Environmental Assessment Office

February 9, 2012

Our survival in this province and globally depends on intact environmental systems, be they biomes, rainforests, stream/creek environments or other.
Pristine environments are under siege and threat. We can not afford to allow the degradation of the very environments that support our survival.
We need to work together to find more sustainable solutions that support the integrity of the natural environments and the systems which support life but which we neglect to acknowledge the value of in dollars and sense.
We need environmental assessments that target the real issues.
We need strong leadership in the area of environmental stewardship, accountability and resposibility. Enviornmental assessments need to take in to account more stringently how our environments will be affected by development and consequently our communities. The risks in this day and age are too great. Our enviornments are under significant pressure from over population. We don't want to be another Easter Island or the Nubian's on the Nile that grew beyond their environmental capacity.  
We require solutions that support healthy, sustainable living, cooperation and environmental sensitivty above and beyond a rational for profit.

Re. Innergex IPP application for Environmental Assessment Certificate on Tretheway, Big Silver and Shovel Creek.

I am writing to express my serious concern and definitive opposition to these run of river projects proposed for Tretheway, Big Silver and Shovel Creek. The scale and scope of these projects near Harrison Lake are very concerning to me and the certain negative impacts this industrial development will have on the wildlife, prime fish habitat and the wilderness values in the area. 
There is an abundance of wildlife, such as screech owls, red legged and coastal tailed frogs, Northern Goshawks, harlequin ducks and the very rare and endangered spotted owls.
Two of the three creeks, Tretheway and Big Silver are fish bearing and support rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, Steelhead cutthroat trout , coho and Sockeye salmon. These projects in my view will surely put these precious fish species at risk. 
I am totally opposed to this private power corporation Innergex, putting these wild creeks into pipes.
I am very concerned to hear that through freedom of information requests , the Wilderness Committee found out that other projects done by Cloudworks such as the Upper Harrison project and their Rutherford creek project in the Sea to Sky Region were beset by problems whhich included poor construction and road building practices, destruction of fish habitat, damage to wetland habitat and streams that were logged to the banks.
Clearly environmental standards for these projects are extremely low.
I am concerned about over 50 kilometers of new power lines and associated right of way clear cuts. 
Drilling a tunnel 3 meters in circumference and 1.8 kilometers long near Big Silver creek also raises many questions and concerns, around what will happen to the waste rock, and the real possibility of acid rock seepage.
There are so many of these projects around the province and the fragmentation in the wilderness habitat raises obvious environmental concerns.
Last year the BC Auditor General released a very critical report of the BCEAO and sid "adequate mmonitoring and enforcement of certified projects is not occurring and follow up evaluations are not being conducted.
I was shocked that our own BCEAO gave approval a year ago to Prosperity mine project near Williams Lake, which involved the destruction of Fish Lake. With this kind of approval taking place, what hope can we have for preserving and protecting critical habitat our most precious environmental features.
It appears that our government may be finally realizing that these private power projects are a bust financially with BC Hydro currently on the hook for 40 Billion dollars to private power producers for power that we don't  actually need.
I urge you to consider the many concerns about these three projects and I urge you to not grant approval for these projects to proceed.

Concerns about this Project

This project involves three creeks: Tretheway, Shovel and Big Silver, which are clustered around the east and the west of Harrison Lake. Two of these creeks are ­fish-bearing, and the surrounding areas have high wildlife values.

Some of my concerns include:

Two of the three creeks are ­ fish-bearing; the developments would impact rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden habitat, with potential downstream impacts on summer run steelhead, coho, sockeye and longnose dace.
The projects are in the habitat of western screech owl, tailed frog, harlequin duck, northern goshawk, spotted owl, red legged frog, pacific water shrew, grizzly bear and goat and deer winter ranges, many of which are species at risk.
Over 50 km of new power lines and associated right of way clear-cuts.
A 1.8 km long tunnel on Big Silver Creek which will create tonnes of waste rock and raises serious concerns about the possibility of toxic acid rock run off.
Landslides, erosion and downstream siltation from penstocks, roads, and construction areas which have been a serious problem on other Cloudworks projects.
A network of new roads and road upgrades that will fragment wilderness habitat.
A history of inadequate enforcement and monitoring of instream flow and ramping requirements by government agencies.
Inadequate monitoring of projects approved by the BC Environmental Assessment Office (EAO). Last year the BC Auditor General released a critical report of the BC EAO and said, “Adequate monitoring and enforcement of certified projects is not occurring and follow-up evaluations are not being conducted.”
No planning. Currently over 800 creeks, rivers and now lakes have been staked by private power producers in BC with no planning involved to avoid sensitive wildlife and fish habitat.
Impact to BC Hydro. BC Hydro is one of our best tools against climate change. Currently, BCH is on the hook for over $40 billion dollars to private power producers. This massive financial obligation impacts the health of our crown corporation and its ability to provide reliable low-carbon electricity to the people of BC.

I'm not sure whether environmental approval should be given to projects such as Rivers like the Kokish, in prime steelhead habitat, and creeks like Tretheway,or Shovel and Big Silver near Harrison Hot Springs, where accounting numbers have already proved that the BC Taxpayer is already burdened with $Billions of future debt from previous misrepresentations of run-of-the-rivers projects....both economical and environmental.   

Although the EAO requires that I provide my name and city/town when making a submission, I would also appreciate receiving names of Companies (Public & Private) and their executive who made previous onerous obligations and claims to the public and possibly misleading and forward statements to public stakeholders (the Taxpayer) and to shareholders, both Public Traded and Private.    

Please refrain from any run of the river projects in BC and please do not approve any more.  As we know they are not needed and are just a huge money maker for corporate giants like GE.  Thank you!

THERE IS NO NEED TO DESTROY ANY MORE CREEKS OR RIVERS IN B.C. WITH DAMS, DIVERSIONS AND REMOTE POWER SITES, FAR FROM CIVILIZATION. LIGHT FIXTURES WILL SOON BE SOLID-STATE LED TECHNOLOGY AND OUR POWER LOADS WILL BE REDUCING WITH TIME. LET'S BE SENSIBLE NOW! THANKYOU.

this liberal gov. is so out of touch as well as bought and payed for it seems that nothing has value except the dollar.I see this kind of - phsycopathic governance world wide so who governing for the peoples wishes and what will be left after all this phsycotic rule? Will a change of government really change the real people in control I have my doubts.

I am asking the government to cancel these projects that have contracts from BC Hydro but have not been built yet.....rivers like the Kokish, in prime steelhead habitat, and creeks like Tretheway, Shovel and Big Silver near Harrison Hot Springs will continue to be ruined even though the government has finally admitted that we don’t need the power these projects will produce. Do the right thing...finally.

By government's admission it has been shown that the IPPs are not cost effective, and the power not needed. 

I add my name to the legion of those opposed to the Shovel Creek Waterpower Project.  

This creek has potential for great whitewater recreation on it. If future usage is blocked with this project there should be scheduled releases.

I understand that Shovel Creek is going to be destroyed to create an Independent Power Producer, I have been in this area and have observed  
Western Screech-Owls, they need to be left alone as they are endangered, I haven't noticed any Barred Owls in the area of Shovel Creek as they are the mortal enemy of the Western Screech-Owls so leave this area intact, please.

