The province has requested Rio Tinto to suspend the Summer Temperature Management Program as fisheries agencies have indicated that this suspension will assist the migration of salmon past the Big Bar Landslide on Fraser River.
The Summer Temperature Management Program (STMP) is run by Rio Tinto, who operate the Nechako Reservoir.
READ MORE: What is the Summer Temperature Management Program?
The STMP requires flows of 170 cubic metres per second to 283 metres per second at Cheslatta Falls for the period of July 20 until August 20 to manage water temperature in the Nechako River at or below 20 degrees Celsius.
Fisheries agencies have indicated that a reduced flow in the Fraser River at the Big Bar Slide will help support successful fish passage. Agencies said a preferred maximum flow target at Cheslatta Falls for the benefit of fish passage at the landslide be at 170 cubic metres per second, as per provincial documents.
The request for suspension was made on August 2, 2019 by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations, and Rural Development (FLNRORD), Fish and Aquatic Habitat Branch.
“The rationale is that the early Stewart Sockeye run are not being able to pass the Big Bar Slide and suspension of the STMP is expected to improve the flow conditions in the Fraser River for salmon passage,” as per provincial documents.
This suspension may have temperature related effects on sturgeon and resident fish in the Nechako River, reads the document, adding monitoring of forecast air and water temperatures, as well as adjusting the release of flow from Skins Lake Spillway will mitigate potential risks to sturgeon and resident fish.
Both the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council and Upper Fraser Fisheries Alliance have provided endorsement for the suspension of the STMP in 2019.
Justus Benckhuysen, Nechako operations coordinator for Rio Tinto said that the company has suspended the STMP for this year.
More to come
Aman Parhar
Editor, Vanderhoof Omineca Express
aman.parhar@ominecaexpress.comLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter
