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November
4, 1999
SALMON RESCUE TODAY
Hamilton
residents are launching a rescue operation this afternoon
to assist migrating salmon in their annual spawning run
in Red Hill Creek. The salmon are trapped in the lower section
of the creek, their path blocked by a 220-metre-long concrete
channel. Members of Friends of Red Hill Valley are planning
to catch the fish, some of which are over 30 inches in length,
and carry them to the top of the channel for release into
the upper part of the creek.
The
rescue operation will occur at 2:15 p.m. on the west side
of the creek, just north of Queenston Road (Highway 8).
The location is about 2 kilometres west of the intersection
of Highway 8 and Highway 20, about 2 kilometres south of
the QEW.
The
concrete channel blocking the fish migration was constructed
by the regional government of Hamilton-Wentworth in 1990-91
as part of the preparations to install an expressway in
Red Hill Valley. By 1992, it was clear that the channel
was blocking the spawning run of Chinook Salmon from reaching
prime breeding territory in the upper two-thirds of the
creek. As a result of public protest, some minor changes
were made to the channel, but these have been unsuccessful
in unblocking the Chinook run. If the controversial expressway
proceeds, it will drastically degrade fish habitat in the
creek. Current plans call for at least five kilometres of
the creek to be relocated and reconstructed to make way
for the expressway.
The
expressway is now undergoing a federal environmental assessment
Panel Review, but the Regional government has initiated
a court challenge to try to stop this process. The first
court appearance is scheduled for November 10.
Directions
to Toronto area media: Take the QEW west past Burlington
and over the Burlington Bay Skyway. Take the Highway 20
(Centennial Parkway) exit south and proceed about 2 kilometres
to the intersection of #20 and #8 (Queenston Road). Turn
right and pass through three sets of stoplights (Kenora,
Nash and Woodman). The next street is Potruff Road and Red
Hill Creek lies between it and Reid Avenue. The salmon rescue
is taking place 75 metres downstream of Queenston Road.
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