HARRISON MILLS - Fraser Valley residents are encouraged to come and learn more about a proposal to establish a wildlife management area for river habitats near the Harrison and Chehalis Rivers at a Nov. 7, 2013 open house.

Date: Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013 - 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Location:
Harrison Mills Community Hall
1995 School Rd.

Harrison Mills

The proposed Harrison-Chehalis Wildlife Management Area (WMA) covers approximately 1,515 hectares of river and freshwater delta habitats associated with the Harrison and Chehalis Rivers. The area, which is subject to seasonal flooding, contains some of the region's most ecologically productive wetlands which support biodiversity in the region and the broader Pacific Northwest.

The Harrison-Chehalis area has internationally significant fish and wildlife values that include an abundant and diverse salmon population, significant numbers of bald eagles and trumpeter swans and important habitats for regionally threatened white sturgeon. The area is also valued by several local communities which have long relied on the area's natural resources and environmental features to sustain their livelihood and quality of life.

The Province has been engaging with local First Nations, governments and stakeholders on the Harrison-Chehalis WMA proposal for many years, and in 2011 identified legal designation of the WMA as a priority project. The Province has used the input to draft a proposed WMA and is now initiating a 45-day formal consultation process on the proposed WMA legal designation and its boundaries, which will run from Nov. 7, 2013 until Dec. 21, 2013.

This process will be used to assist in making an informed decision on the proposal. Those interested are encouraged to attend the open house. Written submissions can also be sent to Jeff Juthans, Land & Resource Specialist in the Regional Initiatives Office, before Dec. 21, 2013, at: jeff.juthans@gov.bc.ca

The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations works to maintain and restore the province's ecological diversity of fish and wildlife species and their habitats. One way the ministry meets these goals is through the management of the province's various types of conservation lands, including the establishment of wildlife management areas under Section 4 of the Wildlife Act. This designation gives the ministry additional tools to manage the land and associated land uses.

Quick Facts:

• There are currently 28 wildlife management areas in B.C. ranging in size from the 17-hectare Coquitlam River WMA to the 122,500 hectare Todagin WMA in northwestern B.C.
• More than 244,000 hectares in the province are now designated as wildlife management areas.
• The WMA nearest to the Harrison River is the 915-hectare Bert Brink WMA covering wetlands and floodplain forest habitat at McGillivray Slough and Nicomen Slough along the Fraser River.
• The B.C. Government announced three new WMAs in 2013, near Penticton, Valemount and Port Hardy respectively.

Learn More:

For more information on the proposed Harrison-Chehalis Wildlife Management Area visit: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/habitat/conservation-lands/wma/harrison-chehalis/

Contact:

Brennan Clarke
Public Affairs Officer
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 356-5261