Bear Viewing in the Atnarko River Corridor Tweedsmuir Park. Draft Operational Plan. Public Review Draft

Transcription

1 Bear Viewing in the Atnarko River Corridor Tweedsmuir Park Draft Operational Plan Public Review Draft April 23, 2014

2 This document gives specific direction for bear viewing not covered in the Master Plan for Tweedsmuir Park. The document does not replace the Master Plan.

3 Bear Viewing in the Atnarko River Corridor (Tweedsmuir Park) Operational Plan Approved by: [Insert Scanned Digital Signature] Wally Webber Chief Councillor Nuxalk Nation [Insert Typed Date or Scanned Date] Date [Insert Scanned Digital Signature] Jeff Leahy Regional Director Thompson Cariboo BC Parks [Insert Scanned Digital Signature] Tom Bell Executive Director Regional Operations Branch BC Parks [Insert Typed Date or Scanned Date] Date [Insert Typed Date or Scanned Date] Date

4 Acknowledgements Preparation of the operational plan would not have been possible without the knowledge and involvement of the Nuxalk First Nation and Ulkatcho First Nation. Tony Hamilton, Large Carnivore Specialist, and Helen Davis, Wildlife Biologist, Joan Sawicki, BC Parks volunteer and operators, and numerous residents of the Bella Coola valley provided valuable input. Former BC Parks Planner, Ken Dunsworth, was instrumental in assembling some of the background information that has provided the foundation for this Operational Plan. The plan was jointly prepared by Nuxalk Nation Natural Resource Stewardship Staff and BC Parks Planning Staff. Operational Plan for Bear Viewing in the Atnarko River Corridor i

5 Table of Contents Acknowledgements... i 1.0 Introduction Operational Plan Purpose Planning Area Legislative Framework Land Use and Non-Recreational Activities in and Adjacent to the Atnarko River Corridor Management Commitments/Agreements Planning Process Relationship with the Nuxalk Nation Relationship with the Ulkatcho Nation Relationship with Residents of the Bella Coola Valley and Atnarko River Corridor Values of the Atnarko River Corridor Ecosystem and Habitat Values Cultural Values of the Nuxalk Nation Cultural Values of the Ulkatcho Nation Recreation Values Management Direction Management Vision for Bear Viewing in the Atnarko River Corridor Management Objectives and Strategies Plan Implementation Implementation Plan Plan Assessment References Appendix 1: Temporal, Spatial, and Allocation Limits for Bear Viewing Appendix 2: Operational Guidelines for Guided Bear Viewing within the Atnarko River Corridor Professional Qualifications Separation Distance Guidelines Operational Plan for Bear Viewing in the Atnarko River Corridor ii

6 3.0 Bear Viewing Etiquette Appendix 3: Recommendations for Monitoring Figures Figure 1: Map for the Atnarko River Corridor... 3 Figure 2: Critical Grizzly Bear Habitat in the Atnarko River Corridor - Tweedsmuir Park.. 8 Figure 3: Map of Refugia along the Atnarko River Corridor Tables Table 1: Objectives and Strategies for Temporal and Spatial Refugia in the Atnarko River Corridor Table 2: General Objectives and Strategies for Park visitor and Bear Safety Table 3: Management Direction for Selected Facilities, Day-Use-Areas, and Campsites 17 Table 4: Objective and Strategies for Adaptive Management and Monitoring of Allocation Limits Table 5: Objective and Strategy to Sustain Park Visitor Satisfaction Table A: Allocations for Guided Boat-Based and Land-Based Bear Viewing Table B: Specific Sites and Trails for Guided Bear and Nature Viewing, August 15-October 15, including Low-Intensity Viewing Areas Operational Plan for Bear Viewing in the Atnarko River Corridor iii

7 1.0 Introduction In coastal British Columbia, bear and nature viewing is becoming increasingly popular. Many visitors and bear viewers are attracted to the wilderness of coastal British Columbia as it provides a unique backdrop for world class viewing of concentrations of Grizzly and Black Bears along streams and productive estuaries. This bear and nature viewing increasingly attracts visitors traveling from regional, national, and international points of origin. Bear viewing is also increasingly important within coastal British Columbia s protected areas system. Coastal destinations such as Khutzeymateen Park (a.k.a. Khutzeymateen/K'tzim-a-deen Grizzly Sanctuary) attract visitors from around the world. Many other coastal protected areas are not yet developed for bear viewing but are likely to see an increasing influx of bear viewers due to unique bear concentrations. However, bear viewing can be risky for both bears and bear viewers. If not conducted appropriately, bear viewing has the potential to disturb, displace, or food condition bears and other wildlife. Due to food-conditioned bears and/or other safety risks, inappropriately conducted bear viewing may also endanger the safety of bear viewers and other individuals. One of the increasingly popular coastal bear viewing destinations is the Atnarko River Corridor in Tweedsmuir Park. The Corridor is popular because it is an easily accessible location alongside Highway 20 and is home to unique seasonal concentrations of Grizzly and Black Bear as these bears congregate in the corridor to feed on salmon spawning in the Atnarko River. The ease of access to the Atnarko River Corridor results in a unique challenge for visitor safety and bear conservation. Besides attracting an increasingly large number of unregulated bear viewers, the Corridor is the focus of many other park visitor activities, activities that often coincide with the timing and location of a relatively large concentration of bears. For example: hiking, angling, camping, picnicking and swimming. As an outcome of all these activities, park visitors and bears are encountering each other more often, sometimes resulting in increasingly dangerous situations for both Park visitors and bears. It is for this reason that BC Parks and the Nuxalk Nation have collaboratively and with input provided by the local residents and Park operators undertaken this Bear Viewing Operational Plan for the Atnarko River Corridor. 1.1 Operational Plan Purpose The purpose of this operational plan is to guide bear viewing and other Park visitor activities to safeguard the welfare of bears and humans in the Atnarko River Corridor of Tweedsmuir Park. This operational plan: Operational Plan for Bear Viewing in the Atnarko River Corridor 1

