Canada congratulates Cowichan Tribes on award-winning project to return salmon to creek in British Columbia

COWICHAN, BC, April 18, 2018 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is committed to working in partnership with First Nations to improve community infrastructure and support initiatives that benefit the environment and quality of life in First Nation communities.

The Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Indigenous Services, offers her congratulations to Cowichan Tribes on the completion of an award-winning culvert and roadway project that has supported the return of salmon to the Quamichan Creek. The Government of Canada invested $1.1 million through the First Nation Infrastructure Fund for the project.

Quamichan Creek was a productive salmon spawning habitat until it was blocked by the collapse of an old culvert in 2015. The collapse contributed to the partial erosion of the only access road to Quamichan Village— a Cowichan Tribes community. The community's water and sewer utilities were also exposed.

In addition to addressing the reconstruction of the road, culvert and utilities, the project is helping to restore the natural spawning channel at no extra cost. Salmon returned to the creek immediately after the new culvert was completed. The project received an Environmental Sustainability Award in 2017 from the local Chamber of Commerce.

Quotes

"I wish to congratulate Cowichan Tribes on this award-winning project. Indigenous Services Canada is proud to have supported this project led by the Tribes in its vision to see salmon return to this creek, while at the same time ensuring continued access to the Quamichan Village."

The Honourable Jane Philpott, M.D., P.C., M.P.
Minister of Indigenous Services

"We have been concerned about this area for a long time, cleaning the garbage and debris yearly because of the decline of fish going up the creek to spawn. This project allowed us to provide a more sustainable solution, and we were happy to see that it didn't take long for the fish to return. I would like to thank Fred Bosma, Manager of Capital Project and Chatwin Engineering for their successful work, and for putting our name forward for the award with the Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce"

Chief William (Chip) Seymour
Cowichan Tribes

Quick Facts

• Located near the community of Duncan on Vancouver Island, Cowichan Tribes is the largest First Nation in British Columbia with a total registered population of nearly 5,000 members.
• The large design of the culvert allows enough light into the water, and it incorporates a gravel bottom which simulates a natural creek bed for fish, thus allowing salmon to return to the river.

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SOURCE Indigenous Services Canada

media may contact: Rachel Rappaport, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Indigenous Services, 819-934-2796, Media Relations, Indigenous Services Canada, 819-953-1160