Columbia Region Action Plan UpdateTechnical WorkshopApril 2019

Angus Glass

fwcp.ca1

Photo: B. Meunier

Introductions

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FWCP Columbia Region ManagerCrystal Klym

FWCP CommunicationsAngus GlassLynne Betts

FWCP Board Members

FWCP Team

LGL Limited environmental research associatesMarc d’EntremontKrysia TuttleMegan Mathews

Today’s Purpose & Outcomes

Purpose: Present and discuss draft priority actions

Review options and timing for input

Outcomes: Increase awareness of draft priority actions

Get your initial input on draft priority actions

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Today’s Agenda

1. Introductions & agenda review

2. FWCP overview & context

3. Action Plan Update introduction

4. Review & discuss draft priority actions

5. Roundtable & wrap-up

6. Adjourn

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Introduction to FWCP

The FWCP is a partnership between BC Hydro, the Province of B.C., Fisheries and Oceans Canada, First Nations and Public Stakeholders, to conserve and enhance fish and wildlife in watersheds impacted by BC Hydro dams.

BC Hydro fulfills water licence and voluntary commitments through the FWCP. The FWCP is funded by BC Hydro.

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FWCP’s Vision & Mission

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Our VisionThriving fish and wildlife populations in watersheds that are functioning and sustainable.

Our MissionThe Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program compensates for fish and wildlife in watersheds impacted by BC Hydro dams.

fwcp.ca/our-story/

Approach to Fulfilling Mission

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FWCP’s approach is forward looking:

1. continual adaptation will be required in a dynamic natural environment

2. considers the objectives and priorities of its program partners

3. considers projected local impacts of climate change, cumulative effects onthe landscape, and emerging ecological issues

4. protects past conservation efforts and benefits to fish & wildlife

5. contributes to the resilience of our watersheds and ecosystems

6. focused on overall mission to conserve and enhance fish and wildlife in

watersheds impacted by BC Hydro dams

fwcp.ca/our-story/

FWCP’s Strategic Objectives

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ConservationMaintain or improve the status of species or ecosystems of concern. Maintain or improve the integrity and productivity of ecosystems and habitats.

Sustainable UseMaintain or improve opportunities for sustainable use, including harvesting and other uses. Harvesting includes First Nations, recreational, sport and commercial harvests. Other uses may include cultural, medicinal, or non-consumptive uses.

Community EngagementBuild and maintain relationships with stakeholders and aboriginal communities. This objective stems from BC Hydro’s social responsibility policy and the Province of B.C. shared stewardship objective.

fwcp.ca/our-story/fwcp.ca/fwcp-governance-manual/

FWCP’s Three Regions

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How we’re structured

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Columbia Region Board

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fwcp.ca/wanted-new-board-member

Fish & Wildlife Technical Committees support our Board

fwcp.ca/columbia-region-board-committees

FWCP’s Columbia Region

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Vision

Mission

Strategic Objectives

Action Plans Outline Priority Actions

Project Delivery Mechanisms

Annual GrantsLong-term Agreements

and Partnerships

Board Directed Projects e.g. RFPs and direct award agreements

How we work

How we work

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Priority Actions

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Priority Actions in Updated Action Plans:

1. Align with FWCP mission, vision and strategic objectives;

2. Are within geographic scope;

3. Align with FWCP investment criteria; and

4. Are eligible for FWCP funding.

FWCP’s Project Investment Criteria

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Insert investment criteria

What we fundDon’t fund

Insert list of project types

Reviewing Draft Priority Actions

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Please download draft priority actions at:

fwcp.ca/updating-columbia-action-plans/

Draft priority actions are organized by ecosystem-based action plan type:

1. Reservoirs & Large Lakes

2. Small Lakes

3. Rivers & Riparian Areas

4. Wetlands & Riparian Areas

5. Upland & Dryland Areas

Reviewing Draft Action Tables

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Please focus on draft priority actions today for ecosystems and species

fwcp.ca/updating-columbia-action-plans

Your Feedback?

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Draft Priority ActionsDo you have any feedback on or suggestions about the draft priority actions?

Draft Species of InterestDo you have any feedback on or suggestions about the draft list of species of interest, or the species categories assigned to each species?

Improving our Action PlansDo you have any feedback on or suggestions for improving Columbia Region Action Plans so they can better provide guidance to grant applicants and others interested in actions eligible for FWCP funding?

