Rec council adds Kettle River to endangered list

Bi-annual list from Outdoor Recreation Council of B.C.

Two rivers in the Southern Interior have been flagged as two of B.C.’s most endangered rivers.

The endangered rivers list is compiled every two years by the Outdoor Recreation Council of B.C., and it is based on nominations from ORC’s member organizations, resource professionals, outdoor recreation and conservation groups and the public.

On this year’s list are the Kettle River, Thompson River, Fraser River, Chilcotin River, Gold River, Seymour River, Cowichan River and Peace River.

Rivers with decreasing steelhead populations were dominant on the endangered list, including the Thompson and Chilcotin rivers that have seen steelhead runs reduced to the brink of extinction.

“Steelheads are symbolic of B.C.’s great wild river heritage, so we believe it’s essential these fish be formally listed under the Species at Risk Act,” said Mark Angelo, ORC rivers chairman.

Listing the fish under the Species at Risk Act would provide them with additional protection, he said.

“We must develop a much more selective chum salmon fishery that does not inadvertently kill endangered steelhead in the process, while also addressing habitat issues on key steelhead spawning and rearing streams.”

The Kettle River was added to the list because of an array of threats, including low summer flow related to excess extraction of water.

“Many of the rivers highlighted this year are in need of habitat improvement and restoration projects, highlighting the need for (a) new funding mechanism aimed at better safeguarding our waterways,” said Angelo.

For more information, go online to orcbc.ca.