NDP MLA Josie Osborne says new coastline cleanup projects under way in Mid-Island region
PORT ALBERNI – New Democrat MLA Josie Osborne says new coastline clean up projects are now underway, thanks to more funding from the BC New Democrat government for the Clean Coast, Clean Waters initiative.
“The Coastal Restoration Society consistently demonstrates how we can restore and protect the environment and create good paying, meaningful jobs that support coastal families. This project will have a positive impact on people and our environment,” said Josie Osborne, MLA for Mid Island-Pacific Rim. “I am thrilled that the Coastal Restoration Society is continuing their good work, through strong partnerships with First Nations, to steward BC’s lands and waters and make our world a better place for our kids and grandkids.”
Waters and coasts around the Mid Island-Pacific Rim constituency, and across Vancouver Island will benefit from $2.78 million in funding toward two projects run by the Coastal Restoration Society, one for coastal ecosystem improvement and another for derelict vessel removal.
The Coastal Ecosystem Improvement Project will create 105 jobs to remediate up to 670 km of shoreline from the lands and waters of Barkley Sound, Snuneymuxw, Tsawout, and Salish territories, working alongside the Huu-ay-aht, Uchucklesaht, Tseshaht, Toquaht, Yuulu?il?ath, Snuneymuxw, Stz’uminus, Lyackson, Penelakut, WSÁNEC; Tsartlip, Tsechum, Pauquachin, Tsawout, Lelum Sar Augh Ta Naogh, Snaw-naw-as, and T’Sou-ke First Nations.
The derelict vessel removal project will remove at least 33 derelict vessels around Huu-ay-aht, Uchucklesaht, Tseshaht, Toquaht, and Yuulu?il?ath, Snuneymuxw, Stz’uminus, Lyackson, and Penelakut Tribe Traditional Territories, partnering with Penelakut Tribe and Huu-ay-aht, Uchucklesaht, Tseshaht, Toquaht, Yuulu?il?ath, Snuneymuxw, and Stz’uminus First Nations, with an expected 147 new jobs created.
The Clean Coast, Clean Waters (CCCW) initiative partners with organizations to clean up the province’s coastline. This year, eight projects were selected that are expected to clean over 1,400 kilometres of shoreline, and remove at least 70 derelict vessels, creating 630 new jobs in the process.
The Clean Coast, Clean Waters initiative is an important part of the CleanBC Plastics Action Plan to reduce plastic waste and pollution in our environment.
Up to the end of 2022, the Clean Coast, Clean Waters Initiative had:
- Removed more than 1,500 tonnes of debris, including 118 derelict vessels;
- Achieved a 64% recycling/upcycling rate for shoreline cleanup projects;
- Cleaned over 4,600 kilometres of shoreline
- Created over 1,700 well-paying jobs.
Learn More: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023ENV0065-001829
For more information on the fund: https://www.bccleancoast.ca