Top Ten Low Impact Paddling Practices

A How-To Guide to minimizing impact on the aquatic environment and other outdoor recreationists.

Compiled by The Calgary Outdoor Centre-University of Calgary.

British Columbia and Canada's extensive coastline and its numerous lakes and rivers
provide many water-based recreation opportunities. Despite the length of these
shorelines, much of the coast and interior waterways have limited landing sites. An
increase in the number of people using our waterways for recreation, coupled with the
limited number of landing sites, has led to damage of the natural environment in some
areas. Whether you are running whitewater on the Fraser River, canoeing the Bowron
Lakes, or kayaking Desolation Sound, your impact on the natural environment and other
recreationists should always be considered. Learning to adopt these guidelines will help
ensure that your next outing on the water will help to protect the environment and yet
offer a memorable, positive experience for yourself and fellow paddlers.

A) Choose Your Campsite Carefully
There are a number of precautions and steps you can take to reduce camping impacts and
leave a site in as natural a state as possible for the next visitor.
i) Don't assume you can camp anywhere, as some areas, i.e. ecological reserves,
are closed to camping. As well, entry to some areas is discouraged or
prohibited. For example, boaters are requested not to enter Robson Bight
(Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve.
ii) Respect private property - do not trespass.
iii) If designated campsites are available use them.
iv) If no designated sites exist, choose a flood plain, beach, or sandbar - a nonvegetated
area below the high water line. Areas with gravel or small rocks are
best because they not only limit impact, but tend to have fewer insects. By
choosing sites such as these, footprints, tent marks and other camp markings
will soon be washed away. If it is not possible to choose a site below the high
water line due to flooding, tides, or for other reasons, choose a well-worn site
or a durable unused one, preferably out of sight of the water.
v) On ocean beaches, set your camp up above the daily high tide line - be aware
of the tide times and levels. Consult the tide and current tables published by
Fisheries and Oceans Canada. http://www.waterlevels.gc.ca/english/Canada.shtml

 vi) Around camp wear sandals or sneakers, not hiking boots, to minimize soil
compaction. Watch where you walk to avoid crushing vegetation.
vii) In some areas suitable campsites are scarce. Set up your camp so that there
will be room for others. Be mindful of the space with both attention to gear,
food, and noise. Be a good neighbor!
viii) Finally, when in provincial and national parks be aware of, and respect, all
rules and regulations including length of stay and group size.

B) Build a Fire Only if Necessary
Campfires on the beach are a significant part of recreation outings for many people;
however, blackened circles of rocks and other campfire-related debris significantly
diminish a wilderness experience.
i) Bring a stove!
ii) If you must have a fire, and if fires are permitted, then please consider the
following:

• Always check ahead regarding fire regulations and closures for the area you plan to be in.

• If a closure is in effect, respect it.
• Never count on a fire for cooking.
• Driftwood can be in short supply so don't rely on it. One solution is to carry your own wood.

• Use existing fire containment structures. If there are none, use a fire pan - a container upon which the fire is built (garbage can lids or thin metal sheets that can be rolled up for transport work well). This will help contain the fire and prevent scars on the land. Simply build your fire on the pan after placing a layer of sand in it. If you're on the ocean build the fire below the high tide line. Keep it small.

• Never cut vegetation for fuel, and limit the fire to one per party.
• Throw any blackened rocks into water or wash them.
• Do not scatter or bury charcoal or ash in your campsite or on the beach. In manywell-used areas this practice has turned the earth an unsightly black color. Clearaway the duff carefully until you reach dirt.

• A ring of rocks is not necessary, as this does little to contain a campfire and the flames will color them an unsightly black. Once lit, burn the fire carefully and never leave it unattended.

• With the exception of coastal regions, do not throw charcoal and ash into thewater as it will likely end up being washed back to shore, or caught in an eddy downstream. The best way to deal with fire remnants is to place them in a sturdy lidded box and use them as a base for tomorrow's fire.

C) Dispose of Human Waste Carefully
Disposing of human waste can be a problem in water wilderness areas because what is
deposited on the shore generally ends up in the water.
i) Ocean beaches are generally not suitable for disposing of human waste; shorelines
of freshwater bodies should never be used as a toilet. Recreationists must take
precautions not to contaminate water supplies as many intestinal diseases are
transmitted through water. The following are some points to consider when
deciding how to deal with human waste:

• If a toilet is available, use it. The ideal solution when no toilet is available is to carry out all solid human waste - much easier then it seems if you are travelling by boat!

• Portable toilets can be purchased from RV supply and camping stores. Or make you own by lining a sturdy, lidded box with two garbage bags and placing a detachable toilet seat on top. After each use put some powdered Clorox on top. With a little practice this procedure requires little additional effort. Be careful where you urinate! Choose a place well away from your site and at least 30 metres from fresh water.

