1994/95
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The Fish & Wildlife
Compensation Program (FWCP) is created which consolidates all previous
compensation programs in the basin. The Program begins delivering
projects to sustain and enhance fish and wildlife populations affected
by BC Hydro dam-related activities in the Columbia Basin. Funding
is $3.2 million (indexed for inflation based on 1995 dollars) in perpetuity from BC Hydro as a part of the crown
corporation's water license agreement.
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1996
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FWCP begins accelerated projects to measure the effect
of the dams on nutrient levels and fish populations in the Arrow Lakes
Reservoir.
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1996
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FWCP funded 56 wildlife projects and 17 fish projects
this year.
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1997
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FWCP funded 23 fish and 47 wildlife projects this
year.
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1997
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Kootenay Lake North Arm spawning escapement increases
to 1.45 million. Amount of fertilizer (agricultural-grade nitrogen
& phosphorus mix) is reduced after ongoing monitoring indicates
the lake is beginning to retain nutrients from previous fertilizations.
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1998
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FWCP funded 47 wildlife projects and 34 fish projects
this year.
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1998
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North Arm spawning escapement increases to 2.15 million;
total kokanee population in the Kootenay Lake reaches 25-30 million;
kokanee-feeding bull trout and rainbow trout caught by anglers nearing
13.6 kg (30 lb). The number of Gerrard rainbow trout spawners increases
to historical levels.
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1998
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Kootenay Lake experimental fertilization project results
and proposed restoration plan for Arrow Reservoir are presented at
two-day public conference in Nelson.
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1999
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Fertilization of the Arrow Lakes Reservoir begins in
late April, using the Galena-Shelter Bay ferry to disperse fertilizer.
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1999/2000
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FWCP funds 44 fish and wildlife projects with 60 partners.
Fifteen projects aimed at species at risk.
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1999
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To date FWCP, together with its partners, has
secured 2,630 hectares (6,469 acres) of land in the Columbia Basin
for conservation.
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1999
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Internal review of Program's performance undertaken.
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1999
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Administrative agreement between FWCP and its partners
BC Hydro and the B.C. government (then the Ministry of Environment,
Lands & Parks, and BC Fisheries). The agreement reinforces the
two primary objectives for FWCP:
- meet the obligations of BC Hydro to compensate for impacts
to fish and wildlife; and
- conserve and enhance fish and wildlife populations.
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1999
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FWCP formalizes agreement with The Nature Trust of
BC regarding land acquisition and management.
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2000
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FWCP celebrates its fifth Anniversary. In its
first five years it has undertaken 325 projects with 276 partners.
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2000
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In the 2000 / 01 project year the FWCP undertook 21
fish and 38 wildlife projects with an unprecedented 123 partners.
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2000
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Public opinion survey conducted to determine awareness
levels and support for FWCP initiatives. 92% of respondents gave
the FWCP a good report card. 71% believe we are effective in enhancing
fish and wildlife populations affected by BC Hydro dams.
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2000
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FWCP launches website with on-line searchable
database of fish and wildlife projects.
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2001
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Kokanee abundance in Kootenay Lake is 17 million,
more than triple the five million kokanee in the lake when the fertilization
program began in 1992.
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2001
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Forty-two fish and wildlife projects delivered
in conjunction with 96 partners. Local community groups initiated,
supported or assisted in the delivery of twenty-seven projects.
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2001
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In the 2001/ 02 project year the FWCP undertook 18
fish and 24 wildlife projects with 96 partners.
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2001
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Monitoring of kokanee abundance in the Arrow Lakes Reservoir
after two years of fertilizing, shows 10 million, compared to 4.4
million in 1998.
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2001
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Habitat restoration includes enhancement of 1,300 hectares
of wildlife habitat, and restoration and protection projects on three
wetlands in the East and West Kootenay.
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2001
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FWCP's Steering Committee initiates strategic
planning process to define the future vision, strategic direction
and niche for the organization in the next five years.
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2001
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Kokanee abundance in Kootenay Lake is up to 21 million
as a result of the fertilization program.
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2001
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East Kootenay Badger Recovery project attempts to change
attitudes towards this red-listed species in decline.
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2001
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In the West Kootenay, FWCP and its partners have enhanced
approximately 3,500 hectares of ungulate habitat.
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2002
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$100,000 is set aside annually to fund small projects
($50,000 each for fish and wildlife) up to $10,000 is ear-marked for
one-year projects initiated by local community groups.
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2002
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In the 2002 / 03 project year the FWCP undertook 47
projects with more than 200 partners.
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2002
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FWCP participates in recovery initiatives for three
red-listed species: the Northern Leopard Frog, East Kootenay Badger
and the Upper Columbia White Sturgeon.
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2002
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An unprecedented diversity of partners undertake FWCP-funded
projects. Previously partners were typically included government ministries
/ agencies, outdoor and naturalists. This year’s partners also
include First Nations, individuals, organizations from the U.S. portion
of the Columbia Basin, universities, colleges, commercial, industrial
and tourism businesses.
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2002
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FWCP enters into agreement with Columbia Basin Trust
(CBT) to deliver 10 CBT-funded wildlife projects as part of CBT’s
Terrestrial Community Environmental Projects.
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2003
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This project year FWCP undertakes 47 projects with
more than 150 partners.
