January 20, 2003                                                                                              Volume IX

                                                                                                                                 Issue 02

The implementation of the Watershed Restoration Program has enabled training and restoration opportunities for band members to become stewards of fish and fish habitat, ensuring the fishing livelihood within the Lil’wat Traditional Territory. Data collection covered the entire Lillooet River watershed from Meager Mountain to Harrison Lake totaling 5,900 km².  Data collected was comprised of channel, riparian, fish habitat and water quality assessments, which provided a basis for future restoration and stock assessment activities.

These assessment projects and data analysis provide employment for Lil’wat band Technicians. Funding for these projects was acquired from the Habitat Restoration Salmon Enhancement Program, Fisheries Renewal BC, Forest Renewal BC, Urban Salmon Habitat Program, Public Involvement Program, Pacific Salmon Foundation, and DFO Stock Assessment Division. Additionally corporate contributions were received from BC Hydro, Ministry of Transportation, International Forest Products Ltd. and Independent Power Projects.

In addition to employment, Technicians received training in the following;  Level ‘1’ and Wilderness First Aid, Swift Water Rescue, Bioengineering Technics, Electroshocking Certification, Environmental Monitoring, and Fisheries Field Technician Certification. This promoted their ability to advise the communities through providing education and awareness initiatives.

By undertaking training and conducting watershed assesssements the Lil’wat Fisheries Technicias began to understand the impacts to local fish and fish habitat.  We became aware of and were very frustraited with the ‘lack of preventative and restorative measures being applied in local Environmental Watershed Protection’. Thus, these concerned Technicians and local comminity members voluntarily formed the ‘Lil’wat Fisheries Commission’ in January 2001.

We followed in the footsteps of our ancestors in being stewards of Mother Earth and created and formed the mission statement;

"To Respect and Protect, Fish, Fish Habitat, and Fishing Livelihood for Time Immemorial".

We stand behind all our actions. We advise the Chief and Council and community members, DFO, local businesses and all local stakeholders how to preserve a healthy watershed.

Carl H Sam/Program Manager-Lil’wat Fisheries Commission and parttime Stewardship Coordinator  decided to submit their name for their endeavors in “Caring for the Ecosystem”.

At our Interim Executive Committee meeting on December 18, 2002, it was decided that the Watershed Talk need some feedback from our readers. I have put together a questionnaire to see what my readers would like to see in the Watershed Talk. Would you please take the time to answer a few questions that will assist me in providing the best quality newsletter possible.

Jan. 24, 2003 – Interim Executive Committee Conference Call at 9:00 a.m. This call was originally scheduled for Jan. 28, due to conflicting schedules, it has been changed.

Jan. 27, 2003 – 2003 Vision Planning Committee & Ad Hock Fraser River Technical Committee Conference Call, at 9:00 a.m.

Jan 29, 2003 – Tier One Meeting in Kamloops at the Secwepemc Fisheries Commission Office.

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