Management

5.1. Why Conduct a Watershed Management Plan? *

5.2. Salmon River Watershed Management Plan *

5.3. Vision Statement for the Salmon River Watershed *

5.4. Goals *

5.5. Management Objectives *

A. General Objectives *

B. Compliance and Enforcement *

C. Aquatic and Riparian/Terrestrial Habitat *

D. Water Quantity and Water Quality *

E. Wildlife Habitat, Corridors and Greenways *

F. Environmentally Sensitive Areas *

G. Development Areas *

H. Recreation *

I. Agriculture *

6. Implementation Strategy *

6.1. Implementation Principles *

6.2. Spatial Scales and Watershed Sections *

6.3. Watershed Issues and Remedial Actions Table *

6.4. Monitoring and Auditing Protocol *

APPENDIX 1 *

WaTERSHED issues and REMEDIAL actions *

APPENDIX 2 *

PRESCRIPTIONS AND PRACTICES *

1. INTRODUCTION

The Salmon River Watershed Management Partnership (SRWMP) was created in 1993 to contribute to the sustainable management of the Salmon River Watershed in Langley, British Columbia. This watershed drains 7,578 hectares into the Fraser River and is occupied by more than 4,000 households. Most of the land (6,317 hectares) in the watershed is in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) and is used for different types of commercial and hobby farming. Medium to low density urban development is restricted to three main areas: Fort Langley, by the river�s floodplain; a low density residential neighbourhood in the centre of the watershed; and the commercial/urban zone of Aldergrove, near the headwaters. In addition to fertile soils and attractive rural landscapes, prime salmonid habitat and underground water reserves constitute some of the most valuable resources of this watershed.

Because no agency, group or individual has the mandate and ability to ensure the ecological integrity of the watershed is protected and its resources are used in a sustainable manner, a working partnership among all watershed stakeholders is required to successfully carry out such tasks. Because all watershed residents and resource users are able to affect the "health" of the watershed through their diverse activities and land uses, it is important to engage as many stakeholders as possible in what is a long term planning initiative to keep the cumulative effects of all their activities from further impacting the integrity and normal functioning of the watershed.

The SRWMP represents a neutral forum for the open exchange of ideas and the discussion of issues affecting the sustainability of human activities in the Salmon River Watershed. This forum offers watershed stakeholders the opportunity to look for common ground so they can work together on solving sustainability related problems whenever possible. In addition, the open and transparent dialogue promoted by the round-table like process raises the public profile of the many issues under consideration. The SRWMP has neither the legal authority nor the capacity to assume the specific responsibilities of any of its member stakeholders. However, it can play a very important role by identifying solutions to watershed issues, facilitating communication and negotiations among stakeholders, and making recommendations to help its member agencies (as well as other levels of government) to prepare the ground for the effective implementation of an integrated watershed management plan.

2. BIOPHYSICAL AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The Salmon River Watershed has a rich history of trade, culture and fisheries resources. Historically, the Salmon River was one of the most productive salmonid habitats in the Lower Mainland, known for rich populations of coho and chum salmon, cutthroat and steelhead trout. The Salmon River played an important role in the region�s communication, transportation and economic development. The St�:lo Nation used the river as their main communication route and the lumber and fur trade was built along its banks. In 1827, the Hudson's Bay Company established Fort Langley near the confluence of the Salmon and Fraser rivers. By 1829, the first commercial fisheries in southern British Columbia were established with active trade between the First Nations people and the fort. Since the time of this first trading post, the area has developed into a rich agricultural area, an industry that plays a very important role in the economic and social makeup of the Township of Langley as a whole and the Salmon River Watershed in particular.

