Brohm Creek is one of the province's most endangered rivers because the proposed Garibaldi at Squamish (GAS) resort plans to suck it dry.
The fight for B.C. rivers has been waging for years in the Sea to Sky Corridor and the troops are battle weary after the use of atomic-bomb type weapons such as Bill 30 that effectively castrated local governments.
But it's time to pull-up our socks for Brohm Creek because the next brawl is around the corner.
The proposed all-season resort plans to extract water from two on-site rivers that serve as tributaries to Brohm Creek. The pumped water would be used to sustain 22,000 bed units and snowmaking required by the resort.
An entire year's worth of water would be extracted over two months during spring freshet and stored in two on-site reservoirs.
In theory the plan seems innocent but it has stirred up plenty of criticism.
In response to the GAS plan, the Outdoor Recreation Council of British Columbia (ORBC) rated Brohm Creek as the fifth most endangered river in the province. Among several issues of concern listed in a recent report, is the potential for excessive water extraction that could severely impact steelhead stocks.
"Brohm Creek is a jewel amongst steelhead streams and yet, there remains much uncertainty as to whether the planned development will incorporate the steps needed to properly care for this very significant river," said ORBC spokesman Mark Angelo in the report.
The crux of the GAS water management plan is the belief there are adequate flows to support the development. But critics disagree.
The ORBC claims that young steelheads migrate out of the river during freshet and those very conditions help adult fish migrate into the Brohm River system. Simply put, the "extra" water is needed.
Now is the time to voice opposition. If Squamish residents wait until the resort breaks ground, it will be too late.
The Wilderness Committee launched 10,000 Voices for BC Rivers on Thursday (March 26) at www.tenthousandvoices.org.
The goal is for 10,000 British Columbians to contact Premier Gordon Campbell and their local MLA to express concern for B.C.'s endangered rivers.
The Wilderness Committee is also calling for a moratorium on private power projects. In the Sea to Sky Corridor over 64 rivers are threatened by private power projects but let's pick our battles.
The war to protect B.C. rivers is finally seeping into mainstream culture. According to the Wilderness Committee, thousands have already signed up on the 10,000 Voices web site with more pouring in by the hour.
The test will be to see whether those voices are heard this time.
