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April 2, 2009

BC Hydro funding benefits coastal fish and wildlife habitat

Fish and wildlife living along B.C.’s coastline are benefitting from more than a million dollars in restoration funding from BC Hydro.

The BC Hydro Bridge Coastal Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program is providing $1.3 million for more than 30 fish and wildlife projects within the 15 hydroelectric systems in the coastal region. Just over half the funding – $655,000 – is targeted for projects on Vancouver Island with the remainder going to projects on the southern coast of the mainland.

The Restoration Program is a partnership between BC Hydro, the BC Ministry of Environment, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

“The government of British Columbia is proud to be a partner in the Restoration Program,” said Environment Minister Barry Penner. “This program is part of our commitment to ensure that electricity in B.C. is conducted in a way that is sustainable and protective of our province’s natural environment.”

"This investment supports restoration and enhancement projects that benefit fish and wildlife in watersheds where our hydroelectric facilities are located – in keeping with our commitment to be a leader in environmental stewardship,” said Bob Elton, BC Hydro President and CEO.

A total of 32 projects will receive funding in 2009. Some examples include:

• The monitoring of salmon spawning channels, the assessment of red-legged frog habitat, and the marmot recovery program in the Campbell River system.
• Improving a salmon spawning side channel along the Puntledge River and radio tagging chinook salmon to better understand migration in that system.
• A fish nutrient program for the Ash River system.

By providing leadership, First Nations and community groups are critical to the success of the program, which has provided $15.4 million for fish and wildlife projects since 1999.

For further information, go to the BC Hydro Bridge Coastal Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program website.