June 2008

Legislation Passed to Cut Vehicle Emissions

British Columbia is taking further action on climate change with the Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Vehicle Emissions Standards) Act, which will save consumers money while reducing emissions. The Act was passed in the Legislature on May 21, 2008.

“Reducing tailpipe emissions from family vehicles, such as cars, SUVs and light-duty trucks, will help curb our impact on the environment,” said Minister Penner. “More efficient vehicles will also translate into significant fuel cost savings for British Columbians, and will provide more flexibility to make environmentally conscious choices without compromising vehicle performance, reliability or safety.”

The new legislation will put into law the 2008 throne speech commitment to set vehicle greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards equivalent to those laid out in California’s 2004 regulation. These standards will reduce GHG emissions by 30 per cent relative to current models. This will result in a reduction of 600,000 tonnes of GHG emissions annually by 2016.  Read more

Minister Penner attended the Designation Ceremony for Squamish Estuary Wildlife Management Area

Members of the Squamish Nation, local politicians and other guests joined Minister Penner to officially dedicate the Squamish Estuary Wildlife Management Area (WMA). The Squamish Nation presented tradtional song and dance and the unveiling of a traditional house pole carving.  Read more

Island Marmot Recovery Effort Gets $233,000 Boost

A $100,000 grant from the Ministry of Environment will provide the Marmot Recovery Foundation with support against operating shortfalls to provide security and increase operating flexibility. An additional $133,000 grant will help with population restoration and recovery through the implementation of the national Vancouver Island Marmot Recovery Plan.

The Marmot Recovery Foundation is a unique partnership among government, industry and the public sharing the costs of recovering the species. The Vancouver Island marmot, about the size of a large house cat, is considered a distinct species. The ultimate goal of the recovery program is to have 400-600 animals surviving in three main populations of smaller colonies on the island.

“It’s taken a great deal of effort but we are seeing signs of a comeback for the Vancouver Island marmot population,” Minister Penner said. “This good news has been made possible with the help of dedicated groups such as the Marmot Recovery Foundation, the public, ministry staff and some public-minded corporations.”

Minister Penner took part in the release of two groups of marmots into historic marmot habitat in sub-alpine areas of Strathcona Park last August. Between 55 and 60 captive-bred marmots are scheduled for release this summer.
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Minister Penner spoke to the Land Trust Alliance of BC about climate change and the value of government working with the alliance to preserve land across British Columbia.

Charges Against Abbotsford Man for Hazardous Wastes 

Charges have been laid against Edward Ilnicki doing business as Valley Demolition and Design and Repair, and Edward Ilnicki for failure to comply with handling, storage and management requirements for hazardous wastes under the Environmental Management Act and Hazardous Waste Regulation.  Read more

(From left) North Vancouver – Lonsdale MLA Katherine Whittred, North Vancouver – Seymour MLA Daniel Jarvis, West Vancouver – Garibaldi MLA Joan McIntyre, Minister Penner, Wild Bird Trust of B.C. CEO Patricia Banning-Lover, and manager of the Habitat Conservation Trust Fund, Brian Springinotic were on hand at the presentation of the funds for land conservation.
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B.C. Earmarks $9 Million for Land Conservation

In celebration of Earth Day, Minister Penner announced that the B.C. government is creating a $9-million endowment fund for land conservation groups. This one-time funding will create an environmental legacy for future generations.  Read more

Mine Remediation on Mt. Washington

Minister Penner addresses those present at the announcement of the $4.5-million Tsolum River remediation. In the background from left, technical coordinator for the Tsolum River Restoration Society, Jack Mindard; Minister of State for Mining, Kevin Krueger and Comox Valley MLA and Minister of Tourism, Sport and the Arts, Stan Hagen.  Read more

Minister Penner addressed the audience at the launch of the Clean Air Foundation's Mow Down Pollution Challenge. The challenge is being sponsered this year across Canada by Home Depot and will allow consumers to receive an instant rebate on the purchase of a cleaner push reel, electric, cordless electric or low emission gas mower or trimmer.

$1.5 Million for Nechako Sturgeon Conservation

A $1.5-million grant will support conservation efforts in the Nechako watershed to help the endangered white sturgeon recover.

"The Nechako white sturgeon population is the most endangered sturgeon population in B.C., and they need our help," said Minister Penner. "The funding will be used to continue research to find the root cause of their decline, and help protect their genetic diversity and numbers during the recovery period."

Historically, it is estimated there were 8,000 adult white sturgeon in the Nechako, while today there are less than 400. The majority of the existing fish are 40 years or older, and natural death rates result in a loss of about eight per cent of the population a year. Nechako white sturgeon females do not spawn until they are 30 to 40 years old, and then only every five to 10 years.
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North Coast Trail Open to Hikers

The North Coast Trail – which provides 43 km of spectacular hiking in a remote wilderness setting and links with the existing Cape Scott Trail – is officially opened. The completed trail and associated facilities offer a challenging hiking and camping experience in Cape Scott Provincial Park, located at the northern tip of Vancouver Island.

“The North Coast Trail will support tourism in communities of the North Island by expanding the range of outdoor recreation attractions and increasing the number of visitors to the area,” said Minister Penner. “I’m delighted that the government of British Columbia was able to help the project move forward by providing more than $500,000, as well as adding land to Cape Scott Provincial Park so that the trail would run entirely through a “Class A” park.”

From 2000 to 2002, the provincial government acquired 716 hectares of private property valued at $7 million. These lands were added to Cape Scott Provincial Park in 2004. The trail route location was finalized and construction began in September 2004.  Read more

B.C. Government Funding Helps Save Bears

Preventing bears from getting into harm’s way is the objective of $450,000 in funding from the B.C. government, just in time for the bruins’ spring emergence from their dens.

The B.C. Conservation Foundation (BCCF) will use a $250,000 grant to sign up more municipal partners for the provincial Bear Aware education program, and the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (HCTF) will receive a grant of $200,000 for communities to pursue Bear Smart activities, Environment Minister Barry Penner announced.

“Each year, approximately 700 bears have to be destroyed in B.C. because they pose a danger to the public while doing what comes naturally – looking for food,” said Minister Penner. “What is unnatural about the situation is that too many people are carelessly leaving food and garbage around for bears to sniff out, causing bears to be in places where they shouldn’t be. Sadly, a fed bear often becomes a dead bear. The Bear Smart program helps prevent many bear deaths.”  Read more

Minister Penner spoke at the BC Wildlife Federation (BCWF) Annual General Meeting and was presented this picture by BCWF past president Wilf Pfleiderer.

RFP Issued for Robson Bight 

The government of British Columbia has issued a request for proposals to conduct the safe recovery of key pieces of wreckage from Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve, following an incident in which a barge lost 11 pieces of heavy equipment into the waters of the protected area last August.  Read more