Important events from the weekend

NDP HELPS OUT CRESTON VALLEY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

CRESTON - After years of chronic underfunding, the BC NDP has announced plans to invest $1 million into renovations and the greening of the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area’s buildings and facilities, it was announced today by Michelle Mungall, the NDP candidate in Nelson-Creston.

“The Creston Valley Management Area is an integral piece to our community, and not only protects a rich and diverse ecological area, it brings in over 35,000 visitors annually and employees over 11 people,” said Mungall. “The Management Area has suffered for years from lack of funding. Dikes and control structures have not been properly maintained, the wiring in the pump house is in a dangerous condition, and the on site buildings are in serious disrepair.”

“The NDP is committed to funding the renovation and greening of the buildings in the Management Area,” said Carole James, the NDP leader. “These funds will be a start towards the improvements needed for the area.”

“We have an ecologically sensitive area where elk, moose, beavers and diverse bird species live, yet the buildings are in no way environmental sustainable or safe,” said Mungall.

The funding comes from the NDP’s “Green Bonds.” The funds will be used to develop a plan and full budget in consultation with all stakeholders.

Serious concerns over the sate of the Management Area are cited in a government report released in December 2008.

VOTE NDP TO STOP GLACIER-HOWSER FOR GOOD— MUNGALL

NELSON— The resubmission of the Glacier-Howser project shows that only the NDP can stop the privatization of our rivers says Michelle Mungall, NDP candidate in Nelson Creston.“We need to stop this and other environmentally destructive private power projects,” said Mungall. “Once a corporation diverts a creek or a river, the watershed is changed forever.”

Earlier this week, prominent conservationists expressed concern about the lack of environmental assessment on private power projects. “Without a strategy or a plan we have seen something akin to a gold rush with literally hundreds of rivers being staked and that has not been good for our rivers, our environment or the energy sector for that matter.” –Rivers Institute’s Mark Angelo, May 6, 2009

The NDP has committed to a moratorium on all new private power projects in the province until a comprehensive assessment of the province’s energy needs is completed and until regulations which assess the cumulative impacts of energy projects are in place.

“The NDP will stop the give-away of our rivers and the destruction of our watersheds and ecosystems,” said Mungall. “We will restore the rights of communities and regions to be involved in decisions that affect them.”

Gordon Campbell used parts of Bill 30 to strip away the voice of communities to say no to private power projects. The NDP has committed to restoring that voice to communities and regional districts.

“Eight years is enough,” said Mungall. “Hundreds of rivers are at risk of being destroyed and we may never get them back. Only the NDP can stop Gordon Campbell from continuing the give-away resources that belong to all of us.