The Salmon River Watershed drains 7,578 hectares into the Fraser River (Figure 1). It represents approximately one quarter of the entire area of Langley and, in addition to the main stem of the Salmon River, it includes Coghlan, Davidson, Otter, and Union Creeks as main tributaries. The ecological and geological features of this watershed make it unique in the Lower Mainland. As a result of glacial action, the area is underpinned by significant gravel deposits that store large volumes of fresh water. This water, held in the Hopington Aquifer, supports over 4000 residences, 500 farms and maintains the river flowing throughout the summer. The combination of large gravel beds, that fish use for spawning, and abundant springs, that maintain cool pockets of water even during the dry season, provides this watershed with optimum fish nursery habitat. This is one of the primary reasons why the Salmon River is one of the most productive coho salmon streams in the Lower Fraser Valley.

The aquifer is a valuable watershed resource that needs immediate protection from over-utilization and contamination. The condition of the aquifer has a direct impact on the quality of surface and ground water reserves. Studies conducted by the University of British Columbia on stream water quality show elevated nitrate levels in the aquifer during the late summer directly attributed to groundwater contamination (Schreier et al. 1996). This report indicates that commercial agriculture, hobby farming and residential septic tanks are the main sources of water contamination in the Salmon River Watershed.

Extensive commercial fish harvesting eventually lead to the extinction of the River's pink salmon stock and the extremely severe reduction of chum salmon abundance. Despite extensive harvest and the increasing pressures of urban and agricultural development, coho salmon and cutthroat trout along with 16 other species of fish including the endangered Salish sucker call the watershed home for all, or part of their life cycle.

The Salmon River Watershed is considered one of the last few remaining watersheds in the Greater Vancouver Regional District that is still able to support productive fish stocks. The Salmon River Watershed, although altered by development pressures, still provides good quality fish and wildlife habitat.

For the past 13 years the Department of Fisheries and Oceans has designated the Salmon River an index river for coho salmon. This means that the stream is closely monitored for fish production with no hatchery enhancement of stocks allowed in the system. This allows researchers to monitor the survival rates of coho salmon and the effectiveness of habitat enhancement techniques and land management in the watershed. Historically, wild coho salmon stocks in this watershed have shown much higher survival over their life cycle than stocks in other streams. Returning numbers of spawners, however, have dropped in recent years to 1,500 fish from highs of 12,000 to 8,000 in the 1980's.

With the inevitability of encroaching development in the Lower Fraser Valley, the protection of the natural resources in the Salmon River Watershed was seen as a priority for residents and users of the watershed. The rural atmosphere and the peace and quiet that prevails in this watershed are the most valued attributes by Langley residents. When questioned about what would cause rural residents to consider moving from Langley, the primary reason cited by 48% was the loss of the rural nature of the area. (Community Plan, Rural Langley)

Commercial agriculture plays a significant role in the economic and social makeup of the Salmon River Watershed. There are 6500 horses in Langley which is known as the "Horse Capital of B.C". The estimated economic impact is in the order of $40 million annually. In 1996, total gross farm receipts in the Township of Langley from commercial agriculture was $150.3 million. This places the Township of Langley third in the province behind Matsqui and Chilliwack for total gross farm receipts. In 1996, Langley had 1,584 farms, (55% are horse farms), more than any other municipality in B.C. Of those farms, many are located in the Salmon River Watershed because 83.4% of it (6,137 hectares) is in the Agricultural Land Reserve.
If the Salmon River Watershed is to continue as a great place to live, where its unique fish and wildlife resources are maintained and fostered, and where farming continues to thrive, ways of managing land and water uses must be improved upon. The need to protect the integrity of the Salmon River Watershed is the reason behind the completion of the Salmon River Watershed Management Plan. By creating a comprehensive management plan based on partnerships and cooperation amongst all current and future watershed stakeholders moving towards a common vision, the Salmon River Watershed Management Partnership hopes to preserve and ensure a sustainable future for all watershed inhabitants.

