Ayum Creek Restoration

The Capital Regional District is busy restoring parkland again. This time it's in Ayum Creek Regional Park. That's a little park right by where we launch our kayaks into Cooper Cove and head out into Sooke Basin. The park at Ayum Creek is one of several where fish habitat is being restored. Here's the Media Release just sent out by CRD Parks:

Media Release
For Immediate Release
September 2, 2010
Fish Habitat Restoration Project at Ayum Creek Regional Park Reserve
Victoria, BC – The Capital Regional District is partnering with the South Islands Aquatic Stewardship Society (SIASS) to undertake a fish habitat restoration project at Ayum Creek Regional Park Reserve in the district of Sooke. The work is taking place the week of September 1 and will not impact park visitors.
“Ayum Creek has very high value for chum and coho spawning,” said James Hamly, project coordinator for South Islands Aquatic Stewardship Society. “There has been extensive habitat restoration over the last twelve years, however, some of the work is in need of mitigation. We will be repairing a riffle and preventing further erosion to the stream bank to improve fish habitat.”
“Regional Parks recently completed a management plan for Ayum Creek, with primary emphasis on conserving and restoring the ecosystems and biodiversity of the creek,” said Lloyd Rushton, CRD Parks and Community Services General Manager. “This small park reserve protects the stream-fed estuary of Ayum Creek, which empties into the Sooke Basin. It is one of the few remaining estuaries in the region.”
Funding for the fish restoration project is provided by the CRD Regional Parks, SIASS, and the Pacific Salmon Foundation, a non-profit charitable organization that works in concert with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Ministry of Environment in fostering salmon recovery.
For further information, please contact:
Laurie Sthamann, Communications Coordinator
CRD Regional Parks
Tel: 250.360.3332 cell: 250.889.8030
lsthamann@crd.bc.ca
www.crd.bc.ca/parks