A $4 million habitat project for juvenile salmon has already netted results with the sighting of four species of salmon in the Wilson Farm area of Colony Farm Regional Park.
Kwikwetlem chief Ron Giesbrecht said members of his band who counted the fish along with biologists were excited by the find because it signaled the return of fish to the region after 100 years.
"They knew how much it meant to the elders," Giesbrecht said.
On Monday, members of the Kwikwetlem, along with Ministry of Environment representatives and other groups were on hand at a special milestone ceremony marking the near-completion of the Wilson Farm habitat improvement project.
The project restores tidal function to the lower reach of the Coquitlam River and is one of the largest environmental mitigation projects along the 37 km Port Mann/Highway 1 Improvement Project route.
Environment Minister Terry Lake said it's gratifying to see the fish return to the area after so long.
"To be able to see the fish return after 100 years is pretty special," said Lake, who was a Coquitlam vet with a family in the area before moving to Kamloops 15 years ago.
It's taken five years from start to finish to complete the project at Colony Farm. The newly-enhanced habitat is a rearing area for young fish to improve their chances of survival. During fish sampling in April 2012, Chinook, chum, Coho and pink salmon were spotted in the newly-created channels.
The project also includes ponds and self-regulating tide gates that allow water to flow in and out of Wilson Farm to create a setting similar to those found in natural freshwater estuaries.
An interpretive sign is also being created along the popular walking path to explain how the new tidal gates function.
Craig Orr, a director of the Watershed Watch Salmon Society, and a consultant to the Kwikwetlem, said the Wilson Farm project is unique because it provides habitat for juvenile salmon while most habitat projects are for spawning salmon.
"This project went a long ways to addressing a major limiting factor to the production of salmon in the Coquitlam River," Orr said. "Urbanization has claimed much of the juvenile salmon habitat in the lower Fraser River area, and this project aimed to restore a large part of that critical habitat."
He also said the needs of birds and other wildlife were factored into the project where possible. For example, native grasses were planted that are better for local species.
Also for wildlife and fish benefit, PMH1 will replace 17 culverts along the route to remove the highway barrier, and a study will be conducted by members of the Kwikwetlem and SFU to see if wildlife and fish use them.
