Comox Valley Project Watershed Society

Annual General Meeting

April 26, 2011

Report from the Chair

Don Castleden
Introduction
Comox Valley Project Watershed Society was established in 1993 by a small
group of citizens concerned by declining fish stocks, water quality, and urban
development in the watersheds of the Valley. Rapid population growth and
the corresponding urbanization of watersheds had led to large areas of
environmentally sensitive land being utilized for development purposes. Fish
and wildlife habitats in streams, wetlands, and foreshore areas were
becoming more and more degraded as a direct result of settlement
pressures. Baynes Sound was of special concern as it was experiencing
deteriorating water quality as a result of non-point source pollution and the
degradation of its source waterways. Project Watershed worked on
remediation and stewardship initiatives designed to improve water quality in
the Sound. Together with other stakeholders, Project Watershed delivered
numerous remediation and water quality monitoring projects to identify and
clean up non-point source pollution.

2010 has been a remarkable year. Numerous projects have been

undertaken. This report organizes a summary of each project under four
program areas:

Puntledge River Research and Restoration

The Courtenay River Estuary

Education and Outreach

The Mapping Centre

Project Watershed might best be described as an organic organization that,

much like an ecosystem, is both complex and interconnected. Thus, all
technical projects proposed by the Estuary Working Group are approved and
overseen by the Technical Committee. Similarly, projects undertaken by the
Estuary Working Group to promote public awareness of the estuary
invariably finds support and input from the Education and Outreach
Committee.

It often takes some time for new members of the organization as well as new
members of the Board to determine who is doing what and how things are
getting done. On one level, much is getting done as will be seen from what
has been accomplished in this past year - Project Watershed often receives
comments from representatives in other agencies in the Province
expressing amazement when they see how much is happening here in the
Valley.
Thanks to Staff and Board Members
On behalf of the Board, I want to thank our creative and dedicated staff and
contractors - Caila Holbrook, Joanne Ellefson, Don Chamberlain, and Valeri Diamond
who continually contribute 110% in all they do, offering ideas, attending to details,
and giving of their time.

And a big thank you to the working Board members - Paul Horgan (Vice Chair), Don
Munroe (Secretary/Treasurer), Betty Donaldson, Wayne White, and Bob Hauser -
who as stated are working Board members in the truest sense.

The Challenges Ahead

As with many environmental organizations in the Province a major source of
funding from the BC Lottery has been withheld this coming year, increasing
the need to find alternative sources of funding to carry out our work.

At the same time, there is an ever increasing need to protect our watersheds
and environment.

We welcome and encourage volunteers to join us in our endeavours.

Don Castleden, Chair

 PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS

Puntledge River Research and Restoration Program

Technical Committee Chair: Bob Hauser

• Chinook and Coho Smolt Migration Study

Recent studies have clearly demonstrated that the best survival strategies
for summer Chinook adults involve migrating into Comox Lake before
August, holding in the lake during the summer, and then spawning in the
upper watershed or the headpond reach (between the diversion and
reservoir dams). This holds true for coho adults as well. In both cases,
there is ample high quality spawning and rearing habitat for this species in
the upper watershed. In the spring and summer of 2010, an assessment of
chinook and coho smolt migration was implemented to assess the timing
of coho and chinook smolt migration, providing estimates of the numbers
of fish migrating from the upper watershed. The goal was to evaluate the
overall success of enhancing upper watershed production of these salmon
stocks.

• Puntledge Chinook Spawning Behaviour Study

The Puntledge River Chinook salmon population includes both an
endangered early summer‐run stock and a much larger fall‐run stock.
Beginning in 2009, a multi‐year study was begun to observe spawning
interactions between the fall and summer Chinook. The study will
determine whether there are significant levels of cross breeding between
these two runs. If the study confirms that most summer and fall chinook
adults mate only within their own genetically unique stock, DFO will
consider allowing access to the upper watershed for both runs where they
can access the significantly more and better spawning habitat for salmon.