Dear Sirs and Madams,

As a deeply concerned voting citizen, I ask you to deny the application for the Shovel Creek Waterhouse Project. My reasons against it are:

-Two of the three creeks are  fish-bearing; the developments would impact rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden habitat, with potential downstream impacts on summer run steelhead, coho, sockeye and longnose dace.
-The projects are in the habitat of western screech owl, tailed frog, harlequin duck, northern goshawk, spotted owl, red legged frog, pacific water shrew, grizzly bear and goat and deer winter ranges, many of which are species at risk.
-Over 50 km of new power lines and associated right of way clear-cuts.
-A 1.8 km long tunnel on Big Silver Creek which will create tonnes of waste rock and raises serious concerns about the possibility of toxic acid rock run off.
-Landslides, erosion and downstream siltation from penstocks, roads, and construction areas which have been a serious problem on other Cloudworks projects.
-A network of new roads and road upgrades that will fragment wilderness habitat.
-A history of inadequate enforcement and monitoring of instream flow and ramping requirements by government agencies.
-Inadequate monitoring of projects approved by the BC Environmental Assessment Office (EAO). Last year the BC Auditor General released a critical report of the BC EAO and said, “Adequate monitoring and enforcement of certified projects is not occurring and follow-up evaluations are not being conducted.”
-No planning. Currently over 800 creeks, rivers and now lakes have been staked by private power producers in BC with no planning involved to avoid sensitive wildlife and fish habitat.
-Impact to BC Hydro. BC Hydro is one of our best tools against climate change. Currently, BCH is on the hook for over $40 billion dollars to private power producers. This massive financial obligation impacts the health of our crown corporation and its ability to provide reliable low-carbon electricity to the people of BC.

Friday’s announcement means that Hydro can go back to planning for average water years and under this more realistic planning model our province is already electricity self-sufficient.We are not desperate for alternate power generation so why would tax payers want to endorse the high price of ruining our environment especially vital salmon habitat. The cost is to great please the Shovel Creek Waterpower Project.

Our environment is under so much pressure.  Our oceans, lakes and rivers need positive changes and this waterpower project is detrimental to wildlife, particularly the fish, but also the bears, eagles and other animals who depend on the fish.  This project is not required for our energy production and should be stopped now.  Thank you.

If we have sufficient hydro power for our power needs, what are we doing spending money subsidizing private power projects that are not needed? Why are we risking destroying fragile ecosystems for private business? This seems ludicrous especially when we know that this planet is on the verge of collapse.

Please reject the unnecessary, irreversible destruction of these creeks through this proposed project

The BC government's directives to BC Hydro regarding purchases of private power have been found to be excessive, as well as costly to taxpayers. Damage caused to salmon bearing creeks should not be happening, nor should accompanying road-building and transmission lines through wilderness. No to Shovel Creek Waterpower Project.

Dear EAO"

I oppose the Shovel Creek Waterpower project and agree entirely with these comments. 

The amount and quality of fish habitat will be severely reduced as a result of decreased stream flow.
Adult fish migrating upstream will be blocked or delayed.
Juvenile fish migrating downstream will encounter blockage or delay when migrating downstream by the water intake, and further delay in the reduced-flow diversion reach.
The project poses significant risks to fish and fish habitat during low summer flows, when migration could be stalled, causing mortality or reduced spawning success.

I am writing in response to the Environmental Assessment Application submitted by Cloudworks Energy Inc. to the EAO for permitting approval for their proposed 13 MW Hydroelectric Facility to be located on Shovel Creek, BC. 

While not as well known or as popular as the Big Silver and Tretheway Creeks, Shovel Creek is still of interest to kayakers and navigation will definitely be affected by this proposal.  The proposed facility will divert a flow of 12 cumecs which is a significant volume for this size of creek.   The analogy can be made with Mt Everest and K2.  Mt Everest is a much more popular, accessible and well known as a climbing route than K2, however this is no indication of importance to expert climbers.  K2 is a much more satisfying experience to complete due to the increased difficulty in doing so.

Cloudworks Energy Inc. has submitted a Navigational Assessment report prepared by TyPlan as part of this application.  Based on the limited information available to the author, they assume that Shovel Creek is of little interest to kayakers.  In general, Shovel Creek is still an important resource to kayakers as it allows for kayaking of an exploratory nature, a true wilderness experience and the availability to progress beyond the normally run rivers without travelling a large distance.

No mitigation measures are provided in the report which means that post construction no navigation of the creek will be possible.  The photographs included in the report indicate a flow of less than 4 cumecs for the river which is one third of the capacity of the diversion intake suggesting that all flow will be diverted except for large flow events.

I recommend that the EOA reject the application submitted by Cloudworks Energy Inc. based on recreational navigational purposes.  Construction of the proposed hydroelectric facility will be detrimental to the navigation of this creek. This type of facility does not contribute to better kayaking conditions but detracts from the wilderness experience. 

However, if the EOP approves the applicant's submission, the following conditions should be included to provide some mitigation (although any form of mitigation does not make up for the loss of such a resource) for loss of navigability on Shovel Creek:

1.  There must be recreational whitewater releases provided by Cloudworks to account for the dewatering of the creek during its historical season of navigation. Water releases should be of satisfactory duration to accommodate safe travel for kayakers down the creek taking into account time variations due to group size, skill level and familiarity of the kayakers to the river. Water releases must allow for a range of suitable flows as different water levels provide different experiences while navigating a river. 

2.  There must be real time water level and flow gauge information publically available online to account for the variance from seasonal flow periods for the creek due to the dewatering. The gauge information must include both inflows and outflows from the facility (including the volume of water removed from the creek) and an indication of the projected volume of water to be removed from the creek for the upcoming period. This is particularly important on non-release days when there is significant rain forecast in the watershed.  Notification shall be provided to the local kayaking community indicating upcoming water releases beyond those scheduled for recreational purposes.

3.  Access to the creek via existing roads (and future roads constructed as part of the project) must remain open during and after the construction period.

We don't need Clowdwork's power.  The Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union Local 378 wants the B.C. government to cancelling a number of proposed private run-of-river power generation projects as they say the bar is set too high  for measuring power self-sufficiency, said at  COPE's press release, the government "forced BC Hydro to buy expensive power from private producers regardless of the province's need."
Cloudworks has a bad record.  In its nearby Upper Harrison project and their Rutherford Creek project in the Sea to Sky region were beset by problems which included: poor construction and road building practices, destruction of fish habitat, damage to wetland habitat, streams logged to the banks. These projects also involved illegally building a bridge, illegally harvesting wood and other practices that led to numerous landslides and sedimentation problems.
Protect our salmon streams.  We do not need this power.

Dear BC EAO,

The Shovel Creek Waterpower project should not be allowed to go ahead. 

Two of the creeks involved with this project are ­fish-bearing. The proposed developments would impact rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden habitat, with potential downstream impacts on summer run steelhead, coho, sockeye and longnose dace.

The surrounding areas have high wildlife values. The projects are in the habitat of western screech owl, tailed frog, harlequin duck, northern goshawk, spotted owl, red legged frog, pacific water shrew, grizzly bear and goat and deer winter ranges, many of which are species at risk.

Also part of these projects are over 50 km of new power lines and associated right of way clear-cuts. The proposed 1.8 km long tunnel on Big Silver Creek will create tonnes of waste rock and raises serious concerns about the possibility of toxic acid rock run off. Other cloudworks projects have had serious problems with landslides, erosion and downstream siltation from penstocks, roads, and construction areas. A network of new roads and road upgrades will fragment wilderness habitat.

In addition, the EAO and other government agencies have a long history of inadequate monitoring of projects, and of instream flow and ramping requirements. Last year the BC Auditor General released a critical report of the BC EAO and said, “Adequate monitoring and enforcement of certified projects is not occurring and follow-up evaluations are not being conducted.”

