Question Period Note: Squamish spit

• DFO addresses threats to coastal and aquatic habitats by funding restoration projects and partnerships through the Coastal Restoration Fund.
• My department provided the Squamish River Watershed Society with $1.67 million from the Coastal Restoration Fund to support their Squamish Central Estuary Restoration Project, which is scheduled for completion this fall.
• DFO supports the objective of this restoration project to address impacts to estuarine connectivity and improve habitat access for juvenile Chinook salmon that are being caused by a historic jetty that was constructed on the Squamish River estuary floodplain in 1971.
• This project is strongly supported by the Squamish Nation.
• We are however aware of the concerns raised by some members of the wind sports community and the Department has been working with all stakeholders through the various stages of the project.

Recreational Industry (incl. kite surfers)

• Current access to the sailing area at its southern tip is anticipated to be changed by any modifications to the structure of the Squamish River estuary.
• In order for the project to conform to the funding timeline, approximately 1km of the jetty would need to be removed between the launch point (which will remain as an island) and the remaining jetty this September.
• Technical assessments are ongoing for the proposed jetty modifications by the project proponent and all stakeholders. This will help to inform final design options considering impacts to all stakeholders.
• Future access to the structure will continue to be determined with DFO, the project team and stakeholders going forward.

• DFO staff continue to work with the Squamish Nation, District of Squamish, Squamish Terminal, Squamish Windsports Society, Squamish River Watershed Society and provincial agency staff to finalize plans for the Squamish Central Estuary Restoration Project.
• The Squamish River Watershed Society Coastal Restoration Fund Project was initiated in 2017, and DFO has been working in partnership with these and other stakeholders for many years on a wide variety of restoration initiatives in the Squamish River and estuary.
• The Wind Sports Society has been a participant in regular technical working groups as part of the Squamish River Watershed Society Coastal Restoration Fund project and participated in a workshop where the present “interim access” plan was developed.
• Pacific salmon, including Squamish River Chinook stocks, have been declining in abundance throughout their range.

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