From the Pacific Stream Keepers Federation:
"Some rather disturbing new was just sent in
I just wanted to let people know, before they hear it elsewhere, that we have just officially heard today that the Resource Restoration Unit (RRU) program, along with the Education and Community Support Program (Stream to Sea or S2S), both part of the DFO Salmonid Enhancement Program, are being cut and all the RRU positions will be eliminated under federal workforce adjustment. All RRU staff have today received a letter notifying them that they are “affected,” the first step in the process. We’ll continue to operate for the rest of this fiscal, until the end of March 2018, but with a reduced operating budget (meaning reduced purchases of equipment and supplies as well as reduced travel). Some staff will find jobs in other parts of the department that are expanding and they may leave RRU prior to the end of March. The total (staff & operating) budget will be ˝ next year and will go to 0 the following year. So, we’ll need to complete any short-term obligations and wind up current ongoing and long-term activities and not get involved in any new ongoing activities or commitments. More details will be forthcoming in the next few days and weeks."
I appreciate this is a hunting website, but most of us fish also and this is important. Although it appears to be focused on the Interior (or shall I say non-Liberal ridings) it will spread soon! In short they basically shut down all habitat restoration in the Interior. Community groups who do restoration projects must first get approval from Biologists, surveyors and other DFO employees! In other words, they must get approval from those employed in the soon to be closed down RRU! Without their approval no official projects are allowed. Yes, community advisors will still be around but there role is very limited!
They also pulled funding for salmon in the classrooms in the North! Once us old timers go there will be no need for volunteers. People get involved in what they know about, what they can see, what they can touch. Take salmon away from the children and the children will not care about the salmon! This is truly disgusting!
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Re: SEP Funding - RRU, School programs, more, cut
Originally Posted by Opinionated Ol Phart
Re: SEP Funding - RRU, School programs, more, cut
Opening up more CG stations, restoring funding to research-enforcement. WTF would they get rid of this program I started an enhancement group through this program 20 years ago always seemed to be a no brainer there's very few staff that just set up volunteers to work in streams. How could that not be cost effective? Don't get it