Inputs to Draft Action Tables

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1. Strategic project review

2. Literature review

3. Early engagement:• FWCP partners, agencies, technical committees

• First Nations

• Regional & provincial stakeholders

• Columbia Region Board

• 33 interviews

Considerations: Emerging Issues

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1. Climate change (rate of loss/change in ecosystems)

2. Water levels & waterways

3. Cumulative effects

4. Fire suppression and forestry practices

5. Transportation corridors & wildlife movements

6. Invasive species

7. Conservation & protection of habitat / species

8. Land stewardship & private land development

9. Fish and wildlife diseases (e.g. White nose syndrome)

10. Columbia River Treaty

11. Fish passage

12. Salmon restoration

Considerations: Ecological Priorities

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1. Land securement & habitat protection

2. Climate change

3. Species at risk

4. Invasive species

5. Connectivity

6. Human presence on landscape

7. Water quality / quantity, natural hydrograph

8. Wetland and riparian areas

9. Upland dryland ecosystems

10. Optimizing ecological values of large lake & reservoir

ecosystems

Proposed Changes

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1. FWCP takes a progressive approach that responds to dam impacts and works toward resilient and functioning watersheds

2. FWCP’s approach to conservation considers:• the linkage between dam impacts and climate change impacts• our evolving partnership with First Nations

3. A holistic, ecosystem-based approach

4. More on the ground restoration and land securement actions

5. More monitoring and evaluation actions

6. More species-based actions

Proposed Changes

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7. Recognize the importance of riparian areas in each draft plan

8. Clarity about our role:• invasive species• manage resources

9. Cross-plan actions (e.g., climate change, cumulative impacts)

10. Species of interest are in ecosystem-based action plans

11. New action plan names

12. Action tables reflect progression from research to action and then monitoring and evaluations

Reviewing Draft Action Tables

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Columbia Region Action Plans

Reservoirs andLarge Lakes

Small LakesRivers and

Riparian AreasWetland and Riparian Areas

Upland and Dryland

Action Plan – Reservoirs & Large Lakes

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1. Priority areas: five priority BC Hydro reservoirs (and corresponding tributaries) and other BC Hydro reservoirs and waterbodies > 1000 ha (e.g. Slocan Lake, Pend d’Oreille, KoocanusaReservoir)

2. Ecosystem actions: effectiveness evaluation of nutrient programs, invasive species, updates within Rainbow Trout (pis. & ins.), Kokanee, Bull Trout and Burbot status indicators

3. Single action for recovery species: White Sturgeon, Mountain Caribou

4. Species Actions: Grizzly Bear, invertebrates

See page 1

Action Plan – Small Lakes

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1. Priority areas: waterbodies including lakes and reservoirs < 1000 ha (e.g., Summit Lake, Moyie Lake).

2. Ecosystem actions: developing ecosystem restoration plans, restoration and enhancement of habitat

3. Species actions: fish, waterbirds, Western Toad, Western Painted Turtle, bats, invertebrates

See page 17

Action Plan – Rivers & Riparian Areas

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1. Priority areas: 14 priority rivers, removed Flathead River

2. Ecosystem actions: regional river plans, nutrient restoration evaluation, invasive species

3. Single action for recovery species: White Sturgeon

4. Species actions: Burbot, Westslope Cutthroat Trout, waterbirds, invertebrates

See page 21

Action Plan – Wetlands & Riparian Areas

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1. Priority areas: Six priority valleys and ‘other’ areas

2. Ecosystem actions: mapping of riparian areas, cottonwood and floodplain habitats, connectivity, habitat restoration and land securement

3. Single action for recovery species: Mountain Caribou, Northern Leopard Frog, Western Screech-owl, Yellow-breasted Chat, Lewis’s Woodpecker

4. Species actions: fish, Grizzly Bear, bats, Western Toad, Western Painted Turtle, Great Blue Heron, invertebrates

See page 27

Action Plan – Upland & Dryland

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1. Priority areas: four priority ecosystems, Grasslands and Montane added

2. Ecosystem actions: connectivity, old-growth ecosystems, ecosystem restoration plans, land securement

3. Single action for recovery species: Mountain Caribou, American Badger, Lewis’s Woodpecker, Western Screech-owl

4. Species actions: Grizzly Bear, bats, Western Toad, furbearers, invertebrates

See page 36

Action Plan – Species of Interest

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1. Species of Interest Action Plan rolled into ecosystem-based Action Plans:• ties ecosystems and species together• allows for development of new actions for species or

groups

2. Feedback on draft species list:• add species?• remove species?• change categories?

See page 44

Cross Plan Actions

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1. Actions that apply to each ecosystem based Action Plan

2. Proposed for inclusion in 2019 updated Action Plans

See page 43

Input Opportunities

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Eight Workshops 1 – 4 pm Eight Open houses 5:30 – 7 pmRSVP fwcp@bchydro.com

fwcp.ca/updating-columbia-action-plans/

fwcp.ca/updating-columbia-action-plans/

Input Opportunities

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1. Two online information sessions: April 4 and April 30

2. Online feedback form until May 3, 2019

fwcp.ca/updating-columbia-action-plans/

Action Plan Update – Next Steps

Engagement on Draft Ideas Spring 2019

Online Feedback Form Deadline May 3, 2019

Review Draft Action Plans June / July 2019

Final Updated Action Plans August 2019

Annual Grant Intake Opens August 2019

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Contact us fwcp.ca

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Closing Roundtable

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Wrap-up and summary

Next steps and closing comments

fwcp.ca/updating-columbia-action-plans/