BUTE INLET POWER PROJECT

fishingbc

Active Member
Here is some information on the Bute Inlet Run of River proposal and the opportunity to comment on the Terms of Reference for the Environmental Review. This is a massive proposal and will alter upper Bute Inlet irreversibly. The more people that write letters and attend the public meetings, the more pressure there will be to ensure the most comprehensive Environmental Assessment of the proposed project. Given the scale of this development we need to be sure that all potential environmental, economic and social impacts are well considered before any decision is made to proceed.



Please pass this information to anyone who may be interested and it is crucial that the people identified below are made aware of your concerns.





Bute Inlet Wilderness Threatened



A mega-energy project is proposed for Bute Inlet by Plutonic Power and General Electric. It includes 17 river diversions and related hydroelectric facilities, many other structures, 85 km of penstock, 267 km of permanent roads and 443 km of high-voltage transmission lines through some of BC’s most remote and beautiful coastal wilderness between Bute Inlet and Earl’s Cove. A map is at http://tinyurl.com/9ewa7w.



The massive scale and long-term environmental impacts of this development proposal warrant the most thorough and transparent public and scientific scrutiny. The short-term and long term social and economic effects must also be carefully considered.



Related to this project are several highly important BC public policy issues that need to be revealed and discussed.These include the 2002 energy plan that prohibited BC Hydro from developing public power production facilities; 2006 provincial legislation (Bill C-30) which silenced communities’ right to say “no” to development proposals; and the major question of whether there will be private profits or public benefits from BC’s energy resources.



BC’s Liberal government has designed the environmental assessment process to favour industry. Without high levels of public interest and involvement, this huge project will almost certainly go ahead as presented – also setting a precedent for further developments.



The BC Environmental Assessment Office is holding public meetings in Powell River January 27 and Sechelt January 28 and





Campbell River: Monday February 2, Quinsam Hall (at Island Hwy and Willis Rd)
Open House 4-8 pm, with presentation at 7 pm.





This is one of very few public opportunities to influence what will happen to a significant part of BC’s wilderness coast! A good turnout is vital to showing the government that we care, we want a fair process, and we want to be included. The level of public interest will dictate the possibility for expanding the public process. Local voices are especially potent, so come if you possibly can -- and bring some friends!



The 30-day period for written comments to the Draft Terms of Reference, and requests for public involvement ends February 18. Right now the most (and almost only) thing we can do is demand a more considered, more comprehensive, and truly fair process.



Please take time to write a quick letter to the following influential people and decision-makers.

(for your convenience, email addresses are also provided in a cut & paste format)



Address your letter to:



Marie-France Therrien, Panel Manager, Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, 160 Elgin Street, 22nd Fl., Place Bell Canada Ottawa ON K1A 0H3 Phone: 613-957-0324 Fax: 613-957-0941



Kathy Eichenberger, Project Assessment Director, BC Environmental Assessment Office

Environmental Assessment Office, POB 9047 Stn Prov Govt. Victoria, BC V8W 9V1

Phone: 250-952-6501 Fax: 250-387-2208



Copy: Honourable Gordon Campbell, BC Premier

The Honourable Jim Prentice, Canada's Minister of the Environment

Hon Barry Penner, BC Minister of Environment

Blair Lekstrom BC Minister of Energy Mines and Resources

John Duncan, MP North Island

John Weston, MP Sunshine Coast

Claire Trevena, MLA North Island

Nicholas Simons, MLA Sunshine Coast,



Send To: marie-france.therrien@ceaa-acee.gc.ca; eaoinfo@gov.bc.ca



Cc: premier@gov.bc.ca; Prentice.J@parl.gc.ca; Barry.Penner@gov.bc.ca; EMPR@gov.bc.ca;

Duncan.J@parl.gc.ca; westoj@parl.gc.ca; claire.trevena.mla@leg.bc.ca; nicholas.simons.mla@leg.bc.ca



Bcc: ButeInlet@gmail.com Friends of Bute Inlet









YOUR LETTER:



Say (briefly) who you are and why you care.


Urgent Request: That the Federal government refers the Bute Inlet project to a
“Federal Review Panel and public hearings”



Demand that the scientific studies are comprehensive, impartial, and peer-reviewed.


Request fair public process, including meeting venues and timelines that offer realistic opportunites for public involvement.


Express your concern about BC’s fast-tracking huge private projects with major environmental impacts and social consequences.




Don’t delay your response and please pass this on to your friends and relations!





To find out more, please contact ButeInlet@gmail.com or phone 250-285-2846.


Keep informed at www.ButeInlet.net


Join Friends of Bute Inlet on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=38393270841




The draft terms of reference for the Bute Inlet Hydroelectric Project can be downloaded from the BC Environmental Assessment Office, at:

http://a100.gov.bc.ca/appsdata/epic/html/deploy/epic_project_home_316.html



Bute Inlet at the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency:

http://www.ceaa.gc.ca/050/05/nominations-eng.cfm?cear_id=44825#documents
 
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