RDEK against Glacier/Howser
The Glacier-Howser river diversion project does not have support from RDEK directors.
At its meeting on August 7, 2009, the RDEK board passed a motion to send a letter to the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office outlining its opposition to the controversial independent power project.
The letter will outline three reasons for the opposition:
1. The proposed transmission line will impact high value forests;
2. The environmental impacts outweigh the economic benefits; and
3. The power that would be generated is not required in the Upper Columbia Valley.
Director Taft brought the motion forward. It came from recommendations made to the board by five directors of a select committee who were appointed to look into the matter earlier this year.
“The Glacier-Howser proposal does not make sense for our region, and RDEK directors have recognized that,” said Dave Quinn, Wildsight’s Purcells program manager. “I believe their decision reflects the public will about this river diversion project -- it’s not needed and it’s not wanted.”
Quinn said Wildsight is supportive of efforts to develop alternative energy solutions that are truly sustainable and beneficial -- but that the Glacier-Howser river diversion project falls short.
“True alternative energy solutions are well-planned, community supported, and sustainable,” he said. “They factor in cumulative effects, impacts on wilderness and sensitive wildlife, and are located close to existing power transmission lines and facilities.
“Clearly, the Glacier-Howser river diversion proposal falls short: it would completely divert five critical fish-bearing creeks, it would require nearly 100 kilometres of new transmission lines and roads through locally-protected old growth areas, and it would be one more slice through crucial, intact grizzly, wolverine and mountain caribou habitat.
“As for sustainability, the energy generated from the project would be at its greatest during peak spring and summer run-off periods -- times when the demand is low. A hundred megawatt generator is not worth the damage it would cause here.”
