Salmon Migration Consultation

At the Special Council Meeting on July 21, 2020, Council reviewed a staff report outlining two proposed options for managing visitors to the community during the annual fall salmon migration.

Background

The annual salmon migration occurs in the late summer and early fall and is a popular tourist attraction for both anglers and tourists, typically attracting thousands of visitors annually. Over the past few years, staff have taken measures to track the foot traffic in the downtown core. From that data, staff have determined that the foot traffic is increasingly heavier during the salmon migration than any other time of year.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, staff felt it was necessary to provide Council with the following options, in an effort to proactively plan an approach to manage an influx of visitors to the community as the annual salmon migration approaches (approximately the beginning of September to mid-October).

Option 1

Implement the following strategies:

• Support the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority with the closure of the fish ladder (a popular gathering spot for people to watch the fish).
• Close the access ramp to the River on the west side, north of Walton Street
• Initiate a public awareness campaign related to precautions for COVID-19 as identified in the staff report.

Option 2

Close access to all municipal properties along the Ganaraska River, including the trails, from Molson Street to Robertson Street from September 1 to October 15, 2020.

Feedback Request

Council has directed staff to post the proposed options publicly to allow residents an opportunity to share their preferred option. The feedback received will be reviewed by Council and staff and assist Council in the decision-making process.

Please review the staff report, which provides additional background information about the salmon migration, details management and enforcement measures taken to date, and outlines the pros and cons of each option. After reviewing the staff report and considering both options, please indicate your preference for Option #1 or Option #2 in a comment form below.

The commenting period is now closed. Thank you for your participation.

Council will consider a staff report at their next meeting on Tuesday, September 1, 2020.