Challenges
and Solutions
Industrial use and residential development over the last century have
led to loss of habitat, high levels of fecal coliform and heavy metal
contamination. The primary environmental issues in the Ucluelet Harbour
have been identified as:
• High levels of contaminants (especially
fecal coliform counts) in shellfish and crabs (shellfish harvesting has
been closed in the Ucluelet Harbour since 1972).
• Drainage of contaminants into the
harbour through storm drains and surface water, and contamination from
specific sites, including heavy metals (lead, cadmium and mercury- from
commercial and industrial activities such as boat weighs) and organic
contaminants (buried abandoned fuel tanks, and various dump sites).
• Loss and degradation of marine and
shoreline habitat caused by industrial and urban development. Loss of
ecological integrity of the marine ecosystems within the harbour.
• Loss of the salmon runs in the harbour
due to loss of spawning and rearing habitat.
• Environmental impacts of marine traffic
and marinas.
• Availability of funding to assist
communities and small businesses to upgrade operations to meet new environmental
guidelines.
Today, residents of all five communities recognize that a healthy, sustainable
working harbour is an important part of our future, and many groups are
working to restore the inlet's natural systems. Examples of these activities
are:
•
Thornton Creek Enhancement Society is working to restore salmon runs.
• Since the mid-1980's, local governments
have worked towards safe treatment of our wastewater.
• Harbour Clean-up Project removed 280
tons of debris from harbour beaches (1997).
• Local volunteers participate in BC Coastal
Waterbird Surveys.
• Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council Fisheries
Program surveys key clam beds.
• Ucluelet Harbour Shorekeepers educate
community members and monitor changes in intertidal habitats.
• Communities are studying the feasibility
of a marine vessel sewage and bilge pump-out station.
• Ucluelet Harbour Project developed a
Community Action Plan for improving harbour management (2001).
• Ucluelet Harbour Project completed a
full inventory of eelgrass meadows (2002).
• Ucluelet Harbour Project compiled
the historical information used in an educational brochure about the UHP.
