Things We Can Do

Things We Can Do

Compiled by Kim Fulton

BC Air Action Plan

Drive less. If you can get by without a vehicle, great. If not, try carpooling, walking, cycling or taking transit a few days a week. Every little bit makes a difference – and we all have a role to play in cleaning up our air. Driving less saves money, too. And, if you walk or cycle, you’ll be healthier as well.
Avoid idling. It wastes fuel, wastes money, stresses your engine and pollutes the air. Worst of all, it serves no purpose. In cold climates, a block heater is a more effective, efficient option for warming up your engine, and only needs to run for about two hours. Even without a block heater, modern vehicles only need a few minutes of run time – at most – to warm up.
Get regular tune-ups. Vehicles that are properly serviced run more efficiently, waste less fuel and produce less air pollution. They’re also less likely to break down, and tend to last longer.
Consider a cleaner vehicle. If you’re in the market for a vehicle, consider something fuel-efficient. A hybrid is an option if you’re buying new, but many later model, smaller vehicles are also environmentally friendly.
Avoid using gas-powered tools, such as lawnmowers, leaf blowers and trimmers. Push mowers, electric mowers and even modern gaspowered models are better for our health, and our environment.
If you use wood for fuel, use it wisely. The best option is to upgrade your stove to ensure you’re making use of the latest emission reduction technologies. But changes in the way you burn can also make a difference. For example, you can reduce air pollution significantly by always using dry wood, cutting it into small pieces, and keeping your stove and chimney clean and in good working order.
Consider a switch. If you’re buying a new stove or heating appliance, consider one fuelled by propane, natural gas or pellets. These can all be cleaner alternatives to burning wood.
Say no to backyard burning. Backyard burning was once considered an easy way to get rid of garbage. Today we know it’s a serious hazard that exposes families, neighbours, pets and whole communities to toxic fumes. Many areas have banned the practice, and even where it is allowed, a good rule of thumb is “Don’t burn unless you have to.”
Get involved. Join or create a local air quality management group to work with your local government to improve air quality in your community.
Plant a tree. Trees help to filter harmful pollutants from our air.

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What are some stream care guidelines?

Leave natural stream side and lake shore vegetation alone - Trees and shrubs shade the stream, keeping the water temperature cool for fish. Insects fall off the vegetation and into the water, providing food for the fish.

Plant vegetation on the sides of a lake or stream to stabilize its banks - Any plants that have roots that spread and knit the soil help strengthen the banks and prevent them from being washed away during floods. Alder, cottonwood trees and willows provide good root systems for this purpose, and can be planted on the banks.

Do not remove natural debris, such as stumps, fallen trees or boulders, from the stream - Fish use these as part of their habitat, and as cover from predators (which include larger fish, birds, and small animals). Trees should only be removed when they block the passage of fish.

Be careful when clearing land or building near streams - Heavy equipment in the stream can ruin spawning gravel, destroy fish habitat, and damage stream banks.

Vegetation which has been damaged or destroyed by construction should be replaced as soon as possible because fish depend on it for food and shelter. When the cover is stripped from the sides of streams, the water temperature rises because it is no longer shaded. Warm water can cause poor health and disease in fish.

Prevent muddy runoff water from construction sites from entering the stream - Water which is brown with sediment can smother fish eggs which are incubating in the gravel. Without oxygen, which is dissolved in water, the eggs will die. Also, fish food organisms will be buried and then fish may go hungry.

Leave erodible soils (soils that can be washed away) alone during the wet, rainy season - Stream banks can be easily damaged during the rainy season. Every rainfall can soften and wash down stream banks, sending mud and soil into the steam.

Do not catch small fish and move them into another stream or pond, or take them home - It is illegal to catch and move fish to another stream. The fish could spread diseases to the fish in the other stream, or you could reduce the number of fish in the stream so that there would not be enough remaining to continue the species.

Leave the stream alone; don't dig holes or try to redirect the flow of the stream - By digging holes or building dams, you may be destroying a spawning or fish producing area. Fish could become stranded if the stream's flow is changed.

Keep pets and livestock away from streams - Livestock should not be allowed to graze on stream banks because they trample and destroy vegetation or ruin spawning gravel by walking in the stream beds. Dogs should be controlled when they are near streams, they sometimes chase spawning fish, or they stir up the mud in the stream.

Use garden and lawn chemicals sparingly with care. Follow disposal instructions carefully - Do not spray stream side vegetation. Some chemicals (bug and weed killers) are toxic, and harmful to people and fish. Other chemicals (fertilizers) can make algae and weeds grow in streams and lakes, and disturb the fish's food supply.

Remove garbage from the stream area - Litter in the stream can ruin the water, and may be toxic to the fish and wildlife that use it. The beauty of a stream is spoiled by throwing unwanted articles into it.

Direct soap suds, detergents, waste oil, gasoline or other household chemicals onto absorbent ground away from streams, not down storm drains or into roadside ditches - When you wash the wastewater containing these substances down storm drains, it enters the streams untreated and pollutes the water system.

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SHORELINE CARE

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Many property owners wish to make changes to their shorelines. The most common changes are clearing vegetation, adding fill, rock or sand and building docks or retaining walls. Often these projects are undertaken without understanding the environmental impacts. Unfortunately, these “improvements” do not always benefit a waterway’s natural inhabitants, especially when you add up the changes throughout a watershed. Alterations to a shoreline can upset the delicate natural balance that exists and can negatively impact fish and fish habitat.

