For more information on programs in this region, contact:
Regional Manager: Mike Simpson
Assistant Regional Manager: Erin Vieira
Telephone: 250 314-9660
Email: msimpson@fraserbasin.bc.ca or evieira@fraserbasin.bc.ca
Shuswap Lake Integrated Planning Process
In 2007 the Province of BC, with assistance of the Fraser Basin Council, began a collaborative, multi-agency planning process for Shuswap and Mara Lakes, called the Shuswap Lake Integrated Planning Process (SLIPP). The purpose is to bring all land and water use planning and governance issues relating the lakes to a single table and to identify cross-cutting issues in the region that could be addressed through collaboration. For information, see Shuswap Lake Integrated Planning Process.
Shuswap Lake Integrated Planning Process
In 2007 the Province of BC, with assistance of the Fraser Basin Council, began a collaborative, multi-agency planning process for Shuswap and Mara Lakes, called the Shuswap Lake Integrated Planning Process (SLIPP). The purpose is to bring all land and water use planning and governance issues relating the lakes to a single table and to identify cross-cutting issues in the region that could be addressed through collaboration. For information, see Shuswap Lake Integrated Planning Process.
3rd Annual BC Interior Area Stewardship Workshop (2007)
The annual workshop offers members of interior stewardship groups a prime opportunity to network and discuss current issue.
Take a moment to look over the discussion notes from the 2007 workshop.
Presentations
Lost in Space: Mapping Your Way Home
> The Community Mapping Network: Planning Sustainable Communities
Brad Mason, Senior Habitat Inventory Biologist, Department of Fisheries and Oceans> Kamloops–South Thompson Sustainable Community Atlas
Dave Whiting, Community Mapping Coordinator for Fraser Basin Council
Life on the Edge: The Riparian World
> A Decade of Riparian Enhancement: The City of Kelowna Experience
Michelle Kam, Watershed Coordinator, City of Kelowna> The City of Kelowna Aquatic Habitat Index - Identifying Shoreline Restoration Potential
Darryl Arsenault, Senior Fisheries Biologist, EBA Engineering Consultants Ltd.
Fostering Collaboration for Salmon and Their Habitat
> Environmental Farm Planning and Riparian Restoration
Clay Campbell, Farm Planning Advisor
Beef Industry Environmental Farm Advisor Service> The Fraser Salmon and Watershed Program (FSWP)
Coral DeShield, Co-Manager of the FSWP
Program Manager (Fisheries), Fraser Basin Council
Panelist Discussion: Restoration with the Beaver Bank Crew
> A Land Owner’s Approach
Ken Park, Owner, Riverbank Ranch> Streambank Restoration
Sean Bennett, Restoration Biologist , Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Mike Wallis, Project Biologist, Salmon River Round Table
Lee Hesketh, Program Coordinator, BC Cattlemen’s Association
2nd Annual BC Interior Area Stewardship Workshop (2006)
Due to the overwhelming success of the First Annual Stewardship Workshop in 2005, the Thompson Region again partnered with Fisheries and Oceans Canada to host the Second Annual Stewardship Workshop in William’s Lake in March of 2006. Refer to the description above for background on the workshop.
The Second Annual Workshop was a success! Attended by over 60 stewards from throughout the interior, the two-day event focused on strategic communications and tools for stewards. The event allowed stewards to expand their knowledge and networks, and to build connections and partnerships with a diverse range of stewards. A broad range of interests, including community stewards, agency and industry representatives, local government, first nations and more, attended the event.
Downlaod the complete summary of the 2nd Annual Stewardship Workshop
1st Annual BC Interior Area Stewardship Workshop (2005)
In March of 2005 the Thompson Region, in partnership with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, hosted the 1st Annual BC Interior Area Stewardship Workshop in Kamloops. The workshop was intended to reacquaint the network of partnerships and stewards that grew from the former DFO Habitat Conservation and Stewardship program, and to highlight the need for continued relationships between community stewards and agency staff to encourage the successful conservation of habitat, resources and species throughout the province.
Stewardship refers to a wide range of actions and activities undertaken by individuals, communities, groups and organizations, acting alone or in partnership, to promote, monitor, conserve and restore ecosystems. The workshop was attended by nearly 80 stewards from throughout the interior of BC who were interested in the discussion topics of water conservation and funding opportunities for stewardship work.
Building a Stewardship Ethic
The FBC has worked closely with the Thompson Nicola Regional District (TNRD)
to assist them in building a stewardship ethic. In 2000, the TNRD adopted
a Regional Growth Strategy (RGS) to implement sustainable planning policies
for the region. The TNRD focused on the South Thompson Settlement Strategy
(STSS), specifically targeting the geographic area experiencing the most
growth pressure.
