Joint Review Panel listens to presentation at Ramada Hotel in Prince George – photo 250news

Prince George, B.C.- The Joint Review Panel hearing on the proposed Site C dam, is underway in Prince George.

About  2 dozen  people were in the gallery  as panel chair Harry Swain, outlined the role and responsibilities  of the  panel and its  “Our duty is to remain independent and impartial, we apologize if we appear to be detached or  unapproachable” but that, says Swain is to ensure  there  are no concerns or questions about that impartiality.

BC Hydro  presented opening remarks  focused on the economic opportunities for  local communities should the project be approved.

While the project is  expected to pump $3.2 billion into the Province’s GDP and created  tens of thousands of person years of  employment,  the Kwadacha First Nation said the economic impacts are not the only reason to move a project forward.

Kwadacha  Chief  Donny  Van Somer  was not able to attend the session  this morning  as had been originally planned, ( he was snowed in )instead,  a  representative  read  his presentation to the Panel.   In that presentation,  it was stressed  the Kwadacha  have  4 concerns about the project, based on their  experience  with the  impact of the Williston  reservoir and  a concern that what happened  during the  development of Williston, do not happen again.   The presentation   noted  that when Williston was  developed there was little or no consultation,  people were displaced,  the  river disappeared, wildlife drowned or moved out of the territory.  While not taking a position either for or against Site C, the Kwadacha  say there are four  outstanding issues:

1.  Possible changes to the levels of Williston in order to ensure there is enough water downstream to  supply Site C.
2. Impact on  ungulate population, both as a  result of construction and the impact thousands of workers
3. Cost and availability of goods:  as demand for goods and services increases and suppliers  look to service the  project,   there is concern Kwadacha (located at Fort Ware) will find  it even more difficult to  secure goods and services.
4. Cumulative impact of projects such as Site C.

With  increased  pressure to open up the north  and  develop its resources, the presentation from Kwadacha  called  for  a look at the bigger picture,  the  cumulative effect of all the proposed projects and not just  one at a time.  The presentation  stressed that “Not only Site C  but many of the current industry and government plans will face increasingly strong and focused  opposition from First Nations unless or until, the  cumulative effects are given more serious consideration than they have been to date.  First Nations will not agree or merely sit by  and watch to see their homelands and way of life disappear or be changed irreparably, by actions or decisions of others who have no interest in the area beyond short term employment and financial returns.”

The  Joint Review Panel  will  take a break over the  Christmas  holidays, and return to work  in  Ft. St. John  January 7th,  wrapping up the hearing process January 23rd.  It is expected to present its  recommendations 90 days later.