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The Band feels that reduction of the design parameters on forest roads would reduce hauling speeds somewhat, however, it would result in much less of the productive forest landbase being taken out of production for road bed and rights of way and much less in the way of hydrological disruption and other ecological disturbance.

Aquatic ecosystem restoration & management

Fisheries programming at Skeetchestn took on its present form in salmon enhancement activities sponsored originally by DFO’s Community Economic Development Program The program was initiated in 1983 in association with the Central Interior Tribal Council and focussed on stock assessment and pilot enhancement programming. Assessment of Deadman rivers salmonid populations by provincial, federal and tribal agencies in the area over the following decade pointed out a trend of depressed or declining populations of salmon populations and steelhead. Some spawning populations like bull trout are said to have disappeared entirely (John Collins Sr., pers. com.). In addition, significant instability has been observed in riparian habitats, exacerbating the fish affects of climate extremes and human activity in the watershed.

Development of a fisheries conservation program began with a Skeetchestn By-law in 1985 prohibiting salmon harvest, followed by development of a Fisheries Conservation Center celebrated publicly in 1993, following post-flood reconstruction of the salmon hatchery. The hatchery program has focussed on coded wire tag programs to track scope and nature of catches in the approach fisheries. A wet and dry lab accommodate salmon assessment in the Thompson River mainstem, and a rearing channel was developed to for additional rearing and study of habitat treatment techniques. The fisheries program cultured indigenous streamside shrubs for valley residents and encouraged local conservation groups to participate stream-side replanting work parties as part of public awareness. Prescribed post-flood habitat work was photographed and assessed for ongoing evaluation and current instream habitat work is prescribed to meet the needs of all indigenous wild fish populations.

The Band’s goals (paraphrased) for fisheries restoration :

- To reestablish salmon production to full capacity;
- To reestablish the community harvest of salmon to historic levels;
- To conserve stocks and habitats at risk
- To build capacity to participate in resource stewardship

The Skeetchestn Bands fisheries programming considers both riparian and fish values.