LOWER MAINLAND ROOSEVELT ELK RECOVERY PROJECT (LMRERP): STAVE LAKE WATERSHED RELEASE

LOWER MAINLAND ROOSEVELT ELK RECOVERY PROJECT (LMRERP): STAVE LAKE WATERSHED RELEASE (2007 – 2008)

BC Ministry of Environment Wildlife Branch June 2008

Lower Mainland Roosevelt Elk Recovery Project: Stave River Watershed (2007 – 2008) Final Report

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Roosevelt elk (Cervus elaphus roosevelti) are a blue-listed species in British Columbia. By 1900 Roosevelt elk were extirpated from most of the southern mainland coast of BC, with the exception of a small isolated population near Phillips Arm, BC. In 1987 and 1993, Roosevelt elk were brought from Vancouver Island to the Sechelt Peninsula to restore populations. The Lower Mainland Roosevelt Elk Recovery Project (LMRERP) began in 2000 as a response to a combined need to both control nuisance Roosevelt elk along the urban fringe of the Sunshine Coast and fulfill the desire to continue re-establishing historic Roosevelt elk ranges in the Lower Mainland Region. To date, Roosevelt elk have been released into several watersheds in the Lower Mainland Region and the relocation objectives are predicted to be completed by 2012. In 2007 and 2008, Roosevelt elk were released into the Stave River Watershed. These releases were in alignment with the BridgeCoastal Fish & Wildlife Restoration Program Volume 2: Stave River Watershed document that outlined both the feasibility and desire to release Roosevelt elk back into the Stave River Watershed. As a result of the alignment between the LMRERP and Bridge-Coastal Fish & Wildlife Restoration Program (BCRP) objectives, BCRP funded the 2008 portion of the Stave River Watershed Roosevelt elk release. All Roosevelt elk trapped and relocated to the Stave River Watershed were trapped on the Sechelt Peninsula. The first group of elk were trapped in January of 2007 in Pender Harbour, in close proximity to Pender Harbour Secondary School. At this particular location, there is a permanent wooden corral trap that has been successful at trapping groups of elk for several years. The second group of elk were trapped by Ruby Lake on the Sechelt Peninsula; however, this time a portable, chain link corral trap was used. In 2008, Halfmoon Bay was the area in which the elk was trapped, and similar to March of 2007, the portable, chain link corral trap was also used. In order to trap the elk, the site is baited for several days with a combination of alfalfa, sliced up apples, molasses, a powdered mineral compound, and an oat/barley/cob mixture. The January 2007 trapping and release effort involved 11 elk (5 A♀; 2 Y♀; 3 C; 1A♂)1 which were released at the bridge over Winslow Creek in the Stave River Watershed. The second trapping and release effort in March of the same year involved 8 elk (4 A♀; 3 C; 1 Y), which were also released at the bridge over Winslow Creek in the Stave River Watershed. In February of 2008, 1 adult bull elk was trapped and released at Welcome Point at the North East end of Stave Lake, as there was too much snow on the Stave Lake Forest Service Road (FSR) to allow for a release at the same location as done in 2007. Roosevelt elk are an important part of the biodiversity of an ecosystem and are an important biggame species in British Columbia. Through the LMRERP there have been several Limited Entry Hunting (LEH) opportunities open up which benefits local First Nations, and both resident and non-resident hunters alike. With further populations of Roosevelt elk re-established to their historic range, and with the LMRERP getting closer to completing the relocation objectives, efforts need to begin switching to more of a monitoring protocol for these populations to gauge the success of the project over the long-term. 1

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A = adult; C = calf; Y = yearling; ♀ = female; ♂ = male

Lower Mainland Roosevelt Elk Recovery Project: Stave River Watershed (2007 – 2008) Final Report

TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................... TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................................ LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................................................... LIST OF TABLES .........................................................................................................................................

i ii iii iii

1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Background .................................................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Project Rationale ......................................................................................................................... 2 2 GOALS & OBJECTIVES ....................................................................................................................... 2 3 STUDY AREA ......................................................................................................................................... 3 3.1 Release Locations ........................................................................................................................ 3 4 METHODS ................................................................................................................................................ 4 4.1 General Roosevelt Elk Trapping Methods............................................................................... 4.2 January 2007 Roosevelt Elk Trapping and Release ............................................................... 4.3 March 2007 Roosevelt Elk Trapping and Release ................................................................. 4.4 February 2008 Roosevelt Elk Trapping and Release .............................................................

