THE
JohnstoneCOASTAL PLAN - Bute
Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management Coast and Marine Planning Branch
December 2004 COASTAL PLAN The Johnstone - Bute D1.77 04339’’911C2004-960040-0 333.91’7’097111 HD319.B7B74 2004 – Environmental conditions. 6. –Environmental ButeInlet(B.C.) conditions. I. Title. Strait Region. 4. Landuse-BritishColumbia–Bute InletRegion. 5. Johnstone Strait (B.C.) policy -BritishColumbia–ButeInletRegion. 3. Landuse-BritishColumbiaJohnstone British Columbia–Johnstone StraitRegion. 2. Coastalzonemanagement–Government 1. Coastalzonemanagement–Government policy– ISBN 0-7726-5152-3 Also available ontheInternet. “December, 2004” The Johnstone-Bute CoastalPlan. British Columbia. CoastandMarinePlanningBranch. ofCanadaCataloguinginPublicationData National Library The J o hnston e - B ute COASTAL PLAN
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Plan Announcement...... i DFO Letter of Recognition...... iii Acknowledgements...... iv Acronyms and Definitions ...... xii 1.0 Introduction...... 1 1.1 Location ...... 1 1.2 Plan Rationale and Intent...... 1 1.3 Jurisdiction and Scope ...... 1 1.4 Planning Process...... 1 2.0 Plan Area Description ...... 5 2.1 Physical and Oceanographic Features...... 5 2.2 British Columbia Marine Ecological Classification...... 7 2.3 Marine Habitat ...... 12 2.4 Biological Features ...... 18 2.5 Social and Economic Profile...... 29 2.6 Economic Structure and Trends ...... 32 2.7 Economic Activities...... 32 3.0 Plan Framework and Direction...... 39 3.1 Use of the Plan...... 39 3.2 Planning Units and Unit Data...... 39 3.3 Defining Areas of Ecological Significance ...... 40 3.4 Uses and Activities...... 41 3.5 Determination of Use Acceptability...... 41 3.6 Planning Unit Direction ...... 42 3.7 Site Specific Considerations for Tenure Applications...... 43 3.8 Aquaculture Assessment/Opportunity...... 44 3.9 Xwémalhkwu Coastal and Marine Planning ...... 44 3.10 Upland Owner Riparian Rights ...... 45 3.11 Navigable Waters...... 45 3.12 Planning Unit Direction...... 47 Planning Unit Example...... 47 Unit 1. Port Neville...... 51 Unit 2. Upper Johnstone...... 55 Unit 3.Yorke ...... 59 Unit 4. Sunderland Channel ...... 63 Unit 5.Topaze Harbour...... 67 Unit 6. Wellbore Channel...... 71 Unit 7. Current - Race...... 75 Unit 8. Chancellor Channel...... 79 Unit 9. South Johnstone...... 83 Unit 10. Philips Arm...... 87 Unit 11. Nodales Channel...... 91 Unit 12. Frederick - Estero...... 95 Unit 13. Rapids ...... 99 Unit 14. Okisollo – Hole in the Wall...... 105 Unit 15. Bute Entrance ...... 109 Unit 16. Lower Bute...... 113 Unit 17. Orford...... 119 Unit 18. Upper Bute...... 125 Unit 19. Loughborough Inlet...... 131 Unit 20. Mayne Passage...... 135 4.0 Plan Assessment ...... 137 4.1 Environmental Components and Mitigation Measures...... 137 4.2 Economic Implications of Recommendations...... 139 5.0 Summary and Follow-up ...... 141 5.1 Summary of Plan Recommendations...... 141 5.2 Information Limitations ...... 141 5.3 Summary of Recommendations for Land Act Notations...... 143 5.4 Commercial Recreation Operating Practices Guidelines...... 143 5.5 Plan Variation Process ...... 143 5.6 First Nation Contact and Considerations/Provisions...... 144 5.7 Plan Review and Amendment...... 144 5.8 Summary of Follow Up Activities...... 145
Appendices Appendix 1. Governance Principles for Sustainable Resource Management...... 146 Appendix 2. First Nations, Agency, and Interest Group Discussions...... 147 Appendix 3. Submissions from First Nations and Local Governments...... 148 Appendix 4. Data Sources...... 177 Appendix 5. Decision Tools...... 179 Appendix 6. DFO Site Specific Assessment Considerations...... 187 Appendix 7. Legislation and Regulations ...... 195 Appendix 8. References...... 201
List of Tables Table 1. Generalized Process For The Johnstone-Bute Coastal Plan...... 3 Table 2. Shore Zone Classification Criteria...... 10 Table 3. Habitat Categories, Associated Physical Features, Ecological Attributes And Function...... 13 Table 4. Utilization Of The Habitat Categories For Salmon And Selected Groundfish Species...... 21 Table 5. Seasonal Utilization Of Habitat Categories By Shellfish Species...... 23 Table 6. Utilization Of The Habitat Categories And Planning Units By Marine Birds...... 25 Table 7. Seabird Colonies And Areas Of Notable Use By Marine And Coastal Birds...... 27 Table 8. Identified Eagle Nesting Areas ...... 28 Table 9. Seasonal Utilization Of Known Habitat Categories By Marine Mammals...... 29 Table 10.Red And Blue Listed Species In The Johnstone-Bute Plan Area...... 30 Table 11.Aquaculture Production In The Johnstone-Bute Coastal Plan Area 1999-2002...... 33 Table 12.Commercial Salmon And Shellfish Catch Statistics: Area 13, 2003...... 34 Table 13.Estimated Annual Harvest In The PlAn Area...... 35 Table 14.CCLRMP Candidate Protection Areas ...... 37 Table 15.Summary Of Tourism Opportunity Studies SWOT Analysis For Sayward District, Bute Inlet . and Stuart Island ...... 38 Table 16.Foreshore And Nearshore Uses ...... 41 Table 17.Foreshore And Nearshore Activities...... 42 Table 18.Code For Acceptable Uses And Activities...... 43 Table 19.Management Emphasis Categories ...... 43 Table 20.Distribution of Key Biological Atributes By Management Emphasis Category...... 139 Table 21.Economic Impact Coefficients For Selected Coastal Uses...... 140 Table 22.Summary Of Recommended Uses By Planning Unit ...... 141 The Johnstone - Bute Johnstone The COASTAL PLAN COASTAL PLAN 85 86 .... 8 ... 26 ..180 ute .....184 B ...... 185 ...... 182 ...... 183 ...... 5 e - e ...... 42 n ...... 177 ...... 30 ...... 32 ...... 6 ...... 7 ...... 145 sto ...... 11 ...... 1 ...... 143 ...... 49 ...... 144 ...... 33 hn ...... 188 o ...... 10 J e ...... 143 ...... 180 ...... 180 Th Table 39. Use/Resource Compatibility and Referral Requirements: Floating Lodges/Base Camps...... 1 Floating Lodges/Base Requirements: Referral Compatibility and Use/Resource 39. Table Best Management Practices...... 40. Table Table 38. Use/Resource Compatibility and Referral Requirements: Floating Lodges/Base Camps...... 1 Floating Lodges/Base Requirements: Referral Compatibility and Use/Resource 38. Table Table 37. Use/Resource Compatibility and Referral Requirements: Private/Public Utilities...... Requirements: Compatibility and Referral Use/Resource 37. Table List of Figures 1.Figure Area...... Coastal Plan Johnstone-Bute Table 34. Use/Resource Compatibility and Referral Requirements: Log Handling Storage and Infrastructure Log Requirements: Compatibility and Referral Use/Resource ...... 183 34. Table Docks...... Private Requirements: Compatibility and Referral Use/Resource 35. Table Sites...... Communications Requirements: Compatibility and Referral Use/Resource 36. Table 2.Figure Area The Johnstone-Bute ...... And Land Use Patterns In Topography Victoria 1971- 2000...... 3. 6 Figure And Point Chatham The Campbell River, At Temperatures Mean Monthly 4.Figure 1971-2000 Point And Chatham At Campbell River ...... Levels Precipitation Mean Monthly 6 5.Figure And At Chatham Point Winds Observed And Maximum And Force Direction Average Wind Roses Showing 6.Figure Area...... Plan The Johnstone-Bute Stratification In 7.Figure Area...... Plan The Johnstone-Bute Salinity In Water Surface Minimum Annual Average 8.Figure And July...... Airport In January Comox And Bute Inlet Strait Climates In Johnstone ...... Wave An Indicator Of 9 As Regimes Exposure 9.Figure Area Plan The Johnstone-Bute ...... In 9 Temperature Water Summer Sea Bottom Minimum 10.Figure Zone Biobands Shore ...... Shoreline...... Area Plan 11 Total Of A Percentage As 11.Figure Area Plan In Johnstone-Bute Types Summary Of Shore 12.Figure Description...... Type Planning Unit Shore 13.Figure April 2003 Coastal Birds And ...... Of Notable Use By Marine Areas CWS Identified 14.Figure And BC...... Area Comparison Of Plan Age Profile 15.Figure By Industry 2001...... Force Experienced Labour 16.Figure 1996...... Income Dependency 17.Figure Acceptabliity Determination...... Of Conceptual Diagram 18.Figure Planning Unit Maps...... Legend For Table 23.Summary Of Foreshore / Nearshore Areas Recommended For Land Act Notation Of Interest (Noi) Of Interest Act Notation Land Recommended For Areas ...... 142 23.Summary / Nearshore Table Of Foreshore Colonies Bird Practices For Operating Recreation Commercial 24.Summary For Requiring Guidelines Areas Table Of And Migratory Habitat Bird ...... Table 25.Summary Of Areas Requiring Guidelines For Commercial Recreation Operating Practices For Bear Viewing...... Bear .. Practices For Operating Recreation Commercial 25.Summary For Requiring Guidelines Areas Table Of 26.First Nation Contact Information...... Table 27.SummaryActivities...... Up Table Schedule Of Follow - Bute Coastal Plan...... Used In Johnstone Sources Data 28. TablE Key ...... 29. Table Sources...... 30. Table Aquaculture Beach Shellfish ...... Requirements: Compatibility and Referral Use/Resource 31. Table Water...... 181 Deep Aquaculture Beach Shellfish Requirements: Compatibility and Referral Use/Resource 32. Table Aquaculture...... Finfish Requirements: Compatibility and Referral Use/Resource 33. Table COASTAL PLAN The Johnstone - Bute i i COASTAL PLAN - - - - ute ute BB HU\ e - - e e nn sto sto hn hn ULHVDQG2FHDQVDQGFRQ DJUHDWVRXUFHRILQIRUPD oo QDEOHRSSRUWXQLWLHVWRVXS LQDEOHPDULQHGHYHORSPHQW JJ HLQIRUFHVORFDOFRPPXQLW\ RXULVPVKHOO¿VKDQG¿Q¿VK e e KD%D\5HVRUW ZRUNZLWKORFDOFRPPXQLWLHV OXGHVDVVRFLDWHGFKDQQHOVDQG SPHQW´VDLG9LVVHU³:LWKWKLV OYDOXHVLQWKHUHJLRQDQQRXQFHG HFWDUHVRIPDULQHDUHD DQFHPHQWRIDTXDFXOWXUHDQGWRXU RDVWDO3ODQSURFHVV7KLVKHOSVDOO RSHUDWLYHDSSURDFKWRRXWVWDQGLQJ Th Th QPHQWDOO\VHQVLWLYH´ SPHQWLQFOXGLQJGRFNVZKDUYHV URFHVV RXUSURGXFWVDQGRSSRUWXQLWLHV´VDLG LG0LQLVWHURI6XVWDLQDEOH5HVRXUFH UVW1DWLRQVLQGXVWU\HQYLURQPHQWDO -more NEWS RELEASE &RDVWDO3ODQDUHDLVORFDWHGLQWKH-RKQVWRQH6WUDLWDQG'LVFRY COASTAL PLAN PROMOTES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENT PLAN PROMOTES ECONOMIC COASTAL Johnstone-Bute 7KHSODQZDVGHYHORSHGFROODERUDWLYHO\ZLWK'HSDUWPHQWRI)LVKH The ³7KHSODQKHOSVLGHQWLI\DSSURSULDWHVLWHVIRULQYHVWPHQWDQGU 7KHFRDVWDOSODQLGHQWL¿HVSRWHQWLDOVLWHVIRUUHFUHDWLRQDQGW ³&RPPXQLWLHVDQGLQGXVWU\KDYHWROGXVWKH\QHHGVWDEOHVXVWDL ³7KHSODQJLYHVQHZDQGH[LVWLQJPDULQHEDVHGWRXULVPRSHUDWRUV WLRQWRHIIHFWLYHO\DOORZIRUWKHGHYHORSPHQWDQGDQDO\VLVRIW -LP'DYLVRZQHURSHUDWRURI'HVWLQ\5LYHU$GYHQWXUHVDQG0RXWF WLQXHVWKHZRUNLQJUHODWLRQVKLSSLORWHGLQWKH4XDWVLQR6RXQG& OHYHOVRIJRYHUQPHQWZRUNWRJHWKHUWRVKDUHGDWDDQGEXLOGDFR concerns regarding habitat management. &$03%(//5,9(5±7KH-RKQVWRQ%XWH&RDVWDO3ODQLGHQWL¿HVVXVWD For Immediate Release Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management Ministry of Sustainable Resource For Immediate Release 2004SRM0046-001072 Dec. 15, 2004 DQGGLYHUVL¿FDWLRQRSSRUWXQLWLHVZKLOHPDLQWDLQLQJHQYLURQPHQWD today. Visser Rod North Island MLA DQG)LUVW1DWLRQVHIIRUWVWRLPSURYHDQGH[SDQGHFRQRPLFGHYHOR SODQLQSODFHZHZLOOVHHWKHORFDOHFRQRP\EHQH¿WIURPWKHHQK LVP´ DTXDFXOWXUHDVZHOODVVWUXFWXUHVDVVRFLDWHGZLWKXSODQGGHYHOR DQGRWKHULQIUDVWUXFWXUH$OONH\LQWHUHVWJURXSVLQFOXGLQJ)L DQGUHFUHDWLRQRUJDQL]DWLRQVSDUWLFLSDWHGLQWKHGHYHORSPHQWS SRUWLQYHVWPHQWDQGMREVIRUWKHLUIDPLOLHVDQGWKHIXWXUH´VD 0DQDJHPHQW*HRUJH$EERWW³:LWKWKLVSODQZHKDYHEHHQDEOHWR for access to natural resources and identify areas to increase and First Nations to create certainty LQYHVWPHQWRSSRUWXQLWLHVZKLOHFRQVHUYLQJDUHDVWKDWDUHHQYLUR ,VODQGVEHWZHHQ9DQFRXYHU,VODQGDQGWKH0DLQODQGFRDVWDQGLQF LQOHWV7KHDUHDHQFRPSDVVHVNPRIVKRUHOLQHDQGK COASTAL PLAN The Johnstone - Bute ii online. 7KHSODQLVDYDLODEOHDW Plan. MaritimeHeritageCentre:CampbellRiver announce thecompletionofJohnstone-Bute George Abbott andMLA NorthIslandRodVisser Minister ofSustainableResourceManagement Media FRQWDFW Visit theProvince’swebsiteat 0LNH/RQJ Management Ministry ofSustainableResource Communications Director KWWSVUPZZZJRYEFFDUPGFRDVWDOQRUWKBLVODQGMRKQVWRQHBEXWH www.gov.bc.ca - 2- Rob Paynter &RDVWDO0DULQH3ODQQLQJ2I¿FHU Maritime HeritageCentre:CampbellRiver Chief DallasSmith(TlowtsisFirstNation). Strathcona RegionalDistrictChairJim Abrams (left)and of theJohnstone-ButeCoastalPlan.;joinedbyComox Xwémalhkwu (Homlaco)FirstNationinthedevelopment Chief DarrenBlaneycommentsontheparticipationof foronlineinformationandservices. LQGH[KWP iii COASTAL PLAN ute B e - e n sto hn o J e Th COASTAL PLAN The Johnstone - Bute iv Wong, Robinson Gary andBrian Woodman. Valuable consultingassistancewasprovided by Violet Kormori, Rupert Rick Deegan andCarol Ogborne (MSRM,Decision Support Services). and ChadEgan (MSRM, Victoria) from withtechnicalandmappingsupport The planwasprepared by Graham Winterbottom, John Bones,Rob Paynter Deborah Sargent, LisaBrinkman, LisaBerg andJudith Walker. Strathcona fortheirassistanceandinput;inparticular, Gerard LeBlanc, Thanks are alsoextendedtostaffattheRegional District ofComox Amey, andstaff(Canadian Wildlife Service). Naylor, Jim SchellenbergandBobGowe (CanadianCoastGuard), Krista and Richard Brunning (LWBC), Jim RussellCaine(MAFF),Jim andGary Plan. Thanks are extendedtoDuncan Williams, Ken Albrecht, Sean Herbert Provincial andfederalgovernment contributionstothe staffmadeimportant Habitat Branch. Chris Bunn, Fisheries Guardian andMelody Farrell oftheRegional Oceans/ SteveDFO, inparticular: Diggon oftheCentralCoastArea office,Captain The Plan wasimproved uponby theknowledge ofthestaff andexpertise Nelson. Lawrence Dan Lewis, Smith, Rod Naknakim, Wayne Jacob andJohnny Council. The Hamatla Treaty Society alsoprovided valuable inputthrough input andreview, ChiefErnie Hardy, inparticular Richard Hardy and and LeeSchmidt(formerlyCaffrey). The Comox First Nation provided advisors, Mike Morrell, Eric Blueschke, RandyBouchard, Dorothy Kennedy Florence Hackett, Bill Blaney, Jimmy Wilson, Marion Harry, andtheir Xwémalhkwu First Nation, ChiefDarren particularly Blaney, Clyde Leo, The Plan benefitedgreatly andreview from by theparticipation the Chief Darren Blaney, Jim Heppner, LindaJay, Shawn Burke andJim Abram. local members:Rupert Gale, Jim Davis, Heather Sprout, CharlieCornfield, work, adviceandinsight. The committeewascomprisedofthefollowing Special committeefortheirhard thanksare extendedtotheplanadvisory of manyindividuals. The Johnstone-Bute CoastalPlan wasshapedby theadviceandkindsupport A CKNOWLEDGEMENTS v COASTAL PLAN ute B e - e n sto hn o J e Th A notation on LWBC reference maps of an interest in an area of Crown land by land by of Crown in an area maps of an interest reference A notation on LWBC The area between the mean high tide and low tide mark (i.e. below zero tide). zero (i.e. below tide mark the mean high tide and low between The area The likelihood of an area’s biological, physical or oceanographic attributes to successfully The likelihood of an area’s Includes any indigenous species or subspecies that have, or are candidates for status as or are any indigenous species or subspecies that have, Includes Includes any indigenous species or subspecies considered to be vulnerable in British Columbia. to be vulnerable in British or subspecies considered any indigenous species Includes A reserve established on LWBC reference maps to temporarily withdraw Crown land from land from maps to temporarily withdraw Crown reference A reserve established on LWBC Includes red, green urchins, octopus, crab, prawn, shrimp, sea cucumber. prawn, shrimp, octopus, crab, urchins, green red, Includes The sub tidal area below low tide mark (i.e. below zero tide), generally extending to the 20 zero (i.e. below tide mark low below The sub tidal area the sub tidal area seaward of the 20 metre bathymetry of the 20 metre depth. seaward the sub tidal area Land and Water British Columbia Inc. Columbia British Water Land and