8 1. Articulates the features and values of the Atnarko River Corridor relevant to bear conservation and bear viewing; 2. Establishes the long-term vision and management objectives to be met with respect to bear viewing in the context of bear conservation at the local and regional level; 3. Responds to current and predicted future risks, threats and/or opportunities by defining a set of management strategies; 4. Identifies the types and levels of management actions that will be taken by BC Parks, the Nuxalk Nation and BC Parks contractors to manage human use in the corridor; and 5. Determines the appropriate levels of use and operating standards related to bear viewing and other human activities. 1.2 Planning Area The Atnarko River Corridor is located at the east end of the Bella Coola valley in Tweedsmuir Provincial Park (See Figure 1). The Corridor envelops the Atnarko River which, at roughly the western extent of the corridor, joins the Talchako River to form the Bella Coola River (See Figure 1). The Bella Coola River drains into North Bentinck Arm on the Central Coast in British Columbia. For the purposes of this bear viewing operational plan, the eastern boundary of the planning area is deemed to be the mouth of Lonesome Lake, located approximately 10 km beyond the end of and including - what is known as the Tote Road. The Corridor is nestled in a steep coastal valley and encompasses many rare riparian and upland ecosystems including essential habitats for bear and other wildlife. The Corridor contains salmon feeding and riparian habitat that is unique and important for Grizzly and Black Bears. Operational Plan for Bear Viewing in the Atnarko River Corridor 2

9 Figure 1: Map for the Atnarko River Corridor (note that Tweedsmuir Park is shaded in green) Operational Plan for Bear Viewing in the Atnarko River Corridor 3

10 1.3 Legislative Framework The Atnarko River Corridor falls within Tweedsmuir Park, which was established in 1938 as a Class B Park and was mostly reclassified as a Class A Park in 1987, under the Park Act. The authority for BC Parks to regulate human activities, including both public and commercial bear viewing stems directly from the Park Act as well as the Park, Conservancy and Recreation Area Regulation. 1.4 Land Use and Non-Recreational Activities in and Adjacent to the Atnarko River Corridor Many non-recreational land uses and activities occur in and adjacent to the Atnarko Corridor. Examples are: Highway 20 right-of-way running along the Atnarko River, salmon enumeration and hatchery-related activities, and private properties and in-holdings along Highway 20 including a lodge operation and residences. Beyond the Atnarko River Corridor, there is a community forest and other logging tenures adjacent to the southwestern border of Tweedsmuir Park and the Atnarko River Corridor. 1.5 Management Commitments/Agreements Master Plan for Tweedsmuir Park The Master Plan for Tweedsmuir Park (Ministry of Environment and Parks 1988) contains broad direction for recreational uses, including bear viewing, in the Atnarko River Corridor. The Master Plan s general guiding principles reflect BC Parks dual mandate of conservation and recreation and require that: the present mix of wildlife species (as of 1988) be maintained in viable populations; that exceptional natural features be preserved; and that recreation services (both public and commercial) be compatible with the wilderness nature of the Park be provided. The Master Plan s zoning framework classifies most of the Atnarko River Corridor as Intensive Recreation Zone except for its eastern part, along the Tote Road, which is in the Natural Environment Zone. The Master Plan does not outline specific directions for bear viewing in these zones. However, with respect to commercial recreation, the Master Plan specifically requires that the number of guides permitted to operate will be kept to a level that satisfies demand while ensuring the protection of the resources and the financial viability of the existing operators. Operational Plan for Bear Viewing in the Atnarko River Corridor 4

11 1.5.2 Bear-Human Conflict Prevention Plan for Parks and Protected Areas The Bear-Human Conflict Prevention Plan for Parks and Protected Areas in British Columbia (Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection 2002) contains general operational guidelines for preventative and responsive management related to bearhuman conflicts. These guidelines provide general direction for bear viewing in the Atnarko River Corridor Collaborative Management with the Nuxalk Nation Several signed agreements between the Nuxalk Nation and the provincial government help to provide direction and management of bear viewing in the Atnarko River Corridor. Firstly, the Strategic Land Use Plan Agreement (2008) between the Nuxalk Nation and the Province of British Columbia provides direction to protect key Grizzly Bear gathering areas and manage recreation to reduce the disturbance to bears, while allowing for a high quality, recreational experience. In 2010, the Nuxalk Nation and the Province of British Columbia entered into a Collaborative Management Agreement to provide a framework for protection of cultural and recreational values, collaboration on compatible economic opportunities, and the development and implementation of management plans and strategies. Finally, this bear viewing plan is also subject to the 2010 Reconciliation Protocol Agreement between the Nuxalk Nation and the Province of British Columbia. 1.6 Planning Process The management direction, allocation limits, and operational guidelines in this Plan are based on several bear viewing related studies and reports for the Atnarko River Corridor (for example, McCrory and Mallam 1989; Himmer and Gallagher 1996; Himmer 2009; Davis and Himmer 2010a and b) as well as for other coastal areas (for example, Davis 2008 and 2009; McCrory and Paquet 2009; McCrory 2012). It should be noted that this Operation Plan is not fully reflective of all research and knowledge contained within these studies, all of which will continue to be consulted and utilized as this Plan is amended through time and experience. In addition, it is intended that future Nuxalk traditional ecological knowledge of the area and bear habitat use will be incorporated as it becomes available. In 2009, BC Parks began an initiative to more comprehensively manage bear viewing within the Atnarko River Corridor and has progressively implemented measures to reduce bear-human conflict and enhance bear conservation. This included establishing, Operational Plan for Bear Viewing in the Atnarko River Corridor 5

