The Squamish / Lillooet Rivers Watershed Partnership Group

Background / Mission Statement

Fisheries Renewal BC’s Salmonid Renewal Program is delivered through Partnership Groups – community or regional coalitions with broad local representation from First Nations, commercial fishermen, recreational anglers, municipalities, environmental groups, local government, and others.  Partnership Groups are responsible for ensuring the program has the support and involvement of the local community.
  
Fisheries Renewal BC provided start-up funding to help establish the Squamish/Lillooet Rivers Watershed Partnership Group in 1998.  The vision and mission of this group is to develop a long-term comprehensive Watershed Management Plan for each of the two watersheds, the Lillooet River and the Squamish River.  The Group’s mission statement regarding the goals towards the Fisheries Renewal BC program is as follows:
   

Through the collaborative efforts of the partner groups and Fisheries Renewal BC we will work towards achieving an overall holistic approach towards restoring and enhancing the fisheries resource, which includes improving the social, economical and environmental conditions for the communities in both watersheds.

Project Funding

The Squamish / Lillooet Rivers Watershed Partnership Group has been awarded over $804,000 since 1998 to administer the Salmonid Renewal Program. 

• 1998/1999: $9,500 (Planning & Partnership funds) 

• 1999/2000: $210,766.90,

• 2000/2001: $294,253.07 

• 2001/2002: $290,000.00 

Over the three years with program, 57 projects have been undertaken throughout the corridor, from Bowen Island through Squamish up to Lillooet.  All of these projects fall under the Partnership Groups funding priorities for: 

• Inventory / Assessment / Data Base / Mapping

• Education / Awareness and Stewardship

• Watershed Planning / Sensitive Land Use Practices

• Monitoring and Evaluation

• Habitat Restoration / Salmonid Enhancement Projects

Partnership Members

The Salmonid Renewal Program has been very successful in the Squamish / Lillooet region because projects are selected, undertaken by, and monitored by the local community, with the assistance of various government agencies for technical support.  Effective decision-making takes place at the community level.  Members of the community participating in the Squamish / Lillooet Rivers Watershed Partnership Group include the:

• BC Hydro

• BC Conservation Foundation

• Bowen Island Forest & Water Management Society

• Creekside Resources Incorporated

• District of Squamish

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada

• Interfor

• Lil’Wat Fisheries Commission

• Ministry of Environment

• North Vancouver Outdoor School

• N’Quatqua First Nation

• Pacific Initiatives

• Pacific Salmon Foundation

• Pacific Salmon Commission

• Pacific Streamkeepers Federation

• Pemberton Wildlife Association

• Resort Municipality of Whistler

• Skatin First Nation

• Squamish Estuary Conservation Society

• Squamish Nation

• Steelhead Society of BC

• Upper Birkenhead Stewardship Group

• Whistler Fisheries Stewardship Group

• Xa’xtsa First Nation