Editor:
Having had the privilege of spending 32 years protecting, educating and encouraging stewardship of our salmon resource gives cause for concern about the (proposed) Chapman Lake water supply expansion project and the impacts it will have on the lower reaches of Chapman Creek.
This watershed has been subjected to various land use activities over the years, from which it is still recovering. A vital component to this recovery is to ensure that healthy populations of keystone species such as salmon and trout live in the creek. The proposed draw down of Chapman Lake has not considered (to my knowledge) the potential impact on the salmon and trout population.
Salmonids require a minimum flow of cool clean water in which to survive. To accomplish this, a minimum flow for the creek must be established, water temperatures must not reach lethal temperatures and the risk of sedimentation from development projects within the Chapman watershed is minimized.
Since the early 1990s the diligent efforts of volunteers and staff of the Sunshine Coast Salmonid Enhancement Society have maintained the production of chinook, coho, chum and pink salmon as well as trout and steelhead. This effort has enriched the biodiversity of our lakes and streams, has provided fishing opportunities for many people and must not be jeopardized.
I realize this is significant and this type of analysis and decision-making takes time. Fortunately, this year we’ve had a respite from a drought cycle, thus allowing for sober second thought to engage the community in dialogue to ensure the best decisions are made for the future of our water supply.
Cindy Harlow, Roberts Creek, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (retired)
