2005 news releases

A shining example
Courier-Islander (Campbell River)
Fri 15 Jul 2005
Page: B2
Section: Editorial
Source: Courier-Islander

It's a model of what could and should be. Up and down the East Coast of Vancouver Island, indeed on every inch of its shoreline, our rivers and creeks need help.

In fact they've needed help for decades and only a few have received it - none more than the world icon of rivers the Campbell.

What has happened to the Campbell is a shining example of how we can fix the mistakes of the past. This river was virtually on death's door step not more than 10 years ago. Then things started to happen.

Spawning and rearing gravel that had been stripped away due to the hydroelectric project, started being replaced. Flow agreements with BC Hydro were worked out and that organization's wonderful about-face in its treatment of the river provided a much-needed corporate leader.

No longer did it deny. It admitted its footprint on the system was not a nice one and then helped to set things right.

The results of the gravel placement, especially in the canyon waters, have been astounding. There the flow agreement also helped immensely and a vital rearing and spawning area of the river that was virtually bereft of life 10 years ago, now teems with young salmon and trout, rearing there to await their journeys out and into the river and ocean.

And as north Vancouver Island moves forward into what is going to be a virtual population explosion, the lessons of vigilance learned in Campbell River will have to be incorporated into protecting the thousands of streams and rivers which will be adversely affected by growth.

The Campbell has required about $9 million to bring it back so far and it will require millions more in the future. But we can save that expense on other rivers. We can save that by preventing the mistakes of the past, using the brains we have in the present and having a vision for what our future really could be.