Campbell River is receiving funding for projects that will benefit salmon and other wildlife.
The Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program, which funds projects that conserve and enhance fish, wildlife and their supporting habitats affected by the creation of BC Hydro facilities, is providing the city with $329,700 in funding towards projects within the Campbell River watershed.
“These are important restoration and research projects that target gravel placement for spawning salmon, fish passage on the Salmon River, riparian habitat in the estuary, and the marmot program,” says the Compensation Program’s Coastal Board Chair, Brian Assu. “These diverse and important projects reinforce the continued positive partnerships between the Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program, local First Nations and community groups.” The program is delivered through a partnership between BC Hydro, the Province of B.C. and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
The Salmon River Diversion Steelhead and Coho Passage Evaluation ($50,000), led by the BC Conservation Foundation, will continue to explore feasibility and design options for constructing an improved adult fish passage structure at BC Hydro’s Salmon River Diversion Dam. This will assist the Salmon Diversion Fish Passage Consultative Committee.
Funded programs include:
The Campbell River Spawning Gravel Placement Project ($100,000), led by the Campbell River Salmon Foundation, will place gravel in the Campbell River mainstem by First Island. This project will replace gravel used for salmon spawning that was re-distributed during the January 2010 storm events.
A second Campbell River Spawning Gravel Placement Project ($52,700), led by the British Columbia Conservation Foundation, will place spawning gravel to sites in the Elk Falls Canyon. This project will help maintain the canyon’s productivity for Lower Campbell River chinook and steelhead stock.
The Baikie Island Riparian Forest Restoration Project will receive $50,000. Led by the City of Campbell River, it augments the Ocean Blue project that restored part of the estuary near Baikie Island in Campbell River in 2010/11. This project proposes to further restore areas on Baikie Island into riparian forest for the benefit of both fish and wildlife. Using native plants, the project creates connectivity to existing riparian forest habitats on Baike Island and ultimately extends the important ecological function of this estuary area.
Projects are selected on a early basis by committees that include representation from all program partners, First Nations and the public.
“Projects are chosen based on technical merit, cost versus benefit, level of partnership, linkages to watershed-specific priorities and overall benefit to the Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program’s mandate and vision,” says Andrew MacDonald, Compensation Program manager.
For 2011, the program’s total funding for the 15 hydroelectric systems within the Coastal region will be $1.64 million. All research and project work will take place in 2011-’12. For more information on how your project can apply for next year’s funding visit fwcp.ca