Nakusp, British Columbia, September 4, 2007 - The water system in the
Village of Nakusp, British Columbia will receive a significant upgrade
thanks to $1.6 million from the federal Gas Tax Fund. This funding will
enable the Village to move forward with its Official Community Plan by
expanding water service for new residents and businesses. The system
improvements will also allow the Village to provide water and fire
protection to areas within the community that currently are not
serviced.
The announcement was made today by Jim Abbott, Member of Parliament for
Kootenay-Columbia, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister
of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. The Honourable Ida Chong,
Minister of Community Service, Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) Executive
Councillor Janice Dahlen and Mayor Karen Hamling joined MP Abbott in
celebrating the announcement.
"Canada's New Government is pleased to work in partnership with the
Province of British Columbia and the UBCM to support this important
project in Nakusp," said Mr. Abbott. "This investment will help improve
Nakusp's water infrastructure, supporting our commitment to provide
Canadians with cleaner water and an improved quality of life."
The project will improve water quality through new pre-filters and a
filtration plant that utilizes ultraviolet treatment. In addition, a new
micro-hydro unit will power the treatment plant. Surplus energy will be
used to power the sewage treatment plant or will be sold through BC
Hydro's Net Metering program. Decentralized green power generation
combined with water treatment is both innovative and more sustainable than
conventional practices.
"We know local governments are leaders when it comes to energy
conservation and reducing greenhouse gas emissions," said Minister Chong.
"Other communities in B.C. can look to Nakusp for creative and sustainable
ideas for their own local infrastructure projects. Nakusp's commitment to
a greener, healthier community will help B.C. reduce greenhouse gas
emissions by 33 per cent by 2020."
"Nakusp has developed a project that is breaking new ground for
sustainable infrastructure," said Councillor Dahlen. "The innovative
proposal to combine water system upgrades with power production supports
all three of the primary goals for Gas Tax funding".
"We are extremely grateful for the federal Gas Tax fund," said Mayor
Hamling. "Nakusp has been working hard on implementing its Official
Community Plan through the development of sustainable infrastructure. The
funding being provided will allow Nakusp to meet its goals and move into
the future."
The Village will be immediately employing Delterra Engineering of
Kelowna to implement the design plans and prepare tender documents. It is
anticipated that work will commence in early spring of 2008.
Canada's New Government is providing $635.6 million to British Columbia
from 2005 to 2010 through the Gas Tax Agreement. In Budget 2007, and as
part of its $33 billion "Building Canada" plan, the Government of Canada
extended the Gas Tax Fund by an additional $2 billion per year nationally,
from 2010 to 2014. Gas Tax funding is available to local governments for
environmentally sustainable infrastructure projects that lead to cleaner
air, cleaner water or to the reduction of greenhouse gases. The Gas Tax
Agreement is administered in British Columbia by the Union of BC
Municipalities.
Please visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca
or www.civicnet.bc.ca for
background information on the Canada – BC – UBCM Gas Tax Agreement.
-30-
Contacts:
Natalie SarafianPress Secretary to the Honourable Lawrence
Cannon613-991-0700
Infrastructure Canada 613-948-1148
Marc BlackCommunications ManagerMinistry of Community
Services(250) 356 6334
Paul TaylorRelationships and Communications AdvisorUnion of BC
Municipalities250-356-2938
Bob LafleurChief Administrative Officer,Village of
Nakusp250-265-3689
