Salmon Projects Approved for Coquitlam River Watershed
Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program Approves Funding for 2015 Projects

COQUITLAM – The Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP) announced today that the Kwikwetlem First Nation, together with the Watershed Watch Salmon Society, will receive funding to continue important habitat restoration work along the Coquitlam River shoreline. This work will benefit salmon, as well as other species, and is one of four projects approved by the FWCP’s Coastal Region Board for funding in 2015.

The FWCP also announced two salmon projects: a sockeye salmon research project aimed at increasing the number of sockeye returning to Coquitlam Reservoir; and a project exploring migration of sockeye smolts. The fourth project funded this year by the FWCP in the Coquitlam River and Buntzen Lake watershed will help recovery of targeted species- at-risk.

“The Coquitlam River has important salmon habitat for our region,” said Douglas Horne, MLA for Coquitlam-Burke Mountain. “The partnerships between local First Nations and community groups demonstrate the significant interest in our region in preserving this watershed for future generations.”

Habitat restoration projects benefit many local species,” said Linda Reimer, MLA for Port Moody-Coquitlam. “Projects in the Coquitlam Reservoir ensure that this ecosystem remains functional and sustainable, and allow salmon, as well as other species-at-risk to thrive.”
Together, the four projects will receive more than $137,000 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 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
BC Hydro Media Relations 604-928-6468