Site C Enters New Phase

I have reposted this courtesy of Opinion 250.

Site C Enters New Phase

By 250 News

Monday, January 28, 2013 01:39 PM

 

 

Image of proposed dam and reservoir, courtesy BC Hydro

Prince George, B.C.- B.C. Hydro has filed its Environmental Impact Statement and mitigation plans for the $8 billion dollar Site C dam project.

 

The  5 volume EIS notes there are some potential effects that cannot be mitigated “some of which may be considered significant” says BC Hydro. Those significant impacts include : “effects on some distinct groups of fish, some ecological features and rare plants, habitat for certain migratory birds and the use of culturally important places by certain First Nations for traditional purposes.”

 

Some of the mitigation measures proposed are:

 

· Creating new wildlife habitat

· Supporting habitat enhancement projects in the region, including working with Aboriginal groups to identify potential sites for relocation of medicinal plants

· Providing upstream fish passage through a trap and haul facility

· Establishing an agricultural compensation fund to address the loss of agricultural land and enhance agriculture productivity in the region

· Relocating portions of Highway 29 that would be affected by the creation of the reservoir

· Upgrading roads to accommodate traffic from project construction activities

· Building new boat launches and recreation sites

· Funding community services where appropriate

· Funding skills training initiatives to increase the skilled workforce required for the project

· Building 40 new permanent housing units to be used by the project during construction, and provided to the community for affordable housing.

 

 

While noting the impacts, BC Hydro says the project should proceed because it is in the public’s interest to provide long term, sustainable, clean energy.

 

If approved, Site C would provide 1,100 megawatts (MW) of capacity, and produce about 5,100 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity each year — enough energy to power the equivalent of about 450,000 homes each year in the province.

 

The public comment period on the EIS will start February 3rd,  with written comments to be received no later than April 4^th.

 

All comments received will be posted on the Agency's online public registry and on the EAO website.

Written comments can be sent to either of the following:

Linda Jones, Panel Manager
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
22nd Floor, 160 Elgin Street
Ottawa ON K1A 0H3SiteCReview@ceaa-acee.gc.ca

Brian Murphy, Executive Project Director
B.C. Environmental Assessment Office
PO Box 9426 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria BC V8W 9V1
Fax: 250-356-7477On line form

 

A series of public information  open houses has been set with one scheduled for Prince George on the 28^th of February at the Ramada Hotel.  Representatives of both agencies will be available to answer questions on the environmental assessment process and how the public can participate.  BC Hydro, will also attend the sessions to answer technical questions about the EIS. The public will have an opportunity to submit written comments on the EIS at the sessions.

 

All of the public information sessions will take place from 4 pm to 8 pm at the following locations:

Date	Community	Location
February 19th	Fort St. John, BC	North Peace Cultural Centre
February 20, 2013	Hudson’s Hope	Hudson’s Hope Community Hall
February 21	Chetwynd	Pomeroy Inn & Suites
February 26	Peace River	Sawridge Inn and Conf. Centre
February 27	Dawson Creek	Best Western Dawson Creek
February 28	Prince George	Ramada Inn