BC Ready Mix Concrete Association Concrete Mix BC Ready for – responsibilities (Note Canada and Oceans Fisheries Coast Guard, Canadian Canada) Transport to in transition currently Act Protection Waters Navigable Plan Management and Resource Central Coast Land of Environment of Ministers Canadian Council WLAP Conservation Centre, Data Provincial MSRM Branch, Planning Coast and Marine in Canada Wildlife of Endangered Status Committee on the Canada) and Oceans as Fisheries (also known and Oceans Department of Fisheries Federal Plan Action River Fraser District Regional Vancouver Greater Branch Enhancement DFO Habitat and Fisheries Food Ministry of Agriculture, Provincial and Mines Ministry of Energy Provincial Ministry of Environment Provincial Ministry of Forests Provincial Management Resource Ministry of Sustainable Provincial Strathcona Comox of District Regional Provincial Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection. This agency includes the Provincial Park Park This agency includes the Provincial Land and Air Protection. Water, Ministry of Provincial management and planning function. areas and protected Notation of Interest: Notation Reserve: Reserve: Finfish aquaculture opportunity study map category (Opportunity Area 2), used to denote areas with low opportunity with low study map category aquaculture 2), used to denote areas (Opportunity Area Finfish Finfish aquaculture opportunity with high study map category aquaculture 1), used to denote areas (Opportunity Area Finfish Definitions Capability: Aquaculture purposes, using of shellfish, finfish or marine plants for commercial or cultivation accommodate the growing an drawn from are in this Plan ratings the case of finfish capability, methods and equipment. In standard siting criteria associated with as government capability as well which included map, opportunity study” “aquaculture and land designations. other resources Listed Species: Blue siting criteria. government and which meet current to poor biophysical capability for finfish aquaculture; Listed Species: Red Foreshore (intertidal) area: Foreshore Invertebrates: siting criteria. government and which meet current to moderate biophysical capability for finfish aquaculture; OA2: Columbia. species in British or threatened extirpated, endangered, Land Act OA1: metre bathymetric depth. metre area: Offshore Acronyms Acronyms BCRMCA: CCG: CCLRMP: CCME: CDC: CMPB: COSEWIC: DFO: FRAP: GVRD: HEB: LWBC: MAFF: MEM: MOE: MOF: MSRM: RDCS: WLAP: to agencies whose particular or interests mandate, programs an initial referral ensures It agency. another government the opportunity for the affected agency to identify priority and provides the issuance of tenure, may be affected by does not further planning is contemplated. It where areas may be used over issues, concerns or conditions. It the acceptance of land applications. preclude Land Act agencies to undertake to permit other planning, to provide area an A reserve over is placed tenure. disposition by temporary use. or to maintain options for future protection area: Nearshore COASTAL PLAN The Johnstone - Bute vi UREP: rights, termsandconditionsofuseoccupancy. licence ofoccupationorlease. The typeoftenure isnormallydictatedby LWBC policyandconveys different Tenure: Upland: A A legalrighttooccupyanduseCrown landunderthe The terrestrial area extendingapproximately 200metersinlandfrom thehighesttideline. Land Act reserve ornotationofinterest reserve establishedforthe“use, recreation andenjoyment ofthepublic.” Land Act. Tenure maytakethe formofapermit, 1 COASTAL PLAN ute ), and B e - e n intra fauces terrae intra sto hn o J e Th the lands covered by these waters. Inland waters are waters are waters. Inland these by the lands covered waters within an indented coastline, such as harbours, headlands between bays and estuaries, including areas Court of The Supreme along the outer coast. Canada, in a 1984 decision, also confirmed the the waters and the lands, of ownership Province’s of the seabed minerals and other natural resources Johnstone de Fuca, Juan and subsoil in the Georgia, The Johnstone-Bute Coastal Plan provides provides Coastal Plan The Johnstone-Bute for acceptable uses of foreshore recommendations within the provincial areas and nearshore overviewThis is neither a jurisdiction. government’s nor a position statement of the legal interpretation, Columbia; nor does it address of British Province rights and title issues. Nations’ First the is complicated by in the coastal zone Jurisdiction land (including seabed) between relationship resources. authority over and legislative ownership is a common public misconception that the There in coastal or role has no jurisdiction Province authority management, due to federal government fisheries management, marine mammal over management, migratory and marine birds, as the high profile as well transportation and safety, of these issues within coastal communities. is an important land owner however, The Province, the foreshore owns The Province in the coastal zone. the addition, of its coastline. In (intertidal) areas or waters coastal “inland waters”, owns Province ( the jaws of the land” “within The Johnstone-Bute Plan Area currently supports a currently Area Plan The Johnstone-Bute These include various activities. range of economic shellfish finfish aquaculture, fisheries, commercial marine log handling and storage, aquaculture, transportation, and public and commercial an array of also contains Area The Plan recreation. values. and cultural resources sensitive the basis provides Plan Coastal The Johnstone-Bute on an environmentally for coastal development with the is consistent This Plan sustainable basis. principles for sustainability, MSRM governance 1. in Appendix presented and Scope Jurisdiction 1.3. Johnstone-Bute Coastal Plan Area Area Coastal Plan Johnstone-Bute NTRODUCTION Many coastal communities in British Columbia have Columbia have coastal communities in British Many experienced significant economic decline and in industrial forestry population loss due to reductions of those communities fishing. Many and commercial looking for opportunities and expand to diversify are resources sensitive their economies while protecting A priority of the Ministry of Sustainable and values. (MSRM) is to use coastal Management Resource planning to enhance sustainable economic opportunitiesdevelopment of coastal communities communities) while Nations (including First values. maintaining environmental 1.2. Plan Rationale and Intent 1.2. 1.1 Location is situated on Area Plan Coastal The Johnstone-Bute and Island Vancouver coast between Pacific Canada’s The 1). Columbia (Figure the mainland of British Neville Port extends from Area Plan Johnstone-Bute to the northern through portion Strait on Johnstone and foreshore and includes the Passage of Discovery the mainland Island, Vancouver of areas nearshore islands and islets within this coast and the associated are Area The two largest inlets within the Plan area. total, 1). In (Figure Inlet and Bute Loughborough km from 102 extends approximately Area the Plan km of shoreline encompassing 1,099 east to west, and 83,996 ha of marine area. I Figure 1. Figure COASTAL PLAN The Johnstone - Bute 2 address arange oftenure programs thatare provincial jurisdiction. These recommendations uses forforeshore and nearshore watersincludedunder This Plan provides recommendations for acceptable Johnstone-Bute CoastalPlan. withinthecontext ofthe position ontheseviews of Sustainable Resource Management takesno within thePlan Area’s southernlimit. The Ministry Klahoose First Nation’s falls traditionalterritory much ofthePlan Area. extentofthe The northern thatextendsacross identified traditionalterritory The Xwémalhkwu(Homalco) First Nation has traditional territoriescovering theentire Plan Area. Kwiakah, and Tlowitsis First Nations, hasidentified Weserving body WaiK’omox, WeKai, WaiKum, Hamatla Treaty Society, anon-profit administrative Area of rightsandtitleover landandwatersinthePlan governments. These First Nations have madeclaims negotiation process withtheprovincial andfederal Nations are allpresently intheB.C.T.C. treaty We Wai Kum, Kwiakah, Tlowitsis andKlahooseFirst The Xwémalhkwu(Homalco), We Wai Kai,K'omox, processes. Nations interests inlandusedecisionmaking provincial agenciestoseekaccommodateFirst policies reflect recent decisionsandrequire court nearshore useapplications.Provincial consultation the decisionmakingprocess forforeshore and taken intoaccountby theprovincial government in coastal developments, andwhichmusttherefore be Aboriginal rightsthatmaybepotentiallyaffectedby addition, First Nations have legally established requirements, anduplandowner riparianrights.In zoning by-laws, regulations anddevelopment influence coastalmanagementactivitythrough Local governments andprivate owners property also and inlandwaters. establishment,andtenurereserve ofcoastalforeshore for provincial coastalplanning,park andecological provincially owned publiclandsprovide therationale jurisdiction over suchmattersasthemanagementof Accordingly, theProvince’s ownership andlegislative limit are owned by thefederalgovernment. boundaries ofinlandwaters,seaward totheterritorial coastline from thelow watermark, orfrom the Offshore areas alongBritish Columbia’s western areas are alsoowned by theProvince. and Queen CharlotteStraits. Thus, manysub-tidal government plansandthisplanbecompatible. area by-laws, althoughitispreferred thatlocal to alterorinterfere withprovincial legislationorlocal or uses.Its recommendations are alsonotintended respecting foreshore andnearshore rights,ownership treaty negotiationsorsettlementsthatmayoccur Its recommendations are notintendedtolimitany use ofprivate land,federalorIndian Reserves. This Plan doesnotmakerecommendations regarding is completed. will beapproved by LWBC afterthereferral process types ofapplicationsdeemedacceptableinthePlan referral process ofLWBC, nordoesitimplythat opportunities. The Plan doesnotreplace thetenure orlimitedwithrespectreserved totenure recreation values thatshouldbe andconservation Incorporated (LWBC). The Plan alsoaddresses administered by Landand Water British Columbia and meetingsisprovided inAppendix 2. input forPlan development. A listofthesegroups the area were consulteduponandasked toprovide agreement onitsrecommendations. First Nations in asrepresentingbut shouldnotbeconstrued their reflects inputandadviceprovided by thecommittee, planning materialsandstrategies. The finalplan during plandevelopment toreview anddiscussvarious interests withinthePlan Area. The group met6times of volunteers representing thedifferent areas and committeewasformed process. Alocalplanadvisory associationsatvarious stagesthroughout the industry reviewed withinterest groups, stakeholdersand March 10,11and12of2004. The Plan wasalso September 18,24andthe25of2003againon through publicopenhousemeetings,heldon Consultation withthepublictookplaceprimarily based negotiationusingstakeholderplanningtables. interest group engagement,ratherthanconsensus- and tookaconsultative approach topublicand Table 1. The process wasled by government staff the Johnstone-Bute Coastal Plan isgeneralized in The planningprocess usedtodevelop andcomplete 1.4. PlanningProcess The J o hnston e - B ute COASTAL PLAN
Table 1. Generalized Process for the Johnstone-Bute Coastal Plan January/April 2003 Confirm provincial technical team and terms of reference Confirm process agreements with First Nations and CSRD May/August 2003 Develop and acquire resource data and appropriate map products Meetings with stakeholders and interest groups Hold public open houses to advise public of planning process September/ Establish local advisory committee of stakeholders and local government December 2003 Review draft plan with advisory committee, individual First Nations and government agencies January 2003 Review draft plan with range of stakeholders, First Nations and CSRD Plan revisions Draft Plan posted on web site February/March 2004 Open houses to present plan to communities and stakeholders Plan revisions with advisory group Further revisions as necessary April - November Assessment of economic and environmental implications of the Plan 2004 Formal review by First Nations Formal review by CSRD Further revisions as necessary December 2004 Plan revisions as necessary Sign-off by provincial government
3 5 COASTAL PLAN N The Johnstone - Bute - Johnstone The LIMATE C Bute Inlet is a deep water fjord stretching from Calm from stretching is a deep water fjord Inlet Bute Waddington to its head at Channel, 75 km inland with a maximum has one main basin It Harbour. an outer sill at Calm Channel depth of 650m and of Bute to the west Inlet Loughborough 370m deep. almost as as deep or as wide but stretches not Inlet,is parallel to the larger roughly far inland and is situated bodies of water include Phillips large inlet. Other Harbour, Topaze Arm, Frederick Neville, Arm, Port The Harbour. and Forward Bay Kelsey Bay, Jackson are the water bodies uplands surrounding delineating with mountains topographically diverse Area. into the Plan catchments flowing various Coastal Mountains the are Area of the Plan Eastward by field surrounded Ice with the Homathko (2575m) and Plateau Cambridge (2704m), Howard Island is the Northern the west To (2545m) peaks. Watchtower and Kokummi Range with Mountain high. 1500m peaks both approximately N The only climate station within the Plan Area is at is at Area The only climate station within the Plan located in the southern portion of Chatham Point, Strait of Johnstone at the convergence Area the Plan climate station at The Passage. and Discovery 30 km southeast of approximately Campbell River, supplemental data; the provides Area, the Plan a comparison airport climate station provides Victoria Island. Vancouver of with southern regions station, comparison to the Campbell River In exhibits noticeably warmer Chatham Point in the winter and cooler in the summer temperatures to 15.8 with a daily mean range of 3.1 °C in January displays Victoria 3). (Figure and August °C in July than either Campbell warmer winter temperatures mean of 4.4 °C in with a or Chatham Point River in the summer with and cooler temperatures January a mean of 14°C in July. an annual station receives The Chatham Point 2200mm of precipitation. of approximately average in comparison, receives Campbell River Victoria 1450mm annually and approximately The minimum monthly average 4). 1200mm (Figure (78 mm), is in July at Chatham Point precipitation (267 mm) in October a sharp increase by followed Source: MSRM Decision Support Services 2003 Support MSRM Decision Source: ESCRIPTION N D REA . Topography and Land Use Patterns in the Johnstone and Land Use Patterns in the Johnstone Topography . A ANDSCAPE L LAN The eastern portion of the Plan Area is dominated by is dominated by The eastern portion Area of the Plan half of the waters, beaches and islands of the lower Channel and including Sunderland Strait, Johnstone portion of the The remaining Inlet. Loughborough as as well Passage, of Discovery consists Area Plan and the Inlet Arm, Bute Arm, Frederick Phillips Vancouver series of channels and islands between is Area Plan The entire and the mainland. Island Island Vancouver situated to the east side of the from and is subsequently sheltered (inclusive) action. wind and wave Ocean’s Pacific The landscape of the Plan Area consists of a highly Area Plan The landscape of the islands and islets. with numerous indented coastline, Area a satellite image of the Plan 2 presents Figure landscape. marine passage includes: one major Area The Plan and the northern portion of (Johnstone Strait and two long inlets (Bute Passage), Discovery between and a series of channels Loughborough) smaller the mainland and five Island, Vancouver as the collectively known islands in between East Thurlow, West (Hardwicke, Islands Discovery and Stuart). Sonora Thurlow, 2.1. Physical and Physical 2.1. Features Oceanographic N P Figure 2 Figure Strait/ Bute Inlet area COASTAL PLAN The Johnstone - Bute 6 and Victoria 1971-2000 Figure 3. Point 1971-2000 Figure 4. Rainfall (millimetres) Temperature (celsius) 10 12 14 16 18 100 150 200 250 300 350 0 2 4 6 8 50 0 J n e.Mr A Mar. Feb. an. J indicates strength ofstrongest windsfrom thatdirection, andnumber incircle shows percentage ofcalmair. Length ofarrow indicatesproportion oftimewindcomesfrom thatdirection, number of ‘feathers’ onarrows Comox (left)andJuly inJanuary (right).Airport Figure 5. n e.Mr A Mar. Feb. an. Mean monthly temperatures attheCampbellRiver, ChathamPoint Mean monthly precipitation levels atCampbellRiver andChatham Source: Environment CanadaNational ClimateArchive www.climate.