April 1995
Hello and welcome to the first in a series of newsletters on the Saanich Inlet Study. These newsletters will keep you informed of the study team's progress and notify you of future opportunities for input from the public, scientists and a broad range of stakeholders.
This newsletter will provide you with:
We hope the newsletters will be interesting and informative for you. If there is other information you think should be included, please let us know and we will try to include it in upcoming editions. Our address and telephone number are listed on the back page.
Why study Saanich Inlet?
The terms of reference of this study are "to determine the sensitivity of Saanich Inlet to contaminants and marine habitat disturbances from urban and rural development, and to determine the capacity of the inlet to assimilate these contaminants and marine habitat disturbances without environmental degradation." Results of the study will contribute to baseline information required to assess development proposals for the area surrounding the inlet, including the Bamberton town development proposal.
What is being studied?
The contaminants and disturbances being considered include those from both rural and urban developments, such as sewage effluent, storm drainage and agricultural runoff. Most of the work involves researching and assembling existing information. Additional oceanographic field work and water quality monitoring will be carried out to fill specific data gaps. Key elements of the study are:
When will all this happen?
The Saanich Inlet Study was announced July 1994 and will continue through the coming year. A Draft Report will be circulated for public comment. The final report is expected in late 1995.
Who is involved?
The study is being led by the BC Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks with assistance and guidance from an Advisory Committee and Technical Committee. All committee members are listed on Page 4 of this newsletter.
Two very exciting open houses were held in January 1995 to introduce the Saanich Inlet Study, exchange information about the Inlet, and gather input on public uses, values and expectations of Saanich Inlet. The Open Houses were held at the Institute of Ocean Sciences in North Saanich on January 21 and at Brentwood College in Mill Bay on January 28. The open houses attracted a total of 1038 people; 617 in North Saanich and 421 in Mill Bay.
People who attended the open houses found the displays and presentations very interesting and educational and appreciated the opportunity to provide input to the study. Advisory and Technical Committee members engaged in productive and informative dialogue with members of the public and found the open houses to be positive and valuable experiences.
Two questionnaires were used to help gather information about public uses, values, concerns and expectations of Saanich Inlet.
The quick questionnaire, the "SnapShot", was filled in by 820 (almost 80%) of the open house participants and the four-page written comment form was filled in by 246 (24%).
A full report on the January open houses is being prepared and will be available by contacting the Study Office (see contact information on Page 4).
Highlights of the input regarding uses, values and concerns of Saanich Inlet follow.
Uses
Primary uses of the inlet are generally recreational, such as hiking or walking the shores; wildlife viewing; beach-combing and picnicking; swimming, power boating; fishing; kayaking, canoeing or rowing; and sailing.
Over time, it appears that rates of swimming and fishing have declined, while power boating has increased.
Values
The most highly valued characteristics of Saanich Inlet are the natural beauty and scenery; plant and animal life; recreational opportunities; cultural/spiritual qualities; fishing opportunities; peace and solitude; water quality and accessibility. In your words, I value...
Concerns
Water use and quality concerns related primarily to problems associated with sewage and septic systems; runoff from roadways and agricultural land; and loss of marine life such as fish, shellfish, prawns, crab, marine mammals and intertidal life.
To address these concerns, open house participants want to see water quality improved by addressing sewage, septic systems and effluent from boats; fish productivity restored to previous levels; uses such as power boating and commercial prawning restricted, and a sense of public stewardship enhanced through increased education and consultation. Further research and study was also suggested. In your words, I want to see...
Many concerns were also expressed about the environmental, visual, and social impacts of increased development around the inlet. A large number of participants suggested ways of restricting development and protecting the inlet through park designation. These comments are detailed in the open house report.
Water Current (Drifter) Study
A joint field study of surface currents was conducted by BC Environment and the Institute of Ocean Sciences over a two-week period in December 1994.
The results of this field work have been analyzed in the draft report, Surface Circulation Pattern in Saanich Inlet: Winter Conditions. This draft report is being reviewed by the Technical Committee.
Additional surface current studies are planned for the summer.
First Nations Consultation and Heritage Resources Overview
The results of a study to document the water uses, values and concerns of First Nations people in the Saanich Inlet, and known archaeological sites throughout the inlet area are now in draft form.
