ABSTRACT
7th International Symposium on Environmental Concerns in Rights-of-Way Management

TITLE:

Manitoba Hydro’s Forest Enhancement Program - Four Years Later

AUTHOR(S):

Wade Munro - wmunro@hydro.mb.ca
Winnipeg, MB, Canada

Background:
After a detailed assessment of the need to address the loss of forest cover caused by the building of new transmission lines, Manitoba Hydro implemented in 1995, a 10 year province wide program entitled the Forest Enhancement Program (FEP) with a $3,5000,000 budget.

Program Design:
The FEP has been designed as an "application" driven program where non-profit community organizations / groups and educators can apply for funding to support "Tree Planting; Forest Education; and Innovative Forest Projects". Access by local Government and for-profit organizations is limited but they are actively encouraged to partner with community organizations.

There are two application sizes for each of the above project categories - Small (< $4000) and Large (>$4000 but not exceeding $25 000). Projects can be implemented over one or two years.

The FEP is managed by an internal Steering Committee with staff members from across the corporation with direct involvement in forestry, environmental assessment; line construction, environmental education, and municipal liaison. An Advisory Committee chaired by Manitoba Hydro but with members from outside the utility (with recognized interest or expertise in forestry and the environment) evaluates all large scale proposals (>$4000) and provides funding recommendations.

Monitoring the success of implemented projects is a very important part of the FEP. This involves various approaches including contracted service, member site visits, or committee site tours.

Program Uptake/Response:
The public response and interest in the FEP has far exceeded expectations. After four years 218 projects have received funding support throughout Manitoba (from Churchill to the U.S. border).. Funding has gone to 189 Tree Planting projects; 15 Forest Education projects; and 12 Innovative Forest projects. Project funding awards have varied from $400 - $25 000. The program continues to receive very strong support from the public and various branches of government.

Project Types:
Some examples of funded projects include schoolyard tree planting; Forest Education Teacher Workshops; Senior Citizen Housing tree planting; public golf course tree planting; Community Recreation grounds tree planting; Scout group tree planting; shelter belt planting; Dutch Elm Disease research; research into boreal forest succession; community nursery establishment projects; and forest interpretive center programs.

Ref#: Abs1-137