4 5 6 7

5 RESULTS ................................................................................................................................................... 5.1 January 2007 Roosevelt Elk Trapping and Release ............................................................... 5.2 March 2007 Roosevelt Elk Trapping and Release ................................................................. 5.3 February 2008 Roosevelt Elk Trapping and Release .............................................................

8 8 9 9

6 DISCUSSION .......................................................................................................................................... 9 7 RECOMMENDATIONS ...................................................................................................................... 9 8 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................................. 10 9 REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................................ 11 10 APPENDICES ......................................................................................................................................... 12 10.1 Financial Statement ................................................................................................................. 12 10.2 Performance Measures ............................................................................................................. 13 10.3 Confirmation of BCRP Recognition....................................................................................... 14

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Lower Mainland Roosevelt Elk Recovery Project: Stave River Watershed (2007 – 2008) Final Report

LIST OF FIGURES 1. Map of Stave Lake and 2007-2008 Roosevelt Elk Release Locations .............................................. 3 2. Portable, Chain Link Corral Trap ........................................................................................................... 4 3. Permanent Wooden Corral Trap ........................................................................................................... 4 4. Sechelt Peninsula and 2007-2008 Roosevelt Elk Trapping Locations ............................................. 5 5. Release of Roosevelt Elk from Stock Truck at Winslow Creek (2007) ............................................ 6 6. Adult Bull Roosevelt Elk at Trap in Halfmoon Bay (2008) ............................................................... 7 7. Adult Bull Roosevelt Elk Leaving Stock Truck at Welcome Point in Stave River Watershed ..... 8 LIST OF TABLES 1. The Number, Composition, Date and Location Trapped, and Location Released of Roosevelt Elk in the Stave River Watershed ................................................. 9

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Lower Mainland Roosevelt Elk Recovery Project: Stave River Watershed (2007 – 2008) Final Report

1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background With the exception of a small isolated population near Phillips Arm, Roosevelt elk (Cervus elaphus roosevelti) had been extirpated from the southern mainland coast of British Columbia (BC) by 1900. Implicated as the major causes of this extirpation is human settlement, market hunting and habitat alterations (Brunt 1990). In an effort to restore Roosevelt elk populations in mainland forests, Roosevelt elk from Vancouver Island were released on the Sechelt Peninsula in 1987 and again near Powell River in 1993. In 2000, the Lower Mainland Roosevelt Elk Recovery Project (LMRERP) was initiated in response to a combined need to both control nuisance Roosevelt elk along the urban fringe of the Sunshine Coast and a desire to continue re-establishing historic Roosevelt elk ranges in the Lower Mainland Region. In addition to nuisance animals in the urban interface, animals in conflict with local forest licensees are also used to stock priority wilderness areas. To date, Roosevelt elk have been released to the following areas in the Lower Mainland Region: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

McNab Creek (2001); Rainy River/Gray Creek (2001, 2003/2004); Skwawka River (2001/2002); Tzoonie River (2002/2003); Clowhom River (2003/2004); Stakawus Creek (2004/2005); Upper Pitt River (2005); Brittain River (2005); Indian River (2006); Vancouver River (2006); Upper Squamish River/Ashlu Creek (2007); Quatam River (2007/2008); Powell/Daniels River (2008); Olsen Creek (2008); and Stave River Watershed (2007/2008).

