October 27,2000     
                                                                            For Immediate Release

 Nechako Watershed Council Reaches Milestone

 Smithers, B.C. – On October 20 and 21, 2000 the Nechako Watershed Council (NWC) held a meeting in Smithers, B.C.  The NWC reached a milestone, at this meeting, by completing the intensive work of evaluating each of its identified interests in the Nechako Watershed and building consensus on how each one relates to the Nechako River’s volume and timing of water flows, fluctuation of water levels and whether or not it is a consumptive use.  

Alcan reaffirmed its commitment to work with the NWC to develop a flow regime that will take into account all interests of the Nechako Watershed. 

“As we move towards our next report to the Nechako Environmental Enhancement Management Committee, the work completed at this meeting, will provide strong support for our recommendation that the Nechako Environmental Enhancement Fund should be used to build a water release facility at Kenney Dam", said Henry Klassen, Chair, NWC.  (The Nechako Environmental Enhancement Fund was established in 1997 as part of the BC - Alcan Agreement and is intended to finance projects that will enhance the Nechako Watershed environment.) 

The next step is determining the best way to reallocate water flows in the Nechako River to develop a flow regime that incorporates all identified interests. 

Ronald Ptolemy and Don Cadden with BC Fisheries presented to the NWC the work being done to create the optimum adaptive management strategy with regard to fish flow requirements for resident fish in the Nechako River, with a focus on white sturgeon.  Two key goals have been identified in evaluating fish species: the ecological sustainability of fish species and no-loss of fish species.  If a fish species is at risk for either goal, a management strategy will be created. 

The Southside Economic Development Association tabled a draft report on the potential economic value of tourism and other benefits associated with the restoration of natural water flows in the Cheslatta watershed.  The study identifies the most probable opportunities available to promote the renewal of Cheslatta society, culture and spirituality as well as increased tourism, increased food fish harvests, reduced erosion damage and increased water quality for residents of the Southside particularly on the Murray-Cheslatta Lakes system.  The construction of a water release facility at Kenney Dam will assist in providing the consistent year to year flow in the Cheslatta River that is desired to assist in the economic redevelopment and environmental enhancement of the area. 

The NWC will send a delegation of 10 people to the upcoming State-of-the-Fraser Basin Conference 2000 to be held in Richmond, B.C. on November 24 and 25.  This conference will focus on the importance of measuring progress through sustainability indicators and the information and insight obtained will be invaluable to the NWC as it continues to work towards resolving long outstanding conflicts along the Nechako River. 

The next meeting of the NWC will be held on November 17 and 18, 2000 in Burns Lake, B.C. 

For further information, please contact:

Henry Klassen

250-567-4254