BC Hydro Tactics on Site C Dam Assessment Decried by Environmental Group

BC Hydro bullying tactic undermines Site C Dam assessment, says Wilderness Committee

by Wilderness Committee

VANCOUVER/FORT ST. JOHN, BC – The Wilderness Committee is charging BC Hydro with using unfair practices in its bid to push ahead with the construction of the Site C Dam. The environmental group is reacting to reports that the Crown Corporation has issued a call for contractors to build Site C Dam work camps, even though the joint federal-provincial panel that reviewed the project has until late April 2014 to release its findings.

“It’s a kind of bullying tactic in our view – one that should not be used by a Crown Corporation. It is wrong to start moving ahead on construction associated with such a controversial project, during the very time the project is under review. It gives people the sense that the environmental assessment is simply a rubber stamp process,” said Joe Foy, Wilderness Committee National Campaign Director.

Foy’s remarks come in response to an update posted on the Site C project website, indicating that BC Hydro is seeking applicants to construct two separate work camps on the banks of the Peace River. Local news reports state that BC Hydro is offering up to $200,000 for applicants who get past the first stage of proposals, even if they are not selected.

“Not only does this damage the reputation of BC Hydro, it’s a terrible waste of public funds on a project that will never be built. The Site C Dam is nothing but a white elephant that makes no sense from an economic, environmental or human rights perspective. This project deserves nothing more than to be dumped into the waste bin of history,” said Foy.

Andrea Morrison of the Peace Valley Environment Association agreed, noting that BC Hydro’s actions undermine the extensive public participation that took place in the recent environmental assessment hearings.

“Acting as though the project will proceed – regardless of the processes that have been undertaken to assess whether it is the right thing to do for the province – shows a complete lack of respect for the processes and the many people involved in them,” she said.

“British Columbians from all over the province, as well as local residents and First Nations from the Peace region, have spent countless hours researching and submitting their rationales to demonstrate why this project is not necessary. They participated in BC Hydro’s consultation sessions as well as the lengthy and costly EA process, only to have BC Hydro act as though none of these conversations and presentations ever took place,” said Morrison.

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For Immediate Release - March 13, 2014

For more information, contact:

Joe Foy | National Campaign Director, Wilderness Committee

Andrea Morrison | Peace Valley Environment Association