Efforts by local residents to block a controversial run-of-the-river hydroelectric project appear to be working.
The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) is leaning toward holding a second public hearing on a proposed amendment to the land use designation in the Ashlu River and Sigurd Creek areas. The proposed bylaw amendment is aimed at allowing Ledcor Power Inc. the opportunity to build two proposed hydroelectric projects.
At a public hearing held May 17, almost every speaker voiced opposition to the proposed project.SLRD Electoral Area D director John Turner chaired that meeting and at the end of it he suggested that a second public hearing might be needed due to the fact that some key reports were pending.In a telephone conversation with The Chief on Wednesday (June 16) Turner confirmed that he feels a second public hearing is needed.
Turner wants further consultation on the contentious issue before the SLRD board of directors makes a decision that will either grant a land use designation change or complicate Ledcor's efforts by denying a zoning change from resource use to industrial 1.
"It is a tough one, there is no doubt about it," Turner said.
An electoral areas directors' meeting was held Tuesday (June 15) in Lillooet. Turner said three Ledcor representatives attended the meeting while three people opposed to the project also made the long trip from Squamish.
"We have asked staff to look at additional consultation," said Turner. "We have not had a definitive statement from the District of Squamish on this issue. When you bill yourself as the Outdoor Recreation Capital and you have a river like the Ashlu just on the other side of your border I had hoped to have a statement from Squamish as part of the decision-making process."
Turner said the District of Squamish has been silent on the issue and he wants a position statement from Squamish council.
Tuner also wants a meeting between residents of the Upper Squamish and Ledcor so residents can ask questions of the power company.
Meanwhile, a report from SLRD staff recommends putting the rezoning process in abeyance until all the agencies that are required to report on the proposed project file their submissions.
Staff further recommends waiting for a key finding from the Regional Growth Strategy. One objective of the growth strategy is to identify streams that are appropriate for use by independent power producers (IPP) and also to identify streams that should be left undeveloped.
The staff report also notes that the navigable waters branch of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans issued a letter of support for the project despite the fact that a significant portion of the kayaking community objects to Ledcor's plans.
"The outdoor recreation users and guiding businesses appear to believe the impacts are very significant, both in the short term and long term, mainly due to the loss of the "natural" and undeveloped quality of the river if the IPP development proceeds," the report reads.
The SLRD staff report goes on to say that Ledcor's project is not consistent with the policies set out in the regional district's IPP policy.
Policy position number four deals with the impacts an IPP project has on scenic and tourism values. Policy position number ten deals with local benefits.
"Based on comments made by the public, the project is not consistent with policy positions number four and number ten," the staff report says. It goes on to say that the project impacts an area with high tourism value.
The entire regional district board is expected to discuss the issue further at its next board meeting on June 28.
