WATER STEWARDSHIP FUNDING ANNOUNCED

The following projects, totalling $1,198,000 related to water stewardship, have been approved:

· The B.C. Lake Stewardship Society of Kelowna has been awarded $225,000 to support the lake water quality monitoring efforts of the volunteer stewardship sector by providing support to a non-profit society taking on a greater responsibility for protection of the environment. This is an extension of a program funded by the Ministry of Environment for 2006-2008 and will pay for an additional three years.

· The British Columbia Conservation Foundation has been awarded $200,000 to conduct various fisheries stock assessment activities for a variety of species. Collection of the information will assist in fisheries recreation management to optimize the use of fisheries resources and promote tourism while ensuring conservation goals are maintained.

· A grant of $165,000 will be presented to the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC (FFSBC) for its continued work on the Angling Market Development Plan. The plan was initiated in 2007/08 with a steering committee made up of representatives of FFSBC, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts, Tourism B.C., the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans and a number of stakeholder groups. The plan focuses on overcoming barriers to angler participation and strategies to meet the needs of anglers.

· The BC Ground Water Association will receive $135,000 to allow the well drilling industry to continue its important work in advancing the next phase (Phase 2) of the Ground Water Protection Regulation. The regulation provides important protection of B.C.’s ground water and is being developed in three phases; Phase 1 of the regulation has already been in full effect since 2005.

· The Nechako Enhancement Society will receive $100,000 to continue its work towards resolving a number of complex technical issues to ensure that, if constructed, a cold water release facility at Kenney Dam will enhance the downstream environment of the Nechako Watershed and allow rehabilitation of the Murray-Cheslatta system. These studies must be completed before deciding to proceed with an environmental review and pre-engineering for a cold water release facility at Kenney Dam.

· A grant of $100,000 will go to the Okanagan Region Wildlife Heritage Fund Society to support the Okanagan River Restoration Initiative (ORRI). This initiative is supported by a number of partners but is being led by the B.C. Ministry of Environment, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and the Okanagan Nation Alliance. ORRI is aimed at restoring aquatic and riparian habitat in the Okanagan River through the protection of a wide range of plant, fish and wildlife species, many of which are provincially and federally listed species.

· A grant of $100,000 will go to the Environment Canada/Environmental Conservation Branch to support a federal-provincial water quality monitoring agreement. It is anticipated that a total of 43 water monitoring stations throughout the province will be covered under the agreement. The information collected is used to track trends in water quality.

· The British Columbia Water and Waste Association’s water sustainability committee has been awarded $50,000 to support its program co-ordinator function for the 2008/09 fiscal year. The funding will enable the association to promote the integration of water management with community planning and development under the Water Sustainability Action Plan.

· The Okanagan Basin Water Board will receive a $50,000 grant to map the groundwater resources in the Okanagan Basin and prepare a map atlas that will provide further information on the groundwater resources and aquifers. The maps will provide useful information to local decision makers.

· A grant of $27,000 will go to the Chase Creek Community Association to complete a hydro-geomorphic risk assessment for the Chase Creek watershed near Chase to determine the risks posed by increased stream flows due to mountain pine beetle salvage activities.

· The Sport Fishing Institute of British Columbia will receive $15,000 to continue to take part in the Recreational Fishery Strategic Plan, a tri-partite process involving the Ministry of Environment, the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the recreational fishing community that has being going on for the past three years. The object of then project is to create a strategic plan that will chart a path and outline the goals and principles of the recreational fishery.

· The Lower Fraser Aquatic Resources Management Forum will receive $13,000 to support the ministry’s commitment through the Oceans and Marine Fisheries Division to work with First Nations to improve economic viability, capacity building and relationship building. The general objectives of the program are to add economic value into the inland fishery, build a quality management program that emphasizes wholesome food quality and traceability, and create a more stable, transparent marketplace.

· A $10,000 grant will be presented to the Sport Fishing Institute of B.C. to cover consultation costs associated with the integration and participation of interested coastal First Nations in the development of a set of best standards and practices for the tidal waters recreational guide and charter industry with a view toward providing more employment in the sector for First Nations.

· The Bulkley Valley Centre for Natural Resources Research and Management will receive a grant of $8,250 to improve the way that water quality data are analyzed so that better science-based decision making can be made.

-30-


Media contact:	Kate Thompson Manager, Media Relations 250 953-4577

For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca.