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HOME TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledge ments Report Contributors SECTION 1. SUMMARY SECTION 2. PROJECT AND WATERSHED DESCRIPTION SECTION 3. VOLUNTEERS AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT SECTION 4. MEDIA AND PUBLIC EVENTS SECTION 5. ACID MINE DRAINAGE SECTION 6. WATER MONITORING SECTION 7. FISH HABITAT MAPPING PROGRAMS SECTION 8. REFUGE POND STUDIES SECTION 9. RESTORATION PROJECTS SECTION 10. FLOWS AND STORAGE REPORT SECTION 11. ENHANCEMENT CONTACT US
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Summary In the summer of 1997, the TRTF received funding from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) for the Tsolum River Restoration Project. The objectives of the project were to: Assess salmon habitat and to identify factors which were limiting salmon production in the Tsolum River.
The TRTF formed six work groups to address the problems of the watershed. Representatives from each work group formed a Steering Committee. In turn, the Steering Committee advised the Comox Valley Project Watershed Society Directors, and then after October 1999, the Tsolum River Restoration Society Directors on project progress. Appendices A through D detail the organizational structure, achievements, Member Groups and a Summary of Project Funders. In the past 18 months, the TRTF has achieved all project objectives and taken on additional projects such as assisting DFO with enhancement and adult assessment programs. Public awareness of environmental problems within the watershed has been raised, and other funding agencies have joined DFO in supporting TRTF efforts to restore the Tsolum River. Though much has been achieved, there is still much to be done to protect salmon from loss of habitat and declining water quality. An action plan has been developed to address the copper pollution leaching from the Mt. Washington Mine site. This plan was developed by community, government, and industry representatives participating in the Acid Mine Drainage Work Group. If government and industry can cooperate to provide the substantial funding necessary to complete this project, copper concentrations in the Tsolum River will be reduced to levels that will allow salmon populations to recover to historical levels.  The Tsolum…From a river of abundance to a river in decline In his book "Land of Plenty, a History of the Comox District" (1987) local historian Dick Isenor states that when the first European settlers arrived in the Comox Valley in 1862, they were taken by canoe above the confluence of the Puntledge and Courtenay Rivers to a river known as the Tzo-o-oom (quiet waters) by the natives. The lowlands in this area were known for abundant easily harvested berries, fish and deer. As European settlers pre-empted the land and developed farms, this river later became known as the Tsolum, which now flows through the agricultural heartland of the Comox Valley. Streambed degradation Scouring and dredging of the Tsolum River spawning beds were the price paid for the development of settlements in the Comox Valley. As logging activity began along the Tsolum in the 1880s, trees were felled into the river and loggers attempted to float them downstream to the mills. The winding Tsolum often caught the logs, and jammed them on bars and in shallows before they could reach the mill (Isenor et al, 1987). Further habitat degradation occurred in the 1940s when gravel was dredged from the spawning beds of the lower Tsolum River for the construction of the runway at CFB Comox. This removal of spawning gravel reduced the available spawning habitat in the lower river. The community that developed around the river withdrew water for domestic and agricultural supplies, increasing the problem of low summer flows in the river. Fisheries resources decline In the 1950’s, runs of 100,000 pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) and 7,500 coho (O. kisutch) were counted spawning each year in this system (Walker & MacLeod (Ed), 1970). Cutthroat trout (O.clarkii) and chum salmon (O. keta) were plentiful in the lower river, and steelhead salmon (O. mykiss) in the 17 to 23 pound range were being caught by anglers (Brandt, 1997). As clearcut logging activity intensified in the 1950s, the maximum flows in the lower Tsolum River were reported by the Water Survey Branch of Canada to be double what they had been in 1916. Changes in the watershed caused increased siltation that smothered salmon redds and reduced the amount of invertebrate life which the young salmon relied on for their food supply, in the river. At times of low flow, the water was very warm and low in dissolved oxygen. This stressed the returning adults, and led to the decline in salmon abundance. Pink salmon die before spawning In 1951, Percy Wickett of the Department of Fisheries (PBS, 1951)documented the death of thousands of pink salmon stranded in the lower Tsolum River. In an effort to control the pink salmon