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June 2000
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 28, 2002 Four years and still going strongHouston, B.C. - On June 14, 2002 the mayor of Houston, Tom Euverman, opened the June 14 and 15, 2002 Nechako Watershed Council (NWC) meeting. The mayor provided the NWC with a brief history of the area, the current economic climate and future initiatives. Established on June 28, 1998 the NWC has worked tirelessly over the past four years to educate itself on the diversity of issues related to the Nechako watershed. The original 18 organizations have grown to 25 thus further widening the representation of interests that include ecological, social, cultural and economic values of the Nechako River. As set out in Schedule 4 of the BC/Alcan 1997 Agreement, the Nechako Environmental Enhancement Fund Management Committee released its report on June 7, 2001. This report included a decision to construct a cold water release facility (CWRF) at Kenney Dam. The NWC agreed with this decision and prepared a workplan which outlines the Planning, Pre-Engineering and Environmental Review, and Implementation phases for construction. The NWC presented its workplan to the Government of British Columbia and Alcan Inc. on February 20, 2002 and were pleased when the government committed funding for three years to develop Phase 1 with matching funds from Alcan. Mark Gillis, Director, Economic Policy Branch, presented the Nechako Enhancement Society (NES) to the NWC on June 14th . The Society has been set-up by the provincial government and Alcan Inc. to administer the funds for planning of the CWRF at Kenney Dam as presented in the NWC workplan.. “On behalf of the NWC, I would like to congratulate the Government of BC and Alcan on getting the NES set-up,” said Henry Klassen, Chair of the NWC, “Having the Society to administer the workplan will ensure it is done in an effective and efficient manner.” The annual appointment of officers also took place this meeting. Henry Klassen as been re-appointed to Chair and Jerry Petersen and Rick Krehbiel are first and second vice-chairs respectively. The NWC will be attending the following summer and fall fairs to provide the public an opportunity to learn more about the important work it is doing: Prince George Exhibition, Nechako Valley Exhibition, Lakes District Fall Fair, Bulkley Valley Exhibition, Skeena Valley Fall Fair, Kitimat Fishing Derby and the Fort Fraser Fall Fair. Guests at the Houston meeting included Don Cadden, Fish and Wildlife, Mark Gillis, Ministry of Competition Science and Enterprise and David Marshall, Fraser Basin Council. The next meeting of the NWC will be held in Fort Fraser on September 13, and 14, 2002. For more information, please contact: Henry Klassen, Chair (250) 567-4254 |
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