Future (2008/09 – 2011/12) release sites include Brem River, Toba River, Orford River, Southgate River and Homathko River. Fulfillment of these objectives would complete the relocation objectives of the LMRERP and the project’s goal of restoring Roosevelt elk to their historic ranges in the Lower Mainland Region would be realized. The re-introduction of Roosevelt elk into the Stave River watershed occurred during three separate releases: 2 in 2007 and 1 during the winter of 2008. These three releases were aligned with the Bridge-Coastal Fish & Wildlife Restoration Program Volume 2: Stave River Watershed, as it is stated in that document as being both feasible and desirable to reintroduce Roosevelt elk into the Stave River watershed. Similarly, Objective 5 of the same document has “assess the potential to re-introduce elk” as a priority for the Stave River Watershed. The 2008 re-introduction materialized through funding support from the Bridge-Coastal Fish & Wildlife Restoration Program (BCRP). This report focuses on the release of Roosevelt elk into the Stave River watershed during 2008;

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Lower Mainland Roosevelt Elk Recovery Project: Stave River Watershed (2007 – 2008) Final Report

however, to support the 2008 objective, this report also includes the re-introductions done in the winter of 2007, although 2007 efforts were not funded by BCRP. 1.2 Project Rationale The blue-listed Roosevelt elk prefer productive wet habitats characterized by abundant succulent forage, such as wetlands, meadows, estuaries, seepages and riparian floodplains of larger river systems (Brunt 1990). Many of these habitats have been lost to hydroelectric developments in the Lower Mainland Region and consequently, several prime wilderness valleys have reduced capacities for supporting elk populations. These lost habitats represent important winter and spring range for elk. Winter habitats are generally the most limiting habitat for elk and other ungulates (Quayle and Brunt 2003, Safford 2004, Poole and Mowat 2005, and Christianson and Creel 2007). According to the Bridge-Coastal Fish & Wildlife Restoration Program Volume 2: Stave River Watershed, the Stave Falls Dam and Blind Slough Spillway Dam were completed in 1911, while Ruskin Dam was completed in 1930. Prior to the development of the Peace River Hydro Project, the Stave River Watershed project once provided the bulk of power used in the Lower Mainland area. Work in the Stave River watershed flooded 2,612 ha of land, bringing the total reservoir area to 5,535 ha. Although it is noted that Roosevelt elk were extirpated from the Stave River watershed prior to the dams being built, the dam construction did undoubtedly have an impact on the re-establishment of Roosevelt elk back into the Stave River watershed from which they were once a part. The Bridge-Coastal Fish & Wildlife Restoration Program Volume 2: Stave River Watershed document also outlines a table illustrating the impacts to wildlife as a result of the dams. For example, the Stave Falls Dam flooded 2,612 ha of Stave Lake upland and lowland habitat. Also associated with the Stave Falls Dam was the loss of coniferous and deciduous forest in valley bottoms, including riparian areas and river channel habitat. Limiting factors outlined in the same document list loss of habitat, reduced productivity, and wildlife migration as aspects affected by dam construction. The Lower Mainland Roosevelt Elk Recovery Project helps to fulfill part of BCRP’s objective for the Stave River watershed, and because of this, BCRP generously funded the 2008 Stave River watershed component of the LMRERP. 2. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES The objective of the Stave River watershed component of the Lower Mainland Roosevelt Elk Recovery Project was to re-establish healthy viable populations of Roosevelt elk in the Stave River watershed. Re-introduction of Roosevelt elk is stated to be a wildlife restoration objective in the BCRP watershed plans for the following watersheds in the Lower Mainland Region: Clowhom River, Alouette River and Stave River. Roosevelt elk were released into the Clowhom River watershed and Stave River watershed in 2004 and 2007/08 respectively. Given the dispersal capabilities of elk and the close proximity of Alouette watershed to the Stave River watershed, it is predicted that elk will move into the Alouette system on their own. The objective for the winter of 2008 was to trap and release 1 adult bull Roosevelt elk to the Stave River watershed to augment the previous releases of 2007.

