Prince George, B.C.- McMillan Creek is the subject of a special meeting tomorrow evening in Prince George.

 

The 15 km long creek drains a 55 square km area of the Hart Highlands and is affected by a mix of rural and urban land uses. The Creek is home to rainbow and bull trout and it is a spawning ground for Chinook salmon.

 

The meeting is to see what concerns there may be about the health of the Creek and more importantly to see if there is a public interest in pushing the improved health of the Creek up the list of priority projects. 

 

Mike Peterson, Section Head of Eco-Systems for the Provincial Ministry of the Environment, says the session will hopefully identify if there is interest in resurrecting the stewardship group that used to look after issues surrounding McMillan Creek “There was a group in the past made up of volunteers, but over time that group’s activities have dwindled” says Peterson. “There has been some work done on the Creek in the area of riparian habitat, and we would like to know if people are interested in more recreational opportunities or if there are concerns about water quality.” Peterson says once concerns are raised, the Ministry can provide some technical expertise to help address the issues and perhaps develop plans to apply for funding sources for specific work.

 

In late 2006, a Ministry of Environment water quality study indicated there were some concerns about possible fecal contamination by ruminant animal, pig, dog and humans, especially during low flows.  The study recommended a more detailed bacterial program be established in this upper sector, which might help to identify these sources, such as leaking septic systems or lagoons. During the sampling program, numerous cattle and horses were observed near the stream likely contributing to the contamination.

 

The study also called for further sampling in the lower section of the Creek to help identify sources of contamination. That report also raised concerns about the storm drain south of Hofferkamp Road as there were a variety of chemicals and metals detected in the water samples below that storm drain following a rain event. The report called for future monitoring efforts on the Creek to include a  hydrocarbon and pesticide sediment program and more detailed water quality monitoring focusing on three sections of the Creek.

 

Melissa Windfield-Lesk of the Ministry of Environment’s Protection Agency says the report was produced to guide the work of the Stewardship group but since the dissolution of the Stewardship group the recommendations were not followed through “Basically, we are trying to get all the stakeholders back to the table to do this work.” 

 

Winfield-Lesk says while cleaning up McMillan Creek is on the list of projects for the Ministry, it is not a priority. The bottom line is, if there is no public interest or pressure to get the work done, then the cleanup, or water quality monitoring will not move up the list. 

 

The meeting will take place tomorrow night from 6:30-8:00 in the basement of the Pumphouse Pub on Noranda Road East.