Proposed VORR and Navigation Channel for Cowichan Bay

1. Proposed VORR and Navigation Channel for Cowichan Bay A partnership of the CVRD, Cowichan Tribes, Transport Canada, Fisheries and Oceans, Living Rivers , RCMP, and the BC Wildlife Federation July 21, 2011

2. Outline • The Rationale • The Challenge & Response • The Proposal • VORR • Navigation Channel • The Process

3. The Rationale: Why protect eelgrass?

4. The Rationale • Local salmon populations facing significant challenges • Concerns with early marine survival • Research in Cowichan Bay (Dr. D. Beamish) • Results emphasize importance of estuarine habitat • Social, environmental & economic implications

5. The Challenge • Sport Fishing and Stewardship Group Representatives approached the Cowichan Stewardship Roundtable for help in 2010 • Concerned with impacts of boating on eelgrass • No one agency could deal with this issue alone

6. The Response to the Challenge… • Work in partnership: • CVRD • Cowichan Tribes • Transport Canada • Living Rivers & BC Wildlife Federation • DFO & RCMP • A unique example of people from a wide variety of backgrounds working toward a common goal

7. VORR – Vessel Operation Restriction Regulation • Federal (Transport Canada) regulation • Application by local authorities (CVRD and Cowichan Tribes) • Enforced by federal agencies (DFO & RCMP) • Education through non-profit agencies

9. The Navigation Channel • Marked navigation channel to access boat launch and marinas • To address concerns with navigation and safety • To direct boats away from eelgrass areas • Channel width can be modified in the future if needed

11. The Process

12. THANK You