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Lower Mainland Roosevelt Elk Recovery Project: Stave River Watershed (2007 – 2008) Final Report

3. STUDY AREA The Stave River Watershed is located within the Coastal Western Hemlock (CWH) Biogeoclimatic Zone and the Coast and Mountains Ecoprovince. Stave River Watershed is also within the Low to Moderate Snowpack Zone of the Southern Pacific Ranges Ecosection. The CWH zone is characterized by a cool mesothermal climate with hot to cool summers and mild winters. Mean annual temperatures range from 5.2 to 10.5˚C, depending on the subzone. The mean annual precipitation varies among the subzones from 1000 to 4400 mm. Usually less than 15% of the total precipitation falls as snow. The valleys of the Stave River watershed are dominated by coniferous forest. Upland areas are a mix of coniferous-deciduous cover, while the lowland valley bottoms and riparian areas are dominated by deciduous forest. Topography varies from relatively flat to rolling valley bottoms and uplands, to steep and often rugged rocky mountain slopes. 3.1 Release Locations In 2007, each of the two releases of Roosevelt elk into the Stave River watershed occurred at the bridge over Winslow Creek on the Stave Lake Forest Service Road (FSR) (Fig. 1). Winslow Creek flows out of Winslow Lake before flowing into the south end of the Stave River. The 2008 release of Roosevelt elk occurred just north of Welcome Point on Stave Lake (Fig. 1). The Stave Lake FSR had too much snow to allow for a release at Winslow Creek as was done in 2007.

North Figure 1: Map illustrating Stave Lake, Stave River, Winslow Creek, Bridge over Winslow Creek (2007 Releases) and Welcome Point (2008 Release). Scale: 1 : 75,000

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Lower Mainland Roosevelt Elk Recovery Project: Stave River Watershed (2007 – 2008) Final Report

4. METHODS 4.1 General Roosevelt Elk Trapping Methods Trapping Roosevelt elk in 2007/2008 involved the use of both a portable, chain link corral style trap and a permanent wooden trap (Fig. 2 and 3). The permanent wooden trap is situated in a wooded area in Pender Harbour on the Sechelt Peninsula, just north of Pender Harbour Secondary School. The permanent wooden trap has been successful at trapping groups of elk at this location for several years. Roosevelt elk are trapped during the winter months as it is less stressful on the animals due to cooler temperatures, and because it is much easier to get the animals on bait due to the decrease in natural forage at that time of year. Providing highly nutritious food/bait also increases the elk’s probability of survival during the trapping and relocation process. When surveying has determined habitat with elk activity, preliminary baiting of the area takes place. When baiting the potential trap sites, several piles of bait are distributed throughout the trapping area. Each bait pile consists of alfalfa, sliced up apples, molasses, a powdered mineral compound, and an oat/barley/cob mixture. Bait is distributed around the potential trapping site as a way to gauge the number and/or interest of the elk in the area. When baiting at the permanent wooden trap, bait is placed around both the outside and the inside of the trap to get the elk accustomed to getting close to the trap and going inside it. For areas where the portable trap will be built at a later time, the baiting is done until it is determined that the elk are consuming the bait daily, at which point the trap is then built around the bait site.

Figure 2: Portable chain link corral trap (photo D. Reynolds).

Figure 3: Permanent wooden trap adjacent to Pender Harbour Secondary School (photo D. Reynolds).

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Lower Mainland Roosevelt Elk Recovery Project: Stave River Watershed (2007 – 2008) Final Report