The FBC has contributed to, and played an active role in, the STSS Intergovernmental Advisory Committee and the Working Committee. The FBC's work focused on public consultation and sharing information with, and gathering data from, various governmental agencies. The goals were to build relationships amongst the four orders of government, share information, and develop and implement policies. The FBC's contribution helped ensure that the STSS Policy Document (adopted by the TNRD Board of Directors in 2002) will be sustainable. The FBC has also contributed to a number of other short- and long-term stewardship planning projects with the TNRD.
In 2003, the TNRD undertook to rewrite their Lakeshore Development Guidelines to ensure they met the principles of the established growth management initiative. The FBC has assisted in gathering information and serving in an advisory capacity for this project.
Habitat Stewardship in the Thompson
New and emerging federal and provincial legislation, such as the Species
at Risk Act, Local Government Act, Fish Protection Act, Growth Management
Act and others, are placing greater responsibility on municipalities
and regional districts across the province to adopt bylaws and zoning
regulations. The FBC is working in partnership with the TNRD and CSRD
to gather information to aid in the development of new bylaws and zoning
regulations required to conform to federal and provincial legislation.
The FBC put in place two stewardship coordinators in its Thompson regional office with joint funding from the Habitat Conservation Stewardship Program (HCSP) and the former BC Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks. Fisheries and Oceans Canada designed the HCSP program to establish partnerships and expand the capacity of communities and community groups to better protect and steward fish habitat. These coordinators assist the CSRD and TNRD to gather information needed to adopt and implement new bylaws and zoning requirements.
The success of the two HSCP habitat stewards in the Thompson Region in working with all levels of government has encouraged the provincial and federal governments to continue the partnership developed under the HSCP. The Thompson Region continues to employ a habitat steward whose main function is to assist local governments and area citizens in developing sustainable practices within the region.
Lillooet Spirit of 2010 Conference
The Thompson Region was a major sponsor of the spirit of BC conference
held in Lillooet in March of 2005. The conference featured invited
speakers offering advice on how communities such as Lillooet can take
advantage of the economic opportunities created by the 2010 Olympics. Attendees
came from surrounding communities and left with a better understanding
of the opportunities presented and a commitment to positive solutions.
Mid-Fraser Economic Development Conference
Mid-Fraser
Economic Development Conference News Release February 23, 2004 
228KB
Conference
Program and Registration Information 1.4MB
Nicola Valley Climate
Stations
Water
management has long been an issue in interior watersheds and the Nicola
system, near Merritt, B.C., is no exception. In response to the need
for informed water management, the Thompson Region, with financial support
from the Pacific Salmon Commission, has installed five climate stations
in the Nicola Valley, as seen in this image which is located in the Sunshine
Velley. The stations are intended to assist irrigators in the Valley with
their water management efforts. Localized climatic information is
valuable to irrigators because it allows them to schedule their irrigation
based on crop water requirements and current climatic conditions. In addition
to the five climate stations, Fraser Basin Council has also installed one
soil moisture station that allows the producer to accurately measure current
soil moisture conditions and associated water requirements. Climatic
data and soil moisture data together will greatly improve irrigation efficiency
in the watershed and increase public awareness of water management issues
in the Nicola Valley.
Climatic data from the five stations is available to the public on www.farmwest.com via Climate > Evapotranspiration > Southwest Interior > station name. Fraser Basin Council has installed stations at Douglas Lake, Mamit Lake, Spius Creek, Sunshine Valley and Quilchena.
Partnerships with MSRM
FBC continues to partner with the Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management
(MSRM) on various projects throughout the Region. FBC has assisted in
the development of an information process for the Stat'leu'mx Nation
to understand the Lillooett LRMP. FBC has also assisted in the planning
for helicopter skiing and timber harvesting in the Blue River area, and
in the development of monitoring reports for the various LRMP's in the
region.
Regional and Community Support
The FBC supports and provides direction/services for many ongoing community,
regional district and other activities and programs to advance sustainability
in the Fraser Basin. Over the past year, the Thompson Regional Coordinator
and staff:
- Supported the village of Lillooet with their infrastructure application for sewer upgrades.
- Supported Fisheries and Oceans Canada in developing and measuring transects and low flow monitoring on nine streams within the region.
- Supported the TNRD in their open house program to gather input from local residents on proposed by-laws for the Growth Management Program on the South Thompson.