3. ISSUES AND IMPACTS

There are a multitude of issues that are challenging the long term health and sustainability of the Salmon River Watershed of which the most notable are summarized in the Actions Table (Appendix 1). While each issue may not seem to threaten the overall sustainability of the Salmon Watershed on its own, it is the effect of all these issues and their respective impacts added together that we must be concerned with. While the reason for the completion of the Plan is driven by the need to sustain watershed health, it is the individual contribution(s) of each and every stakeholder impacting the system that must be addressed within the management objectives. Defining, managing and encouraging human activities that integrate sustainability to the watershed is the challenge facing all stakeholders. Efforts by any individual, family, organization, business, agency, etc. may be limited to one or a few issues, however, their positive effort will work toward sustaining the watershed in the company of the actions of all other stakeholders.

4. THE SALMON RIVER WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PARTNERSHIP

The Salmon River Watershed Management Partnership (S.R.W.M.P.) is a cooperative effort of watershed residents, federal and provincial government agencies and the Township of Langley. The Partnership was established to move the management of the Salmon River Watershed towards sustainability. Langley is a rapidly developing community and as a consequence its many rivers and wetlands are facing unprecedented development pressures. The Salmon River, one of the last remaining near pristine salmon producing streams in the Lower Mainland, was identified by senior government agencies as an index watershed requiring immediate protection from further negative impacts.

Current membership includes:

Salmon River Enhancement Society

Fort Langley Farmers Association

Belmont Golf Course

Langley Environmental Partners Society

Fraser Basin Council

Township of Langley

Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries

Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Environment Canada

Trinity Western University

4.1. Mission of the Salmon River Watershed Management Partnership

The mission of the Salmon River Water Management Partnership is: "To establish cooperative, community based stewardship of the Salmon River Watershed which balances economic, environmental and social needs of the watershed." "Community based stewardship" refers to all stakeholders who directly influence the Salmon, be they government or non government in nature, working together to sustain the watershed."

5. WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN

5.1. Why Conduct a Watershed Management Plan?

A watershed is defined as the area of land drained by a stream, river or lake. In any watershed there are many different land uses ranging from commercial and hobby farming, to industrial forestry, urban development and conservation areas. Every different land use affects the surface of the land, which in turn, affects the quality and timing of the water flowing off it into the tributaries and the river, as well as into underlying aquifers. For example, an urban area with paved or impervious surfaces greatly reduces water absorption into the ground and increases rapid runoff during rainfall events. It also leads to higher concentrations of heavy metals and chemicals that are flushed from parking lots and roads. This has the direct opposite effect of a mature forest or woodlot which tends to hold water in the soil and vegetation while filtering it, to be released into the ground water and aquifer over an extended period of time. The management of the areas directly adjacent to a waterway also greatly influences water quality and fish and wildlife habitat. The health of the water based ecosystem is highly dependent on how the land in the watershed is used and managed.

As the tributaries of a river, and the river itself, wind across the landscape, they cross many artificial boundaries that have been superimposed on the landscape by people and their institutions. These include large and small tracts of private land, lands managed by federal and provincial agencies, as well as local governments and First Nations. All of these entities have the right to directly or indirectly influence activities on the land and consequently affect water quality and quantity.

In a typical watershed the number and diversity of stakeholders who directly or indirectly influence watershed health can be staggering. In Canada there are 92 Federal Departments and agencies ranging from Agriculture and Agri-food Canada and the Canadian Wildlife Service, to Environment Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada. There are 15 provincial ministries and 30 provincial crown corporations and public agencies including the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Forests, Ministry of Environment, the B.C. Fisheries Secretariat, the Farm Practices Board, etc.. In the Fraser Watershed alone, there are 96 Indian Bands. Then there are the many landowners who own private land in any watershed. Each watershed, be it as large as the Fraser or as small as the Salmon, has its own unique mix of distinct stakeholders.

Each agency and stakeholder in a watershed has their own set of mandates, needs and agendas which drive what they do and how they act. Unfortunately, no such stakeholder exists who has the mandate or influence to ensure the health of the entire watershed ecosystem is sustained. For example, even though agencies such as D.F.O. have a mandate to protect fish and their habitat, they have no direct influence over land use which can severely impact water quality and fish populations. It is also common for the needs of two stakeholders, be it government agencies or individuals, to clash with each other in the pursuit of their goals. We have seen the case where a land developer fills in a stream to increase the number of lots on a parcel of land for sale, or where hydroelectric generating companies operate dams in a manner that optimizes electricity generation at the expense of fish habitat, or where a landowner clears property drastically altering drainage or contaminating runoff to downstream users.

