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New Endangered Species Study Provides Rationale for Expansion of Golden Ears Park
by Andy Miller •
Monday January 23, 2006 at 05:50 PM
Vancouver, BC - The results of a new study, titled "Upper Kanaka Creek Rare Fauna Survey" was recently published by professional biologists Jason Barsanti and Francis J. Iredale of the BC Conservation Corps and the BC Wild Heritage Consultants Group. The study was commissioned by local conservation groups, municipal governments (GVRD), the Federation of BC Naturalists, and the Alouette Field Naturalists. The results identified high-quality habitat for the critically endangered pacific water shrew, among other threatened and endangered species such as the blue-listed wild cut-throat trout population at Blue Mountain.
The study took place along one of Blue Mountain's primary watersheds, Kanaka Creek, located just north of Whonnock Lake. After analyzing data results, the authors recommended that to protect the ecological integrity of Kanaka Creek, the entire 22km length must given formal park protection.
Kanaka Creek Regional Park protects only a portion of the creek, even though this stream is recognized by the Fisheries Act as a "sensitive stream". The Pacific Water Shrew, the principal subject of the study, is facing extinction in the Fraser Lowland Ecosystem. According to the Pacific Water Shrew Recovery Team (a government body charged with making recommendations
to recover the shrew), over 90% of its habitat has been destroyed, principally by logging and agriculture. The shrew is red-listed, the highest category of endangerment in BC. Government scientists have recommended protection of the shrew's remaining highest quality habitat. The BC government, however, has done little to protect this endangered species, despite the existence of federal
legislation (the Species At Risk Act) which requires habitat protection. The BC Government has simply encouraged municipalities to engage in land stewardship associated with riparian protection guidelines under the provincial Fisheries Act and the province's Forestry Practices Code. The result is that protection of high quality habitat for the shrew is virtually non-existent. Protection of the shrew's habitat would achieve multiple benefits because they live in low-elevation riparian areas along small streams, which are noted for their high biological diversity. "These small valley bottom streamside areas have virtually no protection in BC, and are affected by everything from logging, to housing development, and pollution. Kanaka Creek is high quality habitat and would be harmed by logging and the water pollution that comes with it," said Andy Miller, the endangered species specialist at Western Canada Wilderness Committee. The Provincial Government could achieve two great conservation objectives at Blue Mountain. They could satisfy local residents and visitors to Golden Ears Provincial Park by protecting Blue Mountain. In so doing, the BC government could also make history by protecting a significant component of the habitat of one of the most endangered species in the country. It's a win-win situation," said Joe Foy, National Campaign Director for Western Canada Wilderness Committee. Blue Mountain's 7,500 ha forest-covered ridgeline rises up from the eastern shores of Allouette Lake. It is the scenic backdrop for Maple Ridge and area citizens, and for visitors to Golden Ears Provincial Park beaches and campgrounds. For many years, local citizens and park users have fought plans by the Chilliwack Forest District to log Blue Mountain. The Kanaka Creek-Blue Mountain Conservation Group wants to protect this forested gem, home to numerous endangered species. They also see preservation of Blue Mountain as key to maintaining the rural lifestyle of surrounding
communities. The Blue Mountain area is the subject of a long-standing park proposal by a number of conservation groups. Local Kanaka Creek-Blue Mountain Conservation Group spokesperson Mike Gildersleeve said "It is high time that government listen to the local community at Blue Mountain, and respect that visitors to our provincial parks do not want to look out from their campsites and see logging
operations and clearcutting. This study on this ecologically important animal has made our argument complete. Blue Mountain must be saved for the community, the economy, and the environment." The study can be viewed at http://www.wildernesscommittee.org/campaigns/rainforest/lower_mainland/blue_mountain/reports/GVRDKanakaCreek-PacificWaterShrewReport2005.pdf
For further information contact Mike Gildersleeve at 604-462-0164, or Andy
Miller at 604-992-3099
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