Sooke Watersheds, Inlet, Harbour and Basin Water Quality Assessment and Proposed Objectives
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE STRATEGY Water Quality Assessment and Proposed Objectives for Sooke Watersheds, Inlet, Harbour and Basin TECHNICAL REPORT January 2019 WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT AND PROPOSED OBJECTIVES: SOOKE WATERSHEDS/INLET/HARBOUR/BASIN Prepared by: Rosie Barlak Environmental Impact Assessment Biologist Environmental Protection Division MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE STRATEGY ii WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT AND PROPOSED OBJECTIVES: SOOKE WATERSHEDS/INLET/HARBOUR/BASIN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This document presents a summary of the ambient water quality of Sooke Inlet, Harbour and Basin, and the streams in the surrounding watersheds that drain into these marine areas, near the District of Sooke, British Columbia (BC). The water quality assessment conducted here forms the basis for proposed water quality objectives (WQOs) to protect existing and future water uses. The WQOs have recently been approved and can be found in the following document “Water Quality Objectives for Sooke Inlet, Harbour, and Basin, and Tributary Streams” (BC ENV, 2019). There are 12 major watersheds that drain into the Sooke Inlet, Harbour and Basin. Nine are designated community watersheds, including four that are part of the Greater Victoria Water Supply Area (GVWSA). The T’Sou-ke Nation traditionally used to harvest shellfish in the Sooke marine areas; however the area has been closed to harvesting for many years. The designated water values/uses to be protected are shellfish harvesting, recreation and wildlife in the marine waters of the inlet/harbour/basin; and drinking water, aquatic life, recreation, irrigation and wildlife in the freshwater rivers and streams. There are many activities that can potentially affect water quality both in the marine and freshwater environments, such as rural and urban development, industry, agriculture, forestry, recreation and wildlife.
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