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SCHOOL BUS RETROFIT CLEARS
THE AIR AT B.C. SCHOOLS
Environment Minister Barry Penner was at Lochside elementary school in Saanich on Jan. 23 to announce a $1.1 million B.C. government investment to reduce emissions from diesel school buses. The investment will go towards retrofitting existing buses with state-of-the-art technology to reduce harmful particulate matter from diesel fuel emissions. The school bus retrofit program will be complete by the end of 2009. To further protect the health of school children, the government is also developing the Provincial Idle Reduction Initiative to encourage drivers to switch off their engines while waiting for their children after school. [News release] [More photos]
News
GOLDEN WILL GET NEW CONSERVATION OFFICER
GOLDEN – A full-time conservation officer will be assigned to the community of Golden this year, starting duties early this summer.
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BC PARKS CAMPING FEES GET INFLATION ADJUSTMENT
VICTORIA – The Ministry of Environment will introduce an inflation-based increase to camping fees in most provincial parks on April 1 for the 2008 camping season. Camping fees will increase by $1 per night for rustic and basic sites, and by $2 per night for moderate and developed sites. Backcountry and parking fees will not change.
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BRITISH COLUMBIA TO REDUCE SCHOOL BUS EMISSIONS
VICTORIA – Children who ride school buses will soon breathe cleaner air, thanks to a $1.1-million B.C. government investment to reduce emissions from diesel buses, Environment Minister Barry Penner announced.
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SKAHA BLUFFS LAND PURCHASE COMPLETE
PENTICTON – The B.C. government, The Land Conservancy of British Columbia (TLC) and the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) through the NCC-Government of Canada Natural Areas Conservation Program have partnered with Mountain Equipment Co-op and other supporters to acquire a 304-hectare property adjacent to the popular Skaha Bluffs recreational rock climbing area.
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SNOWPACK AND WATER SUPPLY BULLETIN
VICTORIA – This winter, British Columbia is generally experiencing near-normal snow conditions in contrast to last winter’s heavy early season snowpacks.
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The ministry's vision is a clean, healthy and naturally diverse environment.