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Water flow not up to SCRD

Letters

Editor:

Re: “SCRD returns to Stage 2 Restrictions,” Sept. 24.

In regards to maintaining “adequate water flow for fish in Chapman Creek,” it is not up to the SCRD or their independent consultant to determine the minimum required water flow for fish in Chapman Creek. That determination is made by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) only. According to DFO, the minimum water flow for fish in Chapman Creek should be no less than 300 to 500 litres/second, not the 200 litres/second that was set by the SCRD and its consultant.

When Stage 2 water restrictions were reinstated, the water level in Chapman Creek was so low that very few fish were able to enter the creek at the mouth, and further up the few fish that did enter the creek during the brief rains in September were trapped in pools and unable to reach the upper portions of the creek.

At no time is it ever acceptable to restrict water flow to the point of endangering what is left of our dwindling fish stocks.

Cheryl Buhr, Gibsons