12 a dedicated BC Parks bear viewing station in 2010 and simultaneously discouraging bear viewing by the public at other sites along the Atnarko River Corridor. This section will be completed following FN collaboration, stakeholder, and public review 1.7 Relationship with the Nuxalk Nation The Atnarko River Corridor is within the Ancestral Territory of the Nuxalk Nation. The Nuxalk Nation and the provincial government are working towards a relationship based on respect, recognition and accommodation of aboriginal title and rights. The Nuxalk Nation has strong interests in the Atnarko River Corridor not only because the Corridor is at the centre of the Nuxalk traditional territory but also because the Corridor was home to several Nuxalk families and contains many Nuxalk cultural sites. BC Parks will manage bear viewing in the Atnarko collaboratively with the Nuxalk Nation (see Section 1.5.3). 1.8 Relationship with the Ulkatcho Nation The Atnarko River Corridor is within the asserted 1 Ancestral Territory of the Ulkatcho First Nation. The Nation s territory has its centre on the Chilcotin plateau but it also extends westward. The Ulkatcho Nation and the provincial government are working towards a relationship based on respect, recognition and accommodation of aboriginal title and rights. The Ulkatcho visit and use the Atnarko Corridor at certain times of the year for various activities. 1.9 Relationship with Residents of the Bella Coola Valley and Atnarko River Corridor The villages of Firvale, Hagensborg, Four-Mile, and Bella Coola are approximately 24, 38, 50, and 54 kilometres west of the Atnarko River Corridor respectively, in the Bella Coola valley. Also, the small community of Stuie plus other residences on private in-holdings are located along the Atnarko River Corridor within Tweedsmuir Park. All of these residents have a direct interest in the Atnarko River Corridor for various activities, such as hiking, wildlife viewing, swimming, fishing, picnicking, and camping. Ongoing engagement with t the residents of the Bella Coola Valley and Atnarko River Corridor will be required to ensure that residents are aware of, and supportive of, the management plan for bear viewing in the Atnarko River Corridor. This will include continued 1 Asserted means territory with boundaries that are claimed by a First Nation but not (yet) defined as per Section 35 of the Constitution of Canada Act, 1982, or necessarily accepted by another First Nation. Operational Plan for Bear Viewing in the Atnarko River Corridor 6

13 dialogue with all residents and all user groups that have expressed interest in the Atnarko River Corridor. 2.0 Values of the Atnarko River Corridor 2.1 Ecosystem and Habitat Values In British Columbia, ecosystems are classified as biogeoclimatic units representing climatic variations associated with specific types of soils, plant and animal communities. The Atnarko River Corridor spans the transition between coastal and interior climates. The western portion of the Atnarko River Corridor protects the Coastal Western Hemlock, and the eastern portion the Interior Douglas Fir, biogeoclimatic zones. It is the extreme gradient between wetter, more productive coastal habitats and drier interior plant communities that makes the Atnarko River Corridor such a unique and critical habitat area for bears. Because the gradient is so steep, a bear s home range can encompass a wide range of seasonal habitats. The entire Atnarko River Corridor, particularly its riparian areas contains a substantial component of critical Grizzly and Black Bear habitat (See Figure 2). As a result, a large number of local coastal, and sometimes interior bears, use the area as a travel corridor as well as a seasonal destination. The Corridor is situated in Tweedsmuir Park, which, together with the Dean River Conservancy to the north and the Upper Klinaklini River Conservancy to the south, forms one of the largest protected area complexes in British Columbia. Grizzly Bears traveling from as far north as the northern corner of Tweedsmuir Park, and from as far south as the Upper Klinaklini River Conservancy, are known to use the Atnarko River Corridor. It is primarily the salmon feeding habitat along the Atnarko River that results in seasonal concentrations of Grizzly and Black Bears due to reasonable although not always stable salmon returns of all five salmon species. The lower Atnarko River, from approximately Algers Pool west to its confluence with the Talchako River, provides the richest, most continuous stretch of salmon feeding sites along the Atnarko River. This stretch of the river also coincides with most of the human activities in the Corridor. The Atnarko River Corridor is an extremely important habitat area and is highly respected by the Nuxalk. This habitat consists of various components such as trees, soils, water, plants and animals components that all require a pristine environment to function properly. The Nuxalk strive to protect the Atnarko River Corridor from anything that may impact the salmon in particular, as the Corridor is the final spawning destination for many salmon that migrate through the Bella Coola River. The Corridor is thus considered a sanctuary for the fish that make it back to the Atnarko River and above to spawn, especially the part of the river located along the Tote Road. The salmon are the lifeline of the Nation; the Nuxalk are the salmon people and, without the salmon, there cannot be a healthy bear population or a healthy ecosystem in the Operational Plan for Bear Viewing in the Atnarko River Corridor 7

