• The East Kootenay Trench Ecosection has minimal representation in the provincial protected areas system (0.7%) and the IDFdm2 biogeoclimatic subzone/variant is a remnant ecosystem in the East Kootenay Trench (0.9% protected).
• Contains several known flora species at risk and provides essential habitat for rare/endangered vertebrate species in the grasslands portion of the reserve.
• Complements linkage zones for wildlife within the East Side Columbia Lake Wildlife Management Area.Cultural Heritage Significance

• Immediate area supports a large number of known archaeological and traditional usesites.
• Preserves natural landscape features adjacent to the Spirit Trail.Land Use, Tenures and Interests AccessColumbia Lake Ecological Reserve is located 5 km north of Canal Flats. A rough 2WD Forest Service Road parallels the western boundary of the ecological reserve. No formalized trails exist within the ecological reserve.Existing Tenures, Alienations and Encumbrances

• None identified.
Adjacent Patterns of Land Use

• East Side Columbia Lake Wildlife Management Area surrounds the ecological reserve. Vehicle and hunting (i.e., MU-25) restrictions are in effect within the wildlife management area.
• Lots 4401483 and 10TU872 (immediately west of the park) are utilized by the Canadian Broadcast Corporation as a transmission site.
• Sublot 72 (north) contains an inactive mineral claim.
• Sublot 72 (south) is held by the Nature Trust of British Columbia.
• Trapping territory #0425T006 and Guide/Outfitter Territory #400807 abut the ecological reserve.
• A Conditional Water Licence is issued for Tower Creek (Licence #68011).
• A Forest Service Road (non-gazetted) abuts the western boundary of the ecologicalreserve (i.e., not within the ecological reserve). The road serves as connector to the Kootenay Forest Service Road.
• Invermere Timber Supply Area borders the reserve (licencee- Tembec Inc.).First Nations Interests

• Management of the ecological reserve will require ongoing consultation with the Ktunaxa Nation and Shuswap Nation.

5

Columbia Lake Ecological Reserve: Management Direction Statement 2004

• It is the request of the Ktunaxa/Kinbasket Tribal Council that the Chief and Council of both the Columbia Lake and Shuswap (Secwepemc) Indian Band be consulted with reference to any future management planning of the ecological reserve

Other Agency Interests

• Regional District of the East Kootenay (dealing with issues surrounding local government)
• Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection
  • –  water protection, monitoring and reporting
  • –  enforcement of applicable acts and regulations
  • –  management of Wildlife Management Areas
• Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management

– Kootenay Region of SRM (responsible for strategic planning and implementing

the Kootenay Boundary Land Use Plan)
• Land and Water British Columbia Inc. (responsible for adjacent Crown land tenures)

Private and Public Stakeholder Interests

• Rocky Mountain Naturalists
  Interest: dedicated to the conservation and enjoyment of the Columbia Valley’s wildlife and natural habitats. Interest is focused on conserving the natural habitat in and around Columbia Lake Ecological Reserve.
• Rocky Mountain Trench Natural Resources Society
  Interest: to encourage, support, participate in and initiate operations which will restore lost ecosystem function, with emphasis on the forage resource. Within Columbia Lake Ecological Reserve, the Society’s interest is the loss of native grassland habitat.
• East Kootenay Conservation Program
  Interest: involvement with private land stewardship within the East Kootenay. The focus of the program is to encourage the preservation/conservation of natural tracts of land (especially private). Currently, the program is identifying 8 key habitats in lower valley bottoms that are essential to wildlife/native plant species.
• The Nature Trust of British Columbia
  Interest: acquisition of private land holdings around Columbia Lake. Currently, the Nature Trust has approximately 6,437 hectares (6,246 hectares on the west side of the lake above Hwy 93/95 and 250 hectares on the east side). This land has been set aside as essential wildlife habitat for perpetuity.
• Friends of Ecological Reserves
  Interest: promote the interests of the ecological reserves program in British Columbia, by raising public awareness of the ecological reserve program and by raising funds that are used to support research and wardens in ecological reserves.

6

Columbia Lake Ecological Reserve: Management Direction Statement 2004

Ecological Reserve Role Statement

The primary role of the Columbia Lake Ecological Reserve is to protect regionally significant geological, hydrological and vegetation features associated with limestone strata. In addition, Columbia Lake Ecological Reserve is the only ecological reserve in the Kootenay Region that contributes to the representation of Interior Douglas-fir grasslands, a remnant ecosystem which contains essential habitat for numerous species at risk within the Columbia Valley.

Secondarily, the ecological reserve serves a research and education role by providing opportunities to study and learn more about calcareous mineral springs, their developmental history and associated plant communities.

For the full Management Direction Statement see this PDF:columbia_lk_er_managment-direct