Finally, the impact on BC Hydro is devastating. BC Hydro is one of our best tools against climate change. Currently, BCH is on the hook for over $40 billion dollars to private power producers. This massive financial obligation impacts the health of our crown corporation and its ability to provide reliable low-carbon electricity to the people of BC.

Please do not let this project go ahead.

February 8, 2012

This project involves three creeks: Tretheway, Shovel and Big Silver, which are clustered around the east and the west of Harrison Lake. Two of these creeks are ­fish-bearing, and the surrounding areas have high wildlife values.

Some of my concerns include:

Two of the three creeks are ­ fish-bearing; the developments would impact rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden habitat, with potential downstream impacts on summer run steelhead, coho, sockeye and longnose dace.

The projects are in the habitat of western screech owl, tailed frog, harlequin duck, northern goshawk, spotted owl, red legged frog, pacific water shrew, grizzly bear and goat and deer winter ranges, many of which are species at risk. 
Over 50 km of new power lines and associated right of way clear-cuts.

A 1.8 km long tunnel on Big Silver Creek which will create tonnes of waste rock and raises serious concerns about the possibility of toxic acid rock run off.

Landslides, erosion and downstream siltation from penstocks, roads, and construction areas which have been a serious problem on other Cloudworks projects. 
A network of new roads and road upgrades that will fragment wilderness habitat. 
A history of inadequate enforcement and monitoring of instream flow and ramping requirements by government agencies. 
Inadequate monitoring of projects approved by the BC Environmental Assessment Office (EAO). Last year the BC Auditor General released a critical report of the BC EAO and said, “Adequate monitoring and enforcement of certified projects is not occurring and follow-up evaluations are not being conducted.” 
No planning. Currently over 800 creeks, rivers and now lakes have been staked by private power producers in BC with no planning involved to avoid sensitive wildlife and fish habitat. 
Impact to BC Hydro. BC Hydro is one of our best tools against climate change. Currently, BCH is on the hook for over $40 billion dollars to private power producers. This massive financial obligation impacts the health of our crown corporation and its ability to provide reliable low-carbon electricity to the people of BC. 
Respectfully submitted

Hello,

I'm writing this letter to voice my concerns over the development of an IPP on Shovel Creek.  I feel the mitigation measures put forward by the proponent that account for dewatering the river and the subsequent loss of navigability are inadequate.

Should the project be approved, the following points must be considered:

-    Dewatering a river and altering the natural flow patterns do not ‘improve kayaking’ as stated in the navigability assessment.

-    The dewatering of a navigable river such as Shovel can only be mitigated by providing recreational flow releases and a real time, publically available flow gauge.

-    There are mandatory recreational whitewater releases in the Harrison Lake area on dewatered rivers that have little or no record of recreational use or are inaccessible by road (Stave, Fire, Douglas, Tipella etc.).  Shovel Creek is in a similar situation and as such similar mitigation measures should be put forward.

-    A sign up system similar to that on Ashlu Creek is ideal.  This way, the boating community still has opportunity to use the creek and are assured ideal flows should they want to use the resource.  In the case they aren’t signed up for, the proponent does not have to provide an unutilized release.

Remember, even though this isn’t a high traffic whitewater resource, diverting the water from the creek eliminates the possibility of it being used for recreation.  The fact that places like this provide the backdrop for adventure in pristine wilderness is a significant part of their value.  This will be lost for, at minimum, the proposed lifespan of the project (40 + years).

Thanks for your time – I trust these comments will be carefully considered.

I am a whitewater kayaker from Germany and I am living in BC since 2008. This province is known for its world class white water in remote wilderness areas. Since I am living here I am realizing more and more that this will not be the same anymore in a couple of years. It seems like every creek and little river has at least one proposal for an IPP project. This is not just bad for kayakers, it is even worse for wild life. Pristine wilderness will be destroyed by excavators and chain saws. 

Country's like Germany would be very happy to have so many untouched rivers and would not allow any wilderness river to be diverted today. Its just a matter of time for me until BC is realizing that as well, but than it is probably too late.

Thanks for considering my comment.

To whom it may concern,

As a lifelong BC resident and dedicated explorer of this province's waterways via kayak & canoe, I am deeply disturbed by the notion of hydroelectric development threatening the Harrison Lake region. The assortment of creeks being targeted in this area are further examples of what the rest of the world thinks of when defining the beauty of our province. 

While I understand that BC remains rich in hydroelectric potential, the recent pursuit of Run-of-River development in remote, sensitive wildlife habitat environments is not acceptable. We are meddling with more than what any current assessment criterion is capable of understanding. 
For these reasons, I strongly oppose the idea of developing Big Silver, Tretheway and Shovel Creeks for unwarranted hydroelectric development. 

I can only wonder what the rest of the world thinks of BC now after learning that such proposals even exist. 

February 7, 2012

come on guys.  Enough is enough.  there are only approx. 17 pairs of spotted owls left before they become extinct.  do you really want to be help responsible for the demise of the last remaining spotted owls.  I think not.  Think preserve rather than your purse.  Thank  you. 

February 6, 2012

I have huge concerns with the Shovel Creek Waterpower Project moving forward for the following reasons: 

-Two of the three creeks are  fish-bearing; the developments would impact rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden habitat, with potential downstream impacts on summer run steelhead, coho, sockeye and longnose dace.
-The projects are in the habitat of western screech owl, tailed frog, harlequin duck, northern goshawk, spotted owl, red legged frog, pacific water shrew, grizzly bear and goat and deer winter ranges, many of which are species at risk and should be protected!  We should not further degrade at-risk species habitats.  We must stop the accelerated rate of species extinctions that our planet is facing.
-I'm opposed to the 50+ km of new power lines and associated right of way clear-cuts.
-A 1.8 km long tunnel on Big Silver Creek which will create tonnes of waste rock and raises serious concerns about the possibility of toxic acid rock run off.
-Landslides, erosion and downstream siltation from penstocks, roads, and construction areas which have been a serious problem on other Cloudworks projects.
-A network of new roads and road upgrades that will fragment an ecologically intact roadless habitat.
-There is a history of inadequate enforcement and monitoring of instream flow and ramping requirements by government agencies.  This is not acceptable.
-There has been inadequate monitoring of projects approved by the BC Environmental Assessment Office (EAO). Last year the BC Auditor General released a critical report of the BC EAO and said, “Adequate monitoring and enforcement of certified projects is not occurring and follow-up evaluations are not being conducted.”
-There is NO PLAN IN PLACE. Currently hundreds of creeks, rivers and now lakes have been staked by private power producers in BC with no planning involved to avoid sensitive wildlife and fish habitat.  We need to have an area-based biodiversity conservation plan in place so that we have established sensitive areas and are not destroying important habitats.
-There will be further impact to BC Hydro. BC Hydro (BCH)is one of our best tools against climate change. Currently, BCH is on the hook for over $40 billion dollars to private power producers. This massive financial obligation impacts the health of our crown corporation and its ability to provide reliable low-carbon electricity to the people of BC.

Please stop the needless destruction of my home province for further power development.  Foster the conservation ethic in people.  Develop an area-based plan that takes into account all of the cumulative impacts from all development projects proposed in BC.

February 5, 2012

I oppose the Shovel Creek Waterpower Project because it will endanger three creeks: Tretheway, Shovel and Big Silver, which are clustered around the east and the west of Harrison Lake. Two of these creeks are ­fish-bearing, and the surrounding areas have high wildlife values.

The developments would impact rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden habitat, with potential downstream impacts on summer run steelhead, coho, sockeye and longnose dace.