All land uses affect watershed health and because each stakeholder pursues her/his own interests, we need to specifically engage the community in watershed planning to ensure the cumulative effects of all activities do not further degrade watershed health. Since no one individual or entity has the mandate to ensure watershed health, it must be done as a partnership amongst all stakeholders who influence land and water use if it is to be successful.

5.2. Salmon River Watershed Management Plan

The Salmon River Watershed Management Plan pulls together all the relevant plans, regulations, guidelines and tools associated with the direct and indirect management of the natural resources of the Salmon River Watershed. It also identifies areas where planning and regulation needs to be upgraded to ensure the long term sustainability of the watershed and suggests ways to fill the gaps. The goal of the Plan is to ensure overall watershed health does not deteriorate and to sustain the social, environmental and economic benefits that currently flow to users of this resource. Because the SRWM Plan seeks to integrate existing plans, as well as develop new components where gaps in existing planning appear, it does not seek to duplicate planning work already undertaken by the Township of Langley, Department of Fisheries and Oceans or the Ministry of Agriculture. Rather it brings them all together under one umbrella.

The true measure of the success of this Plan will be in its implementation. Representatives of all stakeholders in the watershed participated in its development through the Salmon River Watershed Management Partnership and/or through the public consultation process. Since the Plan encompasses all existing plans and guidelines, there is already something in it for each watershed stakeholder to build on. In this light, it is up to each individual to implement the part of the plan that affects her/him. For example, those engaged in commercial agriculture will abide by the Code of Agricultural Practice for Waste Management, operators of auto wreckers will apply the guidelines contained in the document titled, "Environmental Protection for the Automobile Recycling Industry", individual landowners with septic systems will abide by the septic system maintenance bylaw, etc. The Plan was crafted by stakeholders to be implemented by them. The Salmon River Watershed Management Partnership will monitor the implementation of the Plan and continue as a forum for discussing watershed wide issues meeting on a regular basis.

The Plan consists of a vision statement for the Salmon River Watershed, goals and management objectives. It is supplemented with an implementation strategy, a Watershed Issues and Remedial Actions Table and a monitoring and auditing protocol. The Plan is made available to all stakeholders in the Salmon River Watershed. It is up to the stakeholder to implement it by appending the Plan to the Prescriptions and Practices they use in guiding their daily activities (see Appendix 2 for list of Prescriptions and Practices) and to consult it on a regular basis. For example, representatives of government agencies will consult the Plan in addition to their mandates in making decisions effecting their daily activities, developers will view the Plan prior to making development decisions, etc.

Copies of the Salmon River Watershed Management Plan, with full appendices including the list of Prescriptions and Practices (as they become available), may be obtained from Langley Environmental Partners Society, the SRWMP website (www.salmonriverpartnership.org) or the Township of Langley.

5.3. Vision Statement for the Salmon River Watershed

"A rural watershed that supports the sustainable health and biodiversity of its representative ecosystem and that is protected from the negative pressures of land use impacts."

5.4. Goals

"To undertake and encourage a comprehensive, flexible and integrated approach to all aspects of watershed stewardship and management activities that affect the Salmon River Watershed, balancing the views and needs of all stakeholders."

"To create and implement a coordinated management plan for the Salmon River watershed which is economically, environmentally and socially sustainable while incorporating rehabilitation and enhancement needs."

"To move toward community based governance of the watershed, where all stakeholders participate in planning future land and water use management."

5.5. Management Objectives

The Management Objectives for the Salmon Watershed outline the desired future condition of the watershed. They outline a future state, or condition, we wish to obtain with regard to numerous ecosystem, economic and social components.

