Grizzly Bear, Salmon and Species-at-Risk Projects Approved
Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program Approves Funding for 2015 Projects
LILLOOET – The Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP) announced today that it will fund the Lillooet Tribal Council and the St’at’imc First Nation to deliver projects aimed at conserving local fish and wildlife.
The Lillooet Tribal Council will study sockeye and coho production, and coho and bull trout habitat on Gates Creek. This project will help build capacity among Tribal fisheries technicians as well.
The St’at’imc First Nation’s Splitrock Environmental will lead two projects: one is aimed at developing a conservation and restoration plan for the Seton River corridor that will help species-at-risk. The other project is focused on maintaining the foreshore near the Lillooet Powerhouse where restoration work has already taken place.
The FWCP also announced today that it will fund a project with the Province of B.C. to help improve available habitat for local grizzly bears. This project will help sustain a viable local population of grizzlies. Other projects will support wolverines, fishers, mountain goats and owls. Learn more at fwcp.ca.
Together, 11 projects in the Bridge and Seton River watersheds will receive more than $437,000 from the FWCP, which conserves and enhances fish and wildlife impacted by BC Hydro dams.
“Conserving and enhancing fish and wildlife populations for future generations is part of our responsibility,” Fraser- Nicola MLA Jackie Tegart said. “These seven projects will help ensure wildlife and fish stocks around Lillooet will thrive for years to come.”
These projects get underway this spring and conclude by early 2016. They are among 41 projects approved by the FWCP-Coastal Region Board, which will provide approximately $2 million in projects this year.
The Board, which includes First Nations, public stakeholders, BC Hydro, the Province of BC and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, funds projects that align with its watershed and action plans. The Board may direct funds later in the year to other projects it deems a priority for the region.
“Each project we approve for funding aligns with our local Action Plans, and goes through a technical review before being reviewed by our Board members who make the final decisions,” says FWCP Manager, Trevor Oussoren.
The FWCP-Coastal Region includes Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland and the Southern Interior.
For more information contact
Angus Glass, FWCP Communications Coordinator 250-352-1300
angus.glass@bchydro.com