Also, the projects are in the habitat of western screech owl, tailed frog, harlequin duck, northern goshawk, spotted owl, red legged frog, pacific water shrew, grizzly bear and goat and deer winter ranges, many of which are species at risk.

Furthermore, inserting a 1.8 km long tunnel on Big Silver Creek will create tonnes of waste rock and raises serious concerns about the possibility of toxic acid rock run off.

As you may know, landslides, erosion and downstream silt from penstocks, roads, and construction areas have been a serious problem on other Cloudworks projects.

And if you aren't aware of this, then this just demonstrates the inadequate monitoring of projects approved by the BC Environmental Assessment Office (EAO). Last year the BC Auditor General released a critical report of the BC EAO and said, “Adequate monitoring and enforcement of certified projects is not occurring and follow-up evaluations are not being conducted.”

It is disturbing, even alarming, that over 800 creeks, rivers and now lakes have been staked by private power producers in BC with no planning involved to avoid sensitive wildlife and fish habitat.

Super. Natural. British Columbia. Please!  The same government that espouses the natural wonders of this province is systematically destroying the very life blood that sustains the land.  Not only are they systematically destroying rivers, they are doing so at an alarming rate with very few to witness the destruction as many of these projects are in remote areas.  As an extremely distressed recreational angler, there is little to convince me that any IPP will not have an adverse affect on a watershed.

Tretheway, Shovel and Big Silver creeks in the Harrison Lake region are proposed for power development. My concern is the impact on the forest and aquatic habitats. These projects would have negative impacts on rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden habitat, and possible downstream impacts on summer run steelhead, coho, sockeye and longnose dace. A 1.8 km tunnel on Big Silver Creek  will create tons of waste rock and raises concern about toxic acid rock run off.  

These hydro projects will entail more than 50 km of new power lines and associated right of way clear-cuts. A network of new roads and road upgrades will fragment wilderness habitat. Species that exist presently include western screech owl, tailed frog, harlequin duck, northern goshawk, spotted owl, red legged frog, pacific water shrew, grizzly bear, and goat and deer winter ranges. 

Finally, the overall impact of these projects must be monitored and considered. Currently over 800 creeks, rivers and lakes have been staked by private power producers in BC with no planning involved to avoid sensitive wildlife and fish habitat.  Last year the BC Auditor General released a critical report of the BC Environmental Assessment Office which said, “Adequate monitoring and enforcement of certified projects is not occurring and follow-up evaluations are not being conducted.” This is a grave concern and I ask that you address this as soon as possible

February 4, 2012

I do not dispute that we need to generate more power, but I do believe that more attention and importance ought to be placed upon energy conservation.  Energy derived from non-renewable resources, and the environmental costs of extracting and transporting it, ought not be taken lightly or without understanding the accounting; the environmental exchange that we make to acquire that energy.  Energy production assets equate to ecological services deficits.  The environmental cost is magnified when you consider the cumulative environmental cost of all of the power and resource extraction projects and their infrastructure in a given area.  I just don't understand what the long term vision is here; it is a lose/lose proposition to unabatedly harvest finite non renewable natural resources, which by doing so will seriously imperil environmental health, and by extension the health of all species on earth, in exchange for a certain amout of energy and resources which we often nonchallantly fritter away or utilize ineffectively. We are exchanging long term environmental health and infrastructure, for a short term energy or resource fix, the importance or impending scarcity of which we completely disregard.  I think we are smarter than this.  Let's think about it, make a plan that encompasses the present and the future health of our environment, and one that encompasses mindful production and utilization of our resources, as well as stresses conservation initiatives.  Let's be smart about this. There is too much at stake not to be.

February 1, 2012

I have spent most of the past 2 years living in the Harrison Lake area. I am very familiar with all the current Cloudworks plants up there and have been up and down those creeks.I must say, I am amazed at the work that has gone into the spawning channel they have built, right along side the road as you drive from the north end of Harrison Lake. And there is another spawning channel along the Douglas Creek at Port Douglas.The amount of water that is diverted through the powerplant is minimal, and the Tipella waterfall that is also visable from this area shows just how much water is flowing down the natural course, at all times. The water that is taken out of the creek a few miles upstream, is returned a few minutes later. There has not been any negative impact to the fish in this area, as the waterfall is a natural barrier for one thing, and the meandering spawning channel built here is 10 times longer than the short length of the creek that has a little less water. The water temperature is recorded and fish are counted, Twice each week.
Then as I look around this beautiful area, I see the scars on the mountains from clear cut logging up and down both sides of the lake. WOW, People, where do you think the electricity comes from that powers your laptops and coffee machines. This has a very small foot print on our planet. go up there and have a look. You might even be able to get a tour.

January 31, 2012

To whom it may concern.   It is my understanding that three creeks are slated to be fed into pipes to furnish power to Innergex, a private power producer.   My comment is this, destruction of our living aquatic environment has consequences, it is this that I fear is not considered.  If it is considered, we have to trust those in control of it.   We know Innergex has shown us from past practices  (Rutherford creek for example, an insensitivity to wetland habitat; logging stream banks,(a crime in my view), causing landslides, even illegaly harvesting wood, (if this is correct?).  I care, do they?

I do not agree with this project and instead advise energy conservation techniques to be used

January 30, 2012

Please stop these proposals for our creeks.  They are fish bearing and the area surrounding is wildlife habitat.

January 29, 2012

Any creek that is fish bearing and support, among others, rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, steelhead, cutthroat trout and coho and sockeye, like the Tretheway and Big Silver do, need to remain untouched. Innergex, the private power corporation that just bought Cloudworks Energy Inc., must not be given the right to put these two wild creeks and Shovel Creek, into pipes. Innergex/Cloudworks have proven they are unfit to maintain the health of these creeks: they are known for poor construction and road building practices, damage to wetland habitat, streams logged to the banks, illegal harvesting of wood and other practices that have led to numerous landslides and sedimentation problems. Say no to Innergex building IPPs in Big Silver, Tretheway and Shovel Creeks now!

I am opposed to the development on Thretheway, Big Silver and Shovel Creek. 
First: Cloudworks Energy has a very bad reputation for causing slides, illegal logging, ruining riparian areas, etc. 

Second: This area is very important for wildlife. Two of the three creeks are ­ fish-bearing; the developments would impact rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden habitat, with potential downstream impacts on summer run steelhead, coho, sockeye and longnose dace.
The projects are in the habitat of western screech owl, tailed frog, harlequin duck, northern goshawk, spotted owl, red legged frog, pacific water shrew, grizzly bear and goat and deer winter ranges, many of which are species at risk.
Third: Over 50 km of new power lines and associated right of way clear-cuts.
A 1.8 km long tunnel on Big Silver Creek which will create tonnes of waste rock and raises serious concerns about the possibility of toxic acid rock run off.
Fourth: A network of new roads and road upgrades that will fragment wilderness habitat.
Fifth: A history of inadequate enforcement and monitoring of instream flow and ramping requirements by government agencies.
Inadequate monitoring of projects approved by the BC Environmental Assessment Office (EAO). Last year the BC Auditor General released a critical report of the BC EAO and said, “Adequate monitoring and enforcement of certified projects is not occurring and follow-up evaluations are not being conducted.”
Sixth: No planning. Currently over 800 creeks, rivers and now lakes have been staked by private power producers in BC with no planning involved to avoid sensitive wildlife and fish habitat.
Seventh: Impact to BC Hydro. BC Hydro is one of our best tools against climate change. Currently, BCH is on the hook for over $40 billion dollars to private power producers. This massive financial obligation impacts the health of our crown corporation and its ability to provide reliable low-carbon electricity to the people of BC.

