Province Boosts Funding For Environment By $7.8 Million

VICTORIA - A $7.8 million increase for the Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection's 2004/05 budget will help the Province build on the significant progress it has made supporting habitat and wildlife protection and restoration projects across B.C., Water, Land and Air Protection Minister Bill Barisoff announced today.

"Premier Gordon Campbell has been clear that British Columbia will lead the world in sustainable environmental management with the best air and water quality, and the best fisheries management anywhere," said Barisoff. "In the past four years, our government has followed through on that commitment by providing a level of environmental protection that leads Canada."

The Habitat Conservation Trust Fund (HCTF) will use $6.5 million of the $7.8 million budget lift to manage and support its ongoing conservation efforts by providing additional funding to community groups who undertake conservation projects. The HCTF has indicated it will invest the funding in three priority areas:

* $3.7 million for the HCTF's endowment fund which pays for the operation and maintenance of conservation lands.
* $1 million to increase the Public Conservation Assistance Fund that provides grants to community stewardship groups.
* $1.8 million to complete a multi-partnered purchase of over 4,000 hectares of critical habitats in the Kootenays known as the Hofert/Hoodoos area.

The remaining $1.3 million will be used to fund conservation research grants to post-secondary institutions.

"Our government has committed to making its decisions based on science ­ a commitment we have kept," said Barisoff. "By furthering the scientific research into conservation and environmental protection, we'll have the knowledge at hand to make decisions in the best interest of the environment, and our communities."

The Province has committed in Budget 2005 an additional $150 million to enhance environmental protection and land-use certainty in British Columbia, including:

* $91 million for the investigation and remediation of contaminated sites on Crown land.
* $5 million to increase the capacity of the Environmental Assessment Office.
* $16 million to increase the number of Park Rangers and Conservation Officers and establish a B.C. Conservation Corps to provide employment opportunities for students.
* $30 million to support land-use planning activities including the completion and implementation of Land and Resource Management Plans.
* $8 million to implement the Drinking Water Protection Act, including research into the protection of surface and ground water.

"The great news for British Columbians is now that B.C. is back on track with a budget surplus and a booming economy, we are able to invest in key areas and build on the work we have already done protecting and enhancing our environment," said Barisoff.

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Contact:

Max Cleeveley
Communications Director
Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection
250 387-9973