Environment: Watershed Management +++enviro_watershed.cfm
Being good stewards of the forests also means being good citizens of the communities which host our operations. Along with our commitment to our Environmental Policy, TimberWest is building a history as a company that offers financial support, time and energy to the environmental well-being of our communities. This year, TimberWest shared with its host communities, First Nations, government and other forestry companies notable accomplishments in water and fish habitat protection:
[San Juan Watershed]
Participation in the funding of a $200,000, 1.5-km side channel on Lens Creek, near Port Renfrew, in the San Juan watershed, to increase coho salmon spawning populations. Project included enhancing existing fish habitat with stumps, logs and boulders. Forest Renewal BC, Fisheries Renewal BC, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Weyerhaeuser also participated.
[Tsulton River Groundwater Channel]
Contribution to construction of the 360-metre Tsulton River groundwater channel, near Beaver Cove Road, to provide habitat for over-wintering coho and spawning chum. Also involved were Canfor, 'Namgis First Nations, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and community volunteers.
[Englishman River Hatchery]
Ongoing support to the Englishman River Hatchery, including donating last summer $5,000 towards feed for chinook fry; additional surveys of Centre Creek, a stream on our private lands that exhibits very high potential for enhancement of coho/steelhead rearing habitat; continuing feasibility studies (with DFO) to develop an additional 2.3 km side channel for spawning and rearing, planned for construction in 2001. Spawning returns of coho and chinook adults are the highest in decades.
[Campbell River and Comox-Strathcona Watersheds]
Cooperation with Campbell River and Comox-Strathcona regional districts as they conduct watersheds assessments involving parts of our private lands. Districts' representatives touring Elk Mountain commented on its good environmental management and the enormous effort put into viewscape management.
[Shawnigan Lake Watershed]
Involvement with the Shawnigan Lake Watershed Watch, which plans a community water supply evaluation. TimberWest participated in discussions and provided technical input concerning policies and management strategies for various environmental issues.
[Watershed Management strategy now over one year old]
Introduced in early 1999, TimberWest's watershed management strategy for private lands is delivering on its commitment to ensure company operations do not affect domestic water quality. To date, we have not received any water quality complaints from those drawing water from company private lands. We're maintaining communication with purveyors and domestic water licencees as promised, and local relationships are considered strong and cooperative.
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Environment: Watershed Management +++enviro_watershed.cfm
This year, TimberWest shared with its host communities, First Nations, government and other forestry companies, notable accomplishments in water and fish habitat protection.
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