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca Campbell River Chatham Point Victoria Source: Environment CanadaNational ClimateData www.climate.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca Wind Rosesshowing average direction andforce andmaximum atChathamPoint windsobserved and p p .Ma r. .Ma r. yJ yJ Campbell River Chatham Point Victoria une une J J ul ul y y Au Au g g .Se .Se p p .Ot o.Dec. Nov. Oct. t. .Ot o.Dec. Nov. Oct. t. Source: CHSSailing Directions BCCoast(South Portion), 1990 Port Neville andLoughborough Inlet into Frederick ArmandPhillips Arm. Passage theyare funneledintonortherly winter. Upon enteringDiscovery N nearshore marineenvironment. thus impactingthestructure ofthe to elevated levels ofstream deposition offfrom precipitationrun mayalsolead the enclosedbaysandinlets.Surface layer withinmanyof brackish surface the area isthepotentialcreation ofa The implicationformarineplanningin precipitation inNovember (323mm). and amaximummonthlyaverage westerly insummerandeasterly Prevailing windsinJohnstone Strait are they mayspillover higherpassesand the headofInlet; aswindsincrease Homathko/Chilcotin areas inlandfrom winds generatedintheinterior up. Bute Inlet experiencesfierce winter layers tofreezemay alsocausesurface incoming tide;colderArctic outflows againstan of theinletswhentheyrun dangerous conditionsnearthemouths inlets inthePlan Area cancreate Outflow windsfrom themanylarge andsoutheast. northwest paralleltoshore,run from the heaviest inwintermonthsandtendto (Figure 5). Winds inthePlan Area are and southerlywinds,respectively W INDS N 7 COASTAL PLAN Marine Ecological Classification, 2001 Ecological Marine N The Johnstone - Bute - Johnstone The Stratification in the Johnstone - Bute Plan Area - Bute Plan Stratification in the Johnstone TRATIFICATION S Source: Provincial Resource Management Information System, British Columbia British System, Information Management Resource Provincial Source: Stratification refers to the formation of distinct layers to the formation of distinct layers refers Stratification physical characterisitics as of water having consistent combination of surfacea consequence of the determine and salinity which together temperatures temperature Where of water. the density of a body such as in the generally consistent, and salinity are will form into distinct layers. open ocean, water of and the physical structure currents Closer to shore, and seabed disrupt by these layers the shoreline layers. mechanical mixing of the forcing are Area of the Plan regions The seaward passages, and narrow rapid currents, by characterized the water is sills; consequently plentiful shallow top to bottom (Figure from continually being mixed in salinity levels invariable by This is exemplified 6). homogeneity of round and year Strait Johnstone top to bottom. Strong from values oxygen dissolved waters of Johnstone in the seaward bottom currents the floor of carry water over oxygenated freshly Strait of marine life. the channels, stimulating the growth and interconnecting inlets the protected Conversely, less are Area passages in the eastern half of the Plan typified by patterns and are these current affected by heavily stratified layers. N Each of these criteria enables a better understanding a better understanding criteria enables Each of these and water is subject to a body of of the influences the as habitat and of its characteristics a sense provides The to supportcapability uses and activities. human below. detailed them are used to delineate six criteria Figure 6. 6. Figure KWWSVUPZZZJRY N IDES T 2.2. British Columbia Marine 2.2. Classification Ecological Ecological The nine criteria of the BC Marine been included Classification (BCMEC) system have and Units as descriptors for each of the 20 Planning of each can be found in the table at the beginning that approach The BCMEC is a hierarchical unit. uses physical characteristics of the marine to identify distinct systems within the environment of this The strengths larger marine environment. that it is based upon data that is generally system are coast and upon elements that accessible for the entire in the dynamic marine largely consistent even remain (marine level the most precise At environment. ecounits), defining criteria include: stratification, relief, benthic exposure, depth, wave surface salinity, and seabed benthic temperature slope, tidal current, The first two criteria (stratification and substrate. used to delineate pelagic surface salinity) were ecounits or that portion water column not of the including the seabed (benthos) and the foreshore. used to formulate criteria were seven The remaining the benthic ecounits, which consist of the entire on detailed report A more seabed and the foreshore. the BCMEC can be found at: EFFDGVVUSWV N are also susceptible to interior outflow winds outflow to interior also susceptible are Inlet. Knight through generated though lighter, generally are winds summer, In can winds which of producing storms capable the safety of marine transportation, fishing, threaten can occur in any season. and other activities, Mean tidal range in the Plan Area is approximately is approximately Area tidal range in the Plan Mean m range of large tides is 4.8 2.8 m, while the average tides are Larger Port). a reference Bay, (at Owen the pull of the sun and moon are when produced low to these ranges, Related aligned (spring tides). estuaries and sandy at river tides expose mud flats marine exposed coasts. Many beaches on more important species, including commercially shellfish adapted to specific portions of the species, are intertidal zone. Island located on Stuart Bay, fluctuations at Big Tidal and Bute Strait near the confluence of Johnstone mainly semi-diurnal conform to a mixed, Inlet, being higher)(MSD) pattern with two high tides (one every 24 h 50 min. lower) tides (one being and two low COASTAL PLAN The Johnstone - Bute 8 Information System, British ColumbiaMarine Ecological Classification,2001 the Johnstone -ButePlan Area Figure 7. extent, withdepth. occurs intheseaward direction andtoaneven lesser currents andmixing.Aslightincrease insalinity proximity totheopenoceananditsassociatedhigher Strait exhibitsmore stablesalinitylevels duetoits salinity levels asillustratedinFigure 7.Johnstone surrounding experienceareduction passageways in In response Bute totheyearly runoff Inlet andthe throughout theyear. coastal mainlandbecausemostofthemare rainfed of thesmallerstreams of Vancouver Island andthe no significantincrease inthespringandsummerflow seasonal, risinginApril andpeakinginJuly. There is toButeice fields,runoff Inlet isdelayed andhighly watersheds. Because ofsnow andicemeltfrom these snow andiceinhigherelevations oftheseinterior Inlet islowest inwintermonthsduetothestorage of permanent icefields.Freshwater dischargetoBute two, drainsaninteriorwatershedcontainingseveral Southgate River. Homathko River, thelargerof two mainrivers, theHomathko River andthe Flowing intoBute Inlet at Waddington Harbour are cultivation ofshellfish. andnearshorebe afactorinthesitingofintertidal marineplantsandmay the establishmentofcertain taking ongreater significance.Salinity isafactorin depth andlimitedcirculation result inevaporation salinity maybehigherinnearshore areas asshallow variations infreshwater runoff. In somecases, fluctuations insalinitykeepingwithseasonal waters, suchasalongcoastalfjords, exhibitseasonal freshwater enteringthecoastalarea. runoff Inshore Salinity isaffectedprimarilyby thevolume of N S ALINITY Average Annual Minimum Surface Water Salinityin N Source: Provincial Resource management N N N elevation, asinthecaseofa rock reef. Relief playsa areas exhibitconsiderable rangesinslopeand elevation, such asaflatmudbottom.High relief relatively uniform slopeandlittlevariation in of theseabed.Anarea with low relief willhave a Seabed orbenthicrelief refers totheoverall regularity the region. rough seasandlargeswells do notusuallydevelop in basinsandinlets, do waves formedintheshorter Johnstone Strait ashore tendtorun oneitherside,as Because waves produced inthelongestlengthof the limittofetchofwindinarea. the narrow, windingnature ofthemanychannelsand oftheBCcoast. to otherparts This isduemainly to indicates thatwave actionislimitedwhencompared The relatively low exposure ratingforthearea large inletssuchasBute andLoughborough. wind generatedwaves suchasthosethatoccurinthe regimes inFigure 8donotconsidertheeffectof open oceanconditions. The mappedexposure entire Plan Area isratedlow intermsofexposure to present inthesheltered inletsandsmallerfiords, the wave conditionsthanthelow wave-energy conditions – Bute Plan Area isprone tomore vigorous windand oftheJohnstoneAlthough thewestern-most portion rocky headlandsandsandyembayment. characteristically exhibitashoreline composedof Exposed areas withhighenergywave climates measure ofthemechanicalwave actionontheshore. coast from islandgroups andinletsprovides a Wave broadly exposure todistinguishtheopen serves shallower regions ofPort Neville. from thedeepfjordal watersofBute Inlet tothe The Plan Area containsavariety ofdepths,ranging theoretical dilutionofwastematerialindeepersites). to absorbby-products ofactivities(i.e.greater vs. fixed) andhasbeenusedasanindicatorofarea form anearshore structure shouldtake(i.e.floating of humanuse,depthisafactorindeterminingthe nutrients andhabitatforotherorganisms.In terms concentrated inshallower areas providing both photosynthesis, staticmarineplantsare generally zone) anddeeperareas. Assunlightdrives where sunlightcanpenetratetothebottom(photic primarilytodistinguishbetweenDepth areas serves W D B ENTHIC EPTH AVE E N XPOSURE R ELIEF N N 9 COASTAL PLAN Ecological Classification, 2001 Ecological N N EMPERATURE UBSTRATE T The Johnstone - Bute - Johnstone The S Minimum Summer Benthic Water Temperature in the Temperature Water Summer Benthic Minimum ENTHIC EABED Source: Provincial Resource Management Information System, British Columbia Marine Columbia Marine British System, Information Management Resource Provincial Source: S B Figure 9. 9. Figure Area - Bute Plan Johnstone Seabed substrate ranges from mud through sand to mud through substrate ranges from Seabed surfaces, boulders, cobble including bedrock, hard and is an importantand gravel indicator of habitat. a sense of system energy; fine also provides Substrate little energy to sediment, such as silt, takes relatively be held suspended in the water column while to mobilize energy is required considerably more larger cobble. Consequently mud bottoms typically while depositional environments energy, occur in low higher represent and gravel) materials (rock harder areas Many environments. scoured frequently energy, N N Temperature is a factor in marine environments due environments a factor in marine is Temperature is Temperature on species assemblage. to its influence for certain in habitat selection to be a factor known invertebratesorganisms including and larval fish. and Bute Strait in Johnstone temperatures Water of the the temperature by largely controlled are Inlet is generally cool at this latitude. which Ocean, Pacific waters become warmer, nearshore shallow summer, In a relatively bodies have but the deeper water and The shallow round. year consistent temperature islands and various waters, which surround sheltered also tend to have Area, the Plan islets throughout and deeper than the wider warmer temperatures and upper sections of Strait channels of Johnstone winter 9). In (Figure Inlets and Bute Loughborough becomes uniformly cold Strait and spring, Johnstone temperatures top to bottom, with maximum from 7˚C. around during these seasons hovering Ecological Classification, 2001 Ecological N URRENTS Exposure Regimes as an indicator of Wave Climates in Wave as an indicator of Regimes Exposure C role in water column mixing but more obviously, an obviously, more in water column mixing but role of habitat for many is indicative with high relief area The lingcod. and organisms, notably rockfish roughness. seabed is of low Area majority of the Plan N Currents represent an importantconsideration in the represent Currents larvae.distribution of nutrients and planktonic Areas with higher generally well-mixed are of high current As areas. current low than similar levels productivity a rule, high current human activities generally avoid alternatives provide areas current lower where areas design and management due to the inherent challenges of higher energy conditions. and fast moving by is characterized Strait Johnstone especially at the seaward tidal currents, rectilinear Flood Bay. of the water body near Kelsey extremity the east, while toward are Strait in Johnstone currents Passage Discovery In westward. move ebb currents the south toward as floods are this pattern is reversed the north. and ebbs towards in the on the coast are of the fastest currents Some The Island. Channel and Stuart of Okisollo areas Rapids, as well and Arran Yuculta in Dent, currents 8 -14 between average Passage, and Barber as Gillard violent whirlpools and knots and contain numerous overfalls. Source: Provincial Resource management Information System, British Columbia Marine Columbia Marine British System, management Information Resource Provincial Source: Figure 8. 8. Figure Johnstone Strait and Bute Inlet Note: this is an indication of expo- this is an indication and Bute Inlet Note: Strait Johnstone of wind and does not consider the effect only to open ocean sure such as such as those that occur in the large inlets generated waves Bute and Loughborough. 10 within the Plan Area, such as Topaze Harbour, consist of mud substrate while areas of high current, such as Okisollo Channel, exhibit hard substrate types. N SHORE ZONE PHYSICAL FEATURES N The most stable marine systems are those found at the interface between marine and terrestrial environments, both at the bottom (benthic) and along the shoreline. While the marine ecounits system is an effective instrument for assessing conditions in the more remote benthic regions, the accessibility of the shoreline allows for a more precise examination of substrate and structure. Originally undertaken in response to concerns regarding the impact of marine oil spills, detailed physical shore- zone mapping of the British Columbia coastline has been underway for several decades (Howes, Harper & Owen, 1994. Physical Shore-zone Mapping System for BC. http://srmwww.gov.bc.ca/risc/pubs/coastal/ pysshore/index.htm). This work provides a framework for recording of shore morphology, shore- zone substrate and wave exposure characteristics (for more information see: http://srmwww.gov.bc.ca/dss/ rpts/BCBiophysicalShore-ZoneMapping.pdf).
