West Coast Aquatic is hoping to get a better idea of what’s going into the Alberni Inlet these days.
The organization is applying for a Royal Bank Canada Blue Water Leadership Grant to fund the project and received a letter of support from the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District for its application.
“We’d look at quantifying and measuring inputs in the Alberni Inlet,” said stewardship association executive director Sheena Falconer
“We’ll be looking at storm drains, liquid waste, gas and oil from commercial and recreational boating, industrial waste and log handling.”
West Coast Aquatic has applied for the grant before on a combined sewer overflow project but wasn’t able to meet the criteria.
The grant seeks projects that improve water efficiency, increase water quality, and protect and remediate urban water ways.
Falconer said that WCA’s project has three parts—improving filtration in an area, improving the riparian area in an urban waterway and educating the public about urban waterways.
“The first thing we’ll do is identify and measure things. The second thing we’ll do is start working on some mitigation,” said Falconer.
“We’ll identify remediation strategies that include rain gardens, riparian zones, infrastructure improvements and education for local businesses and home owners for what not to put down the drain.