Whole in the Water
Well-Known Member
This is such a bad idea for so many reasons. Please let your MP and DFO you don't support it.
http://www.leg.bc.ca/mla/3-1-7.htm - MLA contacts
keith.ashfield@parl.gc.ca - DFO Minister
Parliamentary Office
House of Commons
Room 107, Confederation Building
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Phone: (613) 992-1067
Fax: (613) 996-9955
http://www.leg.bc.ca/mla/3-1-7.htm - MLA contacts
keith.ashfield@parl.gc.ca - DFO Minister
Parliamentary Office
House of Commons
Room 107, Confederation Building
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Phone: (613) 992-1067
Fax: (613) 996-9955
More than 50 Organizations Say Keep the Kokish River Wild
Diverse group opposing proposed hydro project includes NHL Players,
Fishing Clubs and Outdoor Recreation Businesses
VANCOUVER – In a diverse but united show of support, more than 50 British Columbia wilderness
tourism businesses, fishing and outdoor recreation groups, rivers advocates and prominent individuals are
calling on the Federal Government to turn down a hydropower project proposed for the Kokish River.
The Kokish River, located 15 km east of Port McNeill on northern Vancouver Island, is threatened by a
proposed 45 megawatt hydropower project. The river is renowned for its high fish values including an
endangered summer- and winter-run of steelhead.
“The Kokish River is an excellent example of where not to put a Run of the River project,” said Perry
Wilson, President of the BC Federation of Fly Fishers. “That’s why we are seeing such a broad-based
outcry to protect this river.”
Kwagis Power, owned by Brookfield Renewable Power and the Namgis First Nation, has applied to
dam and divert the 11 km river into a 9 km pipe. The federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO)
considers the Kokish to be a high-value river with a sensitive fish population.
“This river is home to a rare population of summer-run wild steelhead,” said Mark Angelo, Order of
Canada recipient and renowned rivers advocate. “It is just far too risky to build a hydro project in a
wild river that is home to such a diversity of fish species.” The Kokish is important habitat for five species
of wild salmon, coastal cutthroat trout, Dolly Varden, as well as steelhead.
The BC government signed off on the project in December 2011, however, Kwagis Power still requires
approval from the DFO to proceed. A decision from DFO is expected imminently. “We are calling on
the federal government who oversee DFO to do the right thing and keep the Kokish wild,” said Brian
Braidwood, President of the Steelhead Society of BC. “We just can’t afford to lose this river.”
Over 70 per cent of independent power projects in BC are found in water bodies with known or suspected
fish populations according to a report about to be released by Watershed Watch Salmon Society. Impacts
from such projects include severely decreased water flows and problems with plant malfunctions and
rapid changes in water levels all of which negatively impact river health and fish populations.
“The Kokish River is one of the last places you should put a hydropower project and that is why hockey
players, lodge owners, fishing groups and wilderness tourism operators are standing up for this river.”
said Gwen Barlee, policy director with the Wilderness Committee. “Steelhead and wild salmon
streams are hurting in BC and we need to protect those we have left.”
-30-
For more information please contact:
Perry Wilson, President of the BC Federation of Fly Fishers, 250-956-2879
Brian Braidwood, President of the Steelhead Society of BC, 604-626-7085
Gwen Barlee, Policy Director, with the Wilderness Committee, 604-683-8220 (w) or 604-202-0322 (c)
Mark Angelo, Recipient of the Order of Canada and renowned rivers advocate, 604-604-432-8750
For a full list of signatories please see the following page.
Diverse group opposing proposed hydro project includes NHL Players,
Fishing Clubs and Outdoor Recreation Businesses
VANCOUVER – In a diverse but united show of support, more than 50 British Columbia wilderness
tourism businesses, fishing and outdoor recreation groups, rivers advocates and prominent individuals are
calling on the Federal Government to turn down a hydropower project proposed for the Kokish River.
The Kokish River, located 15 km east of Port McNeill on northern Vancouver Island, is threatened by a
proposed 45 megawatt hydropower project. The river is renowned for its high fish values including an
endangered summer- and winter-run of steelhead.
“The Kokish River is an excellent example of where not to put a Run of the River project,” said Perry
Wilson, President of the BC Federation of Fly Fishers. “That’s why we are seeing such a broad-based
outcry to protect this river.”
Kwagis Power, owned by Brookfield Renewable Power and the Namgis First Nation, has applied to
dam and divert the 11 km river into a 9 km pipe. The federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO)
considers the Kokish to be a high-value river with a sensitive fish population.
“This river is home to a rare population of summer-run wild steelhead,” said Mark Angelo, Order of
Canada recipient and renowned rivers advocate. “It is just far too risky to build a hydro project in a
wild river that is home to such a diversity of fish species.” The Kokish is important habitat for five species
of wild salmon, coastal cutthroat trout, Dolly Varden, as well as steelhead.
The BC government signed off on the project in December 2011, however, Kwagis Power still requires
approval from the DFO to proceed. A decision from DFO is expected imminently. “We are calling on
the federal government who oversee DFO to do the right thing and keep the Kokish wild,” said Brian
Braidwood, President of the Steelhead Society of BC. “We just can’t afford to lose this river.”
Over 70 per cent of independent power projects in BC are found in water bodies with known or suspected
fish populations according to a report about to be released by Watershed Watch Salmon Society. Impacts
from such projects include severely decreased water flows and problems with plant malfunctions and
rapid changes in water levels all of which negatively impact river health and fish populations.
“The Kokish River is one of the last places you should put a hydropower project and that is why hockey
players, lodge owners, fishing groups and wilderness tourism operators are standing up for this river.”
said Gwen Barlee, policy director with the Wilderness Committee. “Steelhead and wild salmon
streams are hurting in BC and we need to protect those we have left.”
-30-
For more information please contact:
Perry Wilson, President of the BC Federation of Fly Fishers, 250-956-2879
Brian Braidwood, President of the Steelhead Society of BC, 604-626-7085
Gwen Barlee, Policy Director, with the Wilderness Committee, 604-683-8220 (w) or 604-202-0322 (c)
Mark Angelo, Recipient of the Order of Canada and renowned rivers advocate, 604-604-432-8750
For a full list of signatories please see the following page.