More recently, studies have linked these physical Figure 10. Shore Zone Biobands shoreline types to assemblages of species (Figure 10). From Howes, Harper & Owen, 1994 Physical Shore-Zone Mapping
Table 2. Shore Zone Classification Criteria
Shoretype Classification Criteria Characterization Substrate Rock Sediment Absent or extremely scarce Rock & Sediment Sediments occur as developed beach forms or large patches Sediment Gravel >2mm Sand content <10% Sand & Gravel Both sand and gravel content >10% Sand <2mm Sand content >90% Sand/Mud <2mm Gravel Content <10% Sand Mud Gravel content >10% Mud content >50% Organics/Fines Estuary Width Narrow <<30m Wide Wide >30m Narrow Slope Steep >20o Cliff Inclined 5-20o Ramp (rock) <5o Beach ( sediment) Flat Platform (rock) Flat (sediment) Anthropogenic Permeable Man-made permeable Impermeable Man-Made Impermeable Current-Dominated Channel From Howes, Harper & Owen, 1994 Physical Shore-Zone Mapping The Johnstone - Bute Johnstone The COASTAL PLAN 11 COASTAL PLAN 0.69% Gravel Flats Rock Platform Sand & Gravel Beach Rock with Gravel Beach,22.25% 3.41% & Gravel Beach, Rock with Sand Rock Platform, 0.46% Rock with Sand Beach, Sand Beach, 0.28% Gravel Beach Rock Cliff Rock w/Sand Beach Sand Flat The Johnstone - Bute - Johnstone The Beach, 8.50% Sand & Gravel to evaluating the shore-zone, arguably the most arguably the shore-zone, to evaluating coastal environment. aspect of the heavily impacted to structures related impacts known comparing By be used can approach uses, a consistent and specific of shoreline the suitability for determining Unit. a Planning within development for a basis type classification provides Shore or unique features. identification of rare Flat, 4.27% Sand & Gravel Rock Cliff, 33.67% Estuary/Wetland Mud Flat Rock w/Sand & Gravel Beach Sand Beach Sand Flat, 3.31% Mudflat, 0.36% Man-made, 1.05% Channel Man-made Rock w/Gravel Beach Sand & Gravel Flat Undefined, 1.94% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% – green algae. These assemblages or These assemblages algae. – green Ulva Summary of Shore Types in Johnstone-Bute Plan Area as a percentage of total Plan Area shoreline Area of total Plan as a percentage Area Plan in Johnstone-Bute Types Summary of Shore Planning Unit Shore Type Description Type Planning Unit Shore Gravel Flats, 0.13% Unit 3 Yorke Unit 13 Rapids Estuary Wetland, 9.70% Unit 17 Orford Unit 1 Port Neville Unit 18 Upper Bute Gravel Beach, 9.99% Unit 16 Lower Bute Unit 10 Phillips Arm Unit 7 Current Race Unit 15 Bute Entrance Unit 19 Loughborough Unit 20 Mayne Passage Unit 9 South Johnstone Through field surveys, recurring groupings of species of field surveys, groupings Through recurring the to according identified and classified were barnacles and for example species, cover dominant mussels or further the color banding defined by were biobands surveys ground aerial or to visible from and texture enable systematic inventory coast. of the entire approach a systematic data represents The resulting Unit 5 Topaze Harbour Figure 11. 11. Figure Unit 2 Upper Johnstone Figure 12. 12. Figure Unit 12 Frederick Estero Unit 11 Nodales Channel Unit 6 Wellbore Channel Unit 8 Chancellor Channel Unit 4 Channel Sunderland Unit 14 Okisollo Hole in the Wall COASTAL PLAN
The Johnstone - Bute 12 types inventoried. structure havingacomplementof mostoftheshore provides anexampleofadiversified shore type throughout thePlanning Units. Unit 1-Port Neville rock cliffandrock withgravel beachshore types Figure 12graphicallydisplaysthepredominance of highlights theuniquecharacteristicsofeachunit. A similarexaminationatthePlanning Unit level shore length(Figure 11). wetlands makeup11.5%ofthe 21% whileestuary length. Rock withgravel beachesaccountsforover accounting forjustover 33%ofthetotalshore cliffs encompassthelargestpercentage ofshore type, Within thePlan Area shore typesclassifiedasrock assessmentmaybeappropriate. conservation further management provisions orrecommendations for to development orhumanactivities.In somecases more closelyexaminethemtoassesstheirsensitivity With uncommonfeatures highlighted,itispossibleto N N N N N types withintheJohnstone-Bute Plan Area include: ecological attributesandfunction.Habitat characteristics thatcanbeassociatedwithdominant these categoriesistoidentifycommonmarinehabitat reliefslope andsubsurface (Table 3). The purposeof including depth,substrate,current, temperature, five majorcategoriesbasedonphysicalattributes the Johnstone-Bute Plan Area hasbeendividedinto passages withstrong tidalflows. Marine habitat in deep fjord systemtonumerous constrictedrocky categories identifiedforthestudyarea rangefrom a coast ofBritish Columbia. The marinehabitat mixture ofmarineecosystemsthatare uniquetothe The Johnstone-Bute Plan Area consistsofadiverse 2.3. MarineHabitat mammal species withinthehabitatcategories types utilized by keyfish,shellfishandmarine description ofthelocationand timingofhabitat (Tableeach category 4).Alsoincludedisa ecologicalfunctionassociatedwith as theprimary ecological attributesandkey habitatfeatures aswell thatdetailsthecharacteristic habitat category The following isaphysicaldescription foreach Moderately deepinlets Glacial fjord habitat High current channelsandinlets Low current channelsandinlets Protected shallow inlets N as needed. revised information and incorporated information areas shouldbeanongoingprocess withnew habitat categoriesandbiologicalfeatures withinthese Therefore theidentificationandutilizationofmarine the studyarea buthasnotyet beendocumented. habitat orspeciesutilizationislikelytooccurwithin understanding thatadditionalecologicallysignificant attributes andverified biologicalusewiththe habitat profiles reflect “known” quantitiesofhabitat through fieldwork andpersonalinterviews. The utilization datarecently compiled(2003)by DFO provincial datasetsaswell ashabitatandspecies The informationinthischapterisbasedonexisting such astheEstero Basin andupperBute Inlet. type intheupperreaches ofestuariesandlagoons, fordeterminingcommunity important particularly variability insalinityalongwithsedimenttypeis conditions thatrangebetween 30-35ppt. The 18-28 pptandtherefore lower thanopenocean Salinity inthePlan Area isvariable rangingbetween Inlets are subjecttostrong arctic outflow winds. as low throughout, althoughBute andLoughborough Wave exposure throughout thePlan Area isclassified weak1-3 knots,weaknegligible. <1knot,very strong >6knots,strong 3-6knots,moderatelystrong descriptions,are asfollows:habitat category very currentsbased onmaximumsurface usedinthe shore andsubtidalareas. The current categories, significantly increase speciesrichnessinbothlower the Johnstone-Bute Plan Area. These currents can passages characterize muchofthemarinehabitatin Strong tidalcurrents through constrictedrocky nutrient cycling) thatexistbetween them. on thesustenanceofnaturaltransientprocesses (i.e. lifestagesandare thereforeduring varying dependant marine speciesutilize more thanonehabitat type outlined fortheJohnstone-Bute Plan Area. Many (Planning Unit 1), Topaze Harbour (Planning Unit area. Protected inlethabitatincludes Port Neville represents only7.5% (62 km inlet habitatwithinthePlan Area isuncommonand photic zone from 0to50meters.Protected shallow warm (9-15C)withwaterdepths rangingwithinthe 3). Benthic summerwatertemperatures are generally substrates dominatedby mud,sandandgravel (Table exposure andweak tonegligiblecurrents with Protected shallow inlethabitatischaracterized by low P ROTECTED S HALLOW I NLET 2 ) ofthetotalstudy H ABITAT N The J o hnston e - B ute COASTAL PLAN
Table 3. Habitat Categories, Associated Physical Features, Ecological Attributes and Function Ecological Function Rearing habitat for larval and juvenile invertebrate and fish larvalRearing habitat for invertebrate and juvenile 33% of estuarine habitat. and productive species in protected 57% and Phillips R. Neville total clam beaches at head of Port crab and shrimp fisheries. Supports commercial crab habitat. marine and shorebirds. wintering habitat for Critical and over supports Area feeding. pinnipeds and delphinids for Utilized by eagles. nesting habitat for secondary Mainland stocks, for Major salmon migration corridor Supports stocks. Fraser River migration and holding for in fisheries primarily clam and urchin prawn, shrimp, commercial with Marine mammal utilization throughout Planning Unit 4,8,15. migration and for Orca use by Broad of intense use. areas nesting sites including eagles and alcids. bird Sensitive feeding. in the Johnstone habitat categories One of the most productive Fraser River for Major salmon migration corridor Area. Bute Plan strait and mainland stocks along the stocks along Johnstone and migration corridor areas Critical feeding corridor. easterly clam Productive fish and mammals. marine and shorebirds, for habitat and 28% of clam (75%) kelp Majority of canopy beds. Stocks support commercial habitat and 13% of crab habitat. 13,14. fisheries in Planning Unit 6,9, urchin shrimp, prawn, Highest concentration of marine mammals including delphinids, of & sperm) with areas minke pinnipeds and whales (humpback, Highest concentration of pinniped haul Orca. specialized use by marine and for Important grounds nesting and feeding out sites. Orcas Isolated rubbing beaches for birds. shoreline 21% produced. Unique and significant biomass of krill herring clam beds and commercially Productive clam and 4% crab habitat. Large runs of clam and krill fisheries. shrimp, important prawn, supports one of 15 Homathko chinook and coho. pink, chum, of concentrated use by Areas major eulachon stocks in BC. pinnipeds used by Concentrated areas delphinids including Orca. and feeding eagles for Utilization by and haul out. feeding for birds. marine and shoreline for areas Refuge and rearing nesting. ~18% of with 25% of crab habitat here. Good crab production important rockfish, type and commercially shore spawn herring pinnipeds used by Includes areas area. producing prawn/shrimp marine and wintering habitat for Over and haul out. feeding for birds shoreline 25.5% estuarine 1 Abundance of gravel, clam Abundance of gravel, beaches and estuaries - 32% of wetland/estuary shore forests. type and 10% of kelp 23.6% of estuary/ 15% kelp wetlands Limited (8%) clam forests, of Areas habitat. sources. concentrated food that areas High current nutrient increase canopy Extensive availability. beds, kelp habitat with highest of rocky proportion islands and sub shorelines, Productivity tidal reefs. Gulf of Georgia by increased Drift phenomenon. with Unique sub tidal areas substrate gravel/cobble Deep glacial inlet with tidal that cause nutrient flows currents. rich upwelling Subject to artic outflow limited estuarine winds, Marine 4.6%). habitat (only by increased productivity Gulf of Georgia Drift phenomenon Subject to strong 14% of winds. outflow type is estuary. shoreline shoreline. Steep rocky Ecological Attributes Ecological habitat and key features Dominant benthic substrate Mud and sand Mud and sand Pre- dominantly and mud sand except in rock Planning Unit13 and 35% of Planning Unit14 Mud Mud Water Water temp Warm Warm (9-15C) Warm (9-11C) Warm (9-11C) Pre- dominantly cold (<8C) ~50:50 Warm (10 c) to Cold (<8C) Water Water Depth (m) Shallow to Shallow photic (0-50) Moderate (50-200 m) Moderate (50-200 m) with isolated of pockets deep (>200 m) Deep Mostly (200-700 m) Moderate (50-200 m) Weak with Weak except’n of lower Planning Unit 10 at 3 knots to Low Mod-strong (1-3 knots) (3-6 Strong knots) to very strong (>6 knots) Moderately strong (1-3 knots) Weak (<1 knot) Current 2 2 2 2 2 62 km 7.5% 127 km 15.5% 284 km 34.6% 285 km 34.6% 64 km 7.8% Area (% of Total) Sub units 1-Port Neville 1-Port Hbr 5-Topaze 10-Phillips Arm 4-Sunderland 8-Chancellor 11-Nodales Estero 12-Fred 15-Bute Entrance 2-Upper Johnstone 3-Yorke 7-Current- Race 9-South Johnstone 6-Wellbore Channel 13 Rapids 14-Okisollo Pass 20-Mayne Bute 16-Lower 17-Orford 18-Upper Bute 19- Loughborough
13 Habitat Category Protected Protected shallow inlet Low current channels and inlets High current channels and inlets Glacial fjord habitat Moderately deep inlet 14 5) and upper Phillips Arm (Planning Unit 10). functional integrity of intertidal zones. Sea grasses Estuaries represent some of the most highly contribute to primary production through productive habitats in the coastal zone and are photosynthesis and also serve as a food source to utilized by a wide range of species. A significant herbivores. Sea grasses also produce and release proportion of estuarine habitat is located within the dissolved organic nutrients than can be absorbed “protected shallow inlet” habitat category with the directly by marine invertebrates. Eelgrass is also highest proportion (32.3%) of the total shoreline structurally important for providing substratum for type classified as estuary or wetlands. High value micro algae and invertebrates as well as nursery estuarine habitat can typically be found at the head habitat for juvenile salmonids and shellfish species. of inlets, as well as along shoreline areas where small Another important function of sea grass is their well- streams enter the ocean on low gradient beaches. developed root systems that trap sediment and Major estuaries are located at the head of Port Neville nutrients and stabilize marine substrates. Valuable (231 ha) at the mouth of the Fulmore River and eelgrass beds are typically associated with estuaries Shoal Creek as well as the head of Phillips Arm (127 provide herring spawning habitat and are recognized ha). Estuarine habitat is typically associated with as critical fish habitat in the coastal ecosystem. DFO prime gravel beaches for clams with approximately does not allow development that might destroy 144 ha of clam beaches identified at the head of Port eelgrass beds to proceed unless it is shown that Neville and shoreline bays both sides of the inlet. compensatory habitat will be created. Valuable clam beds (~138 ha) are also located at the Mud and sand are the dominant benthic substrates head of Topaze Harbour as well as Read and and when combined with shallow water typical to Jackson Bays. protected shallow inlet habitat, supports over half Estuarine habitat is also associated with highly (57%) of the known crab populations in the Plan productive salt marshes, sea grass beds, eelgrass beds Area. The predominant commercial crab species is and tidal flats. Estuaries typically have a low diversity the Dungeness crab (Cancer magister) with adults of planktonic and benthic species that can tolerate found to depths of 180 meters but is most abundant fluctuating salinity regimes, but those species present tend to be abundant. This valuable and highly sensitive feature supports rearing habitat for numerous fish and invertebrate species. Intertidal sloughs and estuaries also provide over wintering habitat for ducks, geese, Trumpeter Swans and shorebirds. Eelgrass (Zostera marina and Zostera japonica) is