This is a time to take care of water, not to be transforming it into private power projects for those who see nothing but profit in water that we all need.  Water is the next oil and we need to be studying very hard how to best use the previous resources human kind believes belongs to them only. Those that have studied know that we are only a small part of those so called natural resources.  Please be guided by  natural science laws and not by misguided human beings looking after water that belongs to all not just the tribal coperate few.

January 28, 2012

This project involves three creeks: Tretheway, Shovel and Big Silver, which are clustered around the east and the west of Harrison Lake. Two of these creeks are ­fish-bearing, and the surrounding areas have high wildlife values.
Cloudworks’ nearby Upper Harrison project and their Rutherford Creek project in the Sea to Sky region were beset by problems which included: poor construction and road building practices, destruction of fish habitat, damage to wetland habitat, streams logged to the banks. These projects also involved illegally building a bridge, illegally harvesting wood and other practices that led to numerous landslides and sedimentation problems.
Also BC Hydro is one of our best tools against climate change. Currently, BCH is on the hook for over $40 billion dollars to private power producers. This massive financial obligation impacts the health of our crown corporation and its ability to provide reliable low-carbon electricity to the people of BC.

Please, I stand in solidarity with the community around Shovel Creek.

January 27, 2012

When are the governments of Canada (Provincial and Federal) going to finally wake up and pay heed to the environmental disasters unfolding around us.  It is so disheartening.  I am ashamed of Canada's poor showing in so many environmental spheres.

The whole private power program is a failure. It is not what the public wants with our wilderness lands. The Harrison Lake area, being close to the lower mainland population is best kept as a natural recreation area with minimal diturbance of the environment.

In particular this project:

Two of the three creeks are ­ fish-bearing; the developments would impact rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden habitat, with potential downstream impacts on summer run steelhead, coho, sockeye and longnose dace.
The projects are in the habitat of western screech owl, tailed frog, harlequin duck, northern goshawk, spotted owl, red legged frog, pacific water shrew, grizzly bear and goat and deer winter ranges, many of which are species at risk.
Over 50 km of new power lines and associated right of way clear-cuts.
A 1.8 km long tunnel on Big Silver Creek which will create tonnes of waste rock and raises serious concerns about the possibility of toxic acid rock run off.
Landslides, erosion and downstream siltation from penstocks, roads, and construction areas which have been a serious problem on other Cloudworks projects.
A network of new roads and road upgrades that will fragment wilderness habitat.
A history of inadequate enforcement and monitoring of instream flow and ramping requirements by government agencies.
Inadequate monitoring of projects approved by the BC Environmental Assessment Office (EAO). Last year the BC Auditor General released a critical report of the BC EAO and said, “Adequate monitoring and enforcement of certified projects is not occurring and follow-up evaluations are not being conducted.”
No planning. Currently over 800 creeks, rivers and now lakes have been staked by private power producers in BC with no planning involved to avoid sensitive wildlife and fish habitat.
Impact to BC Hydro. BC Hydro is one of our best tools against climate change. Currently, BCH is on the hook for over $40 billion dollars to private power producers. This massive financial obligation impacts the health of our crown corporation and its ability to provide reliable low-carbon electricity to the people of BC.

My concerns for this project are as follows:

-    Two of the three creeks are ­ fish-bearing; the developments would impact rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden habitat, with potential downstream impacts on summer run steelhead, coho, sockeye and longnose dace.
-    The projects are in the habitat of western screech owl, tailed frog, harlequin duck, northern goshawk, spotted owl, red legged frog, pacific water shrew, grizzly bear and goat and deer winter ranges, many of which are species at risk.
-    Over 50 km of new power lines and associated right of way clear-cuts are necessary.
-    A 1.8 km long tunnel on Big Silver Creek which will create tonnes of waste rock and raises serious concerns about the possibility of toxic acid rock run off.
-    Landslides, erosion and downstream siltation from penstocks, roads, and construction areas which have been a serious problem on other Cloudworks projects.
-    A network of new roads and road upgrades that will fragment wilderness habitat.
-    A history of inadequate enforcement and monitoring of instream flow and ramping requirements by government agencies.
-    Inadequate monitoring of projects approved by the BC Environmental Assessment Office (EAO). Last year the BC Auditor General released a critical report of the BC EAO and said, “Adequate monitoring and enforcement of certified projects is not occurring and follow-up evaluations are not being conducted.”
-    No planning. Currently over 800 creeks, rivers and now lakes have been staked by private power producers in BC with no planning involved to avoid sensitive wildlife and fish habitat.
-    Impact to BC Hydro. BC Hydro is one of our best tools against climate change. Currently, BCH is on the hook for over $40 billion dollars to private power producers. This massive financial obligation impacts the health of our crown corporation and its ability to provide reliable low-carbon electricity to the people of BC.

These projects are unacceptable because they are economically and environmentally a bad deal for British Columbians. Please reconsider this project.

The British Columbia government cannot keep trying to ruin fish bearing waterways in this province. There has been too much damage to these riparian systems and not enough protection given to those few waterways unaffected by development and agriculture diversions. Yes, we need more electrical generation on a more sustainable level. With the new net meter system going on every building in B.C., can't the government do more to encourage generation of electricity in already developed areas of the provice? This would make more elcectricity available as there would be less loss through transmission and create sustainable jobs caring for these small scale generation facilities in the cities where people need the jobs.

Attention: EAo
I am writing to express my deep concern about the possibility of three creeks in the Harrison Lake area--Tretheway, Shovel ad Big Silver--being diverted to produce elctricity. 
Although I do not live in the area, I visit the Harrison Lake are regularly. 
My concerns are that:
•  Two of the three creeks are fish-bearing. Rainbow trout, cutthroat and Dolly Varden habitat would be destroyed. 
•  There would be an impact on summer runs of steelhead, coho, sockeye and longnose dice.
•  The creeks are surrounded by wildlife habitat: western screech ow, tailed frog, harlequin duck, northern goshawk, spotted own, red legged frog, pacific water shrew, grizzly bear, and goat and deer winter range.
•  A fifty kilometre swath will have to be cut to accommodate the power line.
•  The construction of a 1.8 kilometre tunnel on Big Silver Creek would create tonnes of waste rock that could produce toxic runoff.
•  The possibility of stream siltation occuring from the construction of tunnels, roads, and construction areas. 
•  The fragmentation of the wilderness area with more roads.
•  A lack of monitoring and enforcement by the Environmental Assessment Office. (Please refer to the Auditor General's report in 2011.
•  The lack of planning by BC Hydro and the government of B.C. to determine the most suitable locations for future  independent power projects. 
•  The impact that a contract with even one more independent power producer will have on BC Hydro's financial position.
BC's energy policies must undergo a thorough review. Until that review has taken place application for projects like the ones proposed in the Harrison Lake area should be denied. 

For EAO consideration:
I am very concerned and definitely do not support waterpower projects on the Big Silver, Shovel and Tretheway. Projects that alter important fish and wildlife habitat should not proceed as they have not proven they can be done without serious harm to habitat. Steelhead habitat is especially vulnerable to disruption in the streambed and surround watershed. I do not support these projects based on poor environmental protection and monitoring as shown on similar earlier riverpower work.
Do not allow these to go ahead especially in critical fish habitat that supports steelhead and salmon.
I trust you will do the right thing

I would like to register my strong opposition to this recent proposal to build yet another bottlenck to the God given natural habitat that (incidently belongs to ALL of us AND NOT TO A BUNCH OF NEARSIGHTED PRIVATEERS)is another step toward  the total destruction of the earths garden that was intended for humanity for eons to come and not this SHORT SIGHTED SELFISH bit of lunacy. Tell me  , will it come to pass, that the closest we will be to nature , will be in a TV commercial or magazine commercial of "THE WAY IT WAS"!!!!!!!!

