Canadian Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fisheries Commission

Author:

This project (Debris Removal Environmental Review) is intended to address the following key management questions: 1. Are there debris accumulations at Indian Eddy that enhance fish and wildlife habitat, vegetation communities and/or re-vegetation efforts, archaeological sites, or recreational interests, thereby restricting or eliminating debris management in those areas? 2. Are there sensitive ecosystems in the vicinity of Indian Eddy, as identified in Fisheries and Oceans Canada's letter to BC Hydro (Appendix C) or other existing information, that would impose restrictions on debris management activities in this area? 3. Are there types and sizes of woody debris at Indian Eddy that can be selected, separately stored, and made available to regulatory agencies and special interest groups for use in habitat improvement works elsewhere in the watersheds? 4. Where in the vicinity of Indian Eddy can suitable salvaged debris be utilized for fish, wildlife, or recreation site enhancement? 5. Is there a cost-effective and environmentally acceptable physical work in the form of a debris deflection device that would, at all times, provide access to the Lower Columbia River for emergency crews, while at the same time preventing debris from accumulating in the eddy?

It is unlikely that shoreline debris management activities limited to the immediate area of the Indian Eddy boat launch would have any detrimental impact to fish and wildlife values within Indian Eddy or the surrounding environment. If debris removal activity is restricted to the boat launch and wharf area itself, any debris removed would be recently deposited woody debris of a transient nature and low habitat value (e.g. floating or recently dewatered small woody debris). The extent of the debris removal area would be limited to approximately 0.3 ha.

Debris management at the Indian Eddy boat launch would facilitate navigation safety and recreation, while providing a reliable launch site for potentially life saving public services (e.g. Kootenay Boundary Regional Fire Station rescue boat for water based search and rescue service).

The following recommendations are provided to ensure debris management activities are designed in a sustainable manner that ensures the maintenance of ecosystem integrity while exhibiting No Net Loss of aquatic habitat productivity.

It is unlikely that shoreline debris management activities limited to the immediate area of the Indian Eddy boat launch would have any detrimental impact to fish and wildlife values within Indian Eddy or the surrounding environment. If debris removal activity is restricted to the boat launch and wharf area itself, any debris removed would be recently deposited woody debris of a transient nature and low habitat value (e.g. floating or recently dewatered small woody debris). The extent of the debris removal area would be limited to approximately 0.3 ha.

Debris management at the Indian Eddy boat launch would facilitate navigation safety and recreation, while providing a reliable launch site for potentially life saving public services (e.g. Kootenay Boundary Regional Fire Station rescue boat for water based search and rescue service).

The following recommendations are provided to ensure debris management activities are designed in a sustainable manner that ensures the maintenance of ecosystem integrity while exhibiting No Net Loss of aquatic habitat productivity.