the main marine vascular plant in the Johnstone-Bute Plan Area. Provincial data for eelgrass habitat is not accurately mapped within the Johnstone-Bute Plan Area; however additional local and DFO data reflects that it tends to be distributed throughout the Plan Area. Eelgrass grows in underwater meadows or “beds”, rooted in a fine sand substrate. These beds are most commonly found in protected waters in the lower intertidal and shallow sub tidal zones and are common at the heads of many inlets. Eelgrass beds also play an important role in stabilizing the substrate. The size and shape of beds may change seasonally or between years. They are typically shallow rooted and easily dislodged by a range of human activities. Eelgrass plays an important role in Photo 1. Aerial view of the estuary habitat at the head of primary production as well as for structural and Port Neville, looking upstream at the Fulmore River that sup- ports one of the few sockeye stocks in the Plan Area The Johnstone - Bute Johnstone The Photo: Graham Winterbottom 2003 COASTAL PLAN The J o hnston e - B ute COASTAL PLAN in water less than 90 m. Dungeness are most unique feature of the Estero Basin where surface abundant in areas with sandy substrates and/or waters are brackish, but deep waters are believed to shallow waters with eelgrass. Significant crab habitat support rockfish and anchovies. is located at the head of Port Neville and the mouth Overall, the estuarine values in this habitat category of the Phillips River. are low relative to the protected shallow inlet and Marine plant groups consist of the microscopic high current channel and inlet categories. Although marine floating algae or “phytoplankton”, that 23.6% of the shore type is classified as estuary/ provide the basis of the ocean food web. These wetland habitat, most of the shoreline area lies within minute, single celled plants are eaten by zooplankton the unique Estero basin where the shoreline gradient that in turn are the food for fish, vertebrates such as is steep and therefore does not support typical herring, and invertebrates such as clams, sea estuarine habitat including eelgrass beds and shallow anemones and other sea creatures. They are present gravel/mud beaches. As expected, there is limited in all of the marine and estuarine waters of the clam (7.7%) and no identified crab habitat within Johnstone-Bute area but proliferate in warm sheltered the low current channels and inlet category. inlet habitat. Their abundance also varies seasonally The low current channels in this habitat category are with the availability of light and nutrients. When part of a primary migration corridor for Mainland nutrients and light are optimal, high concentrations adult and juvenile salmon stocks as well as a of phytoplankton known as “blooms” may occur and secondary migration route for Fraser River stocks. may color the water red, brown or green (e.g., “red These channels also provide important ebb tide tide”). Some species produce potent toxins that are holding areas for all southbound migrants. The low liberated when the algae are eaten. Other species current channels also provide migration routes for kill without toxins, such as species with serrated both adult and juvenile Pacific Herring. edge spines that lodge in fish gill tissues. In the case of shellfish, these blooms can be a seasonal public Approximately 15% of the mapped kelp forest health hazard. Within the Plan Area, Topaze habitat is located within this habitat category, with Harbour has poor circulation and stratification and is major kelp beds along the shores of Hardwick and therefore susceptible to concentrated algal and West Thurlow Islands. Smaller patches long the zooplankton blooms. north side of Sunderland and Chancellor Channels, Termagant Point, Althorp Point and Shaw Point. Extensive canopy kelp beds can be found at the entrance to Port Neville (~106 ha) as well as the Bute Entrance provides an important rearing area for entrance to Topaze Harbour (61 ha) at Seymour juvenile herring stocks and supports a significant Island, Poyntz Island and Termagant Point. The biomass of euphasiids. It is suspected additional ecosystems associated with canopy kelp beds are highly recruitment of juvenile herring, euphasiids and other productive and provide critical rearing and spawning species results from the combined effects of prevailing habitat for many fish and invertebrate species. winds on surface currents from the Strait of Georgia during the late winter and early spring. This large LOW CURRENT CHANNELS AND INLETS N N biomass provides feed for a number of predators The second habitat category identified for the including salmon, rockfish, lingcod, and dogfish as Johnstone-Bute Plan Area is low current channels and well as marine birds and mammals. 2 inlets that represent 15.5% or 127 km of the Plan N HIGH CURRENT CHANNELS AND INLETS N Area. In these areas, the currents are generally less than 1 knot, but tidal currents can increase to 3 The high current channel and inlets habitat category knots through narrow passages. Water depths are is one of the most productive habitat types within the moderate, ranging from 50 to 200 m. Summer Johnstone-Bute Plan Area, and represents 35% (284 benthic water temperatures are warm (9-11 C), with km2) of the total area (Table 3). Marine habitat in substrates dominated by mud and sand. Planning the high current and inlet habitat category is exposed units within this habitat category are Sunderland, to flood and ebb tide generated currents that increase Chancellor, Nodales, Frederick Estero and Bute nutrient availability and overall productivity in these Entrance. Shorelines areas are generally steep and areas. Rocky shelves lining the passages provide 15 characterized by rock with pocket sand and gravel substrates for shellfish and kelp, that in turn provide beaches. Also included in this habitat category is the rearing and feeding areas for salmonids, rockfish and 16 groundfish species. Another ecologically important passage along the Mainland corridor along the aspect of this habitat category is the presence of mid northeast side of the Johnstone-Bute Plan Area. The channel and nearshore rocky islands and outcrops. Johnstone Strait corridor includes the Upper These features increase the physical diversity and Johnstone, Yorke, Current Race and S. Johnstone corresponding ecological complexity in comparison Planning Units and is utilized as an important to steep rocky shorelines found elsewhere in the migration, holding and feeding corridor for fish and Johnstone-Bute Plan Area. marine mammals. Up to 90% of the Fraser River Water currents are typically strong, varying between 3 salmon stocks migrate through Johnstone Strait to to 7 knots within the open channels. Higher their natal streams. Johnstone Strait also serves as an currents occur through narrow passages including the important navigation corridor and also supports Dent, Yuculta and Arran Rapids in the Rapids significant commercial fisheries Planning Unit and the Hole in the Wall in the The remaining Planning Units included in the high Okisollo Planning Unit, that reach an average current current channels and inlets habitat category are the between 8-14 knots. Shoreline substrates are Wellbore channel, the Rapids, Okisollo channel and primarily rock cliffs, interspersed with sand and Mayne Passage. These passages form part of the gravel beaches. Water depths are moderate ranging major migration and holding corridor for Mainland from 50 to 200 m with isolated pockets of deep Coast salmon stocks and Pacific herring. These (>200 m). Summer benthic water temperatures are passages also provide secondary migration corridors warm ranging from 9-11 C with benthic substrate for Fraser River stocks. Of particular ecological value dominated by mud and sand with exception of rock is the Rapids Planning unit. The protected shoreline substrates in the Rapids subunit and 35% of areas where large back eddies are created during the Okisollo Channel. ebb tide act as natural fish traps and are utilized by This habitat category includes 2 major migration fish and mammal species as important feeding areas corridors with Johnstone Strait running along the and holding habitat. The large tides and resulting west side adjacent to Vancouver Island and another upwelling forces Hake carcasses to the surface as they cannot compensate for the change in depth and provide a food source for eagles and other bird species. There is significant estuarine habitat interspersed within the high current channels. Valuable estuarine habitat is located at the head of shallow shoreline bays within the high current channel habitat category. There is a large (151 ha) estuary as well as notable clam beds (79 ha) located in Blenkinsop Bay. Similarly, the Salmon River has a large estuary (179 ha) and clam beds along the seaward border of the bay (36 ha). Smaller estuary and clam beds exist in Owen Bay and Chonat Bay in the Okisollo Planning Unit and Bessborough Bay in the Wellbore Planning Unit. A significant proportion of clam beds are located in this habitat category, with approximately 28% of the total clam beds within the Plan Area. The largest clam beaches are located at Blenkinsop Bay, Charles Bay, Chonat Bay, Salmon River and the at the head of Forward Harbour. Mud bottom subtidal habitat adjacent to productive estuaries at the Salmon River and Blenkinsop Bay support 13% of the known crab habitat within the Plan Area. Crab habitat has also been identified in Forward Photo 2. Aerial view looking upstream into the unique Estero Harbour, Elk, Owen and Chonat Bays. Also often Basin that is part of the “low current channels and inlet” habi- tat category developed for the Plan Area associated with estuaries is eelgrass bed habitat, and The Johnstone - Bute Johnstone The Photo: Graham Winterbottom 2003 there is abundant eelgrass habitat observed in COASTAL PLAN The J o hnston e - B ute COASTAL PLAN
Photo 3. Aerial view of rocky islands and islets with surrounding Photo 4. Aerial view of strong tidal currents in the Yuculta Rapids strong currents typical to the High Current Channels and Inlets at Stuart Island (U13) that reach up to 14 knots through narrow Habitat Category Photo: Graham Winterbottom 2003 rocky passages in the High Current Channels and Inlets habitat category Photo: Graham Winterbottom 2003
protected bays, but not yet mapped throughout the The moderately deep mud bottom habitat with this high current channels and inlet habitat category. habitat category also supports a significant population The majority (75%) of mapped canopy kelp beds are of prawns and shrimp as well as crabs in shallower located within this high current channel and inlets waters to support an important commercial fishery. habitat category. Canopy kelp beds are generally The Okisollo Planning Unit has noted biological located along areas of upwelling or high current significance supporting significant stocks of rockfish, channels where nutrient levels are high and a rocky lingcod and dogfish with extensive surveys indicating substrate is available. The kelp fronds are attached by a significant scallop biomass within the channel. a “holdfast” to rocky substrates and grow from the N GLACIAL FJORD HABITAT N zero tide level, or just above, to about minus 12 The glacial fed deep inlet habitat category consists of meters depending on the water clarity. Kelp may Bute Inlet where the steep sided rock walls that grow on unstable substrates such as cobble, but beds border both sides of the inlet drop quickly to water tend to be less stable in such areas. The distribution depths that range between 200 to 700 m. The inlet of kelp forests is variable from year to year. Primary is fed by glacial runoff, resulting in reduced surface kelp beds are located in bands along rocky shoreline salinity and a predominantly cold (<8C) summer areas, in less than 40 feet of water with notable kelp benthic water temperature. Currents throughout the in the vicinity of Neville Point, Yorke Island, Walkem inlet are moderately strong and benthic substrates are Island, Helmcken Island (203 ha) and Peterson Islets dominated by mud. The entire inlet is subject to in the Johnstone Strait. Isolated patches of kelp line strong arctic outflow winds. both northern and southern sides of Johnstone strait as well as throughout the remaining passages within The biological productivity in Bute Inlet is unique this habitat category. Significant kelp canopy forests and very high, with the deep, cold water producing a are also located at the Midgham Islets, Carterer Point significant biomass of krill that are typically found in and Bulkely Island as well as additional smaller cold, deep offshore trenches of the Artic and patches on both sides of the Wellbore Channel. In Antarctic. Krill are herbivores that live in enormous the Rapids Planning Unit, kelp forest habitat schools and serve as an important food source to fish, provides important rearing habitat at Dent Island and seabirds and baleen whales in addition to other the Gillard Islands as well as along shoreline areas on marine mammals. It is suspected that the large tidal the east side of West Thurlow Island and adjacent to inflows at the entrance to Bute Inlet cause deep water Green Point Rapids in the Mayne Passage Planning upwelling that push the krill to shallower waters. Unit. Extensive kelp habitat is found throughout the This phenomenon is thought to be the reason for Okisollo Planning Unit that totals approximately 260 exceptional Euphasiids production and an overall concentration of feed in lower Bute Inlet. The ha, on both sides of the channel. 17 prevailing southeasterly wind in Georgia Strait COASTAL PLAN
