The Peace Valley Environment Association was formed in 1975 to counter the proposal by BC Hydro and Power Authority to build the Site C dam and power station on the Peace River, 18 km upstream from Taylor and 6.5 km southwest of Fort St. The development of the Peace River valley between the Peace Canyon and Alberta border had been the subject of continuing study at BC Hydro for a number of years p
rior to 1971 when engineering studies were undertaken. From 1976 until 1980, BC Hydro concentrated on building a case for the development of Site C. The BC government's proposal to build Site C was assessed by the independent agency, the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) in 1982. The BCUC determined that the power was not needed and suggested that BC Hydro conduct more research into the potential for geothermal production in province. At the time of the BCUC assessment, the Peace Valley Environment Association, together with many other groups and individuals combined to mount a vigorous campaign to stop BC Hydro from flooding the valley. This campaign was successful in convincing the British Columbia Utilities Commission that BC Hydro's application should be refused. The Site C dam recently underwent a review through a joint federal/provincial environmental assessment (EA) process. The EA process officially began on August 2, 2011 and concluded in 2014. In order to participate effectively, PVEA retained a coordinator, a legal team as well as several subject matter experts. Despite the fact that in Dec 2014, the BC Liberal government announce that they intent to proceed with constructing the dam, PVEA continues their efforts, in concert with many allies, to put a stop to it. PVEA continues to share information about the impacts of the dam and how it will affect peoples' values both locally and provincially. We are grateful for funding support for our efforts over the years from: Patagonia, LUSH Cosmetics, West Coast Environmental Law, Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative, Vancouver Foundation, Patagonia, the Brainerd Foundation, Wilderness Committee BC, and many, many individuals. We are also grateful to Tiger Office Plus from Dawson Creek for generously sponsoring our printed materials. PVEA works collaboratively with a number of organizations including: Wilderness Committee, Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative, Sierra Club BC, Amnesty International and many others. Construction of Site C commenced in 2015; however there is a 10 year construction timeline and the PVEA continues to work to stop the project before the valley is flooded in 2024. The Site C dam was named decades ago by BC Hydro as the location for their third hydroelectric dam along the Peace River. Over the last four decades the dam has been rejected by the BC Utilities Commission and the BC government as too risky and too costly. It would be 83 kilometers long, 60 meters high and would take nearly a decade to build. Why does our government want Site C? Good question. The rationale for the project is unconfirmed. It has bounced around over the years as being needed for BC households, LNG, natural gas development in northern BC and oil sands development in Alberta. As of time of writing (February 2017), Premier Christy Clark is still searching for a market for the hydroelectricity. Recently, BC Hydro has stated that we may not need the power from Site C for 40 years. Who will pay for this dam? You will! It may seem unbelievable, but taxpayers will foot the whole bill. Ordinary British Columbians will pay through increased hydro rates and taxes to support BC Hydro, a Crown corporation that is already billions of dollars in debt. Premier Christy Clark has already negotiated a special, subsidized rate for Woodfibre LNG plant. Apparently everyday British Columbians need to subsidize this company. Why isn’t BC Hydro investing in truly clean and sustainable energy that costs less and is far less damaging instead of relying on outdated and incredibly expensive earth fill dams? How much will the dam cost? Current BC Hydro estimates put the price tag around $8.8 billion dollars. This would be the most expensive 1,100 MW dam in the history of the planet! Projects of this magnitude typically go into 50 to 100% cost overruns. What will happen to the Peace Valley? 107 km of the Peace, Halfway and Moberly River valleys will be lost forever. Over 13,000 acres of agricultural land will be washed away; 12,000 acres of Boreal forest will also be destroyed. The area is at high risk for landslides and the shores of the reservoir would become dangerous. In addition, the geology in the area means that there would be significant and cumulative silting. Wildlife habitat will be severely impacted, and recreational access will be significantly limited. First Nations gravesites and important cultural sites will be washed away. What kind of land will be flooded? Huge tracts of prime agricultural land in BC will be permanently destroyed. The valley will lose over 7,800 acres of Class 1 and 2 farmland and over 5,300 acres of other agricultural land. This is the only prime farmland north of Quesnel. This land could provide enough produce to feed northern BC during the growing season. In addition, 12,000 acres of Boreal forest, an effective carbon sink, will be lost. Where will the dam be built? In the Peace River Valley. This is a spectacular and special place. Nestled in the northeast corner of British Columbia, the Peace River Valley is home to fertile agricultural lands and farms, old growth boreal forests, and a rich and vibrant First Nation, fur trade and pioneer history. The valley is also one of the most important wildlife corridors in the Rocky Mountain region. What about wildlife habitat? The river will increase in width up to five times due to flooding for the dam. This will cut the Yellowstone to Yukon Wildlife Corridor in half at its narrowest and most vulnerable point. Many large mammals require huge tracts of land for sufficient habitat and islands in the river valley to raise their young. Wetland that supports migratory flocks will be gone. The habitat of several red and blue-listed species will be destroyed including fisher and Northern Myotis bats. What do First Nations and residents say? The majority of the First Nations and other residents of northeastern BC are adamantly opposed to the dam. In an area already overburdened with oil and gas development, destroying this last, relatively untouched area in in BC’s Peace River Valley is the ‘last straw’ for them. The communities of northern BC have borne the brunt of industrial development in the province for decades. People are still feeling the impacts of the first two dams that flooded people out of house and home. Will the dam be safe? According to a recent geotechnical study, “The valley’s steep slopes make it prone to landslides like the one that blocked the river…in 1973.” A quote from BC Hydro’s own reports says, “Site C would…fall into the ‘High’ or ‘Very High’ consequence category as defined by the Canadian Dam Association because of the potential damage downstream in the event of a dam breach and the economic loss as a result of dam failure.”
Why haven’t I heard more about this dam? The government has been quietly moving this mega project forward over the last few years. In 2010, they removed independent oversight of the BC Utilities Commission specifically on Site C. Public meetings associated with the environmental assessment process on Site C were only held in the north – none south of Prince George. The question is: Why should BC taxpayers and Hydro ratepayers be required to pay for a dam that will cost each BC household $5000 and take 70 years - several generations to pay off, when the need for the power isn't confirmed and when BC does need more power, we can turn to less expensive and far less damaging alternatives like geothermal, wind and solar? Developing these industries will create numerous jobs throughout the province and many more long term jobs than Site C, which will result in only 25 full-time jobs upon completion. How can you help? Write to or visit your MLA and the other candidates in your riding and let them know you don’t support Site C – gather background info from www.SaveBCfromSiteC.ca
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