OSOYOOS – The benefits continue to flow from the landmark Osoyoos Lake Water Science Forum held more than a year ago in this South Okanagan town.

In a ceremony today at the BC Visitor Centre @ Osoyoos, organizers of the Forum turned over the event’s remaining funds to the local community group that champions water quality in Osoyoos Lake. The group – the Osoyoos Lake Water Quality Society – says the money will boost important new lake water quality projects in the coming year.

Osoyoos Mayor Stu Wells, one of the Forum’s key organizers, presented a cheque for $6,960 to Mark McKenney, President of the Society.

Wells said he is pleased that the money left over from hosting of the Forum will move Osoyoos Lake water quality protection and awareness forward.

The Osoyoos Lake Water Science Forum, held Sept. 16-18, 2007, brought together 190 scientists, government officials, business representatives, and residents to tackle growing concern about the lake’s water quality, quantity, and sustainability. Osoyoos Lake lies at the southern end of the Okanagan watershed, receiving water flowing from Okanagan Lake, Skaha Lake, Vaseux Lake and the Okanagan River Channel. The lake is key to local health and the tourism-based economy – and residents are concerned about the effects that agricultural fertilizers, pesticides, septic systems, urban water runoff, and gas-powered watercraft have on water quality. The Forum heard from experts about the lake’s current and likely future conditions and concluded that water issues require leadership, more inter-agency co-operation, a broader regional approach, and a more science-based decision-making approach.

“The Forum was a great success, focusing attention on just how crucial the lake’s water quality is to our community,” Wells said. “The Osoyoos Lake Water Quality Society was one of the first financial contributors to the Forum and it’s very fitting that they get these funds and use them to carry on their important work in our community.”

McKenney thanked Wells for the funds and said the Osoyoos Lake Water Quality Society plans a number of initiatives over the coming months.

“Our Society has been in operation for more than 20 years. Our members and volunteers continue to do regular lake water quality monitoring , public education, be advocates to protect our lake, and we are planning a number of other lake stewardship activities,” McKenney said. “With these funds we are planning a couple of very interesting projects, including an algae-nutrient study of the lake next summer, plans for a second lake water science forum this fall, and continued lake water monitoring beginning again in the spring.” McKenney added that the Town of Osoyoos has given its support to the Society’s application to the Okanagan Basin Water Board for funding for the algae-nutrient study, which would be conducted in co-operation with the BC Ministry of the Environment.

Mayor Wells noted that in 2008 organizers of the Osoyoos Lake Water Science Forum also granted $3,000 to the Osoyoos Oxbows Restoration Society.

Destination Osoyoos, the area’s economic development and tourism marketing agency, managed the financing and all of the logistics for the Osoyoos Lake Water Science Forum. CEO Glenn Mandziuk said Destination Osoyoos “is proud to have assisted with organizing, hosting and administering this conference that was so important for our community.”

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ATTACHED PHOTO CUTLINE: Osoyoos Mayor Stu Wells, second from left, one of the organizers of the Osoyoos Lake Water Science Forum, presents a cheque for $6,960 to Osoyoos Lake Water Quality Society (OLWQS) President Mark McKenney, third from left, at a ceremony at the BC Visitor Centre @ Osoyoos on Jan. 7, as the following officials look on (from left): Destination Osoyoos Vice-Chair Derek Noske; OLWQS Secretary Alicia Osland; OLWQS Director Denis Potter; OLWQS Director Lionel Dallas; and OLWQS Treasurer Art Molenkamp. (Photo courtesy of Destination Osoyoos)

For More Information, Contact:

Stu Wells, Mayor
Town of Osoyoos
Tel: 250-495-6515 or 250-495-5200
Email: swells@osoyoos.ca

Mark McKenney, President
Osoyoos Lake Water Quality Society
Tel: 250-495-4592
Email: mckenney@xplornet.com

Glenn Mandziuk, Chief Executive Officer
Destination Osoyoos
Tel: 250-495-3366
Email: glenn@osoyoos.ca

LINKS:

Osoyoos Lake Water Science Forum
www.obwb.ca/olwsf

Osoyoos Lake Water Quality Society
www.olwqs.org

The Destination Osoyoos Development Society is a non-profit grassroots organization committed to strengthening economic, physical, social and cultural conditions in the Osoyoos area. The goal of its Community Economic Development Strategy is to promote enhanced quality of life and a sustainable, diversified economy. It is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors representing diverse interests in the community.