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

VICTORIA – The Request for Proposals to seek a new operator for existing facilities and services in Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park has closed. This park was included in the request for proposals issued last year for fixed-roof accommodation in a number of provincial parks. Proposals have now been received for five parks: Mount Robson, Elk Lakes, Maxhamish Lake, Cape Scott and Mount Assiniboine provincial parks.

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 – Blowdown and flooding following recent winter storms have resulted in a number of closures in provincial parks on Vancouver Island.

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, Liard Air Ltd. has been selected to design a lodge and boathouse for Maxhamish Lake Provincial Park. Recreational services that would be offered to park visitors include fishing, wildlife and northern lights viewing, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

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

VICTORIA – The government of British Columbia, the Capital Regional District and the Cowichan Valley Regional District are partnering on a $1.2-million project to construct a portion of the Trans Canada Trail. The new 24-km route will connect existing recreational trails in the regional districts.

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 – Following a request for proposals, the Alpine Club of Canada has been selected to design an eco-lodge for Mount Robson Provincial Park.

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 – The Request for Proposals for new fixed-roof accommodation in Cape Scott Provincial Park has closed. To date, proposals have been received for four parks: Mount Robson, Elk Lakes, Maxhamish Lake and Cape Scott provincial parks.

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.

CAMPBELL RIVER – The Quinsam campground in Elk Falls Provincial Park will be closed for further reconstruction from November 2006 to February 2007 and will not be accessible for public use of the campground facilities.

VICTORIA – Streamflow conditions are widely variable across the province. Some areas (notably the Peace, Skeena/Bulkley and Thompson) continue with the record or near-record low flows they’ve been experiencing since late spring. Other areas have experienced localized flooding following intense rainfall (notably the Central Coast, South Coast, Vancouver Island and portions of the south Interior).

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.