Help Assess the True Cost of the Site C Dam - May 18, 2012

This Action Alert is now complete.

Thanks to the 474 committed citizens who participated in this action. To learn more the current state of affairs with the Site C project click here.

With one simple action, you have the opportunity to make a big difference!

BC Hydro is proposing to construct an $8 billion dam and reservoir - known as Site C - on British Columbia's Peace River.

: Halfway River - Site C Impoundment. Photo Credit: Don Hoffmann

This would be the third hydro project on one of the most endangered rivers in the province. Among other consequences, this dam could be the final barrier to wildlife movement in this critical Y2Y corridor.

Click here for the full background on Site C.

Public Consultation Is On Now!

Y2Y believes BC Hydro needs to conduct a cumulative effects assessment as part of their environmental assessment process that measures the impact that the Site C reservoir, together with all other existing and future development, will have on the ability of wildlife to move through the Peace Break region.

It Only Takes 1-minute to Take Action

Please write a letter to the two environmental assessment bureaus asking them to broaden the scope of the guidelines.

A draft letter with all the key points and addressed to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency is below. Please personalize the letter or compose your own.

To voice your opinion to the provincial bureau, copy and paste the letter below to this on-line site.

Your letter will be sent to the following people:

Ms Linda Jones (Panel Manager, Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency)

Site C Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Guidelines (11-05-63919) ■

A salutation and signature will be added automatically.

The Peace River Break is the narrowest section of the entire Yellowstone to Yukon region, and is a critical connection zone for animals traveling not only north-south but also east-west.

Two reservoirs created by dams built in the 1960s, along with  other development in the region, have already significantly narrowed the Peace Break corridor and impacted wildlife mobility.

The proposed Site C project could be the final barrier that permanently cuts off northern populations of wildlife from their southern cousins, weakening their genetic diversity and ability to survive.

To calculate the true cost of the Site C reservoir to mobility for wildlife, BC Hydro needs to conduct a cumulative effects assessment as part of its environmental assessment.

Please ensure the environmental assessment includes:

One: A large enough area to account for wide-ranging animals like caribou and wolverine;

Two: A comparison of pristine conditions for wildlife movement (i.e. as if there were no human impact that interfered with connectivity) and the combined effects of existing development on mobility (i.e. existing resource development, two dams and their reservoirs as well as the Site C dam and its reservoir); and

Three: Include all reasonably anticipated future development in the assessment, not just development that has been approved to date.
 
I appreciate having the opportunity to comment on this project.

Thank you,

Sincerely, ■

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Help Assess the True Cost of the Site C Dam - May 18, 2012

This Action Alert is now complete.