14 area. Thus protecting the habitat values of this area is essential to the Nuxalk Nation in order to ensure healthy salmon and bear populations in the Atnarko River Corridor. Figure 2: Critical Grizzly Bear Habitat in the Atnarko River Corridor - Tweedsmuir Park Operational Plan for Bear Viewing in the Atnarko River Corridor 8

15 (Data source for Critical Grizzly Bear Habitat Layer: Ministry of Environment, Hagensborg, 2009) 2.2 Cultural Values of the Nuxalk Nation The Atnarko River Corridor is culturally significant to the Nuxalk Nation. There are burial sites, cultural gathering sites, and several Nuxalk village sites located in the Corridor. In addition, the area is an extremely important sanctuary for the salmon and home to the bears. The traditional life for the Nuxalk revolves around the seasons of the salmon. In May, spring salmon (amlhtam) begin returning to the Bella Coola River and make their way up to the Atnarko River. This return is celebrated with a salmon festival to welcome the returning salmon and to honour their life-giving cycle. The last species to arrive in the fall is the coho. The wealth and complexity of the Nuxalk people is possible because of the abundance of food from the sea, in particular the salmon. This abundance of food is the reason for the location of multiple village sites in this area, making it an immensely important and integral to Nuxalk society and culture. The Nuxalk have co-existed with bears since time immemorial. Bears are held in high esteem within Nuxalk culture. They are included in families Smayustas (creation stories) and family crests. The Nuxalk honour bears through songs and dances. It is for this reason that the Nuxalk continue to support the protection of bears and the homes in which they dwell. The Nuxalk have always shared the salmon and the river with all living things including bears. Although bears can be massive and conjure great strength, they choose peace and tranquility within their natural surroundings, which can be observed in their feeding of the salmon. Their way of life is taught through Nuxalk cultural teachings and stories. Bears are considered caretakers to the Nuxalk. They help to fertilize the soil and the forest by feeding on the salmon, thus concluding the life-giving cycle of the salmon. The Nuxalk expect visitors to Nuxalk Territory to learn about and respect the bears when bear viewing along the Atnarko River Corridor. 2.3 Cultural Values of the Ulkatcho Nation The Atnarko River Corridor is culturally significant to the Ulkatcho Nation. The corridor contains various gathering sites that are important to the Ulkatcho Nation and are visited at various times throughout the year. 2.4 Recreation Values The Atnarko River Corridor is increasingly important as a provincial, national, and international bear viewing destination because of the unique combination of: easy Operational Plan for Bear Viewing in the Atnarko River Corridor 9

16 access from Highway 20, a high concentration of Grizzly and Black Bears in the fall, and a relatively undisturbed wilderness setting. Presently, bear viewing along the Corridor consists of unregulated viewing at various sites along Highway 20 and the Tote Road, guided land-based and boat-based viewing and, since 2010, viewing at the Belarko Wildlife Viewing Platform near the Belarko Boat Launch. There are many other recreational activities that overlap with bear viewing and critical bear habitat in the Atnarko River Corridor. Examples of such activities are: guided and non-guided angling, rafting, nature viewing, hiking, camping, and picnicking. Depending on the circumstances, these activities may- or may not be compatible with bear viewing and/or bear conservation. Several focus points of various overlapping human activities exist along the Atnarko River Corridor. These focus points are mostly day use areas and campgrounds both on and adjacent to the river and within critical bear habitat areas. An example of such a focus point may be park visitors participating in a guided river drift by a day use area where others are picnicking and still others are fishing all along the same shore that Grizzly and Black Bears are using to forage, travel through, feed, or patrol their salmon feeding grounds. 3.0 Management Direction 3.1 Management Vision for Bear Viewing in the Atnarko River Corridor The Atnarko River Corridor conserves critical habitat for thriving Grizzly and Black Bear populations and maintains refugia where bears can be bears. The Corridor continues to provide local First Nations with important opportunities to conduct food, social and ceremonial activities that incorporate spiritual and cultural values. Guided Bear viewing and other guided activities in the Atnarko River Corridor are as safe as possible for humans and bears; fit within the wilderness setting; have a low impact on wildlife and their habitats; result in high visitor satisfaction; and are supported by the local community. Recreational users, from both local community and elsewhere, enjoy activities such as hiking, camping, swimming, rafting, boating, and angling compatible with wildlife and ecosystem conservation. Operational Plan for Bear Viewing in the Atnarko River Corridor 10

