Past Regional Work

Here are a few examples of FBC's past work in the Fraser Valley.

Burn It Clean

In 2015, with funding from Environment Canada’s EcoAction Community Program, FBC held workshops on best practices in the use of dry firewood and wood burning appliances in communities around the Fraser Valley, and encouraged residents to upgrade their old stoves to newer, cleaner burning models. For tips, see Chop, Stack, Burn.

BC CLEAR

The BC Clean Air Research Fund was a multi-year provincial partnership program, administered by FBC, to fund groundbreaking air quality research. See BC CLEAR Projects for a look at research funded from 2008 to 2016, including projects to further understanding of air quality in the Fraser Valley.

Harmony on the Fraser

In June 2014 the Fraser Basin Council convened a solutions dialogue under the banner of "Harmony on the Fraser" to discuss the upcoming salmon fishing season and its challenges.

2014 was a strong year for Fraser River sockeye. That meant fishing opportunities opening for all sectors, but also crowded fishing conditions in some areas, particularly in the busy stretch between Chilliwack and Hope.

Many new recreational anglers come to the Fraser each year, but especially when sockeye runs are strong, and some anglers are not familiar with the rules or do not understand that both Aboriginal and recreational fisheries may be active on the river at the same time. In the past, there have been concerns about unsafe parking, unsafe highway or rail crossings, trespassing, garbage dumping, poor sanitation and lack of courtesy among the people fishing, whether on boat or shore.

These and other issues were discussed in the dialogue, which had a good turnout from First Nations, sport fishing organizations, conservation interests and enforcement agencies. Everyone agreed on the importance of encouraging safe and respectful relations along the river.

Most people on the river are respectful of each other, of course. It is important that they be supported and that everyone share in keeping harmony on the Fraser. The solutions dialogue was helpful in identifying actions that participants could take to address problems in their own areas of responsibility, now and in future years.

The 2014 Harmony on the Fraser dialogue featured the Fraser River Fisheries Peacemakers. The volunteer Peacemakers came together from First Nations and recreational fishing organizations to educate about good river manners, to encourage better relationships between First Nations and recreational fishers, and to prevent and resolve conflicts. Their work began in 2009 after a confrontation between two recreational fishers and a First Nations chief on the Fraser River, during which the chief was shot in the face with a pellet gun. In the minds of all responsible people, this violent incident brought into sharp focus the need for everyone to share the river in a more peaceful manner.

The Fraser Basin Council also helped support their educational outreach, leading to a "Harmony on the Fraser" public event in August 2014 at Island 22 in Chilliwack.

Community Dialogues

Respectful dialogue is key to good working relationships.

Community to Community (C2C) Forums, hosted by local governments and First Nations, with support from the Union of BC Municipalities and First Nations Summit, are a good example of what’s possible. The C2C forums began in 1997 and have opened the door to more supportive, neighbourly relationships between Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal leaders, and opportunities to work together.

The Fraser Basin Council has facilitated several C2C forums throughout BC, including in the Fraser Valley.

For more information on the UBCM Community to Community Forums, visit the UBCM website.

Fraser Valley Debris Trap

The Fraser River debris trap is a floating facility between Hope and Agassiz that corrals uprooted trees and wood debris into a side channel where they can be chipped for hog fuel. The trap helps protect Lower Fraser River communities from large volumes of wood debris coming downstream during spring high waters and avoids what was estimated in 2008 at $8 million  a year in costs of clean-up and repairs.

FBC worked with a multi-party committee for over a decade to oversee the Fraser River Debris Trap and to secure annual funding commitments for its operation, primarily from federal and provincial authorities. The Province of BC and Port Metro Vancouver made a long-term commitment to fund and operate the trap, beginning April 2011.

Sustainability Snapshot 2010

Sustainability Snapshot 2010: Working Together in the Lower Mainland is an FBC report on key measures of social, economic and environmental health in the Fraser Valley, Metro Vancouver and Squamish-Lillooet. While doing well on many fronts, these communities are also grappling with the pressures of population growth, coupled with high levels of consumption, waste and pollution, and certain social and economic disparities.

For the data, and examples of community work, see Sustainability Snapshot 2010.

Chilliwack River Watershed Strategy

In 2009 a collaboration of federal, provincial and local government agencies, First Nations and community groups completed a report and recommendations for a Chilliwack River Watershed Strategy Report. The work of the strategy team was aimed at creating a common understanding of the watershed and its values, through science and local knowledge, to assist decision-makers, increase public awareness and identify stewardship opportunities. FBC facilitated the team meetings and work plan. 

Gravel Management

Over 285,000 m³  of gravel and sand is deposited by the Fraser River each year in the stretch between Hope and Mission. Gravel offers valuable fish habitat, but can also contribute to navigation problems and flood risk. Between 1999 and 2004, the Fraser Basin Council facilitated a process for federal and provincial authorities and other interests to discuss river gravel management. In 2004 those authorities reached a five-year agreement on gravel removal, information and monitoring requirements, and decision-making timelines. Emergency Management BC (BC Ministry of Justice) administers this program.

Celebration of Community

The Mission Celebration of Community brought together residents, visitors and community organizations to learn, share and celebrate together. FBC chaired the event between 2000 and 2010, working in partnership with the District of Mission Parks and Recreation and the Mission Association for Community Living.