Some of the features identified in the Salmon Watershed that will link to specific objectives include surface and ground water quality and quantity, recreation, aquatic and terrestrial communities, flood protection, erosion control and the watershed's rural character. The rural character includes physical features and vegetation, as well as scenic and historical structures and viewscapes. Other important values include economic considerations (land values and local food production security) and community safety, lifestyle and vitality.

The development of the Management Objectives was guided by the belief that they should be defensible. It was felt that the objectives should be attainable and must have the support of the public, landowners, stakeholders and agencies. They should also be socially and economically feasible and the ecosystem must have the capacity for the goal to be achieved.

A. General Objectives

1. To manage the Salmon River Watershed in a sustainable fashion- where social, economic and environmental considerations are balanced in planning and decision making.

2. To maintain the rural character and heritage of the Salmon River Watershed.

3. To develop a stewardship/land ethic amongst all landowners and residents of the watershed.

4. To encourage and develop passive recreational development opportunities in the watershed including those that need river access.

5. To facilitate greater cooperation between regulatory agencies that would ensure a more stream-lined approach to governance. To encourage better communication amongst all stakeholders - i.e. encourage correspondence between local agriculture Peer Advisory Groups and commodity farmers.

6. To preserve the land designated under the Agricultural Land Reserve.

7. To ensure that the Salmon River Watershed Management Plan is endorsed and supported by the community, local government and partnership stakeholders.

B. Compliance and Enforcement

8. To ensure that compliance with applicable legislation and regulations in the watershed is encouraged and enforced.

9. Make recommendations to influence future legislation to deal with current legislation gaps and conflicts.

C. Aquatic and Riparian/Terrestrial Habitat

10. To enhance and preserve the productivity of instream and riparian habitat throughout the Salmon River and its tributaries for resident and migratory fish and wildlife populations.

11. To minimize sedimentation of fish habitat.

12. To attain adequate summer water temperatures to protect fish and other flora and fauna.

13. To enhance the population numbers of wild fish stocks and other threatened and endangered aquatic species.

14. To protect and preserve water springs in the Salmon River Watershed.

D. Water Quantity and Water Quality

15. To minimize nutrient loading and runoff from agriculture, residential lawns/gardens, golf courses and septic sources.

16. To ensure that surface water runoff does not exceed 1996 levels and were possible they are reduced. New development is not to increase peak stream flows, frequency of peak flows or reduce base flows.

17. To modernize and maintain the Salmon River pump station as a fish friendly pump.

18. To ensure that stream and aquifer water quality values meet or exceed government standards.

19. To ensure that all septic systems are maintained on a regular basis.

20. To ensure that the density of septic systems over recharge/unconfined aquifers is adequate to protect groundwater quality.

21. To facilitate the adoption of new water efficient technologies by users of surface and groundwater sources to reduce withdrawals.

22. To develop a liquid waste management plan that incorporates concerns for human health and fish and wildlife populations.

E. Wildlife Habitat, Corridors and Greenways

23. To encourage land owners (public and private) to manage their "backyards" as wildlife habitat.

24. To educate private and public woodlot owners on the need for small scale forestry management plans which recognize the value of small birds, fish and other animal life as well as the need to reforest using native species.

F. Environmentally Sensitive Areas

25. To encourage the application of Best Management Practices in environmentally sensitive and natural hazard areas of the Salmon River Watershed. Appropriate environmental management could range from less intensive uses to preservation with setback areas and restrictive zoning and follow available standards and guidelines from the regulatory agencies.

G. Development Areas

26. To restrict urban development in those areas of the watershed where environmental sensitivity is high.

H. Recreation

27. To develop low impact multi-use trails for access to nature and the river.

28. To develop a trail building policy that would limit impact on streams and riparian zones.

I. Agriculture

29. To promote the sustainability and diversification of agriculture in the watershed. Consideration must be given to both the economic and environmental sustainability of the resource.

30. To encourage producers to incorporate the environmental guidelines developed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and the Department and Fisheries and Oceans into their farm management plans.

