Collaborative effort to achieve long-term balance of environmental, economic and recreation interests in the Squamish Estuary and Spit is underway

Stakeholders explore solutions to preserve windsports access to the Spit launch site in different project scenarios

Restoration of Chinook habitat in the Squamish River Estuary is the primary outcome of the $1.5 million Central Estuary Restoration Project (CERP), currently underway in Squamish. The project is a joint partnership between Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Squamish Nation and Squamish River Watershed Society (SRWS). A February 28, 2020 stakeholder workshop involving more than 30 members of the CERP Stakeholder Working Group was led by the CERP partners, and centred around project and stakeholder updates, with the Squamish Windsports Society (SWS) representing their members at the meeting. 

The CERP Stakeholder Working Group also includes representation from the Province of BC, the Government of Canada, Squamish Terminals, Fortis BC, CN Rail, BC Rail Properties, The Nature Trust of BC, Squamish Streamkeepers, Squamish Paddling Club, Squamish Environment Society, and Squamish Trails Society.  Most were in attendance at the February 28^th workshop, including MLA Jordan Sturdy, District of Squamish Mayor Karen Elliott and District of Squamish Councillor Armand Hurford. 

Discussions around CERP date back to 2017, and build upon the more than 40 years of estuary planning and restoration that has seen collaborative input and representation from First Nations, the Federal, Provincial and Local Governments, stakeholders and community.

"We are pleased to be part of the proactive approach our community is taking to develop win-win options as we seek long-term strategies around usage in the Squamish Estuary," says Edith Tobe, Executive Director, Squamish River Watershed Society. "Everyone who makes use of the Squamish estuary - respective organizations, agencies, First Nations, and user groups, are involved in our decision-making process as we move forward to improve Chinook salmon habitat and usage."

The current (second) phase of CERP aims to modify or realign the lower section of the training berm (Spit Road), and is currently in the planning phase with the possibility of work commencing as early as December 2020. Modification or realignment of this lower section has implications on recreational access to the tip of the Spit, in particular for the windsports community and their launch site.

Although SWS has been involved since 2017, in the fall of 2019, the District began work to support a deeper conversation between the SWS and CERP partners to explore alternate access options for windsports, should a portion of the training berm be realigned in advance of the 2021 windsports season. The District hosted a full day workshop on January 17 with SWS representatives and CERP partners centred around this theme and explored ways to maintain recreational access.  

“This is an exciting opportunity to work collaboratively in support of an important keystone species both locally and in the Salish Sea. Much work has been done locally to restore estuary habitat which requires ongoing conversations between the Squamish Nation, recreation, economic and environmental stakeholders, and all levels of government,” says Mayor Karen Elliott. "The District, like all groups at the table, is working in order to find common ground, and we recognize that compromises will need to be found. We will continue to facilitate conversations about short and long term recreational access with representatives of the Squamish Windsports Society and all involved parties.”

Both interim and long-term ways to provide access options for windsports are being discussed. No option has been finalized at this point. 

"The Squamish Windsports Society is pleased to have been included in the workshop discussions with the CERP team and District of Squamish as we look to explore sustainable, feasible and viable options for access for windsport users,” says the President of the Squamish Windsports Society, Geoffrey Waterson. “The Spit is recognized as a world-class windsport destination and one which centers around the unique force that this town is named after – Mother of Wind. The January 17th Workshop allowed us to discuss at a high level some short-term and long-term options for access, given the information currently available. We look forward to seeing the results of the waterflow and sediment studies that are underway by the SRWS and hope to have time to explore and review the best options for a solution for windsport access."

For more information about the project and next steps, visit squamishwatershed.com.

March 13, 2020