“Clean water is fundamental to healthy ecosystems, healthy communities, and our local economy. It was an honour to welcome Minister Neill and Deputy Minister Halls to the Kootenays to hear directly from the yaqan nuʔkiy, local governments, stewardship organizations, and community leaders who are doing incredible work to protect and restore our watersheds,” said Brittny Anderson, MLA for Kootenay-Central. “From the Goat River watershed to Nelson’s drinking water infrastructure and the frontline work being done to prevent invasive mussels, this visit highlighted the importance of strong partnerships and local knowledge in protecting the natural resources we all depend on.”

While in the Kootenays, Minister Neill was able to meet with local leaders from Rossland, Castlegar, Nelson, and the Regional District of Central Kootenay, host a Watersheds Roundtable in Nelson with more than 15 environmental and stewardship organizations across the West Kootenays and attend site tours of the Columbia & Western Rail Trail,  Nelson’s Five Mile Weir, the Goat River Watershed, and the Yahk Watercraft Inspection Station highlighting B.C.’s efforts to prevent invasive zebra and quagga mussels from entering provincial waterways. She was also able to meet with local groups like the Save Record Ridge Action Committee and Rossland tourism led by Rossland Mayor Andy Morel.

“It goes without saying that water is one of our most important resources, and here in the Kootenays watershed protection is something people are extremely passionate about,” said Steve Morissette, MLA for Kootenay-Monashee. “It was a pleasure to be joined by Minister Neill as we connected with local activists and leaders and participate in a tour of the Columbia and Western Trail with a local expert to learn the challenges and explore solutions to maintaining the much loved trail.”

This was the end of a week-long tour through the Thompson-Okanagan, Kootenay and Boundary areas for Minister Neill, where she also visited  Princeton, Keremeos, Osoyoos, and Grand Forks.

“It is always great to travel to the interior and hear from people on the ground about the needs in their communities,” said Randene Neill, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. “Hearing from local groups coming together to protect their watersheds and ecosystems is inspiring, and it’s our job to help them succeed.”

The Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship is accountable for integrated land and natural resource management, including objective setting for land and marine environments, effectively managing cumulative effects, and advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, environmental sustainability, and economic growth.