Clayburn Creek Needs Help
Posted on December 11th, 2006 by Rodney Hsu, webmaster

Recently, the creek flooded its banks, causing flooding in Clayburn Village.

Henk Saaltenk, an engineering expert and local naturalist, said urban development on Sumas Mountain may be starting to cause changes to the creek.

Clayburn Creek is a fish-bearing creek, yet, there are vandals cutting down trees beside the creek and irresponsible people are throwing garbage in the environmentally sensitive area, Saaltenk said.

To counteract some of the negative human actions, Saaltenk hopes that neighbours living in the area around the creek may keep an eye on things.

Saaltenk is willing to help organize a public meeting to start a Clayburn Creek watershed management group if there are enough people interested.

It seems that the three levels of government are not providing the necessary protection to rivers and creeks, he said.

“Their (governments) function is to monitor what happens in the watershed and to keep the river (and creek) and the riparian areas in good shape, That is not happening, today,” Saaltenk said.

A streamkeeper group comprised of individuals in the community does not have to be very large, he said.

In fact, it works best if a couple of dozen dedicated property owners with an understanding of the stewardship concept get together to form a core group.

For more information, please call Saaltenk at 604-856-4982 or email henkjs@uniserve.com.

Send us a news tip!

Back to Fishy News.