By Pete McIntyre

Funds to protect water source from fires

Jul 30, 2019 | 2:47 PM

One of the main sources for Greater Vernon’s drinking water will be the focus of fire prevention efforts.

The Regional District of North Okanagan has received a provincial grant for $146,235 to create a wildfire mitigation plan for the Duteau Creek Community Watershed.

“If a major wildfire were to occur in the Duteau Creek Watershed, there would be a high potential of long term economic, water quality, and water quantity impacts that would affect all Greater Vernon Water (GVW) customers. This is why planning for the possibility of such an event, and identifying actions that can reduce the risk of wildfire near critical infrastructure are so important,” a news release from RDNO said.

The funding from the Forest Enhancement Society of B.C. will be used to develop prevention strategies and an action plan for long term wildfire reduction within the watershed.

RDNO said the watershed is the source of H20 for tens of thousands of people, and a critical part of the water system that is valued at $743 million.

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RDNO will host an information session about the wildfire mitigation plan later this year.

“We don’t often take a moment to think about where our water comes from. In the North and Central Okanagan, most of the water comes from forested watersheds or valley bottom lakes before it makes the long journey to our taps. If a wildfire were to reach these watersheds we could be in real trouble downstream,” Kevin Acton, chair of the RDNO board of directors said. “We are incredibly grateful to FESBC since this essential planning work would not have been possible without this financial and collaborative support.”

FESBC awarded the funds to the RDNO, the District of Lake Country, Glenmore-Ellison Irrigation District, and Black Mountain Irrigation District since all of these water purveyors have watersheds within the same area known as the Aberdeen Plateau (east of Kalamalka, Wood and Ellison Lakes).

“Although the four water purveyors submitted separate grant applications, FESBC recognized that wildfires know no jurisdictional boundaries, and noticed the similarities in the concerns listed by each purveyor.

FESBC found costs can be saved through a collaborative approach to planning for wildfires in neighbouring watersheds,” the release said.

by Pete McIntyre

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