Funds Announced for Local Fish and Wildlife Projects

PITT MEADOWS / MAPLE RIDGE – Four fish and wildlife projects in the Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge area are being
given more than $160,000 through the Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP).

Three of the projects will improve both the habitat and the science to support salmon stocks and Bull Trout. The fourth project will help restore and create wetland and shoreline habitat for species-at-risk.

Projects funded in 2014 start this spring and conclude by early 2015. They are among 31 fish and wildlife projects approved for more than $1.7 million in funding this year in the FWCP’s Coastal Region, which includes the Lower Mainland.

QUOTES:

Doug Bing, MLA for Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows
“The Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program will help protect fish and wildlife stocks in the Lower Mainland. Salmonids, which played a prominent role in the founding of this province and continue to play an important role in its economy today, will have their habitats expanded and further protected.”

Marc Dalton, MLA for Maple Ridge-Mission
“British Columbia’s environment is something that belongs to us all and should benefit us all. As a government we recognize the need to support job growth in the natural resources sector while also developing those resources in a responsible way. That’s why I am proud to support a great initiative like the Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program, which will support and enhance fish and wildlife habitats in my riding.”

Brian Assu, Chair, FWCP – Coastal Region Board
“Salmon stocks are of great importance to First Nations and others, and these projects will support stocks in local watersheds. We are fortunate to have strong working partnerships with conservation groups and agencies working to make a real difference for species-at-risk in these watersheds.”

Patrice Rother, Manager, Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program
“We are pleased with the strong interest in the FWCP and the quality of project proposals that support the FWCP vision of thriving populations in watersheds that are functioning and sustainable.

A few facts about the Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program

• The Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program funds conservation and enhancement projects in the Coastal, Columbia River and Peace River regions. The Coastal Region includes Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland and the Southern Interior.
• In 2014, the FWCP will provide more than $7 million towards more than 80 fish and wildlife projects province-wide in its Coastal, Columbia and Peace regions.
• FWCP funds are provided by BC Hydro and managed in a partnership with the Province of British Columbia, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, First Nations and the public to conserve and enhance fish and wildlife impacted by the creation of BC Hydro dams.
• Funding applications are received each fall and reviewed annually in the Coastal Region by technical committees and FWCP Coastal Board members. Projects are chosen based on technical merit, linkages to watershed-specific priorities, cost-effectiveness, level of partnership, and overall benefit to the FWCP’s mandate and vision.
• For a full list and descriptions of all 2014 projects funded by the FWCP across the province, and information on how you can apply for funding next year, visit fwcp.ca.

Contact:
Stephen Watson, on behalf of the FWCP
BC Hydro, Vancouver Island Community Relations Phone: 250-755-4795 steve.watson@bchydro.com