Building of the portable, chain link trap involves both MoE employees, British Columbia Conservation Foundation (BCCF) contractors, and volunteers from various local groups. When the trap is erected, the door is tied open and baiting continues each day so that the elk become accustomed to the trap’s presence. After it is determined that the elk are continuing to consume the bait each day, and that the elk are accustomed to the trap, a day is set to attempt the trapping of the animals. Trapping the elk requires one individual to be placed where he/she is not detected by the elk, but where he/she can observe the trap and the elk clearly. This individual sits in a “blind” with a toggle switch that is connected by a long cord to a battery that provides the electrical energy to unlatch the trap door. When the desired number of elk is inside the trap, the switch is triggered and the trap door is unlatched and slams shut. Once the elk are trapped, all individuals helping out with the re-location of the animals are called into action. When locked inside the trap, the next step is to get the elk into an awaiting stock truck. How the elk react to being inside the locked trap and how long it takes for them to get into the stock truck can be quite variable. Inside the trap is another gate which opens from the outside of the trap and leads to a chute. The chute has a 10 ft. ramp at a 30˚ angle that leads directly into the awaiting stock truck. If it does not appear that the elk are going to go up the chute on their own, employees and volunteers will enter the trap, shoulder to shoulder, with plywood shields and help guide the elk into the chute. Once loaded into the stock truck, the elk begin their journey to their new habitat. 4.2 January 2007 Roosevelt Elk Trapping and Release Towards the end of December 2006, a group of elk were identified using the habitat adjacent to a permanent wooden elk trap in Pender Harbour on the Sechelt Peninsula (Fig. 4). Baiting of the site occurred for several days allowing the elk to become accustomed to the trapping location. On January 4, 2007 an individual was placed in a “blind” and trapping of the elk occurred. Once the elk were trapped, all employees and volunteers (including members of the Sunshine Coast Rod and Gun Club) arrived at the trapping scene to assist in the loading of the elk into the stock truck.

North Figure 4: Map outlining Pender Harbour and Halfmoon Bay on the Sechelt Peninsula. Scale 1 : 350,000

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Lower Mainland Roosevelt Elk Recovery Project: Stave River Watershed (2007 – 2008) Final Report

The stock truck and a MoE field truck then drove to Sayers Point (Fig. 1) on Stave Lake where an awaiting barge was stationed. Both the stock truck and the MoE field vehicle were loaded onto the barge. The barge then proceeded towards Welcome Point at the northeast end of Stave Lake (Fig. 1). At Welcome Point, the stock truck containing the elk was driven north along the Stave River FSR to the bridge over Winslow Creek (Fig. 1). Before releasing the elk, three individuals entered the stock truck to put a radio collar on two of the dominant cow elk to facilitate future monitoring of the herd. Once the collars were on, the door of the stock truck was opened and the elk were free to leave the stock truck and re-establish their historic range. 4.3 March 2007 Roosevelt Elk Trapping and Release At the beginning of March 2007, a second opportunity to trap a group of elk occurred. This second group was located in the Kleindale area near Ruby Lake on the Sechelt Peninsula (Fig. 4). Unlike the January 2007 trapping procedure where a permanent trap is located, this area required baiting for several days before the portable trap was brought in and erected. Once it was determined that elk were accustomed to the area and consuming all the bait, employees and volunteers gathered to set-up the portable chain link trap. Bait was then placed inside the trap for the elk to become accustomed to the trap. On March 09, 2007 an individual was placed in a “blind” and the elk were successfully trapped. As was the case in the January 2007 trapping, employees and volunteers were called to assist in loading the elk onto an awaiting stock truck. The stock truck was then driven to Sayers Point on Stave Lake and loaded onto a barge. The barge then proceeded toward Welcome Point at the northeast end of Stave Lake where the stock truck then drove north on the Stave Lake FSR towards the bridge over Winslow Creek. Before releasing the elk, 3 individuals entered the stock truck and placed a collar on 2 of the dominant cows. Once the 2 elk were collared and the individuals had exited the stock truck, the rear door of the truck was opened for the release (Fig. 5).

Figure 5: Roosevelt elk release in Stave River Watershed: Winslow Creek 2007, (photo C. Procter).

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Lower Mainland Roosevelt Elk Recovery Project: Stave River Watershed (2007 – 2008) Final Report

