Proceedings - Teaching and Learning Centre - Simon Fraser ...

Fraser River Action Plan 3rd Research Workshop
Abstract
The Fraser River Action Plan (FRAP) is a seven-year ecosystem based initiative. Initially, it was managed
jointly by the Department of the Environment (DOE) and the Department of Fisheries and Ocean (DFO). DFO’s
primary concern is with rebuilding salmon stocks and protecting fish habitat. Environment Canada’s focus is on
wildlife habitat, cleaning up the ecosystem and determining the environmental quality or the health of the river
as well as building the framework for a management program to ensure the basin’s sustainability. DFO is
delivering FRAP results in March, 1997 while DOE will complete FRAP initiatives in March, 1998.
In the quest to increase the scientific understanding of the Fraser basin, DOE’s Environmental Quality Program
supports a research network comprised of scientists from federal, provincial and university research
communities. Ongoing research projects focus on: (1) The basin-wide assessment of pollution impact on aquatic
quality; (2) The assessment of environmental impacts of specific pollution sources; (3) The chemical criteria
development; and, (4) Ecosystems objectives development.
To facilitate the review and examination of the progress of each project, Environment Canada sponsors an
annual workshop. In preparation for the 1996 workshop, the research partners were asked to present information
summarizing their projects, justifying the research, explaining what results have been obtained to date and to
contribute to the process of “planning for the delivery of results.” During the workshop, discussion was
encouraged in support of the development of a management perspective regarding future decisions and to identify
information gaps which could direct future research activities.
The 1996 workshop was organized into six sector- and/or geographical-based sessions including: (1) Pulp Mill
Effluent Issues; (2) Transport and Sedimentation of Contaminants; (3) Urban Issues; (4) Agricultural Issues; (5)
Biological Indicators; and, (6) Estuary Issues. The workshop was held on February 20-22, 1996 in Vancouver
and it is the material presented there, as well as any additional supporting submissions that is the subject of this
report.
Acknowledgments
Environment Canada would like to acknowledge the support of C. Gray, J. Culp, G. Lawrence, K. Hall, H.
Schreier, T. Tuominen and P. Harrison who acted as chairs of workshop sessions, as well as all the speakers and
participants for their contribution by providing abstracts, papers and presentation summaries. The professional
editing services of Roegan Lloydd of Gordon Enterprises and Rory Steiman of Rory Steiman & Associates is
also gratefully acknowledged.
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