• The Design of a Chiller for the Puntledge Hatchery and

the Holding of Summer Chinook at the Big Qualicum
Hatchery
Summer‐run chinook salmon adults held at DFO’s Puntledge Hatchery
during the summer are at risk of dying before they spawn due to high
water temperatures. The hatchery’s water supply is obtained from the
Puntledge River, which usually exceeds 20oC in the summer, sometimes
reaching 24oC. Such warm water induces stress and disease problems in
adult salmon, leading to high mortality rates, poorer quality of eggs in the
females that do survive, and lower survival rates for offspring. As a
solution, the Puntledge Hatchery has initiated a plan to transport Chinook
broodstock to the Rosewall and Big Qualicum Hatcheries. This past year,
Project Watershed supported the installation of two additional holding
tanks at the Qualicum Hatchery to handle Puntledge summer Chinook.
There are plans to install a new chilled‐water holding tank at the Puntledge
River hatchery in 2011. This will allow small batches of returning adult
summer chinook to be acclimatized to cooler temperatures before
 being transported to the Big Qualicum Hatchery during the migration
period, increasing the survival rate of all hatchery broodstock and helping
rebuild the summer chinook population to their historical abundance.

Funder (above projects): The Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program, a

partnership between BC Hydro, the Province of BC, and Fisheries and
Oceans Canada.

Courtenay River Estuary

Estuary Working Group

Committee Chair: Don Castleden
Estuary Coordinator: Caila Holbrook

Estuaries are nutrient rich environments where fresh water from mountain slopes and forest
uplands mix with the salt sea water. They are often recognized by the broad mud flats visible at
low tide and by the expansive flood plains through which mature rivers wind as they seek their
outlet to the sea. The Courtenay River Estuary is one such place where the waters of the
Puntledge, Tsolum, Trent, and Millard Piercy Rivers as well as Brooklyn Creek enter the sea. It
is the most important estuary on Vancouver Island, ranked as a Class 1 estuary, second in
importance only to the Fraser River Estuary. The classification is based on habitat size, intertidal
biodiversity and use by fish and waterfowl. This estuary provides habitat for 145 bird species
(more than 70,000 birds), 218 plant species, 29 fish species (including all five species of pacific
salmon) and innumerable species of intertidal animals (clams, worms, microbes, etc.). Yet the
Courtenay River Estuary is in the middle of an urban area with the Town of Comox, City of
Courtenay, the Comox Valley Regional District and the K’omoks First Nation bordering its
shores. Damaging industries which for a century were located on its shores resulted in a decline
of the estuary. These industries have virtually all disappeared and healing of the ecosystem has
now begun. Project Watershed along with other community organizations and government are
now working together to restore and protect this vital area.

• Courtenay River Estuary Salt Marsh Study

A preliminary study to determine the feasibility of increasing water flow
through a salt marsh, known as the Air Park lagoon, was undertaken in the
summer of 2010. Further studies are required to determine the possible
toxicity of the sub surface of the marsh as the area once functioned as a
sewage lagoon for the City of Courtenay. This is required before any
remedial work can be undertaken.
 • Restoration and Protection Options for Juvenile
Salmonids in the Courtenay River Estuary
Project Watershed conducted a study investigating how juvenile chinook
and coho salmon use the Courtenay River Estuary during the spring and
summer months. The data has identified several areas as important for
salmon rearing, including the Dyke slough, the Royston eelgrass beds, the
Airpark lagoon, Simms slough, and the Tsolum Relic channel. Data for this
study was collected during the spring and summer of 2010. Volunteers
captured fish at various locations in the estuary, recorded water quality
information and collected benthic (bottom dwelling) samples to be
analyzed for the presence of fish food organisms in the water column. In
addition to this data collection, key salmonid rearing habitats were mapped
to show what types of vegetation were present and what the landforms
were like. The collected data will be analyzed and the resultant information
will be used to identify important characteristics of healthy salmonid
rearing environments as well as identify opportunities to increase estuarine
health through restoration and protection projects. The next phase for the
study will be project feasibility discussions involving key stakeholders who
will have an opportunity to provide input on, or participate in, restoration
and or protection project implementation.

Funder of the Above Two Projects: The Fish and Wildlife Compensation
Program, a partnership between BC Hydro, the Province of BC, and Fisheries
and Oceans Canada.

• Population Diversity in Puntledge River Coho

Project Watershed has supported a study undertaken by Lora Tryon
(Master’s student, Royal Roads University, Environmental Management
Program). The study will help identify the role of life history diversity in
the survival of Puntledge coho salmon and in so doing identify
opportunities to support sustainable local salmon populations.

Funder: BC Hydro and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research

Council.