4.4 February 2008 Roosevelt Elk Trapping and Release In February of 2008, a site was located in the Halfmoon Bay area on the Sechelt Peninsula (Fig. 4). The site was chosen due to the presence of adult bull elk in the area. Prior to putting up the portable corral style trap, the site was baited for several days. An infrared motion-detection camera (Cuddeback® No-Flash Infrared Scouting Camera) was set up to collect further information as to the number and size of elk consuming the bait (Fig. 6). Upon determining that there was a suitable bull for trapping, employees and volunteers were gathered to set up the portable chain link elk trap. Once set up, bait was placed for several more days inside the trap to allow the elk to become accustomed to the trap’s presence. When it was determined that the elk were accustomed to the trap’s presence, a wire was strung from the latch of the trap door towards the back of the trap at approximately 1 ft., off the ground. This wire was set up so that the elk entering the trap would hit this wire and pull the latch allowing the trap door to slam shut. Also attached to this wire was a magnet that was placed on a radio collar. When the wire was pulled from inside the trap, the latch on the trap door was opened allowing the door to swing shut, which pulled the magnet off of the radio collar. When the magnet was pulled off of the radio collar, the collar began to transmit a signal. Checking of the trap could be done by putting the collar’s frequency into a receiver on the side of Hwy. 101 in Halfmoon Bay adjacent to the private road leading toward the trap’s location. On February 17, 2008 a bull elk entered the trap and walked through the wire, which facilitated the closing of the trap door. Employees and volunteers were on Hwy 101 periodically checking the receiver and when the signal switched from static to a clear signal, all individuals were called into action.

Figure 6: Bull Roosevelt elk entering trap in Halfmoon Bay, Sechelt Peninsula. (photo: Cuddeback® NoFlash Infrared Scouting Camera)

Because a large adult bull was trapped, the elk required tranquilizing so that it could be moved into the stock truck, as its antlers were too large to allow it to walk up the narrow chute of the trap. In close proximity to, but out of view of the trap, two MoE wildlife biologists trained and certified in immobilization of wildlife, began to load up darts to tranquilize the adult bull elk. The drug used

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Lower Mainland Roosevelt Elk Recovery Project: Stave River Watershed (2007 – 2008) Final Report

was xylazine-telazol (XTZ) at a 1:2 ratio; 2.5 ml xylazine (1000mg/ml) per vial of telazol. The concentration was 250mg/ml with a target dosage of 4.5 – 6 mg/kg of body weight. The XTZ was loaded into a 5 ml disposable PNEU-DART and PNEU-DART model 196, .50 calibre (.22 blank) dart gun. The MoE wildlife biologists went to the trap, one with a spotlight (Optonics 500,000 candle power) to illuminate the elk as it was night time, and the other with the darting rifle. Within 3 minutes of being hit with the dart, the elk dropped in good condition. Shortly after the elk dropped to the ground, employees and volunteers entered the trap and blindfolded the elk. The door of the trap was tied open and the stock truck drove up to the opening. The elk was moved towards the stock truck and up a ramp into the truck. The bottom of the stock truck was lined with hay for bedding. The elk was laid in a position to facilitate easy breathing and comfort while the antlers were sawed off above the second tine. An ear tag was placed in each ear of the elk and a blood sample was taken. Once all work was completed, the stock truck was driven to the MoE district office in Porpoise Bay Provincial Park on the Sechelt Peninsula where the elk was allowed to rest until the following morning. On February 18, 2008 the stock truck and MoE field vehicle proceeded to Sayers Point on Stave Lake. Once at Sayers Point, the two trucks were loaded onto an awaiting barge and brought to Welcome Point at the northeast end of Stave Lake. As a result of too much snow on the Stave Lake FSR, the elk was released at Welcome Point (Fig. 7).

Figure 7: Bull Roosevelt elk after release at Welcome Point in Stave River Watershed (2008). (photo: J. V. Kelly)

5. RESULTS 5.1 January 2007 Roosevelt Elk Trapping and Release Eleven Roosevelt elk were trapped on January 4, 2007. Of these 11 elk, 5 were adult females, 2 were yearling females, 3 were calves of unknown sex, and 1 was an adult male (3x4) (Table 1).