31. To encourage livestock producers to comply with the Code of Agricultural Practice For Waste Management.

32. To encourage the implementation of soil management practices that would minimize soil erosion and stream siltation.

33. To encourage complaint use of fertilizers and pesticides to minimize environmental impact and to encourage the use of Integrated Pest Management wherever possible.

34. To limit and mitigate the severity and duration of flooding of agricultural land.

35. To encourage the use of animal watering facilities that eliminate the need for direct stream access as outlined in the "Environmental Guidelines" developed by MAF.

36. To support the development of rural land-use, zoning and farm by-laws that would protect, strengthen and plan for agriculture.

6. Implementation Strategy

The management plan will be most effective if it is flexible enough to respond to new scientific knowledge, the development of new techniques, the results of monitoring and auditing processes, and public priorities.

6.1. Implementation Principles

The plan efficacy will be enhanced and its implementation simplified by the consideration of the three following principles:

a) watershed integrity should be protected through the conservation and enhancement of connectivity among its components;

b) long-term monitoring and study programs should be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of best management practices, and determine whether environmental changes are naturally caused or man-induced; and

c) management decisions should be made within the context of the entire watershed, and contingency plans should be developed in case monitoring reveals that the implemented management actions interfere with processes that maintain the connectivity of the system.

d) resolution of conflicts and contradictions between management objectives should be achieved through consultation without sacrificing key watershed and stakeholder values.

Because of this connectivity, the long term protection of salmon habitat can only be accomplished within the context of integrated watershed management. Given the hierarchical organization that a stream system has, and for practical purposes, a management project should consider the different spatial scales of the watershed components and linking processes.

6.2. Spatial Scales and Watershed Sections

It is recommended that the management plan be considered, for implementation purposes, as having two "spatially nested" components.

Watershed Scale - A watershed scale management plan will encompass the entire watershed and focus on ecosystem components such as: hydrologic regime, water quality, etc. This can only be achieved if actions are taken at the watershed scale to control, among other things, underground water extraction and urban sprawling. Excessive extraction of water from aquifers and the expansion of urbanized areas close to the headwaters (Aldergrove) and in the middle reaches (Salmon River Uplands) of the stream will negatively affect water quality and flow regime. Unusually frequent and large winter peak flows, induced by vegetation removal and urbanization, will displace and damage small scale habitat enhancement projects.

A first step to deal with these problems has already been taken with the creation of the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR). Because changes to the system's hydrology caused by agricultural lands are smaller than those created by urbanized areas, the protection of the agricultural character of a large proportion of the watershed facilitates the conservation of a regular flow regime. But, although land zoning is a useful management tool, it cannot successfully protect the stream from human disturbances if additional control mechanisms are not implemented. Farming activities will have to follow adequate agricultural prescription and practices to avoid having a negative impact on the watershed�s hydrology and the quality of its water. More emphasis on conservation of natural areas (i.e. dense woods, wetlands, etc.) is recommended, but as an isolated strategy will not be enough to counter balance the effects of increasingly intensive agricultural practices and slow, but ongoing, residential development. Therefore, the large scale management component of this plan includes mechanisms that complement land zoning legislation, such as the promotion of water use optimization and the recommendation to the Provincial Government to urgently pass underground water legislation.Reach Scale - A smaller scale management plan component will aim at maintaining the integrity of ecosystem elements of a lesser scale, such as: riparian forests, stream channel, habitat units.

Because stream characteristics change from the headwaters to the mouth, the plan will consider different management strategies for the three main sections of the Salmon River: headwaters, middle reaches and floodplain.

Management in the floodplain offers a unique opportunity for testing the in situ effectiveness of a number of habitat enhancement methodologies while protecting the interests of riparian landowners. The plan will emphasize wetland and off-channel habitat (streams, channels and ponds that are connected to the main stem of the Salmon River and which have fisheries value) maintenance and enhancement work and flood impact mitigation tactics. Habitat maintenance and enhancement techniques (i.e., riparian tree planting, fencing, bank stabilization, etc.) will be utilized frequently, particularly where agricultural activities reach the watercourse. Flood impact mitigation tools of an economic nature will be developed and used to compensate farmers who see their agricultural production adversely affected by flooding or any of the above mentioned habitat related works.

