Big Bar Response:
Upper Fraser First Nations Coordination
and Technical Expertise / Support
As a member of the Big Bar Landslide Joint Executive Steering Committee (JESC), the UFFCA provided technical expertise and played a key leadership and coordination role in all aspects of the response effort.
The Big Bar Landslide
In June 2019, the Big Bar Landslide north of Lillooet created a blockage on the mainstem Fraser River, which impeded the migration of salmon en route to their spawning grounds in the Mid and Upper Fraser. This created an immediate risk of extirpation (local extinction) for many salmon populations, some of which were already listed as Threatened or Endangered by COSEWIC.
Immediately following the discovery of the slide, Fraser River First Nations, DFO, and the Province of BC began working together on monitoring, assessment, restoring fish passage, and exploring mitigation measures to support salmon recovery.
A key outcome of the slide was the Big Bar Emergency Conservation Enhancement program, which has expanded significantly since 2019. Working closely with First Nations communities and government, the UFFCA has led the coordination of emergency enhancement activities including natal stream brood stock collection, fry releases, and working with communities to identify priority stocks for enhancement.
The UFFCA led the coordination of fishwheel operations for stock assessment and brood stock collection at Big Bar
Fernando John, Williams Lake First Nation
Patrick O’Brien, Gitksan Watershed Authorities
AJ Sellars, Williams Lake First Nation
Andrew Meshue, Williams Lake First Nation
Rob Manion, Kitsumkalum First Nation
Sky Moses, Williams Lake First Nation
The UFFCA had a key role in all aspects of Big Bar leadership, governance, decision making, and on-the-ground operations
Kegan Wright of the Okanagan Nation and UFFCA Executive Director Gord Sterritt
Big Bar Joint Executive Steering Committee (JESC) members conducting a site visit
The JESC met with First Nations and DFO crews at the beginning of each Big Bar operations season
First Nations and government technicians radio tagging salmon near the Big Bar ferry
Transporting fish by helicopter past the slide
Supporting First Nations Leadership Engagement
Robert Phillips (FN Summit), Grand Chief Stuart Phillip (UBCIC President), Cheryl Casimer (FN Summit), and Regional Chief Terry Teegee (BCAFN)
First Nations Leadership boat tour at Big Bar
Grand Chief Edward John visits the Big Bar Incident Command Team
Grand Chief Stuart Phillip (UBCIC President) and Gord Sterritt (UFFCA Executive Director)
Chief Beverly John, Tl’azt’en Nation