migration upstream the Fisheries Department constructed a fence below Rees Bridge in the lower river. The idea was to keep the salmon out of the river until flows improved. This fence was subject to flood damage as the fall rains came, and many salmon died trapped behind the structure (Carwithen, 1998). Mining in the upper watershed In 1964, Mt. Washington Copper Ltd. and the Cumberland Mining Company opened a 13 ha. open pit copper mine which operated for two years before going into receivership in 1966. The mill site continued operations until 1967. The pyrite ore and sulphidic waste rock left exposed to water and air at the surface of the minesite began generating sulphuric acid that leached dissolved copper into Pyrrhotite, McKay and Murex Creeks. These tributaries to the Tsolum River carried the toxic copper leachate onto the spawning and rearing grounds of in the lower Tsolum River mainstem. In 1979, Esso Resources Ltd. tested an acid treatment for leaching copper from the remaining ore at the site. As part of the process sulphuric acid and Ferrobacillis oxidans (an acid generating bacterium) was injected into the ore (Deniseger and Pommen, 1995). This process speeded up the release of copper from the minesite. The deadly effect of this copper was not discovered until 1985 when water samples were taken, and the dissolved copper levels were shown to be well above the 7 parts per billion dissolved copper limits established as water quality guidelines by the Ministry of Environment Lands & Parks. Acid mine drainage leaching from an abandoned copper mine at Mt. Washington has been cited as a major factor in the decline of salmonid stocks in the Tsolum River, however low summer flows and habitat loss due to development and logging have also contributed to the loss. To reclaim the Tsolum River a whole watershed approach which drew together government expertise and local knowledge was needed. From 1985 to 1997, the Comox Valley Chapter of the Steelhead Society of B.C., through its Tsolum River Enhancement Committee, took on reclaiming of the abandoned minesite and enhancement of the Tsolum River as its principle mandate. Through letters, TV and radio interviews, and working with the Federal and Provincial ministries, the Society brought community attention to the mine problem and assisted in bringing about a partial remediation of the minesite. The economy of the Comox Valley has suffered through the loss of this resource. Once renowned for its steelhead population, the Tsolum River is now closed to all fishing. Though the cost of mine reclamation may be high, the cost of doing nothing is much higher. Local surveys have estimated that each year two million dollars are lost to the economy of the Comox Valley because of damage to the fisheries resources of the Tsolum River. Over the last 30 years, this means that $60 million dollars of lost opportunity to the economy of British Columbia. Creation of the Tsolum River Task Force The TRTF grew out of many years of dedicated work by citizens concerned about water and watersheds of the Comox Valley. In 1992, DFO’s Salmonid Enhancement Task Group, the Comox Valley Environmental Council and other local organizers held the "Water Lifestream of the Comox Valley" forum to discuss the health of local watersheds and other water related issues. The result of this forum was the production of the report titled " Water- Lifestream of the Comox Valley" (1993), which raised community awareness of watershed issues. The Comox Valley Watershed Assembly is a local forum that convenes monthly to discuss watershed issues. At these meetings focus groups are formed to discuss concerns presented to the Assembly, and to develop solutions to these problems. The Assembly has been very effective for bringing watershed issues to the public and instrumental in the formation of many watershed stewardship groups. In 1995, the "Tsolum Team" was formed at a Watershed Assembly meeting and in 1997, the "Healing the Tsolum" workshop was attended by over 200 local residents. At a meeting the following day, the TRTF was formed with the goal of restoring the Tsolum River to historic levels of health and productivity. The TRTF took its message to the Provincial Minister of Employment and Investment (Mines and Energy), the Honourable Dan Miller, and to the Minister of the Environment, the Honourable Cathy McGregor to request funding and support for the TRTF’s efforts to clean up the problem of minesite pollution, address the problem of low summer water flows in the river and restore fisheries habitat throughout the watershed. In response to this call for action, the Ministers directed the TRTF to apply to Fisheries Renewal B.C. and the Environment Youth Team for assistance with this task. In the spring of 1997, funding was received from DFO for the Tsolum River Restoration Project to be administered by the Comox Valley Project Watershed Society, with the supervision of the project under the control of the Steering Committee of the TRTF.
