Habitat Improvement Projects Announced
Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program Approves Funding for 2015 Projects

SOOKE – An innovative project to create dens for local black bears will continue with funding support from the Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP). The FWCP’s Coastal Region Board approved funding for this project in the Jordan River watershed where naturally occurring dens are scarce. This project involves the Pacheedaht First Nation and is one of two local FWCP projects announced today.

The second project to conserve and enhance local fish and wildlife is led by the Pacheedaht First Nation and will assess water flow and substrate in the Jordan River side channel. Research projects like this are an important first step to future hands-on work to improve fish habitat.

Together, the two projects will receive more than $85,000 from the FWCP, which conserves and enhances fish and wildlife impacted by BC Hydro dams. Learn more at fwcp.ca.

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 $2.1 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
Stephen Watson, on behalf of the FWCP
BC Hydro, Vancouver Island Community Relations 250-755-4795
steve.watson@bchydro.com