• Forage Fish Citizen Science Project

A Citizens Science Project to identify forage fish spawning habitat in the
intertidal zone in the Courtenay River Estuary is being led by Ramona
DeGraff (Pacific Marine Station, Bamfield) began in 2009 and continues.
Forage fish are small fish (herring, smelt, sand lance) that are a critical
food source for larger fish and bird populations. Interested local
volunteers formed groups of 2-4 with each group responsible for
sampling a 1 km section of beach every few weeks over a 1-2 year
period. Two forage fish beaches have been identified - Union Point and
Goose Spit. Volunteers are needed to continue sampling Goose Spit
beach.
Archaeological Research
Researcher: Nancy Greene
Project Watershed continues to support the research of local archaeologists
Nancy Greene and David McGee relating to the ancient Indigenous Fish Traps
in the Courtenay River Estuary. The corral like structures that once stood in
the estuary were built with long wooden stakes pounded into the sediment.
Over 13,000 stakes have been mapped. These represent a fraction of the
estimated 150,000 stakes thought to be buried in the mud. Nancy and
David’s study, due to be published this year, is expected to establish our
local estuary as one of the most important archaeological sites on the west
coast of North America.

Stick in the Mud Club

Convener: Jim Gillis
Project Watershed along with other organizations and community
members helped to financially sponsor the radiocarbon dating of 46
stakes for the Fish Trap Study. Funds were raised through a creative
sponsorship initiative. The name “Stick in the Mud” Club was coined by
Town of Comox Mayor Paul Ives and Area B Director Jim Gillis.

National Historic Site Status for the Courtenay River

Estuary
Committee Chair: Paul Horgen
The size and scope of the archaeological evidence found in the Courtenay
River Estuary is quite astounding. Based on this, Project Watershed has
taken the lead in coordinating a submission to the National Historic Site
and Monument Board of Canada to seek National Historic Site status for
our Estuary.

“Keeping It Living” Campaign

Committee Chair: Paul Horgen
This campaign, designed to build awareness of and support for the
Courtenay River Estuary, has seen full page ads promoting the estuary run in
a local newspaper, an online art auction supported by contributions from
local artists, and a ‘Day of the Estuary’ event held in April featuring keynote
speakers, displays, estuary walks, a seine net demonstration, a ``wise
women’s forum”, salmon barbeque, and recognition of two individuals for
outstanding contributions made to protect the environment and watersheds
in the Comox Valley - Norma Morton (recipient: Keeping It Living Life Time
Achievement Award) and Nick Strussi (recipient: Watershed Achievement
Award).
Land Acquisition Task Force
Committee Chair: Bev Bravender
This new task force has been established to develop a strategy to acquire
and/or protect land in and adjacent to the estuary. This effort will be carried
out in partnership with other organizations and governments in the
community and the province. Three sites have been prioritized - the Field
Sawmill site, the LaFarge property (former site of cement tower) and the
Billie property, all former industrial sites in the estuary.
 Education and Outreach
Commit
tee Chair: Betty Donaldson
Project Watershed’s revitalized Education and Outreach Committee has
taken its first steps in building a relationship and program with North Island
Community College and School District #71. The goal is to provide
educational opportunities and resources for teachers and students.

• Streamkeeper & Wetlandkeeper Courses

A Wetlandkeeper Course was offered over 2 ½ days last fall.
Participants had an opportunity to practice hands on wetland
conservation skills. The course combined classroom instruction with a
day spent in the field, identifying and mapping a wetland and
conducting plant and bird inventories.

• ElderCollege Courses
Project Watershed participates in facilitating the presentation of
ElderCollege courses at North Island College. Last fall Project
Watershed presented a course entitled ‘Estuary at Risk’ that covered
the biology of estuaries and the specific characteristics of the
Courtenay River Estuary; the history of European settlement around
the estuary; a discussion of the Courtenay River estuaries’ ancient fish
traps; and a review of the Courtenay River Estuary Management Plan
(CREMP).

• Geocache Your Watershed Project

The 2010-2011 geocache project, Geocache your Watershed, is a
continuation of a geocache program implemented in 2009 to highlight
Project Watershed’s Puntledge Watershed Fish and Wildlife
Compensation Program (FWCP). The basic idea of geocaching is to
locate hidden containers, called geocaches, in the watershed and then
to share your experiences online. In February, a geocache was initiated
on the Puntledge River Watershed where participants learned about
the research, restoration, and assessment projects underway that are
designed to return the Puntledge River Summer Chinook to historic
levels.