• If you do not have a portable toilet build your own using a shovel, trowel, or boot heel, dig a small hole 15 centimetres into the humus layer, and at least 30 metres from water. Afterwards, cover the hole so microorganisms can decompose the waste matter.

• Large groups should dig a long, shallow, latrine. Before you leave, cover the latrine with topsoil so that degradation can take place. * Impact reduction tip: Pack a small folding trowel. *Using the intertidal area as a latrine in not acceptable in provincial protected areas.

D) Keep it Clean
The same adage holds true for travelling on water as it does on land - pack out what you
pack in. The sight of other people's garbage does not make for an enjoyable outing, and
garbage can injure or kill aquatic animals.
i) If you are travelling by boat then packing out your garbage should pose few
problems. You will probably have some extra room, so if you see refuse left
by someone else, pick that up too!
ii) Never bury your garbage, and never throw it into the water! A little pre-trip
preparation will enable you to limit the amount of garbage you will have to
carry.
iii) Leftover cooking water shouldn't be scattered around the campsite because it
attracts animals and insects, and can produce a lingering putrid smell.
iv) Bathing should be done at least 30 meters from the water, ideally in an area
with organic soil. Use a biodegradable soap.

E) Respect Aquatic Life
The aquatic areas of British Columbia are home to an incredible diversity of plant and
animal life and should be treated with respect. While a sport-fishing license is valid in
provincial parks please limit your take to only what you will eat. Know the regulations.

F) The Intertidal Community
Beaches are fascinating places, especially when the tide goes out. Many creatures prefer
the intertidal zone, the area between the high and low tides, because it offers food, shelter
and safety. A single rock can shelter crabs, fish and clams, and can provide growing
space for barnacles, sea anemones and mussels. Each of these creatures is both predator
and prey in the intertidal ecosystem, which is a dynamic community, where all organisms
have a role.
The intertidal zone is an environment in constant transition. Twice daily the tides move in
and out. Plants and animals submerged one hour are exposed the next. Severe changes in
temperature, pressure, light, salinity and oxygen content occur with each tidal shift. It's
no wonder that life at the edge seems strange to us, the surroundings are so different from
our own.

G) Rules for Exploring the Beach
Watch where you step! Some intertidal creatures are hard to see.
i) If you move a rock, do so carefully and return the rock to its original position
before you leave.
ii) Keep a safe distance from intertidal creatures. They live in a harsh
environment, and may protect themselves with claws, spines or sharp shells.
iii) Do not remove anything from the beach. People often collect kelp, driftwood,
rocks, sand and gravel. All these materials provide essential habitat for beach
dwellers. Driftwood and kelp also supply critical nutrients that work their way
up the food chain to salmon and killer whales.

H) Wildlife Viewing Code of Ethics
As wildlife viewers, our goal is to watch animals behaving in natural ways in their natural
habitats. We respect the needs of wild animals for space, natural vegetation, and
ecological community. We recognize our responsibility to know the consequences of
wildlife viewing.
As guiding principles we agree:

• To view or photograph from a distance that respects the needs of wildlife, using proper equipment such as binoculars, spotting scopes and telephoto lenses. Before approaching wildlife we will first learn the spatial needs of each species and to recognize their alarm signals and behaviours.

• To avoid noises or actions that might stress wildlife or cause animals to wasteenergy in unnecessary flight.

• To be patient, remembering that we are guests in wildlife habitat.
• To avoid approaching animals that are breeding, nesting, brooding or raising young, because parents and young are especially vulnerable at these times. We will learn the places and times to avoid these situations. We will not approach young or baby animals.

• To avoid feeding wildlife outside the back yard, recognizing that feeding usually leads to problems such as unnatural food dependency, habituation to humans, disease or even death.

• To keep pets on a leash around any wildlife, and avoid bringing pets into sensitive wildlife habitat.

• To avoid trampling or damaging vegetation.
• To respect the rules and regulations of protected areas. Trails, roads, closure areas and other management features are designed for safety and welfare of visitors, natural vegetation and wildlife.

• To be respectful of other wildlife watchers and property owners.
• To give back to nature for the gifts of wildlife viewing we receive, through conservation work for wildlife, wild land preservation, native vegetation renewal and through helping others learn the ethics of wildlife viewing.

I) Be Respectful of Others
British Columbia's coastline and inland waterways were and still are critical pathways
and gathering places for native peoples. What is a good landing site today has probably
been used for thousands of years. Treat these places as culturally sensitive and potential
archaeological sites. Do not damage these sites or remove artifacts.
Respect the rights of other water users, other recreationists, fishers and those who make a
living on the water.

J) Keep a great attitude!
Your trip or tour should be an experience of a lifetime. Ensure that while being
respectful of the environment, wildlife and other paddlers, you maintain an attitude that
promotes these values in a friendly, non-confrontational way. Encourage discussion and
a learning environment where fellow paddlers can learn about low impact practices and
be happy and confident to practice them and pass on to others.