For Immediate Release
Contact:  Doug McFee   604-534-6727

The Salmon River Enhancement Society welcomes well known environmental
lawyer Linda Nolan to their May 12 meeting.  Says Doug McFee of SRES..."Ms.
Nowlan will review her research re remedies for the water problems in the
Hopington aquifer and the Salmon River."  Ms. Nowlan's work was funded by
the West Coast Environmental Law Society of BC.  "That WCEL was willing to
fund this research shows once again that the water situation for the Salmon
River is recognized as a provincial priority" continues McFee. 

The Salmon River was recently designated one of the most endangered streams
in BC due to water problems.  Ms. Nowlan was Executive Director of WCEL for
many years and is well known for her expertise in water issues.  She has
looked into how the dropping water table (the water table has been dropping
a foot a year for 30 years) in the Hopington area can be restored and how
water quality problems can be addressed. 

Mr. McFee notes, "The Water Management Plan put forward by the Township is a
step forward but will not be enough to deal with the water issues.  Although
TOL is moving towards capping of artesian wells we will also need to reduce
usage by existing users and improve recharge to the aquifer.  The plan does
not include sufficient measures in these areas so it needs significant
improvement if we are going to stabilize the water table" continues McFee. 

"We are already seeing some damage to the Salmon River as parts of the river
run dry during warm summers." says McFee.  "We need to take the advice that
Ms. Nowlan will give us and apply it quickly" he concludes 

The SRES meeting will start at 7 pm on Wednesday. May 12 and will be held at
23751 59 Avenue.  All are welcome.