0050-executive-summary.Rmd

# Executive Summary {-}

`r if(identical(gitbook_on, FALSE))knitr::asis_output("This report is available as both a pdf and as an online interactive report at https://newgraphenvironment.github.io/fish_passage_skeena_2023_reporting/. We recommend viewing online as the web-hosted version contains more features and is more easily navigable. Please reference the website for the latest version number and download the latest pdf from https://github.com/NewGraphEnvironment/fish_passage_skeena_2023_reporting/raw/main/docs/fish_passage_skeena_2023.pdf")` 


`r if(identical(gitbook_on, FALSE)){knitr::asis_output("<br>")}`

Since 2020, the Society for Ecosystem Restoration Northern British Columbia (SERNbc) has been actively involved in
planning, coordinating, and conducting fish passage restoration efforts within the Bulkley River and Morice River
watershed groups, which are sub-basins of the Skeena River watershed. In 2022, the study area was expanded to include
the Zymoetz Watershed Group and the Kispiox River watershed groups, followed by an extension in 2023 to encompass
sections of the Kitsumkalum River watershed group, particularly where Highway 16 intersects the watershed.

<br>

The primary objective of this project is to identify and prioritize fish passage barriers within these study areas,
develop comprehensive restoration plans to address these barriers, and foster momentum for broader ecosystem restoration
initiatives. While the primary focus is on fish passage, this work also serves as a lens through which to view the
broader ecosystems, leveraging efforts to build capacity for ecosystem restoration and improving our understanding of
watershed health. We recognize that the health of life - such as our own - and the health of our surroundings are
interconnected, with our overall well-being dependent on the health of our environment.

<br>

Although the main purpose of this report is to document 2023 field work data and results, it also builds on reporting 
from field activities conducted from 2020 to 2022. In addition to the numerous assessments at sites undocumented in past
years of the project, field activities were also conducted at 10 sites where habitat confirmations
were previously documented.  When this occurred, past reports for these sites edited and updated with 2023 data.

- [Bulkley River and Morice River Watershed Groups Fish Passage Restoration Planning (2020)](https://newgraphenvironment.github.io/fish_passage_bulkley_2020_reporting/)
- [Bulkley River and Morice River Watershed Groups Fish Passage Restoration Planning 2021](https://newgraphenvironment.github.io/fish_passage_skeena_2021_reporting/)
- [Bulkley River Watershed Fish Passage Restoration Planning 2022](https://newgraphenvironment.github.io/fish_passage_bulkley_2022_reporting/)
- [Skeena Watershed Fish Passage Restoration Planning 2022](https://newgraphenvironment.github.io/fish_passage_skeena_2022_reporting/)


<br>

Please note that at the time of reporting, this report was a living document - changing over time.  Version numbers are
logged for each release with modifications, enhancements and other changes tracked with the "Changelog" section.
Additionally, issues and planned enhancements are tracked
[here](https://github.com/NewGraphEnvironment/fish_passage_skeena_2023_reporting/issues).

<br>


Fish Passage Assessments were completed at `r pscis_all %>% filter(source != 'pscis_phase2.xlsm') %>% nrow()` sites in
2023. Although the focus of Fish Passage Assessment sites in 2023 was within areas adjacent to the Skeena River from
Hazelton to Terrace (Kispiox River and Kitsumkalum River watershed groups), numerous sites were also assessed throughout
other areas of the Kispiox, Zymoetz, Bulkley and Morice River watershed groups.

<br>

During 2023 field assessments, habitat confirmation assessments were conducted at seven sites in the Morice River and 
Zymoetz River watershed groups.  A total of approximately `r habitat_confirmations_priorities %>% pull(length_surveyed) %>% sum(na.rm = T) %>% round(-3)/1000`km of stream was assessed, fish sampling utilizing electrofishing surveys were conducted at four of the subject habitat 
confirmation streams. Fish sampling was conducted at `r tab_fish_sites_sum %>% n_distinct()` sites within `r streams_ef_n` 
streams a total of `r hab_fish_indiv %>% filter(species_code != 'NFC') %>% nrow()` fish captured.  At all electrofishing 
sites, salmonids with fork lengths >60mm were tagged with PIT tags to facitate the tracking of health and movement over time.  


<br>

Culverts previously located on a tributary to Skeena River - PSCIS 198217 - Sik-E-Dakh Water Tower Road were replaced 
with the crossing with a clear-span bridge in 2024 with funding acquired by and remediation work led by the Gitskan Watershed Authorities
in partnership with the Skeena Fisheries Commission.

<br>

Ten sites where habitat confirmations were conducted in the first three years of this program (2020 - 2022) were
revisited in 2023 to gather data to further inform prioritization and/or to provide data for effectiveness monitoring.
Additional work primarily included fish sampling, PIT tagging and aquisition of aerial imagery using remotely piloted aircraft.

<br>

Recommendations for potential incorporation into collaborative watershed connectivity planning include:


- Continue to work with Gitskan Watershed Authorities (GWA) to prioritize and implement another fish passage restoration
project in 2025. Learnings from the successful replacement of crossing 198217 on a tributary to the Skeena River on
Sik-e-dakh Water Tower Road adjacent to the community of Glen Vowell can now be applied to the Zymoetz River watershed
group leveraging further funding acquired by GWA for replacement of a crossing in 2025. At the time of reporting several
crossings have been identified as potential candidates for replacement with funding for engineering design earmarked
from this year's fiscal dollars.
 
- Refine climate change risk collection metrics with GIS and remote sensing to provide more quantitative metrics of risk,
leveraging advancements from other Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure team efforts and incorporating outputs 
(ex. discharge) from modelling using climate change scenarios such as those available through the Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium.

- Integrate fish passage restoration planning with other restoration and enhancement initiatives in the region to maximize benefits to fish populations
as well as for communities within the Skeena River watershed.  This includes working with the Gitskan Watershed
Authorities (GWA), Skeena Fisheries Commission, Skeena Wild, Office of Wet'suwet'en, Morice Watershed Monitoring Trust,
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Provincial Regulators, Bulkley Valley Research Centre, Gitxsan Environmental Services, the
Environmental Stewardship Initiative (Skeena Sustainability Assessment Forum) and others to leverage funding, knowledge
and resources for fish passage restoration towards programs related to watershed health in the region.