17 3.2 Management Objectives and Strategies Conservation of Critical Habitat and Spatial and Temporal Refugia where bears can be bears Human activities in the Atnarko River Corridor can and do disturb and displace bears, and thus require careful management. For habituated and/or human tolerant bears, human activities do not necessarily prevent them from foraging efficiently if such activities are predictable, consistent and carefully managed. In contrast, for nonhabituated bears, human activities likely displace them and prevent them from foraging efficiently, even if these human activities are managed carefully. Bears in the Corridor west of the Tote Road are more likely to be habituated due to frequent human activities there, whereas bears in the corridor along and east of the Tote Road are less likely to be habituated due to relatively infrequent human contact in this section of the Corridor. Human activities that result in the displacement of non-habituated bears are especially problematic if bears are displaced from critical habitat and no other undisturbed critical habitat is available. Undisturbed critical habitat is required particularly in summer and fall, for non-habituated bears to feed on spawning salmon efficiently and gain enough energy for survival and reproduction through the winter denning period. Critical habitat in the Atnarko River Corridor mostly occurs along the river where most of the human activities also occur. The most substantial critical salmon feeding habitat in the Corridor occurs along the valley bottom of the lower Atnarko River roughly from Stuie downstream to the confluence of the Atnarko and Talchako rivers. This same area of critical habitat also contains the most intense human activities. Table 1: Objectives and Strategies for Temporal and Spatial Refugia in the Atnarko River Corridor Management Objectives Maintain the functional integrity of critical bear habitat through the establishment of spatial refugia Management Strategies Assign sufficiently large spatial refugia throughout the corridor, including critical bear habitat at salmon feeding sites along the lower Atnarko River (See Figure 3 for proposed refugia). Do not develop any new visitor facilities which would increase the existing facility footprint within spatial refugia. As feasible, decommission obsolete visitor use facilities within spatial refugia. Wherever possible, acquire private properties adjacent to, or Operational Plan for Bear Viewing in the Atnarko River Corridor 11

18 Management Objectives Maintain the functional integrity of critical bear habitat in the entire Corridor through temporal and spatial activity limits Management Strategies within, spatial refugia. Work with agencies operating in the Corridor, such as Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and the ministry responsible for forests, to minimize staff- related disturbance of bears and their habitat within spatial refugia. Work with owners of in-holdings in, or adjacent to, spatial refugia to minimize disturbance of bears and their habitat within refugia. Work with appropriate agencies and operators to make boat and land based activities within refugia areas consistent and predictable to bears. Promote supervised public bear viewing only at the Belarko Wildlife Viewing Platform (See details in Table 3 below). Do not promote unsupervised public bear viewing elsewhere in the Corridor. Maintain current allocation limits for land-based and waterbased guided bear and nature viewing (see Table A in Appendix 1 for limits) unless adaptive monitoring reveals trends in bear ecology and behavior that require changes to these limits (See section 3.2.3). Limit guided bear and nature viewing to specific sites and trails, thus minimizing human disturbance (See Table B in Appendix 1 for limits). If required, assign sites and trails for guided bear and nature viewing in addition to those mentioned in Table B, only if these additional sites and trails satisfy the criteria described in Evaluation of Potential Bear Viewing Sites along the Atnarko River in Tweedsmuir Park (South) (Davis and Himmer 2010b). Ensure that guided bear viewing along the Tote Road refugia area occurs at low-intensity 2 (See Figure 3 and Table B in Appendix 1 for low intensity viewing sites and trails). Implement allocation and spatial limits for angle guiding if 2 Low intensity viewing: < 10 groups per week at a particular location (see Davis and Himmer 2010b). Operational Plan for Bear Viewing in the Atnarko River Corridor 12

19 Management Objectives Maintain the functional integrity of critical bear habitat in the entire corridor through limiting human alteration of critical habitat Management Strategies adaptive monitoring reveals trends in bear ecology and behavior that require such limits (See section 3.2.3). Discourage human use along Tote Road refugia area beyond guided bear viewing, guided and unguided hiking, vehicle access to private in-holdings and Park trails, and BC Parks and other government staff activity. In addition to the temporal and spatial limits for guided and supervised viewing mentioned above, in areas critical to bears for seasonal foraging, monitor and temporarily close sites and trails to some or all public access at times and locations with increased risk of unsafe bear-human encounters or in areas critical to bears for seasonal foraging (see Table C in Appendix 1 for a list of some potential trails and sites that may need to be closed). Develop a decision-making tool to select sites or trails for public access closures and to determine duration of these closures to increase public safety and minimize disturbance of areas critical to bears for seasonal foraging. Follow Mcleod (2006) for site and trail closure procedures. Notwithstanding the above strategies, within the Corridor area west of the Tote Road, recognize that human activity will likely continue to result in some bears becoming habituated/ tolerant to humans. Even outside the refugia areas, do not construct new visitor facilities in undisturbed critical bear habitat. Stipulate that boaters avoid anchoring in obvious salmon spawning redds. Operational Plan for Bear Viewing in the Atnarko River Corridor 13

20 Figure 3: Map of Refugia along the Atnarko River Corridor (Note that the map does not include all private land in the Corridor, particularly in the Stuie area) Operational Plan for Bear Viewing in the Atnarko River Corridor 14

