Water Committee Meeting- May 16, 2007- Agenda
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May 7, 2007 NOTICE TO THE GVRD WATER COMMITTEE You are requested to attend a Regular Meeting of the GVRD Water Committee to be held at 9:00 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2007 in the 2nd Floor Boardroom, 4330 Kingsway, Burnaby, British Columbia. A G E N D A 1. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA 1.1 May 16, 2007 Regular Meeting Agenda Staff Recommendation: That the Water Committee adopt the agenda for its regular meeting scheduled for May 16, 2007 as circulated. 2. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES 2.1 April 11, 2007 Regular Meeting Minutes Staff Recommendation: That the Water Committee adopt the minutes of its regular meeting held April 11, 2007 as circulated. 3. DELEGATIONS 3.1 Mark Angelo regarding Capilano River Fish Stocks 4. INVITED PRESENTATIONS No items presented. 5. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEE OR STAFF 5.1 Water System and Planned Capital Projects Designated Speaker: Fred Nenninger Recommendation: That the Water Committee receive for information the report dated May 1, 2007 titled “Water System and Planned Capital Projects”. 5.2 Water Supply and Water Conservation Update for Summer 2007 Designated Speakers: Paul Archibald and Stan Woods Recommendation: That the GVWD Board receive for information the report dated May 2, 2007 titled “Water Supply and Water Conservation Update for Summer 2007”. 5.3 Resolution for Funding for Works on Capilano River to Protect Salmon (Resolution and staff report to follow under separate cover) 5.4 Construction of Douglas Road Main No. 2 and Capilano Main No. 5 Designated Speaker: Tim Jervis Recommendation: That the GVWD Board authorize the expenditure of adjusted budgeted capital funds for construction of: a) Douglas Road Main No. 2 - Canada Way South Section ($7.5 million); and b) Capilano Main No. 5 – Selkirk Street to Little Mountain Section ($7.0 million). 5.5 Seymour-Capilano Filtration Project – Project Status Designated Speaker: Doug Neden Recommendation: That the GVWD Board receive the report titled “Seymour-Capilano Filtration Project – Project Status”, dated May 4, 2007, for information. 5.6 Manager’s Report (Oral Report) Designated Speaker: Tim Jervis Recommendation: That the Water Committee receive the “Manager’s Report” for information. 6. INFORMATION ITEMS 6.1 Watermark article dated Spring 2007, titled “GVRD Upgrades Coquitlam Treatment System to Include UV Disinfection”. 7. OTHER BUSINESS No items presented. 8. RESOLUTION TO CLOSE MEETING Staff Recommendation: That the regular meeting of the GVRD Water Committee scheduled for May 16, 2007 be closed pursuant to the Community Charter provisions, Section 90 (1)(g) as follows: “90 (1) A part of a council meeting may be closed to the public if the subject matter being considered relates to or is one or more of the following: (g) litigation or potential litigation affecting the municipality”. 9. ADJOURNMENT May 16 Members of the GVRD Water Committee, Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you this morning. My presentation will focus on the troubled state of certain Capilano River salmon stocks and the needed modifications to the Cleveland dam that are required to help mitigate its adverse impacts on fish stocks. The Cleveland (or Capilano) dam is widely viewed as one of BC's most poorly designed dams from an environmental perspective. In an effort to address these concerns, many of the needed modifications to the structure were outlined in the Ward report that was commissioned by the GVRD in 2004, a highly regarded document that has yet to be acted upon. Problems associated with the design and management of the Cleveland dam have been extensively profiled in the media, both provincially and nationally, and have been the subject of major features in recent weeks by both the Globe and Mail and BCTV Global, along with several other newspapers. The Globe and Mail also ran an editorial recently referring to the Capilano as "an assembly line of death". In our view, this is an appropriate description - but it's also important to emphasize that there are tangible and affordable solutions to these issues that could be implemented that would not impact the function of the dam in any way. From a fisheries perspective, this situation is particularly worrisome given that only one summer-run steelhead returned this year and only a few dozen winter runs. If the current situation continues, many believe that a sound case could be made for a “species at risk” designation for these stocks. In addition, late run coho numbers have also dropped dramatically. A major contributor to this situation centers on two major design deficiencies associated with the Cleveland Dam. The first of these relates to the current lack of a smolt passage facility and, because of this, about 80% of all young salmon reared above the dam die