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Comox Lake salmon habitat to benefit from FWCP funding

The Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP) is funding the Nutrient Enrichment of the Upper Tributaries of Comox Lake Project, which is designed to improve the growth and survival of juvenile salmonids.
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The coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) is a species of anadromous fish in the salmon family, one of the several species of Pacific salmon. Coho salmon are also known as silver salmon or “silvers.” Photo supplied

The Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP) is funding the Nutrient Enrichment of the Upper Tributaries of Comox Lake Project, which is designed to improve the growth and survival of juvenile salmonids.

Led by the British Columbia Conservation Foundation, this project will see fertilizer, packaged in biodegradable burlap bags, applied at two sites in Comox and Eric creeks, both tributaries of Comox Lake. Monitoring will include monthly water and periphyton sampling in the enhanced tributaries and in three control tributaries.

This project will benefit cutthroat and rainbow trout, coho salmon, dolly varden, and steelhead. It could be expanded to other salmon-bearing tributaries, including Reese Creek, Upper Cruickshank River, Lower Cruickshank River, Upper Puntledge River, and Beach Creek.

“This project is vital to supporting salmon populations,” says FWCP’s Coastal Region manager, Julie Fournier. “Not only are we enriching salmon habitat, we’re also assessing the benefits so that we can expand this project to other tributaries.”

The FWCP approved over $19,200 for the Nutrient Enrichment of the Upper Tributaries of Comox Lake Project. It is one of 33 FWCP-funded projects in the Coastal Region of British Columbia in 2019—2020, for a total value of approximately $1.9 million.

Like all FWCP-funded projects, it was approved by the Coastal Regional Board and aligns with the region’s Action Plans, which identify local priorities and projects eligible for FWCP funding.

The FWCP is a partnership between BC Hydro, the Province of B.C., Fisheries & Oceans Canada, First Nations, and Public Stakeholders to conserve and enhance fish and wildlife in watersheds impacted by BC Hydro dams. BC Hydro funds the FWCP annually in order to fulfill its applicable water licence obligations in the Columbia and Peace Regions. In the Coastal Region, BC Hydro provides funds to the FWCP annually in recognition of the impacts resulting from dam constructions. The FWCP directs funds toward priority actions to fulfill its mission.

Across its Coastal, Columbia, and Peace Regions, the FWCP has approved approximately $9.2 million for 97 projects. Learn more about FWCP projects, results, and how you can apply for a grant. Visit fwcp.ca and subscribe to the FWCP’s e-letter and newsletter at fwcp.ca/subscribe.