The rural areas around Kootenay Lake have become the second region Canada to adopt a comprehensive local conservation fund tax. On November 15, 2014 voters in the Regional District of Central Kootenay (Areas A, D, and E) around Kootenay Lake said ‘yes’ to clean water, wildlife, and open space.
The Kootenay Lake Local Conservation Fund represents an investment of over $1 million in conservation over the 10-year term of the fund. The fund was established through a service bylaw, which ensures that the funds can only be spent on conservation within the service area. The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) formally adopted Bylaw No. 2420 on December 11th following a referendum in which the majority of eligible voters voted in favour of the fund’s establishment.
The Kootenay Lake Local Conservation Fund will provide local financial support for important projects that conserve valuable natural areas and restore and preserve a healthy environment. The funding for this effort will come from an annual parcel tax of $15.00/parcel within the service area.
In 2008, Columbia Valley residents in the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) voted in favour of establishing a similar fund through referendum. Over the past five years, this fund has provided over $1,500,000 in support to over 44 projects that benefit the environment and local communities.
QUOTE:
“For the past five years, the Kootenay Conservation Program (KCP) has been a proud partner of the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) to deliver the Columbia Valley Local Conservation Fund (CVLCF),” said Dave Hillary, Program Manager of the KCP. “We are now excited to extend this partnership to include the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) “We look forward to working together with the RDCK to provide tangible, on-the-ground results for nature, and for the residents around Kootenay Lake.”
FACTS:
On June 19, 2014, the RDCK approved a motion to propose the establishment of a Local Conservation Fund for Areas A, D and E.
- On November 15th, 2014, voters in RDCK Areas A, D, and E voted, by referendum, in favour of creating the fund.
- On December 11th, 2011 Bylaw No. 2420 was formally adopted by the RDCK.
- The Kootenay Lake Local Conservation Fund will provide local financial support for important projects that contribute to the conservation of valuable natural areas and restore and conserve a healthy environment.
- Projects that address the following local priorities are eligible for support through the fund: clean water, working family farms, habitat conservation, shoreline restoration, invasive species control, and wildlife and fish species conservation.
ABOUT:
The Kootenay Conservation Program (KCP) is a partnership of over 70 organizations interested in private land conservation. Partners include land and water conservation organizations, industry, business, educational institutions, First Nations, and all levels of government.
KCP partners seek to cooperatively conserve and steward landscapes that sustain naturally functioning ecosystems. We envision vibrant communities that demonstrate the principles of environmental stewardship that can in turn support economic and social well-being.
VIDEO AND IMAGES:
Video: Columbia Valley Local Conservation Fund: http://dev.kootenayconservation.ca/conservation-fund/
LEARN MORE:
Kootenay Conservation Program: http://dev.kootenayconservation.ca/
Columbia Valley Local Conservation Fund: http://dev.kootenayconservation.ca/conservation-fund/
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dave Hillary
Program Manager
Kootenay Conservation Program (KCP)
