Watershed Stewardship Fund Grant – Gun Lake Watershed Health – After the Wildfire
The Land Use and Natural Resources Committee of the Bridge River Valley Community Association, in partnership with the Gun Lake Ratepayer’s Association and in planned collaboration with neighboring communities of the St’át’imc Nation, is advancing a project to support the Gun Lake watershed recovery and long-term health.
Following the Downton Lake Wildfire in 2023 it was observed that recovery efforts particularly on land based aspects were not informed by any documentation regarding the Gun Lake watershed, its health and its overall importance to the land, wildlife and people in its watershed. Recovery planning at times seemed to be occuring in silos and with different jurisdictions taking the lead, in a manner that does not holistically take into account the watershed. It was considered that a long term watershed security plan, collaboratively developed would provide a real direction for future watershed security including recovery situations such as the area was in following the Downton Lake Wildfire.
An application was made to the Watershed Stewardship Fund. The Watershed Stewardship Fund, by investing in projects that prioritize reconciliation, ecosystem restoration, climate resilience and sustainable economies, wish to ensure that watersheds remain healthy and vibrant for generations to come. The Real Estate Foundation of BC and the First Nations Water Caucus – with the First Nations Fisheries Council – are honoured to collaborate as partners in this inspiring, impactful, and healing work.
Funding has been granted over a 3 year period, with $50,000 eventually totally granted, to undertake to develop a collaborative draft plan to guide long-term Gun Lake watershed stewardship, establish a partnership framework with neighboring Indigenous communities, the Gun Lake Ratepayers Assoc. and members and local stakeholders to formalize collaboration, and coordinate land-based activities. To achieve these objectives, a consultant or contractor will be hired to coordinate and oversee all project activities, including engagement, consultation, and planning meetings focused on both immediate and long-term watershed needs.
Activities will include engaging Indigenous communities, the Gun Lake Ratepayers Assoc. and members and other stakeholders through planning meetings on watershed health, safety, security, and land use governance; collaborating to develop a watershed care action plan that addresses both short- and long-term priorities; and implementing land-based activities in priority fire-impacted areas to improve water quality and enhance watershed resilience.
This is a forward looking approach which will provide a plan document which can be used by the community to clearly articulate and guide the future long term watershed health of the Gun Lake Watershed, a long sought after goal of the community around Gun Lake.
“Property owners on Gun Lake have long been very proactively involved in conservation and protection of the Gun Lake watershed due to the unique and special quality of the water in Gun Lake and the number of water licenses for drinking and other uses on the lake. The extreme impacts of the Downton Lake Wildfire in 2023 increased the requirements to advocate and plan for the long term security of the Gun Lake Watershed. The Watershed Security Funding will support our community in partnering and collaborating with the St’at’imc First Nations to secure and plan for the long term health of the Gun Lake Watershed. We are grateful and relieved to have this opportunity”. —-Michelle Nortje, community member, volunteer and BRVCA executive board member