Information on subsistence and cultural uses of the inlet and characteristics of the inlet valued by First Nations was collected.
Input was provided by Elders, Chiefs, Councillors, and others form the Pauquachin, Tseycum, Tsartlip, Tsawout, Malahat, and Cowichan First Nations.
Insights gained through personal interviews, an open house on the Pauquachin reserve and a boat tour of the inlet provided much of the information.
The draft report, Overview Report on the Results of First Nations Consultations and Related Studies for the Saanich Inlet Study is being reviewed by those who contributed to the report.
Water Use Study
This study is documenting the current water quality status of the inlet and determining criteria for the protection of known uses and values of the inlet environment.
Many of those who attended the January open houses expressed concerns regarding the extent of sewage contamination and the resulting shellfish harvesting closures.
In response to these concerns and the need to fill information gaps, the Water Use Study was expanded to include a field survey of potential sources of contamination around the inlet. Some potential sources include storm drains, ditches, creeks, and ground seepage.
Field surveys conducted in March 1995 included the sampling of fresh water entering the inlet, marine waters near shellfish beds, and sediment at the mouths of creeks.
Synthesis Report
The synthesis report will combine and interpret the results of all the reports prepared for the Saanich Inlet Study.
This report will determine Saanich Inlet's capacity to assimilate contaminants and marine habitat disturbances.
A workshop will be held on April 25 and 26, 1995 to bring together marine environmental experts to discuss the findings of studies so far and refine the methods that will be used to determine the assimilative capacity of the inlet. The results of this technical workshop will assist with the preparation of the Synthesis Report.
A draft version of the Synthesis Report will be released for public comment in the fall of 1995, with the final report scheduled for release by the end of 1995.
Clarence Bolt
Association for the Protection of Rural Central
Saanich
Oliver Brost
BC Marine Awareness Society
Derek Mallard
Citizens' Association to Save the Environment
Mike Renning
Cowichan Valley Regional District
Chief Cyril Livingstone
First Nations of South Island Tribal
Council
Anne Bomford
Friends of South Cowichan
Bob Peers
Goldstream Volunteer Salmon Enhancement Society
Jack Hull
Greater Victoria Water District
Chief Rod Modeste
Malahat Band
Doug Allan
Mill Bay community League
Chief Elmer Henry
Pauquachin Band
Jim Gilbert
Recreational Fishing Consultant
Ray Smith
Saanich Inlet Anglers' Association
Lena Lee and Michael Scott
Saanich Inlet Enhancement Society
Mona Brash
Saanich Inlet Protection Society
Catherine Elliott
Save Georgia Strait Alliance
Bruce Cumming
Sierra Club of Western Canada
Mark Horne
Steering Committee to Save Saanich Inlet
Bill Turner
Tourism Victoria
Chief Vern Jacks
Tseycum Village
Tony Lloyd
Urban Development Institute
Albert R. Thorpe
Victoria Golden Rods and Reels Society
Lloyd Erickson
BC Environment
Laura Taylor
Capital Region District
Derek York
Cowichan Valley Regional District, Engineering
Chief Cyril Livingstone
First Nations of South Island Tribal
Council
Bill Crawford
Fisheries & Oceans Canada, Institute
of Ocean Sciences
Dario Stucchi
Fisheries & Oceans Canada, Institute of Ocean
Sciences
Frank Whitney
Fisheries & Oceans Canada, Institute
of Ocean Sciences
Bob Wilson
Fisheries & Oceans Canada, Institute of Ocean
Sciences
Glen Jamieson
Fisheries & Oceans Canada,
Pacific Biological Station
Colin Levings
Fisheries & Oceans Canada, West Vancouver
Laboratory
Dave Walker
Environment Canada
Jack Hull
Greater Victoria Water District
Chief Vern Jacks
Tseycum village
Louis Hobson
University of Victoria
Verena Tunnicliffe
University of Victoria
Prad Kharé, Director
Chair, Advisory Committee
Ben Kangasniemi, Project Manager
Chair, Technical Committee
Alan Calder, Project Co-ordinator
Jason Austin, Research Assistant
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Last updated: August 8, 2001