21 3.2.2 Park visitor and Bear Safety Human-bear encounters are sometimes unnecessarily dangerous for both humans and bears if Park visitors are uninformed about appropriate conduct in bear country. If Park visitors do not conduct themselves appropriately the result may be the food-conditioning of bears and other wildlife. Causing bears to become food-conditioned - and other inappropriate human behavior, such as approaching bears, can result in human injury and the subsequent destruction of bears. Human-bear encounters are most frequent in the late summer and early fall, when bears are in closer proximity to people while feeding on spawning salmon. Table 2: General Objectives and Strategies for Park visitor and Bear Safety Management Objectives Minimize Park visitor bear conflicts in the Atnarko River Corridor through education and awareness. Management Strategies Follow s management direction for selected facilities, day-use areas and campsites (See Table 3 below and Figure 3 for site locations). Create the appropriate etiquette for all recreational activities including angling, camping, swimming, boating, hiking, First Nations sustenance mushroom picking, and nature viewing in the Atnarko River Corridor. Ensure that all Corridor user groups are aware of the appropriate etiquette for their activity and follow it. Stipulate in permit conditions that all guides and their clients must follow appropriate bear viewing etiquette (See Appendix 2 for recommended bear viewing etiquette after Himmer 2009). Ensure that all BC Parks staff and Parks Facility Operators working within the Corridor understand bear behaviour and ecology and know the appropriate viewing etiquette. Commercial recreation operators must provide appropriate safety orientation for all clients before or as early as possible during tours as appropriate. Safety orientation must include information on general bear behavior and ecology and appropriate conduct with habituated and non-habituated bears (see the recommended bear viewing etiquette in Appendix 2 for further detail). Erect signs on proper Park visitor etiquette at all major dayuse sites and trails throughout the Corridor. Operational Plan for Bear Viewing in the Atnarko River Corridor 15

22 Management Objectives Management Strategies Minimize Park visitor bear conflicts in the Atnarko River Corridor through management of attractants. Minimize Park visitor bear conflicts in the Atnarko River Provide concise and accurate information on bear ecology and BC Parks viewing etiquette at key community locations, including lodges, airport, information kiosks, bulletin boards and travel agency offices and the BC Parks website. Stipulate in permit conditions that all nature and bear viewing guides must be qualified (See the recommended professional qualification in Appendix 2 for detail). Encourage BC Parks and Parks Facility Operators to work with visitors and guides to ensure that, wherever practicable, they are following the separation distance guidelines between humans and bears (See Appendix 2 for detail). Enforce the dog-on-leash rule throughout the Corridor. Ensure that all BC Parks facilities, including day-use-areas, are adequately designed, equipped and maintained to keep bears away from attractants 3. On a zero-tolerance basis, ensure that Park visitors, permit holders, and BC Parks staff do not make any attractants available to bears Work with all private land owners, commercial operators, and agencies operating in the Corridor to ensure that their activities (including gardening, farming, waste management, angling and salmon enumeration and enhancement) do not result in attractants being accessible to bears and other wildlife, including in areas adjacent to the Park,such as McCall flats. Work with Fisheries and Ocean Canada (DFO) to ensure that the department s activities do not result in large quantities of salmon carcasses being left close to locations where increased bear activity would likely result in increased Park visitor-bear conflicts. Work with appropriate agencies to discourage vehicle-based bear viewing within the Highway 20 right-of- way(which is not legally part of the Park) in the Atnarko River Corridor. 3 Attractant: any item that may result in food-conditioning of bears. Such items include food, garbage, carrion, and fish. Operational Plan for Bear Viewing in the Atnarko River Corridor 16

23 Management Objectives Corridor through traffic management. Minimize Park visitor bear conflicts in the Atnarko River Corridor through appropriate emergency response. Management Strategies Work with appropriate agencies to reduce motor vehicle speed and traffic congestion close to the wildlife viewing platform and in areas with high bear activity. Work with appropriate agencies to reduce littering from vehicles in the Atnarko River Corridor. Support the installation of public phones at appropriate locations in the Corridor. Develop and implement a proactive human-bear incidence monitoring and response system that includes educating BC Parks staff and operators in incidence response and dealing with problem bears and possible medical emergencies (See McCrory 1989; Mcleod 2006, Ministry of Water Land and Air Protection 2008). Pending the above system being in place, follow the response management procedures in the Tweedsmuir Park (South) Bear Management Plan (McLeod 2006) related to problematic human-bear encounters. The Atnarko River Corridor contains several focus points of human activity close to and within critical bear habitat. Many of these hotpots are facilities, day-use areas, and campsites that need to be actively managed to improve public safety and bear conservation (See Table 3). Table 3: Management Direction for Selected Facilities, Day-Use-Areas, and Campsites Site Name Management Direction 4 Atnarko Campground Ultimate objective: Relocate the campground to a location outside of refugia and critical bear habitat. In the interim: Provide effective interpretive signs on bear-human interaction. 4 Note that all management strategies in section 3 apply also to these sites. Operational Plan for Bear Viewing in the Atnarko River Corridor 17

24 Site Name Management Direction 4 Do not increase the total footprint area of the campground and, if feasible, decommission all flood damaged infrastructure. Close the campground including the day use area during the fall bear season (deemed to be August 15 October 15) (Mcleod 2006). Belarko Boat Launch Implement all the applicable operational recommendations for the boat launch, including establishing a minimum distance between boaters and bears when launching boats as cited in Evaluation of Potential Bear Viewing Sites along the Atnarko River in Tweedsmuir Park (South) (Davis and Himmer 2010b). Belarko Wildlife Viewing Platform Establish prominent bear-hazard warning signs and appropriate interpretive signs regarding human conduct in an area with habituated bears. Remove the picnic tables during the fall bear season. Close the toilet during the fall bear season if necessary to do so for public safety. Enforce the No bear viewing policy at the boat launch during the fall bear season. Temporarily close the boat launch if there is clear evidence that it is necessary to do so for public safety due to increased risk of unsafe bear-human encounters. In the case of increasing bear-human conflicts (i.e., bear human encounters resulting in substantial risk to public and/or bear safety) at the Belarko boat launch, explore with the local communities, Fisheries and Ocean Canada (DFO), and operators the feasibility of relocating the boat launch. Improve signs at the joint entrance for the Belarko boat launch and Atnarko bear viewing station including clear directions to the boat launch and the viewing station. Maintain the existing Belarko Wildlife Viewing Platform to minimize and spatially limit the impacts of bear viewing activities on bears. Maintain an appropriate operational plan specific to the viewing platform including maintaining appropriate Operational Plan for Bear Viewing in the Atnarko River Corridor 18

