FWCP’s Columbia Region board approves $5.1 million for 30 projects

The Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP) is funding the restoration of wetland habitat along the Columbia River north of Golden, and riparian cottonwood stands in the Elk Valley.

Led by Ducks Unlimited Canada, the restoration of Moberly Marsh will restore 270 hectares of wetland and 133 hectares of upland in the Columbia River floodplain. The project will restore natural floodplain processes and benefit 237 bird species, as well as snakes, amphibians, raptors, grizzly and black bears, wolves, elk, deer, beavers, muskrats, and other wetland species.

In the Elk Valley, the Elk River Alliance is leading a project to restore stands of cottonwood trees along 53 hectares of riparian floodplain and wetland habitat beside the Elk River. Cottonwood trees naturally protect riverbanks from erosion, mitigate flood impacts, and provide habitat for sensitive species such as cutthroat trout and grizzly bears.

“These two projects show the importance of wetland and riparian habitat to many at-risk and threatened species in our region,” said FWCP’s Columbia Region Manager, Jen Walker-Larsen. “Restoring these habitats is a priority action for our Columbia Region board.”

The FWCP approved more than $60,000 for the Elk Valley Cottonwood Restoration project, and more than $101,000 for the Moberly Marsh Floodplain and Wetland Habitat Restoration project. They are two of 30 FWCP-funded projects in the FWCP’s Columbia Region in 2024-2025, for a total value of approximately $5.1 million.

All projects approved by our Columbia Region board align with our regional action plans, which identify local priorities and projects eligible for FWCP funding. The board also approved $2.1 million for a nutrient restoration program that is rebuilding the food web in Kootenay Lake and Arrow Lakes Reservoir.

Across our Coastal, Columbia, and Peace regions, our FWCP boards approved approximately $8.7 million for 81 projects. To learn more about FWCP projects, results, and how you can apply for a grant, visit fwcp.ca, view our project lists, and subscribe to the FWCP’s e-letter at fwcp.ca/subscribe.

The FWCP is a partnership between BC Hydro, the Province of B.C., Fisheries and Oceans Canada, First Nations, and community members to conserve and enhance fish and wildlife in watersheds impacted by BC Hydro dams with annual funding from BC Hydro. BC Hydro has water licence obligations in the Columbia and Peace regions and has made voluntary commitments to address the impacts of dams in the Coastal Region. BC Hydro fulfils the applicable obligations through the work of the FWCP.

Lead image: Cottonwood trees mitigate flood impacts and provide habitat for sensitive species and the FWCP is funding a project to restore cottonwood stands in the Elk Valley. Pictured: Aleshia Conley (left) and Madeleine Bragg planted live stakes. Elk River Alliance photo

BC Hydro

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