For shoreline property owners:

INSTEAD OF FORESHORE INFILLING:

1. Retain or restore shoreline to natural state.

2. Build a small floating dock for swimming and/ or lake access.

3. Use public beaches or boat launches.

4. Design docks with pilings, rather than solid core supports.

5. Focus development upland from shorelines areas, above the high-water mark and within existing property lines.

INSTEAD OF RETAINING WALLS:

1. Design natural retention systems with input from government agencies listed on the back page

2. Protect or replant native plants that naturally stabilize the shoreline. (cottonwood, cattails, willow and red-osier dogwood are common)

INSTEAD OF DESTROYING AQUATIC OR RIPARIAN VEGETATION:

1. Protect native plants.

2. Create narrow paths for access to water.

3. Replant with native plants.

4. Consult with government agencies before removing dangerous or hazardous trees.

5. Dispose of yard waste in approved facilities.

WHEN PLACING WATER INTAKES IN STREAMS AND LAKES:

1. Locate intakes away from valuable fish habitat.

2. Maintain properly sized screens on intakes. Guidelines are available for screening. Ask for the Freshwater Intake end of Pipe Fish Screen Guidelines.

3. Consult with government agencies before installing or placing intakes.

INSTEAD OF INTRODUCING NUTRIENTS AND TOXIC RUNOFF:

1. Install septic tanks and fields as far from water as possible (at least to setback distances required in your area).

2. Maintain septic tanks and fields.

3. Use phosphate-free and non-toxic cleaners.

4. Minimize lawn size and watering, maximize distance of lawn from lakeshore and refrain from using fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides.

Think Salmon

Source:

10 actions to think salmon at home / EMAILPRINT

Salmon need water in the rivers, streams and lakes of our communities. The best way to help salmon is to use less water. Using less water in our daily lives leaves more water for salmon, which means healthier salmon. Here are 10 easy suggestions to think salmon at your home:

Speed up your shower
Save a toilet flush once a day, especially at night
Fix appliances, connections and pipes that leak water
Replace old, inefficient appliances with new, energy-efficient ones
Load your dishwasher full before running it
Use your legs! Leave your vehicle at home and get on your bike or walk around your community
Hunt down energy waste in your home: turn off lights, check for drafts at windows and doors, keep the thermostat low, replace incandescent light bulbs with fluorescent light bulbs
Install a low-flow shower head
Wash your car on the grass and let the water runoff filter through the soil, or use automatic car washes that recycle water and dispose of detergents properly
Sweep paved areas instead of hosing them and you'll prevent pollutants and debris from entering storm drains

Best practices for Off Road Vehicles

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Avoid Introducing/Spreading Invasive Plants

Why are they such a threat?

Invasive plants out-compete native species for nutrients,sunlight, and water leading to a crowding out of our nativespecies in their natural environment. Often invasive speciescan produce millions of seeds each year. Invasive plantsthreaten fragile ecosystems, reduce biodiversity and costour provincial economy millions of dollars every year.

Here’s what you can do to help…

• Stay on managed or established trails, roads, and routes.

• Check and clean vehicle undercarriages, wheel wells, and engine compartments when travelling from an infested site to one that is uninfested.

• Clean vehicles and equipment by removing mud, dirt, and plant parts after leaving grassland areas, or as soon as possible, in a weed-safe site such as a car wash. Do not wash your vehicle in streams or waterways to prevent spreading invasive plants downstream.

• Use staging areas that are free of invasive plants and be sure to keep them free of invasive plants.

• Support regional invasive plant programs.

Minimize Soil Disturbances

What’s the big deal aboutsoil?

Soils perform vital functions suchas sustaining plant and animallife (below and above the surface),regulating water flow, storingand cycling nutrients, andproviding support to structures.

Here’s what you can do tomaintain healthy soils…

• Stay on managed or establishedtrails, roads, and routes.

• For off-road vehicles, avoidtrails that are narrower than yourvehicle.

• Stay in the middle of trails toavoid widening them.

• Avoid creating switchbacks, shortcuts, or new paths forothers to follow.

• Park or stage only in designated parking areas or turnaroundsites.

• Avoid travelling on poorly placed trails that can causeerosion problems, such as steep hillsides.

• Avoid muddy trails, wet areas, or travelling through waterholes.

• When in designated riding areas, hill climb and mud bogin permitted areas only.

• Do not exit off of managed or established trails ontotravelling livestock or wildlife trails.

• Accelerate slowly. Avoid spinning wheels/tracks to avoidcreating rooster tails. ‘Rip and Tear’ acceleration causesmany times the impact than that of conservative driving.

• Ride snowmobiles in areas with 12" or more snow cover.Ride where exposed soil/plants are not visible to avoiddamaging soils and vegetation, and spreading invasiveplants.

Respect Native Plants & Wildlife

How you can leave a good impression…

• Stay on managed or established trails, roads and routes.

• Avoid riding ATVs or trail bikes along beaches, through marshes or in other sensitive sites that may be breeding areas.

• Obey all posted signs that pertain to wildlife.

• Avoid traveling through areas during times known to be sensitive for certain wildlife (e.g., avoid grasslands adjacent to Bighorn Sheep during their lambing season – April to June).

• Maintain your equipment: Keep machines tuned and properly muffled to reduce exhaust and noise.

If you encounter wildlife…

• Slow down, leave your engine running and stay on your machine.

• When snowmobiling in deep snow, stay clear of wild animals so that vehicle noise and proximity do not add stress to animals.

Leave no Trace

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Plan Ahead and Prepare

Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit.
Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups.
Repackage food to minimize waste.
Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.

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Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow.
Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.
Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.

In popular areas:

Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.
In pristine areas:
Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.

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Dispose of Waste Properly

Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter.
Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep at least 200 feet from water, camp, and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.
Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.

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Leave What You Find

Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch, cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.

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Minimize Campfire Impacts

Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.
Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.

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Respect Wildlife

Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.

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Be Considerate of Other Visitors

Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises