For Immediate Release
February 15, 2002                                                                                

CWRF Work plan gets delivered

 Smithers, B.C. – On January 25 and 26, 2002 the Nechako Watershed Council (NWC) held a meeting in Smithers, B.C. to put the final touches on the proposed work plan for the construction of a cold water release facility at Kenney Dam. Mayor Brian Northup, who welcomed the council members and provided a brief insight into the economic challenges faced in Smithers, opened the meeting.

 The proposed work plan will be hand delivered to Minister Rick Thorpe, Competition, Science and Enterprise on February 20, 2002 in Victoria, BC.

 The member organizations from Kitimat made a presentation to re-emphasize the benefits that the water from the Nechako Reservoir has on their community. Their commitment is to pursue resolution of outstanding issues, in consideration of all interests, environmental, social and economic.

 Gary Holman, Consulting Economist, has been retained by the NWC to complete a proposal on the best method for completing an evaluation of a CWRF at Kenney Dam.  Mr. Holman presented his preliminary findings and will have a report ready for the NWC by mid-February.

 With the assistance of David Marshall, Fraser Basin Council, the NWC is exploring the dynamics of strengthening the effectiveness of the NWC.  Now that a decision has been made on the best use for the Nechako Environmental Enhancement Fund the NWC wants to ensure that it has the necessary tools to assist with the implementation of constructing a CWRF at Kenney Dam.

 The next meeting of the Nechako Watershed Council will be on March 8 and 9, 2002 in Smithers, BC.

 For further information, please contact:

Henry Klassen

Chair, NWC

(250) 567-4254