In the middle reaches of the watershed, considering its current status and the quality of fish habitat it offers, the management plan will emphasize protection from present and future land use activities. The maintenance of a well developed riparian forest is very important because it works as a buffering agent that diminishes the impact of land use in the vicinity of the stream channel. In addition, the protection of water level and quality in the main watershed aquifer (Hopington) will be one of this plans priorities.

Management in the headwaters of the system will have a similar approach to that already described for the lower sections. It will also emphasize the implementation of mitigation and protection actions. The effectiveness of any of the mitigation methodologies will be monitored and, as in the lower reaches, there will be a good opportunity for carrying out small scale experimental manipulations to develop habitat enhancement and impact mitigation techniques that better adapt to the specific characteristics of this system. The fact that these reaches are occupied by Salish suckers (a species listed as endangered) will receive special consideration in the implementation of this plan. Because of the very important role the upper sections of the river play in the collection and downstream transference of water and sediments, their management will stress soil erosion control (i.e., riparian planting, cattle fencing, adequate land tillage, etc.) and improvement of water retention capacity in the land they drain (i.e., development of holding ponds and wetlands to offset the impact of impervious surfaces such as roofs, streets, driveways, parking lots, etc.).

The endorsement of such a stream management plan by riparian landowners, among other watershed stakeholders, will be necessary to ensure its viability. Their support will not be obtained unless the costs to their economy originated by new stream protection regulations are fully covered. Therefore, the SRWMP will work towards developing a series of compensation tools to facilitate the implementation of its Watershed Management Plan.

6.3. Watershed Issues and Remedial Actions Table

To track the many different watershed issues that need to be addressed an Issues and Actions Table has been included in Appendix 1. This table lists all the watershed issues and associated impacts that have been identified by the SRWMP, ranks them in order of priority and matches them with appropriate remedial action/s. Where possible, the table also indicates who are, or will be, carrying out those remedial actions, their timelines and financial resources.

6.4. Monitoring and Auditing Protocol

In order to assess whether the Watershed Management Plan is being implemented and whether the Management Objectives for the Salmon River Watershed are being achieved, a monitoring and auditing protocol will be developed. A subcommittee established through the Salmon River Watershed Management Partnership and consisting of representative citizens and other stakeholders began meeting during 2000 to device an implementation strategy for the Action Plan that will be used to launch the various initiatives within the Management Plan. This subcommittee is also responsible for reviewing additions or deletions to the overall Plan.

Monitoring and research being undertaken by research and educational institutions (University of British Columbia, Trinity Western University, etc.) will help meet the monitoring needs of the Watershed Management Plan. Specific performance measures will be developed by the committee. The chosen measures will be along the lines of the following: temperature data, well and surface water sampling for specific constituents, riparian zone integrity , fish presence/absence, benthic index of biotic integrity, wildlife species diversity, availability of critical habitats, sediment composition, percentage of total impervious surface area, extent of the application of Best Management Practices or other prescriptions and practices, etc.

APPENDIX 2

PRESCRIPTIONS AND PRACTICES

Prescriptions and practices that have been designed by different agencies and organizations to reduce the negative environmental impact of human activities in the watershed have been identified. As part of the implementation of the Watershed Management Plan each stakeholder should apply the guideline/s and regulation/s listed in this appendix that are applicable to her/his specific land use activities in the watershed. The application of these prescriptions and practices on a day to day and long term basis will ensure the Management Objectives of the SRWMP for the Salmon River Watershed are ultimately attained.

A list of the appropriate prescriptions and practices is presented below. The specific Management Objective that is supported by each prescription or practice is referred to in brackets (e.g., C10-14, F24). Prescriptions and Practices that still need to be developed, or are in development are identified with [ID].

