Scott Coultish, Detachment Supervisor with the Conservation and Protection branch of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) had words of caution for local residents in his presentation to the Salmon River Enhancement Society at Harmsworth Hall on Thursday, April 27. Mr. Coultish pointed out that homeowners are responsible for any substances that enter storm drains and that these drains invariably empty into the nearest stream (and not into the sewer lines going to treatment plants at Iona Island). Such seemingly innocent activities as emptying out of a swimming pool or hot tub or changing antifreeze may cause widespread destruction if the materiel is allowed to enter a storm drain as chlorine and other chemicals are highly toxic to fish and other wildlife in the stream. Homeowners should also ask questions of contractors as the homeowner is responsible for any damage caused if they hire companies to clean out their pool, treat their cedar roof, pore concrete driveways or even clean their carpets. The wash water from all these activities may be toxic if they are allowed to flush down the storm drain. Careless handling by some companies has resulted in large fish kills and has been the source of charges by DFO. Mr. Coultish suggested that contaminated water can be drained into the toilet if the property is connected to a sanitary sewer (these systems drain to treatment facilities) but that homeowners with a septic tank would be better off to use treatments to neutralize the chemicals and then to empty the water onto the grass on their property.

Mr. Coultish also reviewed the recent joint program by the Salmon River Enhancement Society, Save Our Fish Foundation and DFO to educate local anglers. Signs have been placed along local streams to point out that all fishing is catch and release and that certain areas are always closed (such as the entire Salmon River upstream of 232nd Street). If anyone witnesses anglers fishing in restricted areas, keeping their catch or releasing it in a harmful manner then Mr. Coultish suggests it is useful to document the time, place, description of the people involved and what they were doing as well as a description of the vehicle involved and specifically the license plate number. If this information is then passed on to Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) via the 24 hour reporting line at 666-3500 (this number is prominently listed on the signs) then DFO is more likely to be able to take effective action.