Facts
The Peace River Valley is presently under threat by Site C Dam. In December of 2014, after a 3-year environmental assessment, the BC Liberal government approved construction of Site C.. Several court challenges have been put forward to both the provincial and federal governments by the Peace Valley Landowner Association and BC Treaty 8 First Nations.
Thus, the battle to ‘Protect the Peace’ continues in 2016!
The impacts of the proposed dam extend beyond the Peace River. Two major tributaries of the Peace, with historic significance to the West Moberly First Nations (WMFN), the Halfway and Moberly Rivers, would be back-flooded 14 and 10 km respectively and numerous smaller tributaries would also be submerged.
Construction of Site C will impact over 57,000 acres of land, including over 31,000 acres of Class 1 to 7 farmland and over 25,000 acres of forested land. According to agricultural experts, the agricultural land to be washed away in the valley is capable of feeding over a million people! The unique microclimate of the valley is not replicated in the Peace Country farmland in higher elevations. The valley lowlands can grow cantaloupe, watermelons, field tomatoes and corn in addition to fruit trees.
The floodplain, islands and valley of the Peace River provide critical year-round habitat for moose, deer, elk, rare and endangered songbirds, waterfowl and furbearing species. Large game species who make their home in the valley, require large, intact habitats. The valley is considered a vulnerable and critical ‘pinch point’ in the Yellowstone to Yukon Wildlife Conservation Corridor. According to wildlife expert, Clayton Apps, development of Site C will contribute detrimentally to an area in NE BC which is already significantly impacted due to resource development on the landscape.
The Peace River is a crucial migration route for the bull trout, a blue-listed species, of special concern (formerly vulnerable), in British Columbia.
Additionally, Site C would cause significant and, according to the Joint Review Panel on the project, unmitigable impacts on the ability of area First Nations to continue to carry out their treaty right such as hunting, fishing and trapping. Important cultural sites would be washed away as would several unmarked gravesites along the river.
Many multi-generation farm families would lose their homes, farms and ways of life if Site C proceeds. There is no need for these families to suffer when we know that there are better, less expensive and damaging energy alternatives that are in the interests of all British Columbians to pursue.
Many historical trails like the North West Mounted Police trail were developed on pre-existing aboriginal trading trails. This waterway was a historic transportation route for explorers and fur traders, like Alexander Mackenzie. Simon Fraser helped establish a trading post at Hudson’s Hope in 1805.
The riverbanks and shores contain an undiscovered wealth of fossils and dinosaur trackways.
The river sustains recreational and tourism activities – canoeing, jet-boating, fishing, hiking, bird watching, hunting and horseback riding.
The valley contains stunning geological formations, found in few other places on the Earth, like the Rhine in Germany. It is unique and beautiful BC landscape.
For detailed information on the many issues of concern with Site C, please visit PVEA’s informative website at www.SaveBCfromSiteC.ca. You will find links to reports from experts as well as details on action alerts and updates associated with our campaign. Donations can also be made through the site.
For continual up-to-date information on the campaign, joint PVEA on Facebook at Peace Valley Environment Association or on Twitter @SavePeaceValley.
To send a letter to politicans, please visit PVEA’s letter writing website at www.RealSiteCHearings.org.
Paddle for the Peace 