VICTORIA – Changes that will benefit fish habitat have been approved for BC Hydro’s Seven Mile hydroelectric operations, Environment Minister Barry Penner announced.

PENTICTON – BC Parks will be implementing a forest management project in Ellison Provincial Park commencing Jan. 15 and potentially extending until the end of March 2007. Public access will be restricted during this time to ensure public safety.

VICTORIA – Following a succession of frontal storms beginning in late October, well above normal snowpacks have accumulated throughout much of the province. These include new record high values for Jan. 1 for a number of locations on Vancouver Island, the south coast, and the Skeena and the Nechako basins.

VICTORIA – Tire Stewardship BC (TSBC) will commence an industry-led tire recycling program on Jan. 1, 2007, at which time the government-led Financial Incentives for Recycling Scrap Tires (FIRST) program, in place since 1991, will end.

VICTORIA – The third Quarterly Compliance and Enforcement Summary for 2006 was released today by the Ministry of Environment.

VICTORIA – Following a request for proposals, the Alpine Club of Canada has been selected to operate existing recreational facilities within Elk Lakes Provincial Park.

CRANBROOK – BC Parks is seeking the co-operation of ice fishing enthusiasts to promote conservation and ensure public safety during the annual ice-fishing opening in Whiteswan and Premier Lake Provincial Parks.

VICTORIA – Communities across B.C. are now eligible to access the new $40-million LocalMotion Fund, which will help build cycling and pedestrian pathways, improve safety and accessibility, and support children’s activity programs in playgrounds, Community Services Minister Ida Chong has announced.

VICTORIA – Environment Minister Barry Penner is offering some practical ideas and suggestions to help British Columbians have a greener Christmas.

PENTICTON – Kokanee escapement numbers for Okanagan region lakes have declined since the high last year but continue to be positive, according to the Ministry of Environment’s 2006 survey.

VICTORIA – Streamflow conditions continue to vary widely across the province. Following several periods of intense precipitation in early November, rivers throughout the Central Coast, South Coast, Vancouver Island and southern Interior have experienced increased streamflows, with some localized flooding occurring, particularly in the Alberni and Chilliwack valleys.

VICTORIA – More than 205 organizations that work to ensure safer and more environmentally friendly communities for all British Columbians have received community gaming grants totalling $6.3 million, Solicitor General John Les and Environment Minister Barry Penner announced.

VANCOUVER – Polaris Minerals Corporation has received the prestigious 2006 Mining and Sustainability Award for its efforts to promote sustainable development in the British Columbia mining sector.

VICTORIA – The latest round of Requests for Proposals for new fixed-roof accommodation in six BC Parks (Silver Star, Myra Bellevue, Nancy Greene, Maxhamish Lake, Foch-Gilttoyees and Golden Ears) has closed. To date, proposals have now been received for Mount Robson, Elk Lakes and Maxhamish Lake provincial parks.

VICTORIA – The application of pesticides on multi-residence properties will require a Pesticide User Licence beginning Jan. 7, 2007.

VICTORIA – The Province has approved a management plan for Kakwa Provincial Park and Protected Area.

VICTORIA – The Province has committed $10 million to the first phase of developing the world’s first fleet of hydrogen buses, supporting the Hydrogen Highway project, announced Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon, Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Minister Richard Neufeld and Environment Minister Barry Penner.

VICTORIA – A national institute that fosters quality in private and public programs has awarded certification to a unique B.C. forestry program that measures trends in sustainability, making it the first provincial government program to earn this achievement, announced Forests and Range Minister Rich Coleman.

VICTORIA – Effective today, the new allowable annual cut for the Fort Nelson timber supply area will be 1.625 million cubic metres, an increase of about eight per cent, chief forester Jim Snetsinger announced.

VICTORIA – Following a Request for Proposals for new fixed-roof accommodation in four BC Parks, proposals from interested parties were received for Mt. Robson and Elk Lakes provincial parks by the 2 p.m. deadline of Thursday, Nov. 2.