Help conserve and enhance fish and wildlife in the East Kootenay-Koocanusa region

The public is being asked to provide input about the fish and wildlife priorities of the East Kootenay-Koocanusa region, including Koocanusa Reservoir.

To help conserve and enhance fish and wildlife in the East Kootenay-Koocanusa region, work is getting under way to develop a Watershed Action Plan, and you’re invited to join the discussion.

When complete in 2014, the plan will incorporate community- and science-based goals, objectives and actions that aim to conserve and enhance fish and wildlife in the East Kootenay and Koocanusa area, including the upper Kootenay River watershed, associated tributaries and Koocanusa Reservoir. The plan will outline specific actions to support and enhance lakes, streams, riparian areas, wetlands and upland and dryland areas, as well as species of interest.

This is the first task for the recently announced East Kootenay-Koocanusa Fish and Wildlife Program, a partnership between Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) and the Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP).

“Area residents have been asking for this type of action plan to address their concerns, and it’s great news that it’s getting under way and residents have a chance to be part of the discussion,” said Dave White, FWCP-Columbia Board member representing the East Kootenay, adding that while the region is impacted, among other things, by hydro operations at Libby Dam in Montana, the program will take a broad watershed-based approach.

Provide your input and ideas at an upcoming free workshop (no registration required) or by completing an online feedback form. Learn more and comment at cbt.org/ekkfwp. Provide your input by January 6, 2014.

Fernie: Monday, December 9
Stanford Fernie Resort, 100 Riverside Way
AFTERNOON: Drop-in open house: 2 p.m. – 2:30 pm; Community workshop: 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
EVENING: Drop-in open house: 6:30 – 7 p.m.; Community workshop: 7 – 9 p.m.

Cranbrook: Tuesday, December 10
Prestige Rocky Mountain Resort
209 Van Horne Street South
AFTERNOON: Drop-in open house: 2 p.m - 2:30 p.m.; Community workshop: 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
EVENING: Drop-in open house: 6:30 – 7 p.m.; Community workshop: 7 – 9 p.m.

“The environmental health of this region is important to residents,” said Neil Muth, CBT President and CEO. “CBT provided $3 million in one-time funding to initiate this important work; now it’s time for the community at large to have its say and become involved.”

Residents will have more opportunities to provide input at a later date, and the draft watershed action plan will be available for public review in late winter 2014.

CBT supports efforts to deliver social, economic and environmental benefits to the residents of the Columbia Basin. To learn more about CBT programs and initiatives, visit cbt.org or call 1.800.505.8998.

The Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program is a partnership between BC Hydro, the Province of British Columbia, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, First Nations and local communities to conserve and enhance fish, wildlife and their supporting habitats affected by the creation of BC Hydro-owned and -operated generation facilities in the Coastal, Columbia and Peace regions of British Columbia. More than $110 million has been invested in more than 1,500 projects since 1988.