Download Fraser River Basin, Canada

Sustainability in the Fraser
River Basin, Canada
Marion Hermus
Anke Westera
Introduction
•
•
•
•
•
Source: Fraser Pass
Mouth: Strait of Georgia
Length: 1375 km
Catchment area: 220,000 km2
Discharge: 3500 m3/s
Introduction
• Inhabitants: 2/3 of the inhabitants of British Columbia (2.7
million)
• Land use: 210,000 km2 forest
• Economic: Main salmon river in the world, mainly forestry
and agriculture, 10% op Canadian GNP
Challenges
Challenges
4 System conditions
Ecosystem factors
-Fish stocks (the world’s largest salmon-producing river systems + 57 other fish
species)
SC 3
-300 species find their habitat there, important waterfowl breeding area
SC 3
-seasonal changes in discharge (in summer 10 times higher)
SC 3
-spread of invasive plant species
SC 3
-effects of climate change
SC 1, 2, 3
-water and air pollution
SC 1, 2, 3
Economical factors
-hydropower, dams
SC 3, 4
-fisheries (worth $300 million annually)
SC 3, 4
-timber harvesting, forestry
SC 1, 3, 4
-recreation
SC 2, 3, 4
-mining activities
SC 1, 2, 4
Communities
-urban growth management
SC 1, 2, 3, 4
-transportation
SC 1, 2, 4
-strengthening rural communities
SC 4
-aboriginal and non-aboriginal relationships
SC 4
Vision for the Fraser River (step C)
• In the future the Fraser River Basin will be a place where:
– social well-being, strong economic activity and a healthy ecosystem
are all present
– all inhabitants of the river basin are aware of the importance of
sustainability and work together to achieve this
– everybody takes responsibility for conserving and enhancing a
healthy ecosystem
– communities work together at innovative planning and creative
problem solving
– decision making is done by the whole community, including the
aboriginal inhabitants
Actions
Short-term actions:
•
•
•
No building activities that obstruct the water in flood hazard areas
Integrated Salmon Dialogue Forum
Yearly competition for sustainable initiatives
Long-term actions:
•
•
•
Integrated flood hazard management tools
Secure and manage the habitat of the salmon and a sustainable
salmon fishery
Stimulation of cycling in Vancouver
Three strategic questions:
1. Is it a step in the right direction?
2. Is it a flexible platform?
3. Is it a good return on investment?
Stakeholders
Low influence
High influence
Low interest
High interest
Schools
Energy industry
Inhabitants of the Fraser River Basin
Aboriginals
Researchers
Agricultural industry
Building industry
Fraser Basin Council
Government
Fish industry
Forestry industry
Changes
• Fraser Basin Council
• Charter for Sustainability
(http://www.fraserbasin.bc.ca/about_us/documents/FBCcharter.pdf)
• Awareness, willingness and cooperation