Prince Rupert, B.C.
Employees at the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation
and Highways have been recognized for their diligence in
improving fish habitats while constructing and maintaining
public roadways in northern B.C., Fisheries and Oceans Canada
(DFO) announced today.
The 13 staff members-who work in a large area
around Prince Rupert, Kitimat, Smithers and Queen Charlotte
Islands-have received an Industry Award from DFO's North Coast
Area office. The award is presented to individuals and companies
that demonstrate excellence and innovation in protecting fish
habitat. The award also recognizes the importance of proactive
habitat protection, a preferred option to Fisheries Act
enforcement.
The Ministry staff worked in partnership with DFO
and stewardship groups to apply innovative techniques to improve
or replace existing road culverts to allow fish to pass through
them and reach upstream habitat. In many cases, the existing
culverts had been longstanding barriers to fish.
"We applaud the initiative shown by these
employees of the Ministry of Transportation and Highways in
ensuring the safe passage of both people and fish past public
stream crossings within their jurisdiction," said Bruce
Shepherd, North Coast Oceans, Habitat and Enhancement Chief.
There are now more than a half-dozen North Coast
stream crossings where these Ministry employees have
incorporated fish needs into their road maintenance and
construction programs. In most instances, salmon have quickly
made use of the newly accessible fish habitat.
The projects include:
Cable Car Creek,
a tributary of the Kitimat River: On Highway 37 north of
Kitimat, a culvert with a natural gravel bottom replaced a
conventional culvert with a corrugated pipe bottom. About
three kilometres of good-quality habitat is now available for
coho and pink salmon, as well as cutthroat and Dolly Varden
trout.
Grelson Creek,
part of the Nass River system: On Highway 37 North, north of
Meziadin Junction, a concrete structure with a series of
baffles replaced an impassable culvert to allow coho, pink and
steelhead salmon and other fish access to about three
kilometres of good-quality habitat.
Agnes Creek,
on the Queen Charlotte Islands: On Highway 16 on Moresby
Island, a series of step pools and a concrete culvert replaced
four old corrugated metal culverts that blocked off most of
the creek. Coho salmon can now reach more than three
kilometres of good spawning and rearing habitat, and the size
of the run is expected to increase.
"DFO appreciates the personal commitment to
improving fish habitats and the leadership in environmental
stewardship of these B.C. Ministry of Transportation and
Highways staff," Mr. Shepherd said. "Through their efforts, they
are proving that there are more fish-friendly ways to work-an
excellent example for other industries, utilities and
contractors."
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For information:
Carrie Mishima
Communications Branch
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
(604) 666-0392