as they travel over the spillway on their way to sea. While removing the rocks below the dam will help the situation somewhat, this is by no means a complete or satisfactory solution. To fully address this situation will require the construction of a smolt passage mechanism, as outlined in the Ward report commissioned by the GVRD in 2004. Such passage facilities have been implemented in many other dams with a great deal of success (with smolt survival rates as high as 95%) and there is no reason why such an approach would not be just as successful in the case of the Capilano. A second required modification to the dam would be the installation of additional release ports. At present, in late summer when reservoir levels drop below the drum gate, the GVRD ends up releasing water into the lower river from the very bottom of the reservoir. As a result, this water is several degrees colder that what would normally exist. This significantly impacts growth rates of those salmon that rear below the dam and ultimately affects their chances of survival. If additional ports were in place, the GVRD could better control and manage water temperatures, which would dramatically improve the habitat of the lower river. The GVRD has indicated that it is trying to upgrade the drum gate so that it works more consistently and would allow them to rely less on the lower ports. However, this approach will not address the water temperature issue once reservoir levels drop below the drum gate, which regularly happens by mid to late summer. Under the current circumstances, all salmon that rear in the Capilano River (whether above or below the dam) are adversely impacted by the design of the dam. And while some associated with the GVRD have inferred "they are not in the fish business", we take issue with that. In our view, the GVRD is operating a dam that is having a major adverse impact on the river and its fish stocks and is jeopardizing the very existence of the river's steelhead population. Consequently, we believe there is an ethical, moral and, perhaps even a legal obligation, to correct the situation. Some in the GVRD have also publicly called for more feasibility studies but, based on our experience with the Ward Report (which appears to have been shelved until recently), we would have concerns about such an approach unless there was a clear and public commitment to take action within a reasonable timeframe. It's also important to note that the Ward report indicates that all needed improvements to address and correct fisheries and environment-related impacts could be done for several million dollars, which amount to far less than one percent of current expenditures on the water system upgrade. In closing, the Capilano is a wonderful river right here in Vancouver’s own backyard. It’s also a waterway that is close to the heart of many who live throughout the lower mainland. And while it’s a troubled river at present, at the same time it presents a wonderful opportunity to do something positive and tangible for local salmon stocks. Thank you for allowing me to speak with you this morning and I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have. Sincerely. Mark Angelo, CM, OBC Head, BCIT Fish, Wildlife, Recreation Department Deputy Chair, Pacific Fisheries Resource Conservation Council Rivers Chair, Outdoor Recreation Council of BC Water Committee Meeting Date: May 16, 2007 To: Water Committee From: Fred Nenninger, Division Manager, Regional Utility Planning Date: May 1, 2007 Subject: Water System and Planned Capital Projects Recommendation: That the Water Committee receive for information the report dated May 1, 2007 titled “Water System and Planned Capital Projects”. 1. PURPOSE At their February 14, 2007 meeting the Water Committee requested a report from staff on the state of the regional infrastructure and water capital projects planned, underway and completed. 2. CONTEXT The GVWD regional infrastructure provides a reliable, high quality supply of clean, safe drinking water to over two million people and associated businesses in Greater Vancouver. The capital assets required to meet this need depreciate and need replacement and upgrading on a continuing basis. System enhancements have been necessary to ensure the reliability of clean, safe water and expansion of system capacity has been required to keep pace with growth. The following sections discuss what has been accomplished by the water utility between 1997 and 2006, provide a breakdown of anticipated capital expenditures by category out to 2026, and include a brief discussion of some emerging issues for the water utility. Project Completions: 1997-2006 There have been a number of water projects that have been completed or were near completion in the period from 1997-2006. Highlights include seismic upgrading of many water system assets such as reservoirs and dams, construction of a new water filtration plant, and a number of growth projects (Table-1).