An innovative project to restore the Vaseux Lake wetlands in Okanagan Falls will soon be underway thanks to Government of Canada funding. Instead of pumping water from the Okanagan River, the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) will release treated wastewater into the wetlands to maintain water levels and support conservation.

“This investment demonstrates our shared commitment to the protection and preservation of the Vaseaux Lake wetlands,” said Dan Albas, Member of Parliament for Okanagan— Coquihalla. “Our Government is proud to support local priorities that safeguard the environment and help Okanagan communities remain among the best places in the world to live, work, visit and raise a family.”

As well as reducing operational costs for the RDOS, one of the long-term goals of this project is the development of a master restoration plan for the wetlands in collaboration with Environment Canada and Ducks Unlimited.

“Thanks to our federal and provincial governments and the UBCM, this contribution from the federal Gas Tax Fund will cover a significant part of this important wetlands enhancement project,” said Dan Ashton, Regional District Chair. “This innovative project demonstrates the Regional District’s commitment to preservation and protection of the wetlands and we look forward to creating a vision for managing these diverse areas.”

At a total estimated cost of $500,000, over $360,000 will be provided by Canada’s Gas Tax Fund, with the remaining amount coming from regional revenues.

“This project will have the dual benefit of protecting important wetlands that support biodiversity and reducing operational costs for the Regional District,” said John Slater, MLA for Boundary-Similkameen. “It’s great to see how partnering to address infrastructure needs can lead to such innovative solutions – solutions that will benefit the environment and British Columbians for generations to come.”

Canada’s Gas Tax Fund provides stable, long-term funding to local governments to help them build and revitalize public infrastructure. In December 2011, the Government of Canada passed legislation to make the Gas Tax Fund a permanent annual investment of $2 billion per year. The Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) administers the Gas Tax Fund in BC, in collaboration with Canada and British Columbia.

“One of the ways that local governments are reducing costs is by reusing waste materials from operations,” said Heath Slee, President of UBCM. “UBCM appreciates the federal support provided through the Gas Tax Fund to support this innovative wetlands restoration project.”

Investing in infrastructure is a key part of the Government of Canada’s plan to create jobs, promote growth and ensure long-term prosperity. To develop a new long-term infrastructure plan for beyond 2014, the Government of Canada is working with provinces, territories, municipalities through municipal associations and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, as well as other key stakeholders in a series of roundtables. This plan will focus on investments that support job creation and economic growth, while building strong, prosperous communities across the country. Working together to develop this plan will provide new opportunities for all orders of government and the private sector to build partnerships to improve public infrastructure in Canada.