Volunteer and Membership Program

Volunteer
Coordinator: Valeri Diamond
Project Watershed launched a new Volunteer & Membership Program
through funding provided by a Job Creation Partnership (JCP) contribution
received from the Ministry of Social Development, funded in whole or in part
through the Canada‐British Columbia Labour Market Development
Agreement. The program enabled Project Watershed to hire Valeri Diamond,
as a volunteer coordinator. During her six month contract she has been able
to develop a volunteer program which has involved recruiting, managing,
and recognizing the work of volunteers. A volunteer handbook has been
created that outlines the initiatives, programs, activities, basic
personnel policies, practices and procedures of Project Watershed. Valeri’s
position has evolved into a part-time Fundraising and Outreach coordinator
position to help Project Watershed manage volunteers, members,
educational events and fundraising.

With Valeri’s guidance, volunteers have been able to create display booths
for Project Watershed that have informed the community about our work at
events such as Earth Day, Music Fest, Market Day, The Big Time Out and the
Comox Valley Exhibition.

The Mapping Centre

Busine
ss Manager: Caila Holbrook
The Mapping Centre is a well equipped resource centre with the capability of
producing detailed maps of watersheds and special features of interest to
individuals, environmental groups, local businesses and government. This fall
the Mapping Centre designed a colour 9 x 7 foot air photo illustrating
watersheds, lakes, rivers and mountains of the Comox Valley. It is available
in smaller versions for office and home use. The Centre also produced a
`Commuter Bike Map’ for the Broken Spoke, a local bike shop, noting roads
with bike lanes, cycle friendly roads and high volume traffic areas.

The Mapping Centre is currently collaborating on a Comox Valley

Conservation Strategy Atlas. This online interactive map will display hyper-
local environmental information. You will
be able to zoom into an area of interest, turn on or off data, find place based
information, and more.

All of these achievements have been realized through the work of Project
Watershed’s mapping team: Don Chamberlain - GIS Coordinator, Caila
Holbrook - Business Manager and Mark Schroeder - GIS Technician. Mark
joined the team through a six month Job Creation Partnership with the
Ministry of Social Development.

Representation of Project Watershed in Other

Organizations
Comox Valley Conservation Strategy PW
Representative: Betty Donaldson
CVCS represents 16 environmental organizations in the Valley. CVCS has
worked assiduously over this past year to advocate for the environment in
planning initiatives being pursued in the Comox Valley, notably the Comox
Valley Growth Strategy. In their advocacy, they are guided by the Nature
Without Borders document developed by the Comox Valley Land Trust.
Courtenay River Estuary Management Plan Review
Committee (CREMP)
Ten members of Project Watershed’s Estuary Working Group, seven of them
representing partnering organizations, serve on the Courtenay River Estuary
Management Plan Review Committee. This Committee, under the leadership
of Kent Leontowich (Regional District Planner), has been reviewing and
revising the 2000 CREMP document. The revised CREMP is expected to be
forwarded to the Regional District, K’omoks First Nation, and local Municipal
governments for consideration late this spring.

Addendum: Corrections and Additions to the Chair’s

Report

Archaeological Research Researchers: Nancy

Greene & David McGee
Project Watershed supports the archaeological research known as the Comox
Harbour Fish Trap Mapping Project. This research project was conceived and
is being carried out by local archaeologists Nancy Greene and David McGee.
The research involves the mapping of ancient Indigenous fish traps in the
Courtenay River Estuary. The corral like structures that once stood in the
estuary were built with long wooden stakes pounded into the sediment. Over
13,000 stakes have been mapped. These represent a fraction of the
estimated 150,000 stakes thought to be buried in the mud. Nancy and
David’s study, due to be published this year, is expected to establish our
local estuary as one of the most important archaeological sites on the west
coast of North America.

Comox Valley Conservation Strategy

CVCS represents 18 environmental organizations in the Valley.

Eelgrass Restoration Pilot Project Project

Coordinator: Caila Holbrook
In early March, 2011 Project Watershed held a two day workshop on the ecology
and importance of eelgrass, how it can be mapped, and how eelgrass beds can be
monitored. A half day of classroom instruction was followed by a one and a half day
field experience in which participants practiced mapping and monitoring eel grass
beds along with planting a number of specimens in the estuary.