Bilston Watershed Habitat Protection Association

Secretary report for 1998 Annual General Meeting

In 1997 the Association has been working on a number of projects. These include the continuing works at Martin Brook tributary, the Winter road site, and Scott’s Pond. As well as contributing to the Education component for the Bilston Action Plan, which Don Lowen will tell us more about.

At Winter road this year we continued with the second phase of building three undercut structures to replace lost natural formations. This part was built in two portions separated by a rock protected tree on the bank which had to be retained. Very similair in construction to the first undercut upstream, this was built of cedar logs and root wads extending part way across the stream. So far we see this section to be of nearly equal operation to the first section, except that a small amount of sand is accumulating in a short portion. Fish population asessments should be conducted in both locations to gauge the relative fish usage.

At the Martin Brook tributary selected spawning gravel was placed in the lower reach between the Pond and Bilston creek. A total of 6 cubic meters was placed by hand by a Katimavik Youth Team under the direction of our members. The results of this is very encouraging. The material was not washed away by major storm events during the winter and a number of trout were observed spawning here. Water quality is a concern here due to the observed runoff from the adjoining highway, which has been discussed with the Ministry of Highways, but to date no action has been taken. A further concern which may develop, is the proposal by Construction Aggregates to begin a major gravel and rock extraction pit on the opposite side of the Highway.

On Humpback road, at the Harris property a fish refuge pond was built in 1996. This past summer of 1997, the Katimavik Youth crew constructed an outlet channel return to Bilston creek. This will increase the flowthrough during periods of increased flow and incourage more fish to use the pond rather than be trapped in other shallow pools.

Throughout 1997 we have received a great deal of support from a Katimavik Project. Works done by them include;

-Maintenace of riparian planting and protection zones downstream of Winter rd.

-Construction of the outlet from Scott’s Pond.

-Placement of spawning gravel at Martin Brook.

-Completion of a water quality survey of Bilston Creek.

-Survey and placement of marker posts at the Winter road and Martin Brook sites.

-Removal of broom and blackberries from Winter road and Martin Brook.

-Planting of riparian vegetation at Martin Brook.

-Placement of signs identifying this as a fish bearing stream.

-Brushing out access trails along Bilston creek to facilitate water quality work.

-Collection and planting of willow and red-osier dogwood cuttings.

Many of these projects may well have not been able to be completed without their assistance and we thank them very much.

The Luxton Fairgrounds parking area problems seem to be staying under control with the placement by Ministry of Highways of the row of concrete barrier. A varying number of trucks make use of the area, but so far we have not seen instances of dumping oil or other substances. We have replaced the Firehall creek sign at the footbridge here on the "Galloping Goose" trail and, so far, this one is still standing.

We began a project to give us a presence on the Internet last March. We now have a World Wide Web site up which shows many of the projects we have undertaken. So far we have had about 500 hits. This has generated comments from folks who are also involved in similair projects, and is forming a valuable link between our groups. Gary Fletcher of Pearson College has made some helpful suggestions on adding data such as water quality, fish counts, etc, to make it available to other researchers. I hope to be able to incorporate this as I have available time. At this time our site shows the Winter road site, Martin Brook, Scott’s Pond, Luxton Fairgrounds, as well as a map of the entire watershed, as done by Dale Hitchcock. Included also are some of the newsletters and photos of the fishladder.

We also are being contacted by residents in the Happy Valley Area who are quite concerned about various developments which are being undertaken locally. I have to tell them that as much as we are very concerned about these issues it is not very easy for us to do a great deal about them. Our main focus is on keeping the Bilston Creek in good condition for the fish and wildlife and though we realize development does have a large effect on the stream, we can only do so much. I encourage these folks to please attend the Langford council meetings and make their opinions known there. If a neighbourhood issue is objectionable to please get petitions signed and back to the council. The only time polititians will do anything is if they are aware of the residents concerns. Should we decide to take on a great number of separate issues then I would be concerned we would be seen as more complainers than as doers of positive works. Much of this I suppose goes back to what happens during municipal elections. Many of the folks who have contacted me to enlist our support have admitted that indeed, they did not even vote in the last election.

In closing I believe we have had a most successful year of making improvements to the Bilston Creek system. We look forward to another year and more good worthwhile projects to enhance the stream for not just the fish and wildlife, but for all of us living here.