TMTV Nelson BC Canada - The Cascade Falls situated on the Kettle River at Christina Lake BC (British Columbia) is in danger of becoming a Run of the River Power Project. - Outdoor Recreation Council of British Columbia: Flathead River Heads BCs Most Endangered Rivers List for 2009-Kettle River and Glacier/Howser Creek Follow Closely Behind. Half of B.C.'s 10 most threatened rivers are at risk from so-called green energy projects, according to an annual report released today by the Outdoor Recreation Council of B.C.
Mark Angelo, rivers chairman for the council, said the public is concerned about a flood of private run-of-river power proposals all over B.C. in the absence of a comprehensive provincial strategy that considers cumulative impacts.
Bute Inlet, which ranked eighth on the council's list, is the site of a Plutonic Power proposal involving a record 17 stream diversions, 445 kilometres of transmission lines, 314 kilometres of roads, 142 bridges, 16 power houses, and a substation.
"Looking at Bute Inlet, that's a footprint that far exceeds what people think about as a green project," said Angelo, noting that even a small project in the wrong place can have significant impacts.
The Flathead River in southeast B.C. ranks first on this year's list due to proposed coal mining and coalbed methane development. It placed second in 2008 and first in 2007.
The B.C. Liberal administration has championed private power projects to the point of passing legislation that removes the ability of local governments to stand in their way.
"A lot of people feel alienated from the process," said Angelo, an Order of Canada recipient who also heads the BCIT fish, wildlife, and recreation program.
He said the province's environmental assessment office is designed mainly to help industry make a project work. Environmental concerns relate not just to infrastructure, but potential changes to stream flows and temperatures and insect production that could affect fish survival downstream.
The Peace River ranked sixth on this year's list and is threatened by B.C. Hydro's power dam proposal for Site C, a stretch downstream of Hudson's Hope that holds important farmland, wildlife habitat, and archeological sites.
The low-flow Kettle River near Grand Forks ranked second, in part due to a Cascade Heritage Power Project run-of-river proposal in Cascade Canyon.
Other run-of-river projects: Purcell Green Power's plan for Glacier/Howser creeks, third on the list, near Kaslo; and Kleana Power Corp.'s plan for Klinaklini River, 10th on the list, southeast of Kitimat.
The upper Pitt River placed first last year on the council's list due to an independent power project that would have run powerlines through neighbouring Pinecone Burke Provincial Park. The province turned down the project after a groundswell of public protest.
Around B.C., rivers are threatened not just by power projects but by urban and industrial development, water extraction, sedimentation, drought, pollution, and mining.
Angelo said it is impossible to "separate the health of our fish stocks from the health of our rivers."
The council solicited nominations for the 17th annual list of most endangered rivers from its member groups, which boast close to 100,000 members, as well as from the public and resource managers.
Loading...
I love to ride horses at the Owl Mountain Ranch, and walking by the falls is one of the highlights. It would be a shame for that to change.
andrewjefferypiccina 2 years ago