Pls stop the rush to destroy our wild rivers and streams.

As a BC senior I am shocked by the high price of power from these projects that must be purchased and subsidized by hydro rate payers.

All our wild streams need protection in this world of rapid climate change, please leave our wild areas intact for future generations and the natural world intact for the animals that rely on the systems for survival

Thank You

The whole concept of IPP's is bad, bad for the environment, bad for wildlife, and bad for recreation users.
So to that I'm opposed to all 4 IPP‟s proposed by Cloudworks Energy in the Harrison Lake area, Big Silver Treatheway and Shovel.

Please stop this project from proceeding.

When the Govenor General reports that the EAO has been derelict in their responsibility to adequately "ASSESS" and/or to provide any follow-up or monitoring of the "environmentally sensitive" projects , that are integral to your mandate (and the reason you get a paycheck), speaks volumes to the prolific and detrimental growth of greed and profits first, when it comes to the relationships between government and "BIG CORP".    REALLY?... Shame on you!

I am concerned with the continued destruction of our environment. I have witnessed the wholesale loss of first growth forests and the decline of the pacific salmon.  Bad and inadequate management on the part of the government have helped to promote the degradation of BC's environment.  I echo the concerns expressed by the Wilderness Committee:
- Two of the three creeks are ­ fish-bearing; the developments would impact rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden habitat, with potential downstream impacts on summer run steelhead, coho, sockeye and longnose dace.
- The projects are in the habitat of western screech owl, tailed frog, harlequin duck, northern goshawk, spotted owl, red legged frog, pacific water shrew, grizzly bear and goat and deer winter ranges, many of which are species at risk.
- Over 50 km of new power lines and associated right of way clear-cuts.
- A 1.8 km long tunnel on Big Silver Creek which will create tonnes of waste rock and raises serious concerns about the possibility of toxic acid rock run off.
- Landslides, erosion and downstream siltation from penstocks, roads, and construction areas which have been a serious problem on other Cloudworks projects.
- A network of new roads and road upgrades that will fragment wilderness habitat.
- A history of inadequate enforcement and monitoring of instream flow and ramping requirements by government agencies.
- Inadequate monitoring of projects approved by the BC Environmental Assessment Office (EAO). Last year the BC Auditor General released a critical report of the BC EAO and said, “Adequate monitoring and enforcement of certified projects is not occurring and follow-up evaluations are not being conducted.”
- No planning. Currently over 800 creeks, rivers and now lakes have been staked by private power producers in BC with no planning involved to avoid sensitive wildlife and fish habitat.
- Impact to BC Hydro. BC Hydro is one of our best tools against climate change. Currently, BCH is on the hook for over $40 billion dollars to private power producers. This massive financial obligation impacts the health of our crown corporation and its ability to provide reliable low-carbon electricity to the people of BC.
I understand that there is pressure from private companies to utilize the environment for private profit, but in the long run protecting BC's wild rivers and public power will be of greater benefit to us all.

The BC EAO's Assessment process and record of compliance monitoring is so poor that the public can have no assurance of the protection of "Supernatural BC", let alone even of provincial or federal environmental laws.  The process is legally bankrupt, and the results are clear to the eye, with toxic dumping, river silting, and endangered species habitat degradation the norm rather than the exception.  I am strongly opposed to this project continuing under the current oversight of the BC government.

Hello,

I feel that we need to protect our valuable watersheds in BC, especially in these changing times.  Please recognize the importance of these areas and put a stop to the Shovel Creek Waterpower Project.

To Whom it may concern: 

In the past 20 years water has gone from something we took for granted, to a hot commodity.  I truly can't believe our government is willing to ruin our backcountry for the sake of money.  The companyies that run these projects have no respect for our forests and what lives in them.  Their big concern is get it done quickly so the money can start coming in.
If BC EAO can't monitor Cloudworks or other projects, then they shouldn't be able to go ahead and destroy precious habitat.  It takes nature thousands of years to make a symbiotic ecosystem.  
Takes man less than six months to destroy it.
Please reconsider the Harrison Lake Projects.
Concerns from a proud BCer.

Wild steelhead spawning and rearing habitat is far too valuable to be sacrificed for power projects.  Give your head a shake and realize that we only have one chance to protect our wilderness areas.  Do not build any more power projects.

Water must be protected before industry. Water is a vital resource that we can't afford to pollute!

Although I am not personally familiar with this area,of Tretheway, Shovel and Big SilverCreeks, I am completely opposed to IPPs that destroy natural habitat. Our creeks and rivers and the fish and wildlife that live in and around them need to be protected. What are you people thinking? Haven't you yet figured out that these projects are driving up the cost of hydro in this province? I'm disgusted with the Liberal government's short sighted decisions.

January 26, 2012

Why are B.C.s creeks still being destroyed as fish habitats ?

I have the following concerns about the Shovel Creek Waterpower Project application:    
Two of the three creeks are ­ fish-bearing; the developments would impact rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden habitat, with potential downstream impacts on summer run steelhead, coho, sockeye and longnose dace.
The projects are in the habitat of western screech owl, tailed frog, harlequin duck, northern goshawk, spotted owl, red legged frog, pacific water shrew, grizzly bear and goat and deer winter ranges, many of which are species at risk.
Over 50 km of new power lines and associated right of way clear-cuts.
A 1.8 km long tunnel on Big Silver Creek which will create tonnes of waste rock and raises serious concerns about the possibility of toxic acid rock run off.
Landslides, erosion and downstream siltation from penstocks, roads, and construction areas which have been a serious problem on other Cloudworks projects.
A network of new roads and road upgrades that will fragment wilderness habitat.
A history of inadequate enforcement and monitoring of instream flow and ramping requirements by government agencies.
Inadequate monitoring of projects approved by the BC Environmental Assessment Office (EAO). Last year the BC Auditor General released a critical report of the BC EAO and said, “Adequate monitoring and enforcement of certified projects is not occurring and follow-up evaluations are not being conducted.”
No planning. Currently over 800 creeks, rivers and now lakes have been staked by private power producers in BC with no planning involved to avoid sensitive wildlife and fish habitat.
Impact to BC Hydro. BC Hydro is one of our best tools against climate change. Currently, BCH is on the hook for over $40 billion dollars to private power producers. This massive financial obligation impacts the health of our crown corporation and its ability to provide reliable low-carbon electricity to the people of BC.

HI BC government,  My family and I really like to hike and camp in wild beautiful places in our province.  Even though I am only 10 years old, it seems wrong to put a river or a creek into a big pipe and wreck it for the wildlife that needs it.  My parents and grandparents told me that there is not enough regulation of these projects and too much stuff gets wrecked.  I don't think some company should get rich from what the people of BC own when it is our environment and our water at risk.

Don't approve this project please, we can use less energy and then we wont need to destroy another river.  When I get to be an adult I want to camp and hike in the same places and not have all the animals and fish be gone.  This is my province too.  I have to listen - you should too.

Shovel, Tretheway and Big Silver Creeks are beautiful, wild creeks that should not be diverted and dammed for private hydropower.  The numerous species that this area supports and the high biodiversity values are priceless and vital to the future of BC's ecology.

