A lawsuit from Katzie First Nations against the Ministry of Environment has proponents of the controversial Pitt River Independent Power Project proposed hanging onto hope their plans will materialize. The project hit a major roadblock on March 26 when B.C. Environment Minister Barry Penner made a surprise announcement that the province were refusing to allow a transmission line through Pinecone Burke Provincial Park. The decision came after numerous public hearings brought crowds of up to 1,000 people out in opposition to the project.Earlier in the year, Run of River Power president Jako Krushnisky said the four-kilometre swath of parkland was the only viable option for the line, which would link the power into the Cheekye substation north of Squamish.But the unexpected move has prompted a lawsuit from the Katzie Fist Nation, which claims parts of the park as their traditional territory. Krushnisky said Katzie had been working toward a royalty structure with the company. He said he wasn't sure if it the lawsuit meant Penner would reconsider his decision."Well, I won't second-guess anybody, but I know there was a corrupted process that two entities are displeased," he said referring to Katzie and his own company.Ministry of Environment spokesperson Kate Thompson gave minimal comment on the lawsuit."Government practice in these circumstances is to make their case in court," she said. "The courts will determine the outcome of the question put before them."Krushnisky said Penner's decision was not based in science. He is currently working to arrange a meeting with ministry officials to discuss the decision."[Penner] cut it down before he had a chance to actually see any scientific information," he said.Penner made the announcement after a briefing with BC Parks staff the same morning. It following on the heels of a public meeting where more than 1,000 people showed up to protest the proposed park boundary amendment, according to a provincial news release. "He [Penner] concluded the proposal did not meet the strict environmental criteria set forth in the Provincial Park Boundary Adjustment Policy, nor did it have sufficient support from the public, some First Nations, and local government," stated the release.District of Squamish council was among the opposition. Members unanimously agreed earlier in March to advise the province the Pitt River IPP is not welcome to link into the substation north of Squamish.Krushnisky said will consider other options for the transmission line if the park boundary change is not granted. In the meantime, he is waiting for the outcome of the lawsuit."I guess at this point we're waiting to see how the government responds."