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Lower Mainland Roosevelt Elk Recovery Project: Stave River Watershed (2007 – 2008) Final Report

5.2 March 2007 Roosevelt Elk Trapping and Release Eight Roosevelt elk were trapped on March 09, 2007. Of these 8 elk, 4 were adult females, 3 were calves of unknown sex, and 1 yearling (Table 1). 5.3 February 17, 2008 Roosevelt Elk Trapping and Release During the February 2008 trapping for Stave River watershed, 1 adult bull was trapped. This particular bull had six tines on each of his two antlers (Table 1). Table 1: Number and Composition of Roosevelt elk trapped during the winter of 2007 and 2008 going to the Stave River Watershed. Date Trapped January 04, 2007

Location Trapped

# of Elk Trapped

Composition o Elk 5 A♀; 2 Y♀; 3 C; 1A♂

Pender Harbour Secondary School (Sechelt Peninsula)

11

March 09, 2007

Kleindale area: Ruby Lake (Sechelt Peninsula)

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4 A♀; 3 C; 1 Y

February 17, 2008

Halfmoon Bay: (Sechelt Peninsula)

1

1 A♂

Location Released Stave River watershed: bridge over Winslow Creek Stave River watershed: bridge over Winslow Creek Stave River watershed: Welcome Point

Note: A = adult; C = calf; Y = yearling; ♀ = female; ♂ = male.

6. DISCUSSION The objective of the Lower Mainland Roosevelt Elk Recovery Project is to establish healthy, viable populations of the currently blue-listed Roosevelt elk in their historic range throughout the Lower Mainland Region. Roosevelt elk are a significant part of the biodiversity of an ecosystem and are an important big-game species in British Columbia. Through the LMRERP there have been several Limited Entry Hunting (LEH) opportunities open up, which benefits local First Nations, and both resident and non-resident hunters alike. In fact, it takes approximately 5 – 10 years for a population of elk to become viable from the time they were released to a particular watershed. However, this is not a hard and fast rule, and much monitoring of each population is required in order to make a reliable science based decision on whether or not a population of Roosevelt elk can withstand a LEH opportunity. The methods used to trap and relocate elk over the past seven years have proven to be a reliable and safe protocol. From beginning to end, the trapping and relocating requires the efforts of many individuals committed to success and to the premise of conservation. The LMRERP provides many individuals with life-changing experiences while they are involved with fulfilling, in the case of the Stave River Watershed release, both a MoE and BCRP objective. 7. RECOMMENDATIONS With more and more populations of Roosevelt elk re-established to their historic range, and with the LMRERP getting closer to completing the relocation objectives, efforts need to begin switching to more of a monitoring protocol for these populations. For example, the status of the adult bull elk that was released in February of 2008 to augment the 2007 releases is currently unknown. Securing funding for monitoring will help determine the success of each relocation, and 9

Lower Mainland Roosevelt Elk Recovery Project: Stave River Watershed (2007 – 2008) Final Report

allow wildlife biologists the opportunity to understand how the released Roosevelt elk are utilizing the landscape and interacting with other species already established in the area. Understanding how Roosevelt elk use the landscape and interact with other species will also provide the sponsors (e.g., BCRP) an opportunity to gauge the success of a project they supported, over a longer time frame. 8. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The success achieved so far through the LMRERP is directly tied to the involvement, cooperation and funding received from the LMRERP’s many partners. These strong working relationships are expected to continue and new partnerships are continually being formed and secured. Current partners include the Bridge-Coastal Fish & Wildlife Restoration Program (BCRP), the Province of British Columbia, Habitat Conservation Trust Fund, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Forests, Guide Outfitters Association of British Columbia, British Columbia Conservation Corps, British Columbia Conservation Foundation, Canadian Wild Elk Foundation, Sunshine Coast Rod & Gun Club, and various First Nations including Sechelt Indian Band, In-Shuck-ch First Nation, Katzie First Nation, Kwantlen First Nation, Sliammon First Nation, Squamish First Nation, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nation. Several local businesses also provide services and support.

