| Abstract/Description or Keywords |
The construction and operation of hydropower dams have highly modified the natural environments in the mid-Columbia River region between Shelter Bay and the Mica dam where this catalogue is focused. There have been permanent changes to a substantial area of upland, riparian, wetland and aquatic ecosystems, with impacts to fish and wildlife habitats. Community groups and the general public in the Revelstoke area as well as First Nations that include this area in their traditional territory are supportive of on-site stewardship, conservation and restoration projects in this area to improve ecosystem function and habitats. Funding is available for these projects from the Columbia Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program, Columbia Basin Trust and other sources however few proposals for this area are received by these potential funders. Although there are over 40 scientific reports that describe the environmental impacts of reservoirs and hydropower operations in this area, with some suggesting potential ecosystem projects and priorities, much of this information is not readily available to or understood by non-technical readers. As well, interested groups do not have relationships in place to partner on projects. These barriers have slowed the development of on-site projects. This catalogue aims to reduce these barriers by compiling the scientific information and local perspectives on potential projects to enhance access to this information and facilitate funding applications for ecosystem enhancement projects over time. The project team was led by Cindy Pearce from Mountain Labyrinths Inc. and included technical specialists from Cooper Beauchesne and Associates Ltd., Canadian Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fisheries Commission, Okanagan Nation Alliance and Splats’in First Nation Development Corporation. Mid-Columbia Ecosystem Enhancement Project Catalugue; Annotated Bibliography. |
