Salmon Surveys
The Líl̓wat Skel7awlh Stewards conduct surveys for Chinook and Sockeye Salmon in the Birkenhead River using both helicopter and ground methods. The helicopter surveys for Chinook Salmon are scheduled for September 12 and September 18. Upper Lillooet Sockeye Salmon helicopter surveys are planned for September 25. These helicopter flights will be supported by ground surveys on the Birkenhead River, Sampson Creek, Railroad Creek, Green River, and Pemberton Creek.
Figure 1 Bear cub near Birkenhead River
The Coho Program will commence on September 15 and is expected to be completed around the middle of November. The Coho Salmon enumeration program will be conducted utilizing the underwater sonar camera and supported by ground surveys.
Figure 2 – Underwater Sonar for Coho Program
Regarding the Lower Lillooet River system, the Líl̓wat Skel7awlh Stewards will no longer conduct salmon surveys in the Lower Lillooet, as the Xa’xtsa First Nation will perform this work. We thank Líl̓wat Skel7awlh Stewards for their dedication to this work over the past 10+ years.
Fish Habitat Restoration
The Líl̓wat Skel7awlh Stewards will begin preliminary work on several Chinook Salmon fish habitat restoration projects. This includes riverbank stabilization on sections of the Birkenhead River, improving fish passage on Pasture Creek, removing river obstructions on the Birkenhead River, and placing spawning gravel in Taillefer Creek.
Figure 3 Fish Habitat Restoration
Surveys related to the Visitor Use Management Strategy are underway. Surveys are taking place at Joffre Lakes Park, Tenquille Lake Park and Meager Creek & Keyhole Falls Hot Springs. These surveys call for travel on the Forest Service Roads. The Líl̓wat Skel7awlh Stewards must exercise caution when considering traveling on Forest Service Roads, especially when temperatures reach 35°C for five consecutive days, as these temperatures can create a landslide risk. Best to err on the side of safety.
Joffre Lakes Park: The Líl̓wat Skel7awlh Stewards will continue collecting data on vegetation, the population of Pika, and the condition of the white bark pine tree. This information will support the environmental assessment process for Joffre Lakes Park.
Figure 4 Pipi7iyekw (Joffre)
Tenquille Lake Park: With the temperatures decreasing, the Líl̓wat Skel7awlh Stewards can now safely travel along the Forest Service Road to be able to reach Tenquille Lake Park.
Figure 5 Hawint (Tenquille)
Meager and Keyhole Falls Hot Springs: Similarly, due to the lower temperatures, the Líl̓wat Skel7awlh Stewards can now safely access these locations via the Forest Service Roads.
Figure 6 Mumleqs (Keyhole Falls)
Old Growth Surveys
The Líl̓wat Skel7awlh Stewards are participating in the Old Growth Surveys taking place throughout their territory. This work is done in collaboration with Líl̓wat Forestry Ventures.
Archaeological Surveys
The Líl̓wat Skel7awlh Stewards will conduct Preliminary Field Assessments (PFA) as part of the consultation and referral process. This summer, the Líl̓wat Skel7awlh Stewards participated in an archaeological dig led by Douglas College, for which we are grateful.
Figure 7 Archaeology Field Surveys