Bill 30 is the most frightening affront to democracy British Columbians have ever experienced, and becomes a reality as citizens fight against new IPP applications in Salmon Arm.
by Lannie Keller
Luckily a friend read the city paper where they advertise these things. Unluckily the deadline was imminent. Another Independent Power Producer (IPP) application – another wilderness place.
With its wonderful parks and astonishing tidal rapids, the application area is precious to both local residents and an international community of kayakers. We know there are some places on earth we should treasure as wild, and there are better places for a tidal power installation! What to do? We got a few local letters out pretty quick, but it would take more than that to stop this idea with eager investors behind it. We found out the applicants were a newly formed BC company with venture capital from an eastern European casino corporation. Why are they in our backyard?
Deadlines passed. My first letter to the Integrated Land Management Bureau (ILMB) complained about lack of adequate community notification, short comment timelines and incredibly scant information; I listed numerous user groups who would be affected, dismayed, and actively opposed. We tried to follow up with arrangements to get a Land Officer on-site, but it didn’t come together.
We researched the proposal – as with most of the applications, we found not much information available on the government website. Elsewhere we learned generally about tidal power installations, discovered more about the sell-off of BC water rights, the social implications of privatization, and the huge value of BC’s water – vital to life and loaded with energy.
Our challenge was to direct a strong, consistent and persistent message to government decision-makers. We created an information page that identified the areas, explained the issues, and pleaded for action. Then we contacted people familiar with the area, especially those who could speak with ‘big’ voices – we began to mobilize recreation, professional, and community organizations.
The result of our efforts was (I think) about 50 email letters. They emphasized the unique nature of the Surge Narrows and Okisollo tidal rapids for kayaking (two of only four such in the province), their proximity to BC provincial parks with wilderness values, and the probable negative impacts of tidal power development. Over and over people wrote, ‘…These natural features are rare and world-class wonders. Existing social and environmental values are well established and cannot be compromised.’
ILMB received the letters even though they were all ‘late.’ ‘Our’ letters kept trickling in…
We had learned more about Bill 30, the 2002 BC provincial legislation used to quash and override community decisions (and we continue to fear Bill 30 as the most frightening affront to democracy British Columbians have ever experienced!)
ILMB solicited comments as required by their process. Ministry of Tourism & Sport, Strathcona Regional District, and several First Nations added perspectives and concerns. We aren’t sure what else went on behind the scenes or who said what.
We asked for one more meeting at ILMB in Nanaimo. Prepared for the worst, our meeting was instead a pleasant conversation with the Land Officer. She informed us that, based on all the information, she had just recommended the permits be disallowed. She said they had received many letters that were important to the decision. We were properly grateful – and managed to contain our exuberance till we got out of earshot. Yay!!
In the afterglow, we wonder what to do with the good energy. We realise this was a relatively ‘easy’ victory, and there are many huge challenges begging attention and energy. We’re still pondering if and how we can use the experience we gained.
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Lannie Keller runs Coast Mountain Expeditions on Read Island with her husband Ralph.