The citizens of BC, and anywhere else this power is destined, can learn to conserve energy as a step towards a more sustainable future.  Too many of the provinces rivers have already been compromised for private hydro power, much wildlife habitat has already been destroyed, for un-necessary power.  Protect BC Rivers from industrialization and let them flow free for FUTURE GENERATIONS!

These three creeks are nestled around Harrison Lake and are home to screech owls, tailed frogs, northern goshawks, harlequin ducks and very rare spotted owls. Two of the three creeks, Tretheway and Big Silver, are fish bearing and support rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, steelhead, cutthroat trout and coho and sockeye.  We have to protect this area.

Please stop the Shovel Creek Waterower Project as these creeks  are fish-earing and an independent power project would severely impact trout species such as dolly varden and rainbow. 
Further detrimental impact is potential for fish whose habitat exists downstream of this project.
In addition, ducks, namely the harlequin, northern goshawk and spotted owl as well as the red legged frog and pacific water shrew are indigenous to these waterways. By invading their surrounding area with the typical devastation IPP's are known for, we threaten deer,  mountain goat and grizzley bear. Some of these species are already at risk in B.C.
We do not need 50 kilometers of clearcutting and roadways to access this bad idea.
All over the world, Canada is getting to be known as a country that used to protect its natural resources and now sees them as ones we can afford to destroy. The two kilometer tunnel on Big Silver Creek  will result in destruction of natural rock formations as well as erosion and Cloudworks knows this, as its past performances make me wonder why this project is even being considered.
OUr own B.C. Auditor General has demanded better observance of these projects and it is beginning to appear as those demands are being ignored. 
As a taxpayer, I cannot help but wonder what is the behind the scenes motivation for this continual attempt by our government to try to push these projects through in the hopes that people like myself will just give up and go away so they can proceed.
We are going to keep stopping these projects and we urge you to stop this one and all the ones of this type that big business keeps inviting our B.C. government to allow. 

A 1.8 km long tunnel on Big Silver Creek which will create tonnes of waste rock and raises serious concerns about the possibility of toxic acid rock run off.
Landslides, erosion and downstream siltation from penstocks, roads, and construction areas which have been a serious problem on other Cloudworks projects.
A network of new roads and road upgrades that will fragment wilderness habitat.
A history of inadequate enforcement and monitoring of instream flow and ramping requirements by government agencies.
Inadequate monitoring of projects approved by the BC Environmental Assessment Office (EAO). Last year the BC Auditor General released a critical report of the BC EAO and said, “Adequate monitoring and enforcement of certified projects is not occurring and follow-up evaluations are not being conducted.”
No planning. Currently over 800 creeks, rivers and now lakes have been staked by private power producers in BC with no planning involved to avoid sensitive wildlife and fish habitat.

The proposal for private power production at Big Silver, Tretheway and Shovel Creeks near Harrison Lakes should be turned down. It's impact on the local enviromnment would be too great. 

Mittigation plans apparently serve no purpose. The track record at other similar development sites is very poor (nearby Upper Harrison project, Rutherford Creek project, & others). Carefully prepared development plans were not followed. According to a BC Auditor General report, monitoring,  enforcement, and follow-up on projects is not adequate. No other projects should even be considered for approval before the over-sight infrastructure is fixed.

Like the majority of these projects the power generated will mainly be produced at a time of year (freshet) when BC Hydro does not need additional power, yet because of government policy and the contracts signed it will be forced to pay excessively high rates for this power. It makes no sense.

For the local environment and wildlife, and for the benefit of all citizens of British Columbia please turn down this proposal.

Some of my concerns with this project include:
-Two of the three creeks are ­ fish-bearing; the developments would impact rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden habitat, with potential downstream impacts on summer run steelhead, coho, sockeye and longnose dace.
-The projects are in the habitat of western screech owl, tailed frog, harlequin duck, northern goshawk, spotted owl, red legged frog, pacific water shrew, grizzly bear and goat and deer winter ranges, many of which are species at risk.
-Over 50 km of new power lines and associated right of way clear-cuts.
-A 1.8 km long tunnel on Big Silver Creek which will create tonnes of waste rock and raises serious concerns about the possibility of toxic acid rock run off.
-Landslides, erosion and downstream siltation from penstocks, roads, and construction areas which have been a serious problem on other Cloudworks projects.
-A network of new roads and road upgrades that will fragment wilderness habitat.
-A history of inadequate enforcement and monitoring of instream flow and ramping requirements by government agencies.
-Inadequate monitoring of projects approved by the BC Environmental Assessment Office (EAO). Last year the BC Auditor General released a critical report of the BC EAO and said, “Adequate monitoring and enforcement of certified projects is not occurring and follow-up evaluations are not being conducted.”
-No planning. Currently over 800 creeks, rivers and now lakes have been staked by private power producers in BC with no planning involved to avoid sensitive wildlife and fish habitat.
-Impact to BC Hydro. BC Hydro is one of our best tools against climate change. Currently, BCH is on the hook for over $40 billion dollars to private power producers. This massive financial obligation impacts the health of our crown corporation and its ability to provide reliable low-carbon electricity to the people of BC.

Thank you for taking into account some of these important factors when considering these cumulative effects during the Environmental Impact Assessment process.

I believe this project is misguided. Two of the streams contain fish, including steelhead, which are increasingly rare in the lower mainland.

Area's like this are rare in the lower mainland and should be protected.

I am concerned that this project involving the three creeks -Tretheway, Shovel and Big Silver, near the east and the west of Harrison Lake are ¬fish-bearing, with surrounding areas of high wildlife value. Many of these wildlife species (western screech owl, tailed frog, harlequin duck, northern goshawk, spotted owl, red legged frog, pacific water shrew, grizzly bear and goat and deer winter ranges) are species at risk, all are valued parts of the ecosystem. The fragmentation that would occur to wildlife habitat due to the network of new roads would be very detrimental. Of the two fish bearing streams that would be impacted, rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden inhabit these waters, with potential downstream impacts on summer run steelhead, coho, sockeye and longnose dace. Both stream flow fluctuations and toxic runoff from acid rock, erosion and siltation all would have serious impacts on fish. Please do not allow this project to go forward, the benefits do not outweigh the environmental costs.

we need to keep wild rivers wild and not allow them to be hidden in pipes --------future generations are relying on us to DO IT RIGHT

I am exasperated by the hypocrisy that refuses to allow me to cut down trees on my property that is close to a ditch that dries completely in the summer because it is a "potential fish stream"  yet proposes to allow a project like this one on Shovel Creek that would actually destroy the habitat of a viable fish stream.

These run of river projects are much more destructive in fact than they were ever touted to be.  The promise that the stream would not be diverted, the fish would still have free access, nature would not be disturbed -- nonsense.  The projects have been allowed to grow too large.  They are now way beyond what was first proposed, with access roads and clearcutting for power lines and major instrusion into habitat.  I cannot support this approach any longer.

Pllease keep Tretheway, Shovel and Big Silver creeks wild.

•Two of the three creeks are ­ fish-bearing; the developments would impact rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden habitat, with potential downstream impacts on summer run steelhead, coho, sockeye and longnose dace.

• The projects are in the habitat of western screech owl, tailed frog, harlequin duck, northern goshawk, spotted owl, red legged frog, pacific water shrew, grizzly bear and goat and deer winter ranges, many of which are species at risk. 
• Over 50 km of new power lines and associated right of way clear-cuts.

• A 1.8 km long tunnel on Big Silver Creek which will create tonnes of waste rock and raises serious concerns about the possibility of toxic acid rock run off.