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Lower Mainland Roosevelt Elk Recovery Project: Stave River Watershed (2007 – 2008) Final Report

9. REFERENCES Bridge-Coastal Fish & Wildlife Restoration Program Volume 2: Stave River Watershed, Chapter 7. Brunt, K.R. 1990. Ecology of Roosevelt elk. pp. 65-99. J. B. Nyberg and D. W, Janz, eds. Deer and elk habitats in coastal forests of Southern British Columbia. BC Ministry of Forests, Special Report Series 5 and BC Ministry of Environment, Technical Monograph 2, Victoria, BC. 157 pp. Christianson, D.A, and S. Creel. 2007. A review of environmental factors affecting elk winter diets. Journal of Wildlife Management 71:164-176. Poole, K.G., and G. Mowat. 2005. Winter habitat relationships of deer and elk in the temperate interior mountains of British Columbia. Wildlife Society Bulletin 33:1288-1302. Safford, R.K. 2004. Modelling critical winter habitat of four ungulate species in the Robson Valley, British Columbia. BC Journal of Ecosystems and Management 4(2):1-13. Quayle, J.F., and K.R. Brunt. 2003. Status of Roosevelt elk (Cervus elaphus roosevelti) in British Columbia. B.C. Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management Conservation Data Centre and BC Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection, Biodiversity Branch, Victoria, BC., 31pp.

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Lower Mainland Roosevelt Elk Recovery Project: Stave River Watershed (2007 – 2008) Final Report

10. APPENDICES 10.1 Financial Statement Project #07.W.SFN.02

Financial Statement Form

BUDGET BCRP

ACTUAL

Other

BCRP

Other

INCOME Total Income by Source Grand Total Income

41,100.00

(BCRP + other)

EXPENSES Project Personnel Wages Consultant Fees

Note: Expenses must be entered as negative numbers (e.g. – 1000, etc.) in order for the formulas to calculate correctly.

-12,600.00

-51,000.00

-7,500.00

(List others as required)

Materials & Equipment Equipment Rental Materials Purchased (List others as required)

Trapping Supplies & Bait Trapping Equipment Elk trucking Barging Helicopter MOE Expenses Administration Office Supplies Photocopies & printing Postage

-4,000.00 -2,500.00 -3,000.00 -4,000.00 -15,000.00

-1000.00 -625.00

-5,000.00 -15,000.00

-3,000.00 -5,000.00

(List others as required)

-17,125.00

Total Expenses Grand Total Expenses (BCRP + other)

BALANCE

The budget balance should equal $0

The actual balance might not equal $0*

(Grand Total Income – Grand Total Expenses) * Any unspent BCRP financial contribution to be returned to:

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BC Hydro, BCRP 6911 Southpoint Drive (E14) Burnaby, BC V3N 4X8

ATTENTION: JANICE DOANE

Lower Mainland Roosevelt Elk Recovery Project: Stave River Watershed (2007 – 2008) Final Report

10.2 Performance Measure Project #07.W.SFN.02

Performance Measures Using the performance measures applicable to your project, please indicate the amount of habitat actually restored/enhanced for each of the specified areas (e.g. riparian, tributary, mainstream). Performance Measures – Target Outcomes

Wetland

Upland

Lowland Coniferous

Lowland Deciduous

Riverine

Reservoir Shoreline Complexes

Primary Target Species

Riparian

Primary Habitat Benefit Targeted of Project (m2)

In-stream Habitat – Tributary

Project Type

Estuarine In-Stream Habitat – Mainstream

Habitat (m2)

Impact Mitigation Fish passage technologies Drawdown zone revegetation/stabilization Wildlife migration improvement Prevention of drowning of nests, nestlings

Area of habitat made available to target species Area turned into productive habitat Area of habitat made available to target species Area of wetland habitat created outside expected flood level (1:10 year)

Habitat Conservation Functional habitat conserved/replaced through acquisition and mgmt Functional habitat conserved by other measures (e.g. riprapping) Designated rare/special Rare/special habitat habitat protected Maintain or Restore Habitat forming process Area of stream habitat Artificial gravel recruitment improved by gravel plmt. Artificial wood debris Area of stream habitat recruitment improved by LWD plcmt Small-scale complexing in Area increase in functional existing habitats habitat through complexing Prescribed burns or other Functional area of habitat upland habitat enhancement improved for wildlife Habitat Development New Habitat created Functional area created Habitat conserved – general

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X X X X X X X

Lower Mainland Roosevelt Elk Recovery Project: Stave River Watershed (2007 – 2008) Final Report

10.3 Confirmation of BCRP Recognition This sign will be erected near the start of the Upper Stave River Forest Service Road.

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