The Province is set to transfer 11 hectares of Crown land to the Nicola Valley First Nations, fulfilling a promise made in March 2019 to work together to grow the regional economy and advance reconciliation with the First Nations.

Significant progress is being made to manage invasive plant species in the Thompson-Nicola region, as part of a $2.2-million pilot project that began this spring and will continue into 2020.

The public is being asked to prepare for localized flooding as water levels in Nicola Lake and river rise due to increased snowmelt and higher than normal rain levels throughout April.

Under the BC Rural Dividend, the Province is providing $60,000 in new grants to the Fraser Nicola region.

It is anticipated that the heavy rainfall experienced over the past 48 hours will cause the streamflow in creeks and rivers feeding Nicola Lake to increase and remain high for at least another two weeks.

The public is asked to exercise caution, and prepare for localized flooding as water levels in Nicola Lake, the Nicola River and surrounding streams increase due to rapid snowmelt and recent high temperatures.

The B.C. government has leased a 2.176-hectare plot of land from the City of Merritt to construct an expanded Merritt Fire Zone office and training centre for the Wildfire Management Branch.