Funds Announced for Clayton River Wildlife Project
BELLA COOLA – A project to study bats and Northern Goshawks in the Clayton River watershed will benefit from more
than $36,000 in funding from the Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP).
The project will identify bat species in the watershed and determine which species, if any, would benefit from conservation efforts. It will also confirm if Northern Goshawks are nesting in this watershed south west of Bella Coola.
FWCP projects funded this year in the Lower Mainland get underway this spring and conclude by early 2015. They are among 31 fish and wildlife projects approved by the FWCP for funding this year, totalling $1.7 million for the FWCP’s Coastal region.
QUOTES:
Bill Bennett, Minister of Energy and Mines
“In BC, we are blessed to have hydroelectric facilities that generate clean power. This electricity is the backbone of our economy. It is our responsibility to ensure our resources are cared for and preserved. This year alone, more than $7 million will go towards protecting fish and wildlife in areas with hydroelectric operations, through more than 80 individual projects. The projects are carefully selected by local boards in each region, which have representation from the public, First Nations, DFO, the Province and BC Hydro.”
Brian Assu, Chair, FWCP – Coastal Regional Board
“Salmonid stocks are of great importance to First Nations and others and this project will support long-term Steelhead stocks. We are fortunate to have strong working partnerships with First Nations in this watershed.”
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:
David Mosure, on behalf of FWCP
BC Hydro Community Relations 2
50-561-4906
Dave.mosure@bchydro.com