible for various aspects of water planning, management, stewardship or research. Building on past collaboration in the region, the NWR is a group of representatives from a diversity of organizations, local governments, First Nations, private sector and federal and provincial agencies with a shared concern and commitment to protect and improve the health of the Nechako watershed. Section 2 of this report outlines the overall purpose of the Strategy, including the vision and goals of the Strategy and the principles of the NWR. The Strategy aims to identify priority issues and actions needed to advance watershed health, highlight activities and initiatives already underway, support enhanced coordination of current activities and propose further actions to address the issues and concerns raised by communities and stakeholders. This Strategy has four goals: 1. To communicate issues and concerns in the Nechako watershed; 2. To highlight current projects, plans and strategies being undertaken in the watershed; 3. To propose actions to address issues and concerns; and, 4. To inspire commitments by various organizations to implement proposed actions. Section 3 of the Strategy summarizes priority issues and concerns in the watershed. These were identified by a series of research projects, input received from community and stakeholder meetings across the watershed and input from technical experts and researchers. Priority issues and concerns have been organized within eight categories: 1. Water Quantity 2. Water Quality 3. Fish and Wildlife 4. Ecosystems 5. Resource Development and Use 6. Current Water Management Approaches 7. Data Gaps 8. Public Engagement and Education. Section 4 of the Strategy focuses on the current context of watershed planning, management and stewardship within the Nechako watershed. This context includes emerging agreements and initiatives; current projects underway; as well as existing plans, strategies and decision processes. Examples of the current context include new agreements with First Nations, a wide range of stewardship and restoration projects, and a multitude of plans and decisions that are the responsibility of many different jurisdictions and organizations. Section 5 represents the key content of the Strategy and focuses on proposed actions to protect and improve the health of the Nechako watershed. To address numerous water and watershed issues and concerns, technical advisors, watershed practitioners, community groups, and concerned citizens have proposed several actions. Although specific commitments, resources, lead organizations and timelines have not yet been established, this section provides examples of potential partners. This does not intend to be prescriptive but to illustrate how existing jurisdictions and interests could align with many of the proposed actions. The Nechako Watershed Roundtable and many potential partners are well positioned to implement the Strategy. The key actions proposed include three distinct types including: 1. Strengthen Education, Engagement, and Capacity of Decision-Makers, Stakeholders and the Public; 2. Strengthen Data, Information and Knowledge; and, 3. Strengthen Planning, Stewardship and Beneficial Management Practices Specific actions are defined to address the following water and watershed issues: • Water Quality and Quantity • Lakes and Wetlands • Invasive Species • Multiple Water and Watershed Issues (e.g. water, fish and wildlife, habitat, overall watershed health, community and stakeholder capacity, planning and governance, etc.). Section 6 summarizes next steps for the long-term vision and implementation of the Strategy. The next phase of the Strategy process will focus on implementation. The NWR and many potential partners will explore opportunities to identify where there is interest in aligning efforts and resources to collaborate on specific proposed actions. Through this dialogue, priorities will be identified and commitments will be confirmed to implement priority actions to advance the health of the Nechako watershed. |