SECTION 1--APPENDIX A--Organizational Structure (For full size, legible organizational chart, click on chart) 
SECTION 1--APPENDIX B--TRTF Achievements Since its creation in the spring of 1997, the TRTF has achieved a wide variety of results including: Delegation Visits Victoria A TRTF delegation, including MLA Evelyn Gillespie met with provincial Minister of Mines, Honourable Dan Miller and Minister of the Environment, Honourable Cathy McGregor, to call for action on restoring the Tsolum River on July 22, 1997. Funding Secured, Coordination & Administration Established A proposal presented to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) resulted in a collaborative agreement between Project Watershed, and DFO to fund the Tsolum River Restoration Project. On April 1, 1997 DFO committed funds to a two-year Tsolum River Restoration Project. Project Watershed received funds in July 1997 and by September, a full time Project Coordinator, and a part time Project Administrator were contracted to serve the TRTF. Terms of Reference and Work Plans Developed In September 1997, Terms of Reference for the TRTF were adopted by the Steering Committee. Six work groups were formed to address limitations to salmonid production in the watershed. Project plans were developed for each work group. Tsolum River Streamkeeper Group Established In November of 1997, Project Watershed provided Streamkeepers training to interested local residents, and the Tsolum River Streamkeepers group was formed. These community volunteers are actively working with the TRTF to protect fish habitat in the Tsolum River watershed. Tsolum River Mapping Project Phase 1 and 2 The TRTF partnered with DFO and the Community Fisheries Development Centre to conduct a mapping project in the Tsolum River watershed. One supervisor and three fishers in transition were trained in the DFO "Sensitive Habitat Inventory and Mapping" methodology. By March 1998, protocols for landowner contact were in place and, 16.72 km of mapping was been completed. This program also identified wintering habitat for coho and steelhead in Tsolum River tributaries, and restoration project opportunities. Lower Copper Loadings Detected in Water Samples Water samples taken in the spring of 1998 indicated a 50% reduction in copper loadings entering the Tsolum River. More sampling is needed, as no cause has yet been determined for the lower copper levels. Remediation Options Examined in Engineering Report In April 1998, the Ministry of Energy Mines and Resources and the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks and Environment Canada commissioned a report by Levelton Engineering to examine reclamation options for the abandoned Mt. Washington copper mine. Tsolum & Puntledge Declared B.C.’s Most Endangered Rivers In May 1998, the Outdoor Recreation Council responded to a community petition and declared the Tsolum and Puntledge Rivers to be B.C.’s most endangered rivers. Provincial radio coverage and national television coverage highlighted TRTF efforts. TRTF Joins with Community Partners--Mapping Phase 3 B.C. Hydro funded the "Community Partners Project" which employed one supervisor and three young people to work on environmental projects in the Comox Valley. This crew mapped barriers to salmon migration in the Tsolum River mainstem. The crew also participated in community events, and assisted with restoration projects. Environmental Youth Team Interns Join the TRTF In July 1998, the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks "Youth Options BC" program funded two Environment Youth Team (E Team) intern positions. These E Team members were trained as Streamkeepers by Project Watershed. The E Team interns Monitored temperature and dissolved oxygen throughout the watershed and compiled flow data for TRTF studies. They also raised community awareness of TRTF work by building and displaying a watershed model at 2 community events. Eight Stream Restoration Projects Completed During the summer of 1998, eight stream restoration projects were completed. These projects included: construction on refuge ponds, stream complexing, riparian planting, construction of riparian rafts and stream bank stabilization. Water Storage Capacity is Increased The leaking rock weir at the outflow of Wolf Lake was repaired in a cooperative effort between Puntledge Hatchery, DFO engineers, TimberWest