The Johnstone - Bute 18 estuaries, there are clambeaches (84 ha) important that totalapproximately 90ha. Within these Loughborough Inlet atFrazer Bay andMcBride Bay category. There are 2major estuariesattheheadof shore typelocatedwithinthishabitat estuary Loughborough Inlet islow withonly14%ofthe The overall ofestuarinehabitatin proportion wave exposure from localized outflow winds. oceanic conditions,theyare susceptibletomoderate inlets are protected from highwave exposure from benthic substrateisdominatedby mud.Although the the protected moderatelydeepinlethabitat; the in thelower inlet. Weak currents are characteristicin ratio ofcold(<8C)intheupperinlettowarm(10C) temperatures are variable withapproximately a50:50 water depthsrangingfrom 50to200m. Water Plan Area. The inletissteepsidedwithmoderate salmonids andherring. migration andrearing corridorforadultandjuvenile throughout theinletalsoprovides animportant Inlet inPlanning Unit 18.Shoreline habitat ofButelocated onbothsidesoftheupperportion habitat withintheJohnstone-Bute Plan Area is Approximately 80%oftheshoreline herringspawn istheabundanceofherringspawnhabitat. category significancetotheglacialfjordOf particular habitat in thishabitatcategory. the totalclamhabitatwithinPlan Area identified estuaries issignificant,withapproximately 21%of of theOrford River. Clamproduction inthese inlet. locatedatthemouth There isasmallerestuary mouth oftheHomathko River attheheadof inthePlan Area islocatedatthe single largestestuary although the within thedeepinlethabitatcategory limited very Estuarine habitatisproportionally withinButecommercial Inlet. fishery a Krill production issignificantenoughtosupport and herringdrawsalargenumberofpredator species. March andApril. The combinationofEuphasiids migrate withtheadultherringaftertheyspawnin the Bute Entrance andlower Bute area andout- Bute Inlet herringmature area. andrear Larval in inthelower larvae concentrating fish/invertebrate Gulf ofGeorgia Drift mayalsoberesponsible for thought tocreate aphenomenonidentifiedasthe N proportion, 7.8%(64km proportion, to Loughborough Inlet andrepresents asmall islimited The moderatelydeepinlethabitatcategory M ODERATELY D EEP I NLETS 2 ) oftheJohnstone-Bute N Bute Inlet the mouthofHomathko River locatedattheheadof Photo 5. Sidney Bay andCooperReach. Area, withsignificantpopulationsinBeaver Inlet/ 25% ofthetotalcrabhabitatmappedforPlan highest amountofcrabhabitat,havingapproximately cucumbers. Loughborough Inlet provides thesecond habitat forprawns,crabs,seaurchins andsea mammals andbirds. Inlet watersalsoprovide critical and migrationcorridorsforfishaswell asmarine Protected inlethabitatprovides criticalfeedingareas have been mappedare locatedinLoughborough Inlet. Approximately 10%ofthetotalclambeachesthat near themouthofStafford andApple Rivers. is outsidethe context ofthischapter. onadjacentterrestrialroad construction areas, which resource development activitiessuchasloggingand marine systemscanalsobe largely affectedby tonotethattheecologicalintegrityof important development activities withinthestudyarea. It is assist decisionmakersindeterminingsuitablemarine outlined forthePlan Area. This informationmay mammal specieswithinthehabitatcategories types utilized by bird keyfish,invertebrate, and description ofthelocationandtiminghabitat species withinthePlan Area. Alsoincludedisa and distributionofthemostdocumentedmarine provides baselineinformationregarding thepresence to theJohnstone -Bute Plan Area. This information oftheknownbrief overview biologicalvalues typical Plan Area. The purposeofthissectionistoprovide a and marinebirds resident totheJohnstone -Bute species includingshellfish,finfish,marinemammals Following isadescriptionofknown keymarine 2.4. Biological Features Upstream aerialview ofprimeestuarinehabitatat Photo: Graham Winterbottom 2003 29 COASTAL PLAN ove. ove. Deep Warm Deep Warm Inlet MF (3) MF (3) Glacial Fjord Moderately N The Johnstone - Bute - Johnstone The OMMUNITY C 2.5. Social and Economic Profile 2.5. N The Plan Area is within the Comox Strathcona Strathcona is within the Comox Area The Plan J is J. Area electoral Area (CSRD), District Regional and includes Area geographically larger than the Plan accounts for a large proportion which Island, Quadra also Area The Plan population. of the electoral area's includes the asserted traditional territories of the Comox, Kwiakah, Tlowitsis, Xwémalhkwu, Klahoose, Nations. First Kum Wai We Kai and Wai We The largest is sparsely settled. Area The Plan is the Area population concentration within the Plan located on of Sayward, Village incorporated BC Localities as defined by Island. Vancouver West include the islands of East and Statistics the Island; and Stuart Neville Port Thurlow, populations of these islands largely vary seasonally. Reserves Nations also a number of First are There most of which do not have Area, within the Plan permanent residents. Census information (i.e. population and other for a geographical demographic data) is not available The closest Area. unit that exactly matches the Plan to two geographic boundaries correspond and the Indian plus Sayward dissemination areas, The 2001 Census for these units totals 518 reserves. for population data, all other Census persons. Except information (e.g. age, income, etc.) for the High Current Inlets Channels and MF (3) (3) MF MF (13) MF (13) MF (4,11) FH (4,12,15) MF (4,11)MF (all) MF (7,9) Low Current Low Inlets Channels and N PECIES S ISTED L MF (1,5)MF (1,5)FH (1,5) MF (all) MF (2.3.6.7.9.14.20) F (all) FH (all) F (all) F F FH (all) FH Habitat Categories & Associated Planning Units Associated & Habitat Categories haul-out sites) H=known grounds; feeding F=known route; migration (M=known 1,5,10 4,8,11,12,15 2,3,7,9,6,13,14,20 16,17,18 19 Protected Protected Inlet Shallow LUE B ED AND R Table 9. Seasonal Utilization of Known Habitat Categories by Marine Mammals Marine by Habitat Categories of Known Utilization Seasonal 9. Table Spring Summer Fall Winter round Year No data Other Delphinids (porpoises & dolphins) MarineMammal Species Planning Unit Sperm whale Humpback whale whale Minke Orcas (Resident & Transient) Pinnipeds (sea lions & seals) N water’s surface, or close to the shore in inlets, in surface, to the shore or close water’s sea lions feed Steller’s channels, or exposed areas. cod, Pacific mainly on fish such as hake, herring, octopus, and and salmon, but squid, rockfish, also eaten. Both harbour seals and crustaceans are up major rivers to travel known northern sea lions are haulout sites fish. Known in pursuit of anadromous Island, Yorke located at sea lions are for Steller’s Walkem Island, Helmcken Cove, Vere Island, Murray Island, Jud Arran Rapids, Jimmy Point, Edith Islands, Passage. and Mayne Inlet Bute Wall, in the Hole A number of locations in the Plan Area provide provide Area A number of locations in the Plan or blue-listed marine birds, habitat for red- and blue-list The red- mammals, and plants. to government the provincial by classification is given to be at risk scientists by considered species that are due to declining populations or habitats as the result those species are of human activities. Red-listed or or threatened, extirpated, endangered, which are species are Blue-listed in danger of becoming so. are especially classed as vulnerable because they are Red to human activities or natural events. sensitive are Area and blue listed marine species in the Plan 10. Table in shown Note: This table illustrates general trends by species and variations will occur outside the seasonal timing windows listed ab listed and variations will occur outside the seasonal timing windows species by This table illustrates general trends Note: For more species specific locations within the Planning Units, refer to text or maps refer species specific locations within the Planning Units, more For COASTAL PLAN
The Johnstone - Bute 30 represented by the45-65 agegroups. This ageprofile provincial ageprofile, thePlan Area isrelatively over- years fortheprovincial population.Relative tothe years forArea J,compared toamedianageof38 median. The medianageforSayward is41.6,and43 population isslightlyolder than theprovincial population intwoequalhalves) ofthePlan Area The medianage(i.e.thethatdividestotal increased almost5%over theinterval. J). In comparison,theprovincial population larger (judgingfrom thetrends ofSayward andArea population reduction forthePlan Area wasmuch dates) over butinpercentage termsthe thisinterval, experienced adecline(at–1.6%between Census appears tohave declined. The CSRDalso Between 1996and2001,thePlan Area’s population Area’s Censuscount. working inthePlan Area are notincludedinthePlan of residence”. For instance, personsseasonally Census populationisrecorded forone’s “normal place Area’s socio-economictrends. It isalsonotedthatthe J, whichmayprovide someindicationofthePlan Census informationisavailable forSayward andArea suppressed forconfidentialityconcerns.Complete dissemination areas andtheIndian are reserves Vascular Plants Henderson’s Checker-mallow ( Fish Eulachon ( Birds Western Grebe ( Brandt’s Cormorant( Double-crested Cormorant( Pelagic Cormorant( Great BlueHeron ( Surf Scoter( Long-tailed Duck( California Gull( Common Murre ( Marbled Murrelet ( Ancient Murrelet ( Trumpeter Swan( Mammals Killer Whale ( Killer Whale Northeast PacificResidentPopulationNortheast Killer Whale ( Killer Whale Northeast PacificOffshoreNortheast Population Killer Whale ( Killer Whale West Coast Transient Population Steller’s SeaLion( Species Table 10. Red andBluelistedspeciesintheJohnstone-Bute Plan Area Thaleichthys pacificusThaleichthys Melanitta perspicillata Orcinus orca Orcinus orca Orcinus orca Larus californicus Aechmophorus occidentalis Aechmophorus Uria aalge Uria Cygnus baccinator Eumetopias jubatus Clangula hyemalis Synthliboramphus antiquus Brachyramphus marmoratus Ardea herodias Phalacrocorax pelagicus Phalacrocorax penicillatus ) ) ) ) Phalacrocorax auritus ) Sidalcea hendersonii ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ttsLcto nPa raHabitat LocationinPlan Area Status RED RED BLUE BLUE RED RED BLUE RED BLUE BLUE RED RED BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE RED RED Sayward Bute Inlet, NodalesChannel, Phillips Arm, Topaze Harbour Bute Inlet Bute Inlet, Port Neville Port Neville Bute Inlet, SunderlandChannel Sunderland Channel, ButeInlet, Johnstone Straits, Phillips Arm Nodales Channel, Cordero Channel Bute Inlet(Orford, Paradise, Southgate, Teaquahan, Homathko, andBearwatersheds). Johnstone Strait Johnstone Strait, ButeInlet Johnstone Strait Johnstone Strait Johnstone Strait Johnstone Strait Figure 14. The relatively recent closures oftheEve River logging isthemainstayof localeconomy.transportation) (logging,silviculture,The forest and industry the populationofSayward Valley isabout1,200. population ofthecommunityissome400persons, McNeill/Port Hardy onHighway 19. While the of CampbellRiver andtwohourssouthofPort Area’s onlymunicipality. It islocatedonehournorth Sayward wasincorporatedin1968andisthePlan members ofthepopulation. totheyoungerinfrastructure andolder ofimportance and areasis typicalofrural lackingservices % of population 10 20 30 40 50 0 ne 515-44 Under 15 Age profile comparision ofplanarea andBC Source: 2001Community Profiles, BCStatistics Age groups Source: Data Centre, Conservation 2003 Marine Nearshore Marine Nearshore, Estuaries Marine Marine, Nearshore Marine, Nearshore Marine, Nearshore Intertidal, TerrestrialLowland Marine, Nearshore Marine, Nearshore Marine, Intertidal Marine Marine, TerrestrialLowland Marine Estuaries Marine Marine Marine Intertidal 56 65+ 45-64 BC CSRD "J" Sayward 31 COASTAL PLAN The Johnstone - Bute - Johnstone The tenures within the traditional territory. Homalco Homalco territory. the traditional within tenures in its company is a band-operated Tours Wildlife called, “The tours of operation providing year third is focus of the operation The of Bute”. Bears and Bay the Orford and promoting developing for bear viewing and cultural Inlet in Bute surrounds the all over come from to the site Visitors tourism. is expected in rapid sales growth world. Relatively and and diversification years the next several is envisioned. expansion of the enterprise researching actively is Nation First The Xwémalhkwu options, economic development sustainable various opportunities, tourism tenures, including shellfish timber and non- and energy developments, renewable timber forestry activities occurring on development completed is being Research the traditional territory. status of the aquatic and to identify the current potential for to assess the respective forestry resources First The Xwémalhkwu economic development. mandate is to assert title and jurisdiction on Nation’s the traditional territory and initiatives and to develop and tourism development partnerships in resource particular Of note activities occurring in the territory. strong is the fact that Chief and Council have the potential impacts of open net concerns regarding in the to the marine environment cage aquaculture The Inlet. especially Bute traditional territory, supports use of the Nation Xwémalhkwu First and other precautionary in aquaculture approach The Xwémalhkwu also developments. resource support cooperation and collaboration with and local governments Nations, neighbouring First end the this To organizations. non govenmental has negotiated protocols Nation Xwémalhkwu First Regional of Campbell River, with the District Strait the Georgia Strathcona, of Comox District Alliance and looks forward to the completion of jurisdiction and planning negotiation of shared Nations. with neighrbouring First protocols Society Treaty The Nations of the Hamatla was formed in 1994 as Society Treaty The Hamatla body of the Laich-Kwil-Tach the administrative mandate is Council of Chiefs. Its Tlowitsis K’omoks for the to negotiate a fair and equitable treaty the are The member Nations member Nations. Kai, and the Wai Wei Tlowitsis, K’ómoks, Kwiakah, assertedTheir collective Nations. First Kum Wai Wei traditional territory Area. Plan includes the entire reserves in the Plan of the member bands have Three has two reserves near Nation First Tlowitsis The Area. N ATIONS N IRST F N operation and the Kelsey Bay log sort have negatively sort log negatively have Bay and the Kelsey operation perhaps contributed and have the economy, impacted and (i.e. food Tourism loss. to the population also supportsaccommodation) local employment. potential tourism assessment of Sayward’s A recent and Discovery Strait to Johnstone identified its access “Opportunities” for the industry. as“strength” Passage pertinent include re-development the coastal zone to wildlife viewingof the log sort in the Salmon area, at of lodges/resorts and development estuary, River study of this The results and Race Points. Bay Brown is the only Bay 15. Kelsey Table in summarized are Port and Campbell River between small craft harbour serves River Campbell as the regional McNeill. (e.g. high for servicescentre in Sayward not available outlets). school, hospital, airport, bank and retail The Plan Area includes the traditional territories of includes the traditional territories of Area The Plan Kwiakah, Tlowitsis, the Xwémalhkwu, Klahoose, Nations. First Kum Wai We Kai and Wai We Comox, The Xwémalhkwu (Homalco) First Nation The traditional territory of the Xwémalhkwu First Thurlow, to include Call Inlet from extends Nation Arm, and Bute Phillips Islands, and Stuart Sonora adjacent to Calm its villages were Historically, Inlet. and up to Southgate Inlet Bute Channel throughout Waiatt islands, in the Discovery and rivers Homathco the Presently, Island. and Maurelle Bay Small Bay, main community is I.R. 9 in Campbell Nation’s has 9 reserves totaling some 620 The Nation River. is in The Nation Area. in or near the Plan hectares of implementing the addition of Lot the process to the 56 hectares, of approximately 1835, an area located in These are Reserve. Indian House Church and Calm Island Sonora River, Homathko Inlet, Bute band population is estimated to be Total Channel. 222 The most populated reserve (approx. 477. The Xwémalhkwu persons) is in Campbell River. in December process the treaty entered Nation First 4 of the six-stage process, in Stage 1993, and is now in principle. negotiating an agreement economic activities Nation’s The Xwémalhkwu First eco- forestry, include presently Area in the Plan shellfish harvesting.tourism and commercial is harvesting of marine and land resources Traditional the traditional territorycarried out throughout which incidentally makes up a large part of the Johnstone- moving The Xwémalhkwu are Area. Plan Bute forward with plans to harvest and manage forestry COASTAL PLAN
