25 million dollar add on towards funding for Coast Clean up in 2023

Image from BC Government

The Province of British Columbia has doubled its investment towards a coastal clean up, adding another 25 million dollars to their funding towards the 4,600 kilometres of shoreline that is the focus for the work.

George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy announced the funding earlier this week noting of the success of the past for the program.

“I am honoured to stand with First Nations and partner organizations who are taking a leadership role in cleaning up marine debris and plastic pollution. The Clean Coast, Clean Waters projects have and continue to help protect and restore the health of our marine ecosystems. All British Columbians deserve access to a healthy environment. As part of our government’s broader CleanBC Plastics Action Plan to reduce plastic waste and pollution, these projects are protecting our coastlines for the benefit of our communities now and for the future.”

The additional $25 million in one-time funding will more than double the B.C. government’s investment in the Clean Coast, Clean Waters Initiative Fund, for a total of approximately $50 million. 

The Coastal First Nations-Great Bear Initiative will receive $4 million, bringing its total funding to $7.5 million since 2020. 

The remaining $21 million will be awarded to successful funding applicants through a merit-based assessment process, administered by PwC Canada. 

Nathan Cullen, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, highlighted some of the work of the past that has been part of the program.

“The Clean Coast, Clean Waters initiative has removed over 1,500 tonnes of marine debris to date, including 118 derelict vessels. Preventing and cleaning up marine pollution is essential to a healthy and productive coast, and is one aspect of our vision for B.C.’s future as we develop a Coastal Marine Strategy in partnership with First Nations.”

The funding will be distributed in two rounds, one this spring and another planned for early 2024. 

The first application period has ended. Successful recipients will be notified in June to allow projects to begin this summer. 

Projects from the first round must be completed, have their data collected and final reports submitted by Feb. 29, 2024.

A good portion of the clean up will take place in the constituency of North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice, who shared notes on the funding initiative on Wednesday as well as to highlight the current opening for those with an interest in the program.

More on the program can be reviewed here.

The full announcement from the BC government is available here.

A wider overview of themes from the Legislature can e reviewed from our archive page.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.