PARTNERSHIP AND FUNDING BENEFIT COWICHAN RIVER BASIN

DUNCAN – The Province is providing $50,000 to the Cowichan Valley Regional District toward the development of a plan for sustainable use of water resources along the Cowichan River, Minister of Skills Development and Labour and Cowichan-Ladysmith MLA Graham Bruce announced today.

The grant will be matched by funding from four other public and private sector agencies that together will contribute the $276,550[WM1] required to complete the water management plan. The Cowichan River Basin partners include the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD), the Cowichan Tribes, Norske Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

“The Cowichan River Basin is an important resource for the people who live and do business on Vancouver Island,” said Bruce. “Supporting the water management plan in collaboration with our partners demonstrates how government, First Nations, agencies and business working together with a vision for the future is beneficial to local communities and the Province.”

“A water management plan is necessary to maintain the Cowichan River for future generations,” said Minister of Sustainable Resource Management, George Abbott. “We're pleased to contribute this grant as part of our Provincial Drought Initiative at Land and Water British Columbia .”

The Cowichan River supports a variety of economic, environmental and resource interests including: water supply and aquifer recharge, fisheries, tourism, recreation, industry, conservation, municipal waste dilution, as well as affording enhanced property values.

“The CVRD recognizes that the Cowichan River supports many interests,” said board chair, Mary Marcotte. “Unfortunately, as the region grows, these interests create pressures that must be managed in a more coordinated manner than in the past. As such, the Regional District is very pleased to act as the coordinating agency for the water management plan in hopes that we can not only protect, but enhance our world-class resource.”

“The Cowichan River has also been designated as a Canadian heritage site, and this donation will help to ensure that this great river will be protected and restored to its original magnificence as we once knew it,” said Ben Joseph, acting Chief for Cowichan Tribes.

“A strategic watershed plan is vital to protect the Cowichan's many community values,” said NorskeCanada's Don McKendrick. “Through employee awareness and process changes that re-direct and re-use water, we reduced consumption 32 per cent over the last six years - and water use reduction is one of our top long-term priorities.”

Victoria-based Westland Resource Group has been contracted to develop the plan, including both the technical and public consultation components. The plan's short-term priorities are slated for completion by April 2005, with long-term priorities to be finalized by April 2006.

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Audio clips of Minister Bruce talking about the announcement are available at http://www.mediaroom.gov.bc.ca/events/January17_05e1/ online.

A high-resolution photo of Minister Bruce is available at http://mla2.governmentcaucus.bc.ca/media/Bruce_600.jpg online.


Media contact:	Graham Currie Communications Director Ministry of Skills Development and Labour 250 387-2699	Gayle Downey Senior Manager, Communications Land and Water B.C., Inc 250 356-7857

Visit the Province's website at www.gov.bc.ca for online information and services.