The 2013 Shuswap Lake Integrated Planning Process (SLIPP) all-committee meeting at Quaaout Lodge on April 24 was attended by more than 100 people from technical teams, public advisory committees, provincial and regional governments, and the public. The meeting provided an update on progress and planned activities of SLIPP, now in its third and final year of the pilot program.
Mike Simpson of Fraser Basin Council is the new SLIPP program manager. He facilitated the session and provided an overview of the strategic plan and framework of SLIPP, which includes a steering committee, a technical team and a public advisory committee for each goal – foreshore development, water quality and recreation management.
The 2013-14 workplan has these budget allocations by priority: $185,000 for water quality, $49,000 for admin/meetings, $46,000 for foreshore restoration, $41,000 for communication/education, $35,000 for recreation and $3,000 for compliance/enforcement.
SLIPP co-ordinates planning and awareness, reduces duplication, conducts innovative research, provides solutions, accesses resources, and leverages funding from a variety of sources.
In addition to annual funding of $335,000 from Columbia Shuswap Regional District, Thompson Nicola Regional District, Salmon Arm and Sicamous (2011 only), other funding for SLIPP has come from the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation ($345,000), Living Rivers Trust Fund ($25,000), Old Town Bay court awards ($70,000), and cash and in-kind donations of $560,000 from various federal and provincial agencies.
Simpson noted that the new SLIPP leadership has generated more meetings and involvement. He announced a series of open houses will occur in 2013 to enhance communication and obtain feedback, and will be an outreach opportunity for community groups to invite SLIPP to present at local meetings.
Contract biologist Steve Matthews provided an overview of the water quality monitoring program. SLIPP was noted to provide multiple benefits – co-ordination of sampling programs; expansion of monitoring to be able to address specific issues; improvements in quality, quantity, management and accessibility of information; ability to leverage funding and encourage a higher level of understanding and engagement.
The water quality monitoring project has four key objectives – assess general lake nutrient trends, shallow area conditions, impact of specific activities or discharges, and watershed and tributary monitoring.
General lake nutrient trends showed organic nitrogen levels elevated in 2011-12 resulting from natural sources (nutrient releases from the large number of sockeye spawners in 2010) and phosphorous levels elevated in Salmon Arm and Mara Lake in 2012 due to high spring freshet flows.
Shallow area conditions are still undergoing data analysis. Higher phosphorous and nitrogen levels were noted in Salmon Arm and Christmas Island, but were within established standards.
No boat greywater studies occurred in 2012, and data for specific issues are still being analyzed along with watershed and tributary nutrient loadings. The larger tributaries continue to display the highest nutrient loading, which is anticipated based on higher volumes of water. A few smaller tributaries are the subject of increased monitoring due to high nutrient concentrations.
There is much work yet to be done in completing reports and analyses. Key goals are to identify specific nutrient sources for Shuswap Lake and to shift from monitoring towards management. Results of the water quality monitoring will be posted on the SLIPP website when ready.
Matthews’ presentation on foreshore restoration provided an interesting rationale for restoration, the shoreline mapping project, activities to date, and progress with the abandoned dock removal program. Thus far, seven sites have undergone restoration and 25 derelict docks have been removed. The focus for 2013 and beyond will be continued abandoned dock removal and development of a five-year restoration plan.
John Hull and Sydney Johnsen of Thomson Rivers University presented a draft recreation management plan that recognizes the need to balance economic, environmental and social values.
A survey collected opinions from more than 700 lake users and provides a solid, statistically significant data base. The findings will appear on the SLIPP website.
The intention is to have the plan undergo public review and inputs via the SLIPP website between June and September 2013.
By all accounts the 2013 SLIPP all-committee meeting was very successful and provided a comprehensive update of activities and future priorities. We look forward to seeing the exciting new developments that are planned.
If you would like to provide me with your thoughts about future articles, or if you would like to participate in our advisory panel surveys, please contact me via email at pdemenok@csrd.bc.ca.
– Paul Demenok is the Area C director for the Columbia Shuswap Regional District