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2003
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Fisheries and Oceans Canada joins the FWCP as a partner
and participates on the Policy, Steering and Fish Technical Committees.
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2003
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More that 4,000 hectares of critical habitat –
the Hofert-hoodoos property – acquired for conservation purposes
by the FWCP, The Nature Trust, Habitat Conservation Trust Fund,
Ducks Unlimited Canada, BC Conservation Foundation, and Kootenay Wildlife
Heritage Fund. This ecosystem, known for its distinctive “hoodoo”
formations, is located between Invermere and Fairmont Hot Springs
and is home to numerous red- and blue-listed species.
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2003
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FWCP pursues formal partnerships with land conservation
groups to begin using stewardship agreements as another way to secure
quality wildlife habitat.
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2003
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Kootenai Tribe of Idaho and U.S. Columbia Basin Fish
& Wildlife Authority provides $125,000 towards FWCP’s
Fertilization Program in Kootenay Lake and the Arrow Lakes Reservoir.
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2003
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Columbia Power Corporation provides $191,000 (annual
funding of $175,000 in 1999 dollars) towards fertilization of the
Arrow Lakes Reservoir as part of its environmental commitment to improve
fish stocks impacted by the Hugh Keenleyside Dam.
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2003
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Aquila Networks (formerly West Kootenay Power) contributes
$500,000 over a five-year period to FWCP for regional fish and wildlife
projects.
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2004
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The FWCP undertakes 43 fish and wildlife projects
with a wide range of partners
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2004
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Work begins on Ecological Footprint Impact Assessments
to quantify the footprint impacts of BC hydro dams on fish and wildlife
habitat and productivity losses
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2004
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FWCP reports largest return of kokanee spawners in
a decade to the Hill Creek and Meadow Creek spawning channels.
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2004
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Limnologist Eva Schindler shares lake restoration knowledge
with an international audience of biologists and fisheries experts
at a conference in Finland.
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2004
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Recovery efforts aimed at the badger in the east Kootenay
are working and the population numbers are heading in the right direction.
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2004
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FWCP begins working with its partners to develop a
management plan for the recently acquired Hofert-Hoodoos conservation
property.
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2005
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FWCP celebrates 10 years of conservation and enhancement.
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2005
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FWCP and other partners relocated twenty-five Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep from Radium Hot Springs south to Premier Ridge near Cranbrook, where local herds are on the decline.
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2005
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FWCP received more than $3.9 million from BC Hydro for local fish and wildlife projects for 2005 / 06.
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2005
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Efforts to raise and release endangered Northern Leopard Frog reaches its fifth successful year.
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2005
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FWCP completes study in Arrow Lakes Reservoir that confirms that fish which are higher in the food chain than the kokanee are heavier, and in a healthier condition, since the Fertilization and Monitoring Program started in 1999.
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2005
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New Sturgeon Education, Kit, funded by BC Hydro and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, becomes available in the West Kootenay for elementary school children in grades K-7.
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2005
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Student Biologists funded by the FWCP find Townsend's Big-eared bat maternity roosts in natural rock formations (caves) in the Columbia Basin; the first ever such findings in the B.C. Interior. The students are invited to the 35th Annual North American Symposium on Bat Research in Sacramento, California to share their findings.
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2005
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FWCP celebrates 10 years of success in working to protect species at risk, conserve habitats and restore fisheries in local rivers, lakes and reservoirs.
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2006
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Wildlife Biologists confirm that the endangered Western screech-owl is living in the West Kootenay; nine new Screech owl sites were found which, until recently, had not been found east of the Okanagan.
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2006
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FWCP receives more than $4 million from BC Hydro to be spent on fish and wildlife projects in the Columbia Basin.
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2006
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FWCP organizes the first event for the public to participate in the upper Columbia white sturgeon juvenile release near Castlegar.
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2006
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Staff from the FWCP place a 'loafing log' in the pond at Grohman Narrows Provincial Park for the population of Western painted turtles, in celebration of World Turtle Day.
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2006
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With funding from Bonneville Power Administration (through Kootenai Tribe of Idaho), and support from MoE and FWCP, the fertilization of the south arm of Kootenay Lake commences.
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2006
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FWCP receives a Silver Salamander Award from the Canadian Amphibian Reptile Conservation Network for its ongoing commitment to recovering the endangered Northern leopard frog in B.C.
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2007
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FWCP helps fund the purchase of more than 1,000 hectares of land along the Columbia River near Trail. FWCP also funded the development of a Management Plan for the Fort Shepherd Conservation Area.
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2007
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Nineteen Rocky Mountain Bighorn sheep were relocated from the Golden area to the Whiteswan Lake area, a project co-funded by FWCP. The move was part of an ongoing effort to strengthen Bighorn sheep herds in the central East Kootenay.
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2007
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FWCP and the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area organizes first event for the public to take part in the release of juvenile white sturgeon into the Kootenay River near Creston.
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2007
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Egg-to-fry survival at the Hill Creek Spawning Channel, operated by FWCP in collaboration with B.C. Ministry of Environment, is the best since 1988. This year egg-to-fry survival rate exceeded 50%; that means for every two eggs buried in the gravel in September of last year, one fish was able survive and swim out of the channel into upper Arrow Lakes Reservoir.
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