Funds Announced for Local Fish and Wildlife Projects

PEACE REGION – Seven conservation projects in the Peace River and Williston Reservoir watershed are being given close to $260,000 in funding through the Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP). Community groups and others will use the money to support local caribou, moose, fish and birds. Some of the money will go towards environmental education.

The 2014 projects funded include fish access improvements, controlled burns to restore ecosystems, monitoring birds in the reservoir, maintaining manmade waterfowl nesting sites, increasing knowledge of caribou on the west side of the reservoir and environmental education.

This is the first year that FWCP-Peace has invited community groups and others to apply for funds to do important local fish and wildlife projects. Interested groups and individuals can apply for funding in fall 2014 and contact the program manager for more information on funding priorities and evaluation criteria.

QUOTES:

Mike Morris, MLA for Prince George-Mackenzie
“As an avid outdoorsman, I support our government’s efforts in reinvesting in environmental capital in British Columbia. I’m very optimistic that our government is going to conserve our environment.”

Mike Bernier, MLA for Peace River South
“Peace River country is blessed with an abundance of natural resources and a number of unique ecosystems. Through the Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program our government is helping to preserve these habitats and educate our citizens about their importance. Environmental stewardship – protecting our province for our children and grandchildren – is at the core of responsible development of the natural resource sector. Whether you are a hunter, an environmentalist, or someone employed in the natural resources sector, this is something we can all be proud to support.”

Ted Down, Chair, FWCP – Peace Board
“The Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program provides the funds and relies on local groups and individuals to develop and deliver conservation projects that will meet our conservation objectives.”

Dan Bouillon, Program Manager, Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program – Peace
“We are pleased with the number and diversity of project proposals received this year. And prior to the next funding application deadline in November 2014, we will be developing information to help interested applicants to understand the new FWCP-Peace strategic Basin and Action Plans and guidelines for the application process. We look forward to funding additional projects next year that will contribute to the conservation and enhancement of fish and wildlife, and their habitats in the Williston and Dinosaur basins.”

A few facts about the Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program

• The Peace Region includes the communities of Mackenzie, McLeod Lake, Hudson’s Hope, Tsay Keh Village, and Fort Ware with others, as well as the traditional territories of many other First Nations in the region. See program area map.
• The Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program funds conservation and enhancement projects in the Coastal, Columbia River and Peace River regions.
• 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 Peace Region by technical committees the FWCP’s First Nations’ Working Group and FWCP Peace 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.
• The First Nations Working Group (FNWG), the Fish and Wildlife Technical Committees and the Board, all review and rank incoming proposals. The FNWG is represented by nine First Nation organizations: Tsay Keh Dene, Kwadacha, Nak’azdli, McLeod Lake, Saulteau, West Moberly, Doig River, Prophet River and Treaty 8 Tribal Association.
• 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:
Bob Gammer, on behalf of FWCP
Phone: 250-561-4858
Bob.gammer@bchydro.com