Next Tuesday (Jan. 24), the proponent of a $92 million run-of-the-river power project will make its pitch to the District of Squamish.
For the past three years, Sea to Sky Power Corp. has been working on what would be a 25-megawatt independent power project (IPP) on Skookum Creek, 12 kilometres east of Squamish near the creek's confluence with the Mamquam River.
No matter what council thinks of the company's presentation, though, the project lies outside of the district's boundaries. It also falls within the provincial government's mandate to support independent power producers.
Last November, then-mayor Greg Gardner requested an extension on the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Feb. 12 cut-off date for stakeholder comments regarding the project. At the time, local mountain and dirt biking organizations expressed concern that the proposed power lines linking the plant to the B.C. Hydro power grid would interfere with popular recreational trails.
A decision regarding the request has yet to be made. The district has received assurances from the ministry that the project will not go ahead until consultation with stakeholders, such as the municipality, is deemed sufficient.
"I understand that the district is unsatisfied with the progress of discussions with the applicant," Minister Steve Thomson wrote in a letter to the district on Dec. 12.
The provincial employee reviewing the project will determine an appropriate time extension for comments, he added.
The project is currently in the process of collecting permits it needs from the provincial government and continues consultation with trail user groups, said Kristen Langan, spokesperson for Run of the River Power Inc. (ROR Power) - the parent company to Sea to Sky Power Corp.
"Things are going well," Langan said.
Last month, the Squamish Nation signed a long-term Impact Benefit Agreement with ROR Power. Although the specific terms of the agreement were confidential, the company stated in a press release that it provides revenue-sharing and job opportunities for the nation.
District staff are considering seeking an extension of the municipality's boundary to include the project. That would add $570,000 annually in property tax into the municipality's kitty, chief administrative officer Kevin Ramsay told council last year.
