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VICTORIA – Changes that will benefit fish
and wildlife habitat, shoreline conditions and recreational access have been
approved for BC Hydro’s Columbia hydroelectric operations, Environment Minister
Barry Penner announced today.
“The Columbia Water Use
Plan brings B.C. another step closer to our goal of leading the world in
sustainable environmental management,” said Penner. “The new plan carefully
balances recreational, cultural, economic and environmental interests on one of
the most important hydroelectric rivers in the province.”
The Columbia Water Use
Plan was developed as part of BC Hydro’s water use planning process, with the
participation of federal and provincial government agencies, First Nations,
local communities and BC Hydro.
“Water is a vital resource that British Columbians
can no longer take for granted,” said Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources
Minister Richard Neufeld. “Using water wisely to benefit fish, wildlife and
recreational opportunities is just as important as maximizing the energy
produced by it.”
Implementation of the
plan will involve a considerable amount of work in the area, including
improving reservoir access and revegetation along parts of the reservoir
shorelines. This work, combined with a number of important monitoring studies,
will benefit fish, wildlife, cultural and recreational values. The plan will be
reviewed within 13 years.
Highlights of the water
use plan include:
·
Year-round minimum water release from Revelstoke Dam
to improve fish habitat following completion of baseline monitoring.
·
Plans for revegetation on reservoir shorelines.
·
Improved recreation through new and extended boat
ramps.
·
Implementation of plans to improve fish and wildlife
habitat.
·
Monitoring of fish and wildlife populations to
assist in making future decisions on the water use plan.
The Columbia River system includes:
·
Kinbasket
Reservoir, formed by the Mica Dam, located 135 km north of the City of
Revelstoke.
·
Revelstoke
Reservoir, formed by the Revelstoke Dam, located five km north of the City of
Revelstoke.
·
Arrow
Lakes Reservoir, formed by the Hugh Keenleyside Dam, located eight km north of
Castlegar.
·
Generating
stations at both Mica and Revelstoke, which supply nearly 40 per cent of BC
Hydro’s power to the provincial grid.
BC Hydro has prepared
water use plans for 23 of its hydroelectric systems. To date, the Province has
approved 18 water use plans for implementation by BC Hydro.
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Media Relations 250 953-4577 |
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