- Met with residents of numerous smaller communities in the Thompson region to update them on the proposed TNRD lakeshore guidelines and gather their advice.
- Served on the City of Kamloops technical advisory committee for the Liquid Waste Management Plan (LWMP).
- Attended LRMP, LRUP, and LWMP processes to suggest sustainable actions to be incorporated in their planning processes.
- Continued dialogue with members of the IAMC as well as their supporting staff.
- Facilitated meetings for the Sustainable Fish and Fisheries initiative between the Province, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Chief of the Cayoose Creek Indian Band.
- Served on the Technical Advisory Committee for the TNRD's Growth Management program.
- Chaired the Committee on Watershed Sustainability that included the BC Cattlemen's Association, Grasslands Council, DFO, WALP, MAFF and the FBC.
Shuswap Lake Library, Map and Database Project
To determine or assess the land's natural value when subdivisions are proposed,
regional districts often can rely only on public hearings and anecdotal
knowledge of its staff and other government agencies. In the case of
the Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD), local planners and citizens
believed that these sources of information were inadequate.
When an opportunity arose through a partnership between the former BC Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks and Fisheries and Oceans Canada to place a Habitat Steward with the FBC's Thompson Regional Office, the CSRD worked with FBC staff to research and compile extensive data and other relevant information on Shuswap and Mara Lakes. The challenges were in identifying information sources, designing a tool that would encourage all parties to share their information, and making it accessible to all. The task has been completed and the report and extensive data are now being used by a wide range of interests around Shuswap and Mara Lakes. The complete report is available on FBC's website and can be accessed and used interactively by any interested individual.
Can you just pass along how proud I have been to work with you on this project. I think it has done the CSRD…lot of good and has shown what cooperative efforts can bring.- Dennis Lapierre, former Chair, Columbia Shuswap Regional District
Shuswap Lake Water Quality
As the population and intensity of activity in the Shuswap Lake area increases,
concerns have begun to emerge regarding the quality of water in Shuswap
Lake. The Lake provides important fish habitat, is a source of drinking
water and is an important recreational area. The FBC is working with
local governments in the region to raise awareness of the extent and
nature of water quality concerns, and facilitate the development of solutions
involving all interested parties.
The FBC coordinated the development of a summary report of water quality test sites in Shuswap Lake. In addition, the FBC produced a report for the general public on the water quality of Shuswap Lake entitled How is Our Lake Doing?. The document was widely distributed in the local area to increase awareness of issues affecting the lake.
South Thompson Settlement Strategy
To maintain the Basin's rivers in as natural state as possible, growth
management is crucial. The South Thompson region is undergoing the greatest
pressure for growth. The Thompson Nicola Regional District (TNRD) recognized
this and asked the FBC for help in gathering background information and
consulting the public on ideas to accommodate the growth, while protecting
the natural values of the area. The process took several years, but has
culminated in the development of the South Thompson Settlement Strategy
(STSS) that was proclaimed into law in the fall of 2002.
Strengthening Communities
The towns of Boston Bar, Lytton and Spences Bridge, led by the Siska Indian
Band, have begun a process to create a "Learning Communities" initiative
within the Fraser Canyon. The initiative will involve all the communities
between Spuzzum and the Ashcroft Indian Band, and may be expanded to
include the Nicola system and Lillooett.
The Learning Communities initiative is focused on acquiring Internet broadband access that is key to operating in today's world, as dial-up access is far too slow to obtain even the simplest of documents. FBC will work with the local committee to coordinate efforts and resources in the region. The process to select the specific projects will take place in the summer and fall of 2003.
Shuswap Lake Reports –FBC worked with citizens and local government to address deteriorating water quality in Shuswap and Mara Lakes, and produced a number of reports to assist the Columbia Shuswap Regional District to better plan development on the lakes.
Thompson Region Indicator Report:
A Report to the Residents
The Thompson Region released its first ever sustainability indicators report
to residents of the region in June of 2005. When taken together the series
of 12 indicators measure the progress towards sustainability in the Thompson
Basin. The indicators show mixed progress towards the goal of sustainability,
but overall the Basin appears to be making good progress. Some of the highlights
include an improvement in air quality as a result of improved forest practices,
an increase in average household income and relatively constant hunter
success rates over the last 20 years. On the downside, however, there have
been net losses of ALR land in all regional districts in the Thompson Region,
average daily water use by residents of the region is nearly three times
the Canadian average, and both Interior Coho Salmon and Steelhead are at
critically low levels. For more information download your own copy of the Thompson
Region Report to the Residents 5.1
MB