Ducks Unlimited receives $1.5M for Inga Lake and other conservation sites

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship has announced $1.5 million in funding for Ducks Unlimited-operated sites including Inga Lake. 

According to a June 18th press release, the Province of B.C. has announced it is providing $1.5 million to Ducks Unlimited to support operations at conservation sites across the province, including Inga Lake, 

The lake, approximately one hour north of Fort St. John off Highway 97, came under public scrutiny in January, when Ducks Unlimited brought concerns about it being decommissioned to the Peace River Regional District’s Board of Directors. 

On June 18th, Randene Neill, the minister of water, land and resource stewardship, stated the funds would support “long-term solutions” for sites such as Inga Lake. 

“People in the northeast care deeply about Inga Lake, and we know how important it is to local anglers and families,” Neill said. 

“This funding supports the next steps toward a long-term solution that will help protect fish and wildlife habitat, while keeping this valued outdoor space accessible for years to come.”

In January, the fish and wildlife section head with the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, James Morgan, told the PRRD the possibility for decommissioning came from safety concerns surrounding the earthen dam which formed the lake. It was last repaired in 1990, and has since surpassed its 30-year expected lifespan.

During the same meeting, Tara Lumley, a conservation programs specialist with Ducks Unlimited, explained the site would cost $70,000 to decommission and up to $1.5 million to complete major repairs or rebuilding. 

“Our engineer at Ducks Unlimited has some safety concerns that there’s some seepage going through the dam, and that they do need to be looked at very soon,” Lumley said.

According to the province’s June 18th release, the funds provided to Ducks Unlimited will help the organization assess the infrastructure and find a long-term solution.

Of the $1.5 million, $500,000 is expected to go towards assessing, planning and engineering work at Inga Lake.