The Johnstone - Bute 32 one indicator of thearea’s economicmake-up. is The distributionofthelabour force by industry 13.8% compared toaprovincial rateof8.5%. for CampbellRiver in2001was12.7%andSayward offices inCampbellRiver. The unemployment rate tourist operatorsthatare active inthePlan Area have Area. Forestry operations,aquaculture andsome reported here togenerallyreflect thatofthePlan Labour force informationforCampbellRiver is is thecaseforSayward andArea J. median incomeisbelow theprovincial average asthis population size. It wouldappearthatthePlan Area available forthePlan Area becauseofthesmall Census dataonincomeandemployment isnot licence withanannualallowable cutof25,000m The Hamatla Treaty Society holdsatimbersale were notavailable fortheK’ómoksNation. Wai KaiFirst Nation is845.Population statistics band members. The bandmembershipofthe We off-reserve. The Wei Wai Kum First Nation has598 21 bandmembers(September 2003)mostlyliving Bay.River andAlert The Kwiakah First Nation has Nation has342bandmembers,livinginCampbell Campbell River-Comox area. The Tlowitsis First 2,055 personswithmostmembersresiding inthe The Treaty Society’s bandmemberpopulationis withinthePlan Area. traditionalterritory have asserted landslocatedwithinthePlanreserve Area although The, K’ómoksand We Wai KaiFirst Nations have no Channel. The three totalabout63hectares. reserves in Loughborough Inlet andonewithinCordero First Nation hasthree inthePlan reserves Area, two Island totalingsome69hectares. The Wei Wai Kum ofStuart inPhillipsreserves Armandjustnorth Port Neville totaling110hectares. The Kwiakah has N 2.6. EconomicStructure and Trends intourismandaquacultureopportunities industries. activities,bandshave, andare investigating,industry operations.Inmanage theforestry additiontoforest of thefive memberbands(LeqwaEnterprises) will sectors.Alimitedpartnership andforestry harvesting employment inthe and/ortrainingopportunities in themanagementofforest resources, andprovide of theHamatla Treaty Society oritsmemberNations, this timbersalelicenceare toencourageparticipation and afive-year term. The government’s objectives for I CM AND NCOME L ABOUR F ORCE N 3 companies operating22finfishaquaculture tenures in aquaculture development. Presently there are six good infrastructure makethePlan Area attractive for Favourable watertemperature, protected watersand equally onfishing,tourism,publicsector, andtransfers. the Bute area economyisdiversified, dependingabout dependency ontheforest industry. In relative terms, Island. For CampbellRiver, high there isavery Sayward. The Bute area includesQuadra andCortes area includes Tahsis andGold River aswell as Forstill instructive. theanalysis,CampbellRiver findings are basedon1996datatheinformationis picture ofthearea’s “economic drivers”. While the corresponding basicactivitytoprovide aclearer associates thedependentincomewith basic incomewithinthedefinedregion. The analysis area anddependentincomeisthere-spending ofthis basic incomeisdefinedasrevenue coming intothe measure ofincomedependency. In thisanalysis, Another perspective ofthelocaleconomyisa employment, fully10timestheprovincial average dramatic, thesetwosectorsaccountedfor31%of andfarmemploymentforestry waseven more the labourforce activity. In Sayward thebiastowards of pulp mills,accountsforasignificantproportion and agriculture. Manufacturing, mostlysawand commercial fishing,aquaculture,harvesting, mining industries,such asforest associated withprimary labour force ofworkers hasahigherproportion Relative totheprovincial profile, theCampbellRiver F N 2.7. Economic Activities Figure 15. SIGAND ISHING Health/education uiesservicesBusiness A te servicesOther QUACULTURE Manufacture Experienced labour force by industry Finance Primary Trade W ILD %5 0 5 0 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% ,C British Columbia H OMMERCIAL ARVESTS N Source: 2001Canada Censuss Campbell River 33
COASTAL PLAN
Other
Transfers
Other Basic Other
Construction 1996 BC Statistics Source:
Public in 2002, the area a value representing of $6373. Fisheries in Area not held were 13 in 2003 or 2004. The total allowable catch for 2005 is set at 2,000 lbs.
Tourism Agriculture 18 16 16 16 16 Campbell River Area Campbell River
Total Sites Total Reporting Fishing Mining The Johnstone - Bute - Johnstone The
Income dependency 1996 7 8 8 Bute Area Forestry 10 12 # of sites with no harvest
5 0
40 35 30 25 20 15 10 % of Area's total income total Area's of % widely used in the recreational fishery. Populations of Populations fishery. recreational widely used in the are Area littleneck clams within the Plan and Manila as Island Sonora on located in Cameleon Harbour Hemming Point, Blanch Harbour, as Forward well Thurston Bay. and Bay Big Bay, Crabs the second most valuable crabs are Dungeness invertebrate fishery coast of Canada on the west to be a is not considered Area although the Plan crab fisheryThe commercial major crab fishing area. and to December September operates mainly from size DFO through and is managed by to June March The fishery and sex limitations and seasonal closures. boats in from uses traps or ring nets on long lines set coastal waters. sheltered estuaries or in relatively of a landed value DFO indicate Catch statistics from crab commercial 13. Important $238,789 for Area River, Orford found in Cooper Reach, are areas Arm, Beaver Phillips Creek, Gray River, Paradise Owen Creek, Moh Creek, Grassy Bay, Inlet/Sidney Bay. and Elk Chonat Bay Bay, Blenkinsop Bay, Geoducks harvested the throughout are commercially Geoducks most valuable. and the fisheryyear is one of BC’s declined the inside waters have Landings from The majority of the commercial slightly since 1987. fishery Catch Area. place outside of the Plan takes taken from 13 indicate 302kgs were statistics for Area Figure 16. 16. Figure 8 9 4 8 8 # of sites with harvest Species Harvested Atlantic, Chinook Atlantic, Atlantic Atlantic Atlantic, Chinook, Oysters Chinook, Atlantic, Atlantic, Chinook, Oysters Chinook, Atlantic, 36,460 * Farmgate Value Farmgate ($,000) * 27,984 18,812 Harvest (Tonnes) 10,927 * * 4,759 3,176 Confidential - fewer than three companies reporting harvest. Source: BC MAFF Seafood Development 2004 Development BC MAFF Seafood harvest. companies reporting Confidential - fewer than three Source: Table 11. Aquaculture Production in the Johnstone-Bute in the Johnstone-Bute Production Aquaculture 11. Table 1999-2002 Area Coastal Plan Year 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 the Plan Area. Atlantic salmon and chinook salmon salmon and chinook Atlantic Area. the Plan the primaryare and steelhead as coho species, as well cod is also being explored. black trout; within the lower focused of sites are The majority and Nodales around portion Area, Plan of the on industry Based Channels. interviewsOkisollo and support about 50-60 the tenures other information, off- positions on-site. Additional full time equivalent processing is supported at the three site employment supportingvarious as the as well plants in the area servicesbusinesses which supply and material to the of harvested 2002, the value In industry. aquaculture $36 million. farm salmon exceeded shellfish is only one commercial there Currently Nations First However, Area. within the Plan tenure intentions to explore companies have and private potential sites. are of other shellfish salmon and a wide variety Wild to salmon, respect With harvested Area. in the Plan and chum harvestthe sockeye for most of accounted clams and crabs in 2003. Prawns, the landed value account for a large proportion of the other wild of salmon harvest. 2003, the total landed value In in DFO and other marine species was $6.8 million 13, which includes, but is somewhat larger than Area Area. the Plan Clams harvested within the Plan Clams are commercially tides using during low intertidal from areas Area main The three rakes and hand picking methods. butter and littleneck species harvested the Manila, are and littleneck species make up the clams. Manila majority of the harvest due to higher prices and a is one of the key Strait Johnstone market. stronger 13 clams. Area harvest for littleneck and Manila areas a catch statistics for the 2003 clam fishery represent small of $265,488. Although a relatively landed value it is important and to coastal communities fishery, also to many people. Clams are employment provides and are Nations for First a traditional food source * COASTAL PLAN
The Johnstone - Bute 34 Historically 95%ofthedive scallopslandings have Okisollo Channel withinArea 13-8to13-12. within thePlan Area are currently restricted to based managementplan.Experimental licences order toobtaininformationdevelop abiologically wasinitiatedby DFOin experimental dive fishery to thelackofmanagement controls. In 2000 an wasdiscontinueddue methods. In 1999thefishery within thePlan Area through bothdive andtrawl Pink andSpiny commercially scallopsare harvested Scallops taken incidentallyintheprawnfishery. about stocksanddistribution;mostofthecatchis discouraged by DFOduetolimitedinformation The direct ofshrimpis commercial harvest Okisollo ChannelandSmall Inlet. Channel, Sidney Bay/Beaver Inlet, Cordero Channel, are Bute Inlet, Loughborough Inlet, Chancellor $1,907,409. Important prawnareas inthePlan Area inArea 13withavaluehighest value of fishery tobethesecond statistics indicatetheprawnfishery southern coastalareas closetolocalmarkets. Catch live product islandedfrom dayvessels operatingin destined fortheJapanese market while theremaining 90% ofthecommercial catchisfrozen atseaand toexpandintooffshoreopportunity waters.Over are deemedtobefullysubscribed,withsome southern coastalwaters.Licenceswithininshore areas coast withthemajorityofcatchcomingfrom occurs from May untilearlyJuly throughout theBC meters deepwitharocky substrate. The fishery fished usingtrapssetfrom boats,inwaters55to90 Pacific coastshrimpspecies andare commercially Prawns are thelargestandmostlucrative ofthe Prawns andShrimp by DFO. geoduck fishingareas ismaintainedinconfidence BC are stillbeingdiscovered. The precise locationof been explored whereas areas coastof inthenorth Most oftheproductive bedsinthe southcoasthave harvesting. andtoreduceefforts thepotentialforover areas hasincreased inorder tospread outfishing grouped togetherandthenumberofmanagement management areas. Over timesmallerbeds are virgin biomass.Individual bedsare grouped by DFO set basedona1%annualexploitationrateofthe basis usingaconstantcatchstrategywhere quotasare ismanagedonathree year rotationalThe fishery Rock Bay toPalmer Bay. Point Rapids, Graveyard Point to Bear Point and urchin areas include Wellbore Channel East,Green and ceremonial purposes. Important commercial fishery. First Nations utilize urchins for food,social order togatherscientificinformation regarding the protocol in toexpandunderanexploratory harvest 2003, valued at$180,820.DFOplansto allow the indicate 94,454lbswere takenfrom Area 13during fishing area forgreen urchins. Catch statistics and March andthe Plan Area isidentifiedasacore within thePlan Area primarilybetween November Both Green andRed Sea Urchins are harvested Sea Urchin the majorityoffishery. 13. Currently coastssupport thecentralandnorth Area, withlandedvalues of$77,054in2003forArea ofthePlan cucumber occursinsouthcoastportions October andNovember. Commercial fishingforsea three tofourweek periodduringthemonthsof isrestricted toa management strategythefishery to First Nations. Under thecurrent DFO and winterare foodresource alsoanimportant Sea by cucumbersare divers harvested duringautumn Sea Cucumber landed value of$38,973. areas southofAreacome from fishery 13foratotal Chinook Chum Pink Sockeye Salmon Total Clams Scallops Geoduck Shellfish Total Crabs Octopus Prawns Shrimp Sea Cucumber Sea Urchin Plankton (euphausids) Herring (spawn onkelp) Other Species Total Catch Statistics: Area 13, 2003 Table 12. Commercial SalmonandShellfish sci/sa/Commercial/Summaries/AnnualReports/Annual03_user.htm Note geoduck (includes southofthePlan Area toCapeMudge) http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/ Source: DFOCommercial Salmon andShellfish CatchStatistics Area 13 fishery on a 3 year rotation, no fishery inArea ona3year 132003,2004 rotation, nofishery fishery 1,596 2,545,729 500,815 497,050 3,545,190 67,478 7,820 302 (2002) 75,600 31,239 5,573 148,504 11,375 51,849 42,843 (green only) 13,567 21,563 326,513 weight(lb’s) 2003 Landed Value $ 2003 7,145 1,798,011 154,503 2,000,496 3,960,155 265,488 38,973 6,318 (2002) 310,779 238,789 17,370 1,907,410 21,219 77,054 180,820 16,451 194,075 4,802,288 35 COASTAL PLAN ute B Licence Holder Products Ltd. Products Western Forest Forest Western Company Ltd. Company Weyerhaeuser Weyerhaeuser Scott Paper Limited Scott Paper Products International Forest Timberwest Ltd. Timberwest forest licences forest forest licences forest 1 e - e n N 80,000 95,000 92,000 280,000 130,000 400,000 sto 22,775 of ) 3 cottonwood hn Approximate Volume Annual (m o J ECREATION R e Th 5 between Bute 5 between OURISM AND T Table 13. Estimated annual harvest the Estimated annual in 13. Table Plan Area Management Unit Management Loughborough Inlet (block 2) Loughborough TFL 25: head of TFL 25: and Loughborough Inlets and Loughborough TFL 39: Block TFL 39: head of Bute Inlet TFL 43: Homathko River River Homathko TFL 43: Thurlow Thurlow Arm, and east end of West West and east end of Arm, TFL 45; Philips Arm, Fredrick Fredrick Arm, Philips TFL 45; Philips Arm and Port Neville Neville Arm and Port Philips Hardwicke, Sonora islands, Sonora islands, Hardwicke, Supply Block, Thurlows, Thurlows, Block, Supply TFL 47; Johnstone Strait Johnstone TFL 47; Loughborough Supply block Supply Loughborough Strathcona TSA; Strathcona TSA; Bute Inlet Sunshine Coast TSA; TSA; Sunshine Coast 1 annual volume was estimated by proportioning AAC timber harvesting proportioning AAC land base by was estimated 1 annual volume harvest recent historyin unit or reviewing N The Plan Area contains a variety of attractive features features of attractive contains a variety Area The Plan areas, This includes highly scenic that draw visitors. wildlife abundant aquatic and terrestrial relatively anchorages. wilderness quality and secure resources, on the BC the longest fiords is one of Inlet Bute potential. coast and offers considerable tourism of the tidal channels bounded Along the shorelines mainland there islands and