25 Site Name Management Direction 4 Fisheries Pool Site: Day-Use-Area, boat pullout, and campsite staffing levels and annually measuring its effectiveness in providing a safe, satisfying viewing experience that results in minimal disturbance to bears. Ensure that the operational plan for the viewing platform includes an emergency response protocol, acceptable minimum approach distance specific for the viewing platform, and response actions for aggressively approaching bears (See Atnarko River Bear Viewing Monitoring Program Review [Himmer 2009] and Evaluation of Potential Bear Viewing Sites along the Atnarko River in Tweedsmuir Park (South) [Davis and Himmer 2010b]). Establish prominent bear-hazard warning signs and appropriate interpretive signs regarding human conduct close to habituated and non-habituated bears. Do not promote bear viewing at the Fisheries Pool Site. To keep the Fisheries Pool Site open for day use during the fall bear season, ensure that BC Parks staff or adequately trained Parks Facilities Operators are present to monitor human and bear activities on a regular basis. Close the Day-Use Area temporarily if adequate staff presence cannot be maintained. Ensure that all Park visitors at the Day-Use-Area and boat pullout vacate to the parking lot when bears are observed traveling along the west river bank. Maintain an appropriate operational plan for the fall bear season specific to the Fisheries Pool Site including maintaining appropriate staffing levels and monthly measuring its effectiveness in providing a safe day-usearea. Ensure that the operational plan for the Fisheries Pool Site includes an emergency response protocol, acceptable minimum approach distance specific for the Fisheries Pool Site, and response actions for aggressively approaching bears. Ultimate objective for the campground at the Fisheries Pool Site Relocate the campground to a location outside of refugia Operational Plan for Bear Viewing in the Atnarko River Corridor 19

26 Site Name Management Direction 4 and critical bear habitat. In the interim: Continue to prohibit the use of tents and soft-shell walled tent trailers during the fall bear season Adaptive Management and Monitoring of Allocation Limits What are the appropriate limits for bear viewing and other human activities in light of dynamic bear ecology and behavior? Aspects of bear ecology, such as available forage, are dynamic and therefore require a dynamic or adaptive approach to setting temporal, spatial, and allocation limits for human activities. For example, low salmon returns (such as those due to the 2010 flood event) or failure of berry crops, may result in reduced foraging opportunities and nutritionally-stressed bears. This in turn, may result in reduced Park visitor safety and satisfaction. To increase foraging opportunities and visitor safety under such circumstances, viewing times and locations may need to be adjusted temporarily. A dynamic or adaptive approach to managing human activities is particularly important in the Atnarko River Corridor because some of the best foraging sites overlap with the most active Park visitor sites. Consistent monitoring of bear and human behavior is a prerequisite for setting viewing limits adaptively. Table 4: Objective and Strategies for Adaptive Management and Monitoring of Allocation Limits Management Objectives Be prepared to adjust spatial, temporal, and allocation limits for human activities in response to changes in bear behavior and ecology. Management Strategies Develop and implement a systematic monitoring plan following all monitoring recommendations cited in Evaluation of Potential Bear Viewing Sites along the Atnarko River in Tweedsmuir Park (South) (Davis and Himmer 2010b)(See Appendix 3). Include in the Park Use Permit Management Plan that permit holders must record viewer days and number, age, species, and sex of bears observed as well as any negative humanbear incidents. Based on the above plus any information gathered through other sources, whether from BC Park, other agency staff or the interested public, maintain a record that periodically approximates the health and size of the bear populations Operational Plan for Bear Viewing in the Atnarko River Corridor 20

27 Management Objectives Management Strategies within the Atnarko River Corridor. Adjust spatial, temporal, and allocation limits for human activities based on monitoring results and consultation with qualified bear biologists, permit holders, Nuxalk Nation Resource Stewardship staff and other stakeholders. When making adjustments to spatial, temporal, or allocation limits for human activities, ensure that these activities remain reasonably constant and predictable, so that bears are able to adjust to any altered human activities Park Visitor Satisfaction In the Atnarko River Corridor, many recreational and non-recreational activities coincide because the Corridor is narrow and confined. Some of these activities may be incompatible with each other and diminish visitor satisfaction; for example, guided angling and salmon enumeration activities occurring immediately in front of the wildlife viewing platform during viewing hours. Table 5: Objective and Strategy to Sustain Park Visitor Satisfaction Management Objectives Sustain visitor satisfaction. Management Strategies Work with all appropriate agencies, permit holders, and the community to identify and separate in space or time, if possible, those recreational activities that have the potential to negatively impact Parks visitors recreational enjoyment. Operational Plan for Bear Viewing in the Atnarko River Corridor 21

