Norm Macdonald MLA                                Columbia River – Revelstoke

MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release

March 25th, 2009

MLA Macdonald stands with constituents; continues to speak out for BC’s rivers

On March 26th, Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald will join with 10,000 other BC voices to state his concerns about the effects of the BC Liberal Energy Plan on BC rivers.  This province-wide protest will occur only days after the Outdoor Recreation Council of British Columbia released the 2009 Top-10 Endangered Rivers list which indicates that four of the ten most endangered are under threat due to proposed river-diversion projects.

“In my constituency, we value our rivers and we feel an obligation to protect our rivers for future generations,” said Macdonald.  “We understand that we need to carefully consider and promote the best uses for our rivers.”

The BC Liberal Energy plan requires that all new power generation be developed by private producers rather than the publicly-owned BC Hydro, and that BC Hydro must then purchase this private power through a purchase agreement at a rate that is much higher than the current market rate which unnecessarily increases energy costs for BC Hydro customers.  The majority of these private power projects involve the diversion of rivers and creeks, fundamentally changing free-flowing rivers into industrial waterways, putting our rivers into tunnels and pipes.

Number three on the Council’s endangered rivers list is Glacier/Howser Creeks in the West Kootenay, threatened by a massive river-diversion project which will involve the diversion of 5 creeks, permanently removing 80% of flow from the creek beds.    The 91 km transmission line corridor will cross the Purcell Mountains into the Invermere sub-station on the east of side of the mountain range, through an Old Growth Management area and an identified Endangered Forest.

“I understand the need for green energy, but by any measure, the Glacier/Howser project is not a green energy project and people in this area have spoken out strongly against it.”

Macdonald first became aware of this issue in 2006 when the BC Liberal government passed a miscellaneous amendment act that removed local government’s ability to make decisions on the placement of these projects on local rivers.  Bill 30, also known as the Ashlu River bill, was passed to over-ride the objections of the regional district that was refusing to make changes to zoning which would have allowed the Ashlu river-diversion project to go ahead.  Local residents and river users adamantly opposed the project but the Campbell government simply changed the law so that local people no longer had a say.

“I have spoken out publicly, in my constituency and in the Legislature, against this government’s actions on this file because I believe strongly that we need to allow local government to make these important decisions about the way we use our landbase.  In response, government ministers write letters to local newspaper editors saying that I just don’t know what I’m talking about.

“Minister Penner and Minister Lekstrom say that we just need it all explained to us one more time.  They say we just need to trust that the government knows what is best for us.

“My response to that argument is clear: If it is simply a lack of understanding that is causing people in my communities to oppose these river-diversion projects, then the Ministers need to come to this area, hold a heavily publicized public meeting in a venue that is big enough to hold the 200 – 300 people who will attend, and stand up and defend the BC Liberal Energy plan. 

“Visit the area before May 12th, make your case for these projects in person, and then let the people decide.”