Memorandum of Understanding regarding the Integrated Management of the Salmon

River Watershed (A5)

Land Development Guidelines for the Protection of Aquatic Habitat (C, F25)

Stream Stewardship � A Guide for Planners and Developers (C, D16-21, F, G)

Urban Runoff Control Guidelines (C, D16-18, F)

Environmental Guidelines for Dairy Producers in B.C. (C11-12, D16, D21, F, I)

Environmental Guidelines for Field Vegetable Producers in B.C. (D16, D21, F, I)

Environmental Guidelines for Tree Fruit and Grape Producers in B.C. (D16, D21, F, I)

Environmental Guidelines for Mushroom Producers in B.C. (D16, D21, F, I)

Environmental Guidelines for Beef Producers in B.C. (C11-12, D16, F, I)

Environmental Guidelines for Nursery and Turf Industry in B.C. (D16, D21, F, I)

Environmental Guidelines for Horse Owners in B.C. (C11-12, D16, F, I )

Environmental Guidelines for Greenhouse Growers in B.C. (D16, D21, F, I)

Agricultural Waste Management Control Regulations (C, D, I)

Watershed Stewardship a Guide for Agriculture (C, D, I)

Code of Agricultural Practice For Waste Management (A8, C, D, I)

Strengthening Farming in B.C. (A5, I)

B.C. Water Act (C, D)

Groundwater Quality Protection Practices (A8, C13, C15, D16-21, F, G, I)

Langley Environmental Partners (LEPS) education/stewardship outreach program (A3, F)

[ID]

Langley Environmental Partners (LEPS) Septic System Maintenance Education Program

(D16, D19-20)

Langley Environmental Partners (LEPS) rehabilitation plans in the Salmon, Yorkson, Nickomekl and Bertrand Creeks (6 month, 12 month and 24 month) (A,C,D, E, F)

Environmental Protection for the Automobile Recycling Industry in British Columbia.

(D18)

Freshwater Intake End-of-Pipe Fish Screen Guideline (C14)

List and location of Freshwater Spring Sites in the Salmon Watershed (C15)

Ditches, Fish and Fish Habitat - Maintenance Procedures (C11-15, F)

Agricultural Ditch Policies (MAF, DFO, MELP) (C11-14, F, I30, I34)

Federal Fisheries Act (C11-14, D22, F)

B.C. Fish Protection Act (C11-14, D22, F)

Septic System Maintenance Bylaw (D19-20) [ID]

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Handbook - Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention

and Control Planning. (D16-18, F)

Community Greenways: Linking Communities to Country, and People to Nature (A3, E, F)

B.C. Wildlife Act (E, F)

Naturescape British Columbia: Caring for Wildlife Habitat at Home (E23)

Community Plan for Rural Langley, (A2, A6)

Chemical Use and Pollution Prevention Practices for Commercial Car and Truck Wash

Facilities. (D18)

Greening Your Golf Course: a guide to environmental management. (D16-18, D21)

Salish Sucker Recovery Plan. (C14) [ID]

B.C. Trickle Irrigation Manual (D21)

Agricultural Land Commission Act and Regulations (I29)

Right to Farm Legislation (I36)

Riparian Guidelines for ALR (MAF, DFO, MELP) (A6, C, D16-18, E23)

Access Near Aquatic Areas: A Guide to Sensitive Planning, Design and Management

(A4, H)

Stream Classification System for Township of Langley (B, C) [ID]

Liquid Waste Management Plan for Township of Langley using Best Management

Practices. (D) [ID]

Fish Habitat Enhancement: A Manual for Freshwater, Estuarine and Marine Habitats, "Obstruction Removal/Beaver Dams", pp.125-128, . (C14)

Limit of impervious surface coverage in Salmon River Watershed. (D16-18) [ID]

Stewardship Bylaws, A Guide for Local Government (A, C, D, E, F, G)

Spill Contingency Plan (Emergency Preparedness) (D) [ID]

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