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Projects tap into water board funding

The Okanagan Basin Water Board has directed funding to a number of projects in the South Okanagan.

The Okanagan Basin Water Board has directed funding to a number of projects in the South Okanagan.

There was $300,000 available in the grant program that was split between the three Okanagan regional districts, based on their contributions to the program. Six projects were funded in the South Okanagan worth a total of $65,700. OBWB grant administrator Melissa Tesche said the projects focus on a valley-wide benefit, promote collaboration and share best practices. There were a total of 35 local applications seeking a total amount of $703,331.

The Town of Osoyoos was awarded funds to map and inventory the shoreline of Osoyoos Lake and develop an aquatic habitat listing that will be included as part of an Okanagan-wide mapping network.

The Okanagan Nation Alliance will identify water licences with intakes on the Okanagan River and connecting oxbows to determine which intakes would be negatively impacted if mid-summer flows were reduced, which would aid with water management for sockeye.

The Regional District Okanagan Similkameen is hiring a summer student to work in Naramata to promote water conservation methods and install cattle fencing at Hart’s Pond.

A park beautification and water conservation project will take place in Okanagan Falls to convert flower beds and gardens to xeriscape demonstration gardens.

 

Summerland will be doing an inventory and map unconfirmed watercourses within Summerland, which are currently not included in the district’s watercourse development permit area.