Powell River Regional District directors have been urged to exercise caution during the Padgett Road bike lane construction project.
Esther Dyck, Myrtle Creek consultant and president of Myrtle Creek Stewards Society, told the committee of the whole recently that the location of this project is extremely sensitive and, without certain precautions, will negatively impact the fish species in Myrtle Creek.
The federal government recognizes the creek as an important salmon rearing location, she said. She added that the mission for the creek’s stewards is to protect all wild salmon species in Myrtle Creek, plus wetlands, riparian areas, and to maintain the natural diversity in the salmon habitat.
“The creek supports a run of wild coho, chum, sea-going cutthroat, as well as resident cutthroat trout,” Dyck said. The creek area also supports a number of wildlife species.
Dyck said there have been seven successful restoration projects in the creek area. In the 2012 project, the Myrtle Creek stewards, with the approval of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, involved the labour of Royal Canadian Sea Cadets Corps Malaspina to restore a wild coho spawning site just metres from the proposed bike lane project site, she said. People from this community funded the restoration project.
Dyck thanked the regional board for its $100 grant for the 2014 Myrtle Creek restoration project. She said this project is six kilometres upstream from the proposed bike lane project. This year the stewards also have funding from Powell River Community Foundation and Vancouver Foundation.
Dyck said she has met with Clint Monson from the BC ministry of transportation and infrastructure and Tyler Lambert from Capilano Highway Services about the bike lane project. She said both of them were interested in protecting the fish during construction. There was discussion about the need to protect water quality in Myrtle Creek during construction by reducing erosion. She said the stewards want to ensure all precautions are in place to protect this valuable fish resource.
Stan Gisborne, Area B director, said that when the project was proposed, efforts were made to install a bicycle bridge across Myrtle Creek on the pole line, but permission to do so was not granted by Brookfield Renewable Power to use its right of way. Instead, the road will be widened at the first section.
He said the widening project will actually be a benefit to the creek because the way it is now, the shoulder drops off to the creek, so anything could fall in.
Mike Wall, manager of community services, said an open bottom culvert is being discussed to maintain the in-stream gravels. A footbridge was also discussed. An aluminum structure is being built to replace the bridge at Haywire Park. It was “quite a good deal” so Wall is going to bring it up with Lambert.
“It’s a possibility to review and to cost,” Wall said.
Colin Palmer, board chair and Area C director, said he did not want to create the impression that the regional district is building the pathway. “The regional district is providing some money,” Palmer said. “The ministry of transport is totally in control of the construction of this whole thing. None of our staff are involved in the actual construction.”
