The Horsefly River Roundtable will hold its annual general meeting Thursday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. in the Horsefly library.
At the January meeting it was decided that the Horsefly River Salmon Walk information pamphlet will be reprinted and available at the Horsefly museum.
Steve Hocquard is putting together a power point presentation on repairs made in the Woodjam Creek.
Hocquard and Judy Hillaby, Department of Fisheries and Oceans representative, are researching design options for a permanent outhouse at the campground across the bridge in Horsefly.
It is time to renew the Roundtable’s lease with DFO for the Horsefly spawning channel area.
The current liability insurance is not adequate regarding falling tree branches, etc.
Some repairs have been made to the Salmon Walk including the boardwalk through the riparian area, and the addition of two trail gates and diversion logs to prevent access by dirt bikers.
Woodjam field work was the first step in making a significant impact on fish production. During the channel change the existing population of wild fish were trapped and moved to a different location. The fish count included Chinook, Coho, Rainbow and other species.
Hillaby was surprised at the high numbers of Rainbow trout present, which bodes well for possible projects on riparian improvements with Freshwater Fisheries B.C.
It was noted that a railing at the channel diversion site was not secure and needed some repairs.
Stems for riparian plantings along the new Woodjam Creek channel were provided by Scout Island Nature Centre’s Jeremy Elwick and Callie Borkowski.
Frank Wijma of Horsefly Service kept alder shoots in his greenhouse to plant.
A funding proposal to complete the Woodjam danger tree project along the channel and in the campground has been applied for under the auspices of the Fraser Basin council.
The Roundtable has funding from the Pacific Salmon foundation to cover restoration work and equipment. Diligent folk are working on securing funds for co-ordinating the project.
Linda Bartsch tendered the society’s financial report as well as her notice to retire due to commitments with 4-H and volunteer fire department.
Thank-you Linda! We would like to have the NSTC give a short presentation on the current First Nation Fisheries program.
Judy Hillaby led a discussion on the Environmental Farm Plan Group application option.
Cathy Mumford is the Regional Farm Plan advisor for our area and will give a presentation at the March 20 meeting starting at 7 p.m. in the Horsefly Library.
The Roundtable would need at least 10 agricultural businesses on board to get something going in our area.
A committee has been struck to organize a full proposal and write a project scope so land owners are completely informed of their options for assistance.