the and Sonora Stuart by lodge and private is a concentration of commercial Probably a significant number of these persons reside persons reside number of these a significant Probably wood flow Assuming the area. River in the Campbell of the mill about 30% flow, to the regional is similar with River Campbell around is in and employment gross The occurring further south. the remainder stumpage revenue and government of the logs value values. average is estimated using most recent based on the Looking to the future, TFL’s, and the TSA’s for the timber supply analyses harvest is expected to be relatively available volume the next few decades. stable over industry coast forest is facing a The province’s clearly affecting and these are number of challenges the Nevertheless, - Bute. operations in Johnstone cost of marine storage and low relatively transportation is an of logs, goods and products to operators within important advantage competitive area. the Johnstone-Bute Forestry land is under the forest the Crown Presently Forest Coast Sunshine of the direction management and Inlet) Bute land in forest (administering District Industry gains District. Forest the Campbell River forms of timber under various access to the Crown farm tree area-based commonly tenures, forest (i.e. licences (TFL) types of volume-based and various has a Area The Plan licences. specific) forest not area history activity and much of the logging of extensive upland is currently Area timber of the Plan Crown farm licence. under tree harvesting in the early 1900s along the began Timber inland as technological coastline and moved harvesting is done by Now, allowed. innovations no are There helicopter. methods and by conventional of Most Area. manufacturing facilities in the Plan the harvest is destined for mills located in Campbell Basin. Strait or mill sites in the Georgia River is the industry’s to the coastal plan Pertinent and navigable to access the foreshore requirement waters for dumping, sorting, storing and eventually sites are Water transporting logs to de-watering sites. and to moor for helicopter drops also required sites foreshore numerous are There floating camps. site Actual the industry. used by Area in the Plan used, intermittently currently from utilization varies The Plan use or abandoned. used, potential future waterway transportation is also a key marine Area’s transported Logs are industry. corridor for the forest as to southern mills, as well Area the Plan through markets. to final offshore moving products forest An indicator of the economic significance of forest was estimated harvesting Area adjacent to the Plan that year in an average based on a typical volume for foreshore Area to the Plan would be delivered water storage and transport was volume (annual timber harvesting proportioning AAC estimated by harvest recent history).land base in unit or reviewing intended to illustrate estimates are The quantitative a the magnitude of the economic activity and provide is not a general understanding of its significance. It of logs harvestedThe total volume estimate. precise is estimated at 1 million Area adjacent to the Plan per year. cubic metres applied to this economic coefficients are Average of the economic measures and provide volume supportsThis volume some 575 full contribution. positions at the harvestingtime equivalent stage. COASTAL PLAN
The Johnstone - Bute 36 this activity. fulltime equivalent positionsdirectly associatedwith There are atleast200 seasonaljobs,orabout100 Island area) accountforabout80%ofthis total. and private lodges/resorts (primarilyintheStuart is estimatedtobeatleast$14million. The public the private lodges,tourismspendinginarecent year application ofthe“lodge” buildingblockstoportray and Based onthefindingsofinformal interviews employment andpurchasing goodsandservices. economicactivityby providingthey support seasonal do notoperateonacommercial basis.Nevertheless, fishing guidesandguideoutfitters. The private lodges day excursions by airandboat,independent contract independentguidesforfishingandother that offerfoodandaccommodationoften Broadly, iscomposedoflodge/resorts theindustry provide indicationofthissignificance. apreliminary of Plan Area touristoperatorswasconductedto among operatorsandproducts. Aninformalsurvey Area theproduct/business varies tosupport greatly diversity of“products”, andthereliance onthePlan because the“industry” isnotself-organized, there isa inthePlan Area ischallenging the tourismindustry An estimateoftheeconomicactivityassociatedwith average isprobably about20%. discussions withoperatorsindicatetheindustry visitors thatare BCresidents varies by business,but to theendofSeptember. ofthe The proportion The operatingseasonforthelodgesisnormallyMay infrastructure andcatertotheir invited guests. lodges have substantialinvestments inbuildingsand Stuart Island lodgesarrive by air. The several private helicopter. oftheclienteleto Alargeproportion private boat,watertaxis,jetfloatplaneand access Stuart Island andthePlan Area generally, by program isrepresentative ofsuchinitiatives. Visitors and hiking. The Xwémalhkwu“Bears ofBute” culturaltourism,kayaking, such aswildlifeviewing, growing in“eco-tourism” participation experiences, drawformostvisitors. still theprimary There is superior saltwatersalmonfishingexperience. This is The Stuart Island area hashistoricallyoffered a Mayne Passage), andsomefacilitiesnearSayward. lodges (e.g.operatorsonCordero Channeland Plan Area, there are several smallmarineoriented private lodgeslocatedhere. In theremainder ofthe facilities withapproximately 10publicresorts and commissioned astudy economic impacts. The Outdoor Recreation Council difficult toidentifylinkagesbetween usersandtheir included withinthebroader tourismsector, makingit statistics are available, recreational usersare typically users includebothlocalresidents andvisitors. Where sector ismore challengingtoidentify. Recreational The economicimpactoftheself-guidedrecreational the saltwaterfishingproduct. protect rockfish populations)maynegatively impact restrictions (i.e.to concern thatfishconservation tourism basedbusiness.In term,there theshort is noted earlier, First Nations are expectingtodevelop to thispotentialmarket for4-6hourexcursions. As accessible andoffersanattractive adventure excursion approximately 1millionpeople. The Plan Area is shipstransittheareacruise some500timescarrying within CampbellRiver. AnnuallyAlaskabound shipdock secured ofacruise fortheconstruction product maybeboostedsincefundinghasbeen will continuetogrow inpopularity. Demand forthis There istheexpectationthateco-tourismproduct The industry’s ofitsfuture view prospects ispositive. area alone. The scopeforexpansionwithin the annual revenue/expenditures intheJohnstone-Bute this figure isroughly equivalent to$1.5millionin identified intheOutdoor Recreation Council report, user’s Using harvest. projections similartothose Chinook salmonaccountsformostoftherecreation “boat trips” annuallyduringthepastthree years. Georgia Strait recorded creel survey about40,000 specific totheJohnstone-Bute Plan Area theDFO annually across thecentralcoastsubarea. More are estimatedtohave generatedover $5million kayaking. Across theCentralCoast,theseactivities recreational activitiesfollowed by boatingand the highestrevenue generatoramongmarine boating andkayaking.Saltwater fishingrepresented most popularactivity, followed by saltwaterfishing, Johnstone-Bute), wildlife/nature wasthe viewing Within theCentralCoastsubarea (includes Bute communitiesandthoseimmediatelyadjacent. the recreational sectortotheeconomyofJohnstone- provides someindicationastothecontributionof extent ofthereport’s studyarea andconsequently Johnstone-Bute Plan Area comprisesthesouthern coastBC. economies ofcentralandnorth The accurately quantifythevalue ofrecreation tothelocal 2003. Vancouver Outdoor Recreation CouncilofBC Central Coast,North Coastand Queen CharlotteIslands/Haida Gwaii December, 1 Economic Impact AnalysisofOutdoor Recreation onBritish Columbia's 1 in 2003 in an effort tomore in2003aneffort The J o hnston e - B ute COASTAL PLAN
Table 14. CCLRMP Candidate Protection Areas
Candidate Protection Unit Area Significant Tourism and Recreation Features Areas (CCLRMP) (upland) Forward Harbour 6 409ha One of the safest anchorages along the Inside Passage route Pink salmon, chum and Coho runs Popular sport fishing spot Head of harbour important for waterfowl Cultural significance Scenic views Philips Estuary 10 1,068ha High use by fish and grizzly bears Cultural significance Wildlife viewing opportunities Stafford Estuary 19 538ha High fisheries values Seasonal grizzly use Rare plants nearby Moderate use by waterfowl Thurston Bay Extension 11 202ha Good anchorage Existing trail system High visual quality High tourism and recreation use and potential Cultural values Yorke Island 3 38ha Recreation priority for the Central Coast Historic artillery site WWII Critical anchorage site along Inside Passage High tourism use and potential Gillard/Jimmy Judd Islands 13 *Description to come*
Estero Basin 12 2322ha Opportunities for remote backcountry recreation and tourism activities from adjacent communities, resorts and cruise ships High estuary/wetland values and biodiversity associated with fish and wildlife habitats present in the area Conservation of special features: Representation of outer Fjord land ecosection tourism industry and for recreational users varies by A private campground operates near the park. sector but is seen to be generally positive. Thurston Bay Provincial Marine Park is located on Tourism and recreational values exhibit varied the northwest side of Sonora Island. The park resiliencies to nearby development. Much of this is provides sheltered anchorage and recreational related to personal preferences; while one fisherman opportunities for boaters traveling the popular Inside is unconcerned about anything but whether the fish Passage. Access to the park is by boat only. Activities are biting, another’s experience may be profoundly supported by the park include swimming, fishing, impacted by visual and noise considerations hiking and paddling. In August 2000, 136 parties associated with some forms of development. (i.e. about 430 persons) visited this park. Certainly, for some sectors, environmental conditions The Plan Area upland is within the area being are primary considerations for users and/or clientele assessed in the Central Coast Land and Resource seeing a ‘pristine wilderness’ experience. As a Management Plan Area. The CCLRMP identified a consequence, the ideal separation distance between number of candidate protected areas in the planning different marine uses can vary considerably and has area, identified in Table 14. proven to be an issue of some contention between The province has conducted Tourism Opportunity different marine sectors. Studies (TOS) at a broad scale to identify sustainable There are two provincial parks and a number of tourism based development on the North Island and forest service recreation sites in the Plan Area. The mainland coast. Study areas were based on Forest Rock Bay Marine Park is at the junction of Discovery District boundaries; two studies identified Strengths, Passage and Johnstone Straits. It consists entirely of Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) in foreshore. Activities supported at the site include portions of the Johnstone-Bute Plan Area. The scuba diving, fishing, boating, paddling and wildlife Sunshine Coast TOS includes Bute Inlet and Stuart viewing. No visitation statistics are reported. Island, while the Campbell River & Port McNeill 37 COASTAL PLAN
The Johnstone - Bute 38 that require awideberth. in theirnavigationalabilities andtravel specificroutes Due tothesenarrowthevessels are limited waterways shiptraffic travelingroute upthecoast. forcruise Johnstone-Strait andDiscovery Passage isamain the Plan Area. Towboat Reservesprovide within suchopportunities Land Act protected from stormsandunfavorable tides.Several Area require safeanchoragesinbaysandinlets towboats andrecreational boaterswithinthePlan The activitiesofthecommercial fishingfleet, gasfacilitiesandlodging. suchaswharves, services Blind ChannelandKelsey Bay provide marine Locations withinOkisollo Channel,Stuart Island, and avariety oftraps. usingmethodssuchastroll,invertebrates trawl,net ofbothfishand timeframes fortheharvest ofthePlan Arealarge portion duringspecific anchorages. The commercial fishingfleetutilizes a passage route andfrequenting themanyprotected extensively by recreational boaterstraveling theinside area andLower Mainland. floated andbargedtomillsintheCampbellRiver withinthePlan Areamuch ofthetimberharvested is of thePlan Area. Due tothelimitedroad access, commercial marinetrafficandtheeconomicactivities ofthePlan Area areThe waterways essentialfor N N within thePlan Area are presented in Table 15. oftheSWOTA summary analysisfortheregions Forest District TOS includestheDistrict ofSayward. late 1990’s. exploration activitywasrecorded inthearea inthe Estero Basin, andattheheadofBute Inlet. Some Arm, theeastshore ofLoughborough Inlet, of north lived. Valid mineraltenures are clustered inPhillips located closetotidewater. Allthemineswere short seen anumberofsmallgoldproducers, mostofthem presently nooperatingmetalsmines. The area has Arm andsomeofthe Thurlow islands. There are trending belttraversing Loughborough Inlet, Phillips industrial mineralsexistover anarrow northwest Relatively highmineralpotentialformetalsand M M ARINE INING Notations ofInterest forBoatHavens and T N RANSPORTATION The N waters are alsoused Strengths Strengths Weaknesses Strengths Weaknesses Opportunity Weaknesses Opportunity Opportunity Threats Threats Threats Stuart Island Stuart ButeInlet Sayward andDistrict Bute Inlet and Stuart Island Bute InletandStuart SWOT Analysis for Sayward District, Table 15. of Summary Tourism Studies Opportunity Source: Sunshine Coast Tourism, Public Recreation andCommercial Recreation Study 2002 , Tourism Study Opportunities forPortions oftheCampbellRiver andPort McNeill Forest .ONE IDENTIFIED (UT SYSTEMS FOR KAYAKERS AND BOATERS 3HUTTLING SERVICES #OMPROMISE OF SCENIC VALUES 0RIMARILY MARINE ACCESS .O PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION )SLANDS STATIONS 6IEWING OPPORTUNITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE BEARS AND $ISCOVERY ESTUARIES WATERFOWL MARINE MAMMALS VIEWS LODGES AND FUELING (IGH WINDS AND LACK OF SUITABLE CAMPING AREAS OR ANCHORAGES .UMEROUS HIGH RECREATION FEATURES ANCHORAGES RAPIDS s 4AX BASE THREATENED BY LOG SORT CLOSURE s (IKING TOURS LINKING WATER FEATURES s 3KI TOURING -T #AIN AND 3CHOEN ,AKE 0ROVINCIAL 0ARK s 3CUBA $IVING s !RTISANS s 4RAIN BIKES s 3NOWMOBILING s ,ODGERESORTS "ROWN "AY 2ACE 0OINTS s #AMPGROUNDS 7OSS ,AKE s 7ILDLIFE VIEWING 3ALMON 2IVER ESTUARY s $IFFERENT USE OF LOG SORT AREA IFWHEN CLOSES s 8!46 TOURING s ,INK WITH #AMPBELL 2IVER AND .ORTH )SLAND TOURISM PRODUCTS s &AMILY