District of Maple Ridge
11995 Haney Place
Maple Ridge, B.C. V2X-6A9
October 17, 2007
We are writing to address the above Zone Amending Bylaw.
KEEPS has carried out field reconnaissance and data collection at several locations on Zirk Brook We have determined that cutthroat trout are present upstream to the 132nd Avenue alignment and probably farther. It is worth noting that these fish are likely genetically isolated due to the barrier to anadromous fish passage that exists downstream in Cliff Park. We assessed aquatic invertebrate presence at the 128th Avenue and 132nd Avenue alignments and at the Justice Institute access road. Stonefly and caddisfly larvae were found at all 3 locations. These species are intolerant of pollution, so their presence indicates that the water in Zirk Brook is of high quality.
We also examined Zirk Brook in the area of the proposed gravel extraction during the late winter of 2002. Our observations during these site visits show that Zirk Brook has a winter base flow of approximately 1 or 2 cubic feet per second; however, this watercourse likely experiences much higher flows on a fairly regular basis. We base this on the large discrepancy between the wetted and bankful channel width, the presence of standing water a considerable distance away from the main channel during our site visits, and the nature of the terrain.
We have three primary concerns related to the proposed gravel extraction. They are:
(1) Water quality impacts on Zirk Brook, and by extension North Kanaka Creek. We have not seen a detailed stormwater management plan for the site. We do believe that, based on observations of Kanaka tributaries Maggie and Spencer Creek, that the standard practice of conveying stormwater through conventional settling ponds and then into the stream, whether it be directly or by way of Municipal ditches, will not effectively deal with silt-related issues.
(2) Changes to the hydrology of Zirk Brook, and by extension North Kanaka Creek. It is well documented that land alteration of this nature and magnitude can and does lead to permanent hydrological changes, including increased winter storm flows, and reduced or eliminated summer flows.
(3) It is our experience that Provincial and Federal habitat protection laws are reactive, and that these two senior levels of government usually do not become involved until irreversible site damage has been done.
We ask that the Mayor and Council address the previously stated concerns in a proactive and detailed fashion.
Sincerely,
ROSS DAVIES
Ross Davies for:
K.E.E.P.S. Board of Directors