28 4.0 Plan Implementation 4.1 Implementation Plan BC Parks and the Nuxalk Nation will seek project-specific funding to implement Plan strategies. Some of the initiatives contemplated may not be able to be funded as part of the core BC Parks budget, therefore, jointly seeking funds and/or outside partners may need to be a key aspect of Plan implementation. BC Parks and the Nuxalk Nation will work jointly to: Within one year, prepare a detailed work plan that includes key performance measures, resources available, and staffing and funding needs, particularly for enforcement and monitoring. Collaborate to prepare annual summary report describing progress on Plan implementation. 4.2 Plan Assessment To ensure that the direction for bear viewing in the Atnarko Corridor remains relevant and effective, BC Parks and the Nuxalk Nation will assess the bear viewing operational plan on a regular basis (i.e., at least annually). This assessment is particularly important because management directions, strategies, and actions may need adjustment over time to reflect new circumstances and information gained from periodic monitoring and assessments. (See Section for details on adaptive monitoring). If assessments reveal that the Plan requires substantial new direction, BC Parks will implement such new direction in collaboration with First Nation partners, commercial operators and the local community. Minor administrative updates may be carried out at any time and will be documented according to BC Parks guidelines. Operational Plan for Bear Viewing in the Atnarko River Corridor 22

29 5.0 References Commercial Bear Viewing Association of British Columbia. (2013). "Best Practices for Bear Viewing." from Davis, H. (2008). Proposed Bear-Viewing Strategy for the Kitasoo Spirit Bear Conservancy and Surrounding Area. Armstrong, BC, Artemis Wildlife Consultants. Davis, H. (2009). Proposed Bear-Viewing Strategy for the Owikeno Conservancy and Surrounding Area. Armstrong, BC, Artemis Widlife Consultants. Davis, H. and S. Himmer (2010a). Bear-Viewing Areas in Alaska and British Columbia and implications to Tweedsmuir Park (South). Prepared for BC Ministry of Environment Artemis Wildlife Consultants and Arctos Wildlife Service. Davis, H. and S. Himmer (2010b). Evaluation of Potential bear viewing sites along the Atnarko River in Tweedsmuir Park (South). Prepared for BC Ministry of Environment. Artemis Wildlife Consultants and Arctos Wildlife Service. Himmer, S. (2009). Atnarko River Bear Viewing Monitoring Program Review. Prepared for BC Ministry of Environment. Arctos Wildlife Service Himmer, S. and M. Gallagher (1996). Tweedsmuir/Atnarko Grizzly Bear Study. Hagensborg, BC. McCrory, W. P. (1989). South Tweedsmuir Grizzly Bear Habitat Analysis: Maps. McCrory Wildlife Services. McCrory, W. P. (2012). BC Parks and Kitasoo/Xai'xais First Nation Bear Viewing Plan for the Mussel and Poison Cove Estuaries in Fiordland Conservancy, B.C. McCrory Wildlife Services. McCrory, W. P. and E. Mallam (1989). Part II Background Document Bear Management Plan South Tweedsmuir Park ( ). McCrory Wildlife Services. McCrory, W. P. and P. Paquet (2009). Development of a Bear Viewing Strategy for the K tzim-a-deen (Khutzeymateen) Grizzly Bear Sanctuary & K tzim-a-deen Inlet Conservancies, British Columbia. Report for Khutzeymateen Management Committee & Planning Process. Mcleod, J. (2006). Tweedsmuir Park (South) Bear Management Plan. Hagensborg, BC Parks, Ministry of Environment. Operational Plan for Bear Viewing in the Atnarko River Corridor 23

30 Ministry of Environment and Parks (1988). Tweedsmuir Master Plan. Victoria, BC, BC Parks, Ministry of Environment and Parks. Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection. (2002). Bear-People Conflict Prevention Plan for Parks and Protected Areas in British Columbia. Victoria, BC, BC Parks. Operational Plan for Bear Viewing in the Atnarko River Corridor 24

31 Appendix 1: Temporal, Spatial, and Allocation Limits for Bear Viewing Temporal and spatial limits for guided bear viewing (see Tables A and, B) and all public access (Table C) are necessary in the Atnarko River Corridor to maintain the functional integrity of critical bear habitat, ensure visitor and bear safety and provide a high quality visitor experience. After consulting with the collaborative management group 5, commercial stakeholders and the general community, BC Parks may need to adjust these limits intermittently based on changing habitat conditions and bear behavior. Table A: Allocations for Guided Boat-Based and Land-Based Bear Viewing Maximum allocation Temporal limit (annual) Maximum clients per guide; Maximum group size Spatial limit Additional comments Boatbased viewing 9 launches per day Maximum boat capacity of 9 passengers August 15 October 15, during daylight 6 8, n/a Downstream of Belarko Launch and destination haulout restricted to designated launches 7 Landbased viewing 650 client days annually (based on low-intensity viewing along the Tote Road as per management strategies) August 15 October 15, during daylight 7 6; total group size is maximum of 8 Limited to designated sites and trails (see Table B) 5 As per the Protected Area Collaborative Management Agreement between the Nuxalk Nation and the Province of B.C. (February 17 th 2010), the collaborative management group should consist of representatives from the Nuxalk Nation and BC Parks. 6 Daylight: one hour after dawn until one hour before dusk (see Davis and Himmer 2010). 7 Boat launches: Belarko boat launch (unless a new launch is designated); see management objectives and strategies. Haulout at boat launch at Fisheries Pool or any other designated sites downstream of Fisheries Pool. Operational Plan for Bear Viewing in the Atnarko River Corridor 25