and the TRTF during the summer of 1998. Water storage capacity of the lake was increased by 575 acre-feet providing more water for farms and fish during pink salmon migration. Coho Refuge Pond Water Quality Pilot Study Completed Refuge ponds in tributaries to the Tsolum River are essential habitat for fry and adult salmon. During the summer and fall of 1998, temperature and dissolved oxygen levels were monitored in nine refuge ponds. The study revealed that salmon were surviving under less than optimum water quality conditions. A proposal was developed to improve water quality and improve salmon survival. TRTF Cooperates with DFO to Enumerate Spawning Stocks In the fall of 1998 the TRTF participated with DFO to enumerate pink and coho salmon returning to the watershed. Several hundred adult coho pink and chum salmon were observed spawning. The TRTF produced maps of critical spawning habitat. Formation of the Tsolum River Restoration Society In October 1999, the Tsolum River Restoration Society (TRRS) formed to assume responsibility for the administration of the Tsolum River Restoration Project. The collaborative agreement between DFO and Project Watershed was transferred to the TRRS. FsRBC Funds Mapping Phase 4 Fisheries Renewal BC (FsRBC) provided funding for stream mapping in the Headquarters and Dove Creek Watersheds Community Based Siltwatch Program Established In response to local concern for stream water quality, the TRTF used Fisheries Renewal B.C. funding to develop a community based siltwatch program. Volunteers participated with the TRTF to collect water samples and identify sources of point source erosion in Headquarters and Dove Creeks. Landowners Assist TRTF to Protect Coho Habitat Restoration work continues with the construction of riparian rafts for refuge pond habitat, and a continuation of streambank stabilization work. Funding proposals have been submitted to Fisheries Renewal B.C. and DFO’s Habitat Restoration and Salmon Enhancement Program for work to be undertaken after April 1999. Pink Salmon Enhancement Program Re-established The TRTF Enhancement Work Group worked with Puntledge Hatchery and scientists from the Pacific Biological Station to complete a small-scale enhancement project at the Headquarters Creek Hatchery. Bioassay studies undertaken in the spring of 1999 will provide direction for future enhancement programs. AMD Action Plan Produced Canadian Pacific Railway, TimberWest and Better Resources, owners of the Mt. Washington Mine site, are working with the TRTF to develop an action plan for minesite reclamation. The Action Plan is a work in progress that is available on line: http://www.crosswinds.net/actionplan. Community Events, Presentations and Education Programs Since 1997, TRTF staff and volunteers have given 14 public presentations, and written 20 press releases that achieved local, provincial and national media coverage for the project. The TRTF has also encouraged college and university students to participate with the TRTF in field projects and to investigate the environmental problems of the watershed in their course work. Students from UBC, UVic, Excel Career College and North Island College have all completed projects with the guidance of the TRTF. Sustained by the Efforts and Energy of its Volunteers The TRTF has made considerable progress in addressing the causes of problems affecting the Tsolum River. Though much work is completed, much more work remains to be done. It is essential that the momentum generated, and the expertise that has been brought together continues to be supported to complete this important task. We believe that our goal of restoring the Tsolum River to health and productivity is being achieved though our community oriented whole watershed approach.
Tsolum River Task Force Restoring the Tsolum River to historic levels of health and productivity The TRTF is composed of representatives from the following groups: Elected Representatives:
SECTION 1--APPENDIX D--TRTF Funding Agencies The TRTF is grateful for the support that it received from the following funders: Dept. of Fisheries & Oceans, Habitat Restoration and Salmon Enhancement
Program
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SUMMARY Executive Summary History References Organization Achievements TRTF Members RTF Funding
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