A proposal to cut through a four-kilometre swath of Pinecone Provincial Park for power transmission lines was defeated in a surprise announcement by the provincial government Wednesday (March 26). On the heels of mass opposition, which in one protest this week reached 1,000 people, Minister of Environment Barry Penner made a surprise announcement that Northwest Cascade Power Ltd. will not be allowed to cut a swath through four kilometers of the northern tip of Pinecone Provincial Park, then follow through to the Cheekye substation where it could potentially impede local trails, to make way for a proposed Independent Power Project (IPP)."I've had several hundred letters and e-mails, very, very few in favour," he said. Penner made the decision after a briefing with BC Parks staff Wednesday morning, following the last scheduled public meeting regarding the proposed park boundary amendment, according to a provincial news release. 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."You look at the public meetings. I think, last night, not a single person spoke in favour," he said. District of Squamish council was among the opposition. Members unanimously agreed earlier this month to advise the province the Pitt River IPP is not welcome to link into the substation north of Squamish."I just see it being more hydro lines, more scars on the mountainside," said Coun. Corinne Lonsdale, adding it would "not be the first time that we have impacts on our community to the benefits of others."And in February, following Ministry of Environment regional planner Jennie Aikman's request for district feedback on the proposal, council unanimously voted to advise Aikman and the Environmental Assessment Office they opposed the adjustment, while also passing a second motion opposing the project's proposed route to the Cheekye substation.The two motions seemed to be in sync with the feelings of residents. At a Squamish open house for the project on Feb. 25, people came from as far as Pitt River to oppose the project along with any change to the park boundary.Studies conducted on the proposed passage have shown it has seasonal wildlife use by mountain goats and grizzly bears. It is composed of old growth forest, wetlands and grass meadows.According to company president Jako Krushnisky, the project could create enough electricity to power 55,700 homes, adding more renewable energy to the BC Hydro grid.He said building a transmission line across park is only being considered because there is no other viable option.But the company refused to say the project was dead, according to a Globe and Mail report Thursday (March 27)."We're going to continue to consider our options as to how we proceed," he told the Globe. "We think the project remains a valid way for the province to meet its energy objectives of being energy self-sufficient."Penner also asserted that the province continues to seek run-of-river proposals and the Wildlife Wilderness Committee, which had been a very vocal opponent to the Pitt River project, now intends to focus protests on another contentious IPP proposal in the area, according to a WWC insider.This second contentious hydroelectric project would place a diversion-style dam on Fries Creek south of Brackendale Eagles Provincial Park and north of Tantalus Provincial Park. It would generate up to 10 megawatts of power to be sold to BC Hydro. The power lines would be buried underground.Its infrastructure, including an eight-metre high powerhouse, would be placed on the west side of the Squamish River, reviving many of forest service roads used for logging about 25 years ago.
