funding set for nechako environmentAL ENHANCEMENT

SMITHERS – Preliminary work on a system to enhance the environment of the Nechako River by allowing for the release of cold water from the reservoir at Kenney Dam will be done over the next three years with matching funds from the province and Alcan Inc.

            “A cold water release facility would be good for the environment, good for tourism, good for agriculture and good for business,” said Rick Thorpe, minister of competition, science and enterprise and minister responsible for northern development.

“The work plan developed by the Nechako Watershed Council for this project meets my ministry’s requirements, which are based on our New Era commitment to adopt a scientifically based, principled approach to environment management that ensures sustainability, accountability and responsibility.”

For each of the next three years, the government and Alcan will both contribute $100,000 for planning of the cold water release facility.  When constructed, the facility would pipe cold water from deep in the reservoir and release it over a spillway to be built near the dam.  This would be combined with warmer surface water to produce the cooling flows needed to manage temperatures in the Lower Nechako for the benefit of migrating sockeye salmon.  Because a smaller volume of “cooling” water would be needed, this could result in a more natural flow and support other interests including recreation, agriculture and restoring the Murray-Cheslatta lakes system.

“Alcan is pleased to be working with the Nechako Watershed Council and the British Columbia government towards making the cold water release facility at Kenney Dam a reality,” said Louis Delage, vice-president of the Alcan Primary Metal Group in British Columbia.  “The work plan is a thorough and comprehensive document, and the council is to be commended for its efforts in putting it together.”

“Having the provincial government and Alcan act so quickly on the Nechako environmental enhancement fund management committee report is tremendously encouraging,” said Henry Klassen, chair of the Nechako Watershed Council.  “The results of over five years of hard work are being realized.”

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(Backgrounder)

BACKGROUNDER

NECHAKO WATERSHED MILESTONES

August 1997 – The Nechako environmental enhancement fund was established as part of the B.C./Alcan 1997 Agreement.  It is administered by a three-person management committee with a mandate to review, assess and report on options that may be available for the downstream enhancement of the Nechako watershed.

In this agreement, Alcan agrees to contribute $50 million in matching funds, with other parties, to enhance the environment of the Nechako River downstream of Kenney Dam.

June 1998 – The Nechako Watershed Council was formed.  Eighteen diverse organizations came together with a commitment to the environmental, economic and social well-being of the Nechako watershed and the communities that depend on it.  Despite their different views and values, the council’s members – now 25 – share a common purpose: enhancing the long-term health and viability of the Nechako watershed.

June 2001 – The Nechako environmental enhancement fund management committee released a report recommending a cold water release facility as the preferred option to provide the greatest benefits to both the Nechako watershed and the Cheslatta River and Murray-Cheslatta lakes system.

August 2001 – Representatives of the Nechako Watershed Council met with Competition, Science and Enterprise Minister Rick Thorpe and agreed to complete a work plan for the project.  The work plan outlines the activities and costs required for construction, and is designed to provide guidance and direction for government, Alcan and regional, provincial and national organizations to work together to make the project a reality.

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