NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release 2006OTP0083-000513 May 1, 2006	Office of the Premier Ministry of Environment
PROVINCE BOOSTS LIVING RIVERS TRUST FUND TO $21 MILLION

VICTORIA – The B.C. government is tripling funding to preserve and restore B.C.’s rivers with a $14-million contribution to the Living Rivers Trust Fund, bringing the Province’s total contribution to
$21 million, Premier Gordon Campbell announced today.

 

“B.C.’s rivers and waterways help define us as a province. They are the lifeblood of our environment, our economy and our communities,” said Premier Campbell. “The Living Rivers Trust Fund serves as our commitment to protecting and improving B.C.’s rivers, watersheds, and fish habitats for generations to come.”

 

“We are dedicated to maintaining healthy fish habitat, which also contributes to healthy ecosystems,” said Environment Minister Barry Penner. “The additional $14 million in funding will provide dedicated support to river and watershed restoration, enhancement and research projects across the province.”

 

In 2002, the Province provided $2 million to the Vancouver Foundation to establish the Living Rivers Trust Fund. An additional $5 million was added to the fund in 2004 and an advisory group was appointed by the provincial government to make recommendations regarding investments from the fund. Examples of projects and programs targeted by the fund include:

 

• Watershed protection and restoration.
• Increased public awareness of the conservation and sustainable use of water.
• Management and restoration of river flows in systems susceptible to periodic droughts.
• Implementation of recovery plans to restore priority fish populations such as white sturgeon in the Fraser and Columbia Rivers, and steelhead in the Georgia Basin.

 

“The Living Rivers Trust Fund is the commitment made by the government and partner organizations to share resources, expertise and knowledge to ensure healthy watersheds, sustainable ecosystems and thriving B.C. communities,” said John Woodward, chair of the Living Rivers Advisory Group. “This increased funding will give us the ability to expand our conservation and enhancement efforts across the province.”

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1 backgrounder(s) attached.
Media contact:	Don McDonald Ministry of Environment 250 387-9973	Mike Morton Press Secretary, Office of the Premier 250 213-8218
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