Example Projects

Evaluation of Cause for Declines of Westslope Cutthroat Trout Populations in the Elk Valley, BC

Azimuth facilitated and contributed to the Evaluation of Concern process involving Teck Coal, regulators, First Nations and Subject Matter Experts.

The Elk River valley is influenced by various human-caused disturbances, including coal mining, a railway, a natural gas pipeline, and forest harvesting. The lands in this region (Qukin ?amakʔis, Elk Valley) have been occupied by the Ktunaxa Nation for more than 10,000 years. Wuʔu (water) and ʔa·kxamis ̓qapi qapsin (All Living Things) continue to be highly valued by the Ktunaxa people. Monitoring detected declines in Westslope Cutthroat Trout populations upstream in the watershed, specifically in the upper Fording River and in the Harmer Creek watershed. The Westslope Cutthroat Trout is iconic, highly valued in the area, and of Special Concern under legislation and policy.  Teck Coal established an Evaluation of Cause team composed of numerous Subject Matter Experts (SME) to determine if and to what extent various stressors and conditions played a role in the observed population declines. These processes were led and facilitated by Azimuth. Representatives from the Ktunaxa Nation Council and agencies provided ongoing input. Azimuth’s role was challenging, requiring not only facilitation skills and relationship-building, but also the technical expertise and knowledge to integrate findings across many disciplines. Final reports are publicly available for both the upper Fording River (https://www.teck.com/media/Upper-Fording-River-Evaluation-of-Cause-Report-December-2021.pdf) and the Harmer Creek watershed (https://www.teck.com/media/Harmer-Creek-Evaluation-of-Cause%20-Report-March-2023.pdf).

→ Communication & Facilitation

→ Environmental Monitoring & Adaptive Management