•Landslides, erosion and downstream siltation from penstocks, roads, and construction areas which have been a serious problem on other Cloudworks projects.
• A network of new roads and road upgrades that will fragment wilderness habitat. 
•A history of inadequate enforcement and monitoring of instream flow and ramping requirements by government agencies.
•Inadequate monitoring of projects approved by the BC Environmental Assessment Office (EAO). Last year the BC Auditor General released a critical report of the BC EAO and said, “Adequate monitoring and enforcement of certified projects is not occurring and follow-up evaluations are not being conducted.”
•No planning. Currently over 800 creeks, rivers and now lakes have been staked by private power producers in BC with no planning involved to avoid sensitive wildlife and fish habitat. 
•Impact to BC Hydro. BC Hydro is one of our best tools against climate change. Currently, BCH is on the hook for over $40 billion dollars to private power producers. This massive financial obligation impacts the health of our crown corporation and its ability to provide reliable low-carbon electricity to the people of BC.

To whom it may concern,
I understand that Innergex has applied for permission to create a Hydro project involving three creeks, namely Big Silver, Tretheway and Shovel creeks by Harrison Lake.
As this propject will involve tree clearance, around 50kms of new power lines and associated clear-cuts, a network of roads, and puitting the creeks into water pipes, this project cannot be allowed to continue as these are mainly fish bearing streams, and there is wild life, some of which is in danger of extinction, in the surrounding woods, all this plus the on-going erosion of the streeam beds which will be caused by this project.
I would remind you that last year the BC Auditor General released a critical report of the BC EAO which said, “Adequate monitoring and enforcement of certified projects is not occurring and follow-up evaluations are not being conducted.”
I do not believe that BC Hydro needs, or indeed wants, this excess electricity which from my conversations with them have clearly shown that this is for the American market.
Please do not continue with these projects as I would like to think that some of BC's unique wilderness will still be able to be enjoyed by my grand  children in the same way that I have been able to enjoy it during my 35 years as a proud Canadian, hiking the land and cruising the (up to now) unspoilt coastline of British Columbia.

Two of the three creeks are ­ fish-bearing; the developments would impact rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden habitat, with potential downstream impacts on summer run steelhead, coho, sockeye and longnose dace.
The projects are in the habitat of western screech owl, tailed frog, harlequin duck, northern goshawk, spotted owl, red legged frog, pacific water shrew, grizzly bear and goat and deer winter ranges, many of which are species at risk.
Over 50 km of new power lines and associated right of way clear-cuts.
A 1.8 km long tunnel on Big Silver Creek which will create tonnes of waste rock and raises serious concerns about the possibility of toxic acid rock run off.
Landslides, erosion and downstream siltation from penstocks, roads, and construction areas which have been a serious problem on other Cloudworks projects.
A network of new roads and road upgrades that will fragment wilderness habitat.
A history of inadequate enforcement and monitoring of instream flow and ramping requirements by government agencies.
Inadequate monitoring of projects approved by the BC Environmental Assessment Office (EAO). Last year the BC Auditor General released a critical report of the BC EAO and said, “Adequate monitoring and enforcement of certified projects is not occurring and follow-up evaluations are not being conducted.”
No planning. Currently over 800 creeks, rivers and now lakes have been staked by private power producers in BC with no planning involved to avoid sensitive wildlife and fish habitat.
Impact to BC Hydro. BC Hydro is one of our best tools against climate change. Currently, BCH is on the hook for over $40 billion dollars to private power producers. This massive financial obligation impacts the health of our crown corporation and its ability to provide reliable low-carbon electricity to the people of BC.

I am opposed to this project, based on your website information and an email of January 26 from the Wilderness Committee.  Everything I have read in support of private power projects compromising the integrity of BC streams over the last 4 years is repugnant, and that includes the permanent negative effects on wilderness values and the bad economics of the ridiculous prices paid by Hydro for the power produced from these projects.

Dear Sirs:

Respectfully, I fully share the concerns expressed about this and other projects affecting natural watercourses. Much more perspective is required, much greater care.

just more myopic vision - seeing the earth as a resource to be pillaged instead of a gift to be savoured.  I am not some kind of pollyanna and understand there are resources that we need but surely with the intelligence and creativity that is man/womankind we can find a sustainable way to move forward

January 23, 2012

Shovel Creek is a navigable waterway, and provides a recreational resource that is very highly valued.

The proposed mitigation measures do not adequately serve the needs of this community.

Please reconsider the IPP project in its entirety. Failing that, please take measures to ensure that the recreational whitewater paddling community in British Columbia is given an opportunity to shape the compensation or mitigation measures are for this given navigable waterway.

January 20, 2012

Hello,

I've spent a lot of time at Big Silver both kayaking, camping, and exploring the area (much of it during the alleged time the navigability study took place, and I notice I was never noted as being there). It is incredibly unique to this part of North America, having an almost California Sierra-esque look and feel to the riverbed. 

It is an area with quality whitewater that gets run, in fact, people travel all over from North America and the world to enjoy it's beauty and splendor. To take from one group that came to BC from the South Eastern United States on a kayaking trip and enjoyed many of the provinces most fabled rivers, they concluded at the end that Big Silver was the most scenic river they paddled.

A large part of the aspect of recreational kayaking and tourism is to enjoy an area in it's natural, unaltered state. This is becoming increasingly rare, and BC as well as Canada in general is one of the last bastions of largely unspoiled splendor left in the world. Unfortunately it seems the government is doing all it can to spoil and pillage these last remaining jewels of natural beauty.

January 15, 2012

I want to keep our rivers wild. There is something about them that is part of my soul. I can sit by a flowing river in the wilderness and feel at peace. There is a well-known phase which goes something like this: 'in wildness is the preservation of the world'. I agree.
In many years my summer holidays have involved a canoe trip lasting several days on a wilderness river. I come home refreshed, having not thought about the rat race for this time. 
Conversion of Shovel Creek into a power project would be a retrograde step. We need the wilderness and the flowing waters in it. 
As well, there is no overwhelming need for the electrical power it would produce. As I understand it every one of these power projects is going to end up costing us all money unnecessarily.

January 12, 2012

I'm opposed to all 4 IPP‟s proposed by Cloudworks Energy in the Harrison Lake area (Treatheway, Shovel, Big Silver).

I travel to BC to enjoy the beauty of nature. In simple terms, I spend money in the province solely based on the natural resources that you are working to destroy.

The damage that will be caused by the proposed projects is irreversible, and will change the face of B.C. forever. 

Much has already gone. Please protect the few beautiful pristine locations we have left. Whether it be for environmental reasons, for future generations, or for the enjoyment of current residents, I urge you to leave these places as they are.

January 11, 2012

To those concerned,

Please reconsider dewatering and permanently scarring this pristine mountain stream.  Since many of our rivers in the southeastern United States are already dammed up, dewatered and generally severely impaired by man, we make regular pilgrimages to southwestern British Columbia to enjoy NATURALLY FLOWING rivers and creeks.  Canada has the richest abundance of natural resources on the continent, if not the world.  Don't spoil them.  They are your heritage, not a mass array of short-sighted investments that only will leave a wake of desctruction.  How often I and many of my peers across the country visit and pump money into the local economy is directly related to how many of the streams in British Columbia are sold for dollars.  

While it would seem only fair that if water the public has the right to enjoy in its natural state is going to be taken away, then there should be recreational releases for any user group who requests them, let's not kid ourselves that much more important than user access to the water is the protection of these watersheds.