Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is temporarily closing vehicular access to Gill Bar, a popular recreational spot in the Fraser River near Chilliwack.
Officers locked an access gate to the road early Thursday morning, restricting vehicle access to parts of the provincial crown land that lead to the gravel bar and side canals.
Gill Bar contains important fish habitat — including all five Pacific salmon species — and has cultural significance to local First Nations, according to a DFO statement.
DFO Fisheries Officer Mike Fraser said the impact of vehicles on fish habitat has been a concern for many years, especially since their use increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Fish habitat is not the place to operate off-road vehicles,” he said.
Concerned citizens and environmental groups have raised concerns about the impact of motor vehicles on Gill Bar over the past few years, Fraser said.
He said sturgeon use the side channels of the bar to spawn and juvenile salmon use the Gill Bar for refuge during high water.
“Our fish are in a difficult situation right now, they are struggling. We need to help them in any way we can,” Fraser said.
Fraser said first-time violations involving damage to fish habitat usually result in a fine “in the range of several thousand dollars,” but can go as high as $100,000 to $200,000 for serious violations.
He said the temporary restriction would be in place until a long-term management plan for the area was completed.
While there is no estimate on how long that will take, Fraser said DFO is currently in discussions with governments and local First Nations.
“We hope that when this plan goes into effect, there will be some access to certain areas and it will be done in a way that will be protective and maintain the habitat.”
The public still has access to the bar via foot or small boat.
Volunteers flocked to the banks of the Fraser River in March 2014 for the 12th annual Gill Bar Shore Cleanup. (Fraser Riverkeeper)
Four Wheel Drive Association disappointed by closure
Kim Reeves, president of the British Columbia Four-Wheel Drive Association, said he wasn’t surprised by the closure but found it “unfortunate.”
“There are few areas where there are large, open, essentially unregulated spaces where you can teach kids to ride a motorcycle or ATV or just enjoy nature,” Reeves said.
Reeves said alternatively, the department could work with other community groups to educate the general public about the location of fish habitat.
He said the association will allocate its own funds for signs and educational campaigns before vehicle access is restricted.
“The negative consequences [of motor vehicles] really pales in comparison to flood mitigation, gravel collection and other commercial and industrial activities,” Reeves said.
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