@ Charter, Snooka and Ann creeks (Bella Coola) : $30,000 — The
Bella Coola Watershed Restoration Partnership is mapping and
restoring coho salmon habitat to increase the amount of accessible
habitat, improve habitat quality, and improve watershed planning
and stewardship. The project will also collect information for a
proposed resource centre.

@ Sarita, Pachena, Klanawa and Gordon watersheds (Port Renfrew) :
$138,857 — The Regional Aquatic Management Society is
continuing local capacity building, adult and juvenile salmon
assessments and nearshore ecosystem studies on the southwest
coast of Vancouver Island. This will improve stock assessment and
enhancement.

@ Horsefly River and tributaries : $24,300 — The Quesnel River
Watershed Alliance is growing native riparian shrubs to meet
ongoing requirements for streamside planting at habitat restoration
sites in the Horsefly River watershed. The project is employing local
youth who will be trained in plant nursery skills. Plants will be
salvaged from areas slated for clearings, and seeds and cuttings
will be collected and propagated for next year’s stock.

@ Coldwater River (Merritt) : $86,330 — The Nicola Watershed
Stewardship and Fisheries Authority is operating a counting fence
and associated mark-recapture project to accurately estimate the
Coldwater River's coho population. It is also collecting and report
on life history and biological information, including the numbers of
enhanced fish returning to their natal stream.

Habitat Conservation and Stewardship:
$8.9 million in 99/00 — $13.2 million to date

Since the inception of the PFAR program, more than 100 individuals
have been hired to help communities protect fish habitat and improve
watershed stewardship throughout B.C. and the Yukon.

The individuals are part of a network of new positions —
including stewardship coordinators, habitat auxiliaries,
habitat stewards and habitat fishery officers — that Fisheries
and Oceans Canada is establishing. The new positions are
assisting First Nations, community and stewardship groups,
industry, landowners and government agencies to more
effectively prevent habitat damage. These positions are
helping communities advocate for fish and fish habitat,
participate in watershed planning and promote sustainable
use of land and water resources.

The new positions are augmenting and complementing the
Department's existing habitat program, including the work of
community advisors — who support enhancement and
stewardship groups — and habitat field staff.