After a recent hike out to a remote area of the Canadian Rockies, a group of concerned citizens are speaking out on a proposed Independent Power Project (IPP).

Recently, a group of 14 people, members of Wildsight and the Council of Canadians (CoC) went on a hike out to Wood River, located on the boundary of Jasper National Park, north of Mica Dam.

Rachel Darvill, of Wildsight, said that the group hiked in and followed an old trail up the river through inland temperate old growth rain forest, which is a rare ecosystem in B.C.

“There are three IPPs proposed in this area,” said Darvill.

The proposed IPP projects are slated to lie on the lower and upper Wood River and one on Clemenceau Creek. A review of the Wood River project indicates that the applicant is proposing to build 20 km on new road and 75 km of transmission lines.

Darvill explained that the group went to explore this David Thompson heritage area and document their findings to highlight the proposed IPP and why they are concerned about the project going through in an area they think is worth protecting.

“There are several threatened species including the Mountain Caribou habitat in this area,” said Darvill, adding, “There is also a threatened species of Apple Moss in this area, one of only 10 locations known to have this moss in all of North America.”

Darvill said that the Wood River area is currently unprotected, but she hopes that will change after creating more awareness about the proposed IPP projects.

“It is so rare to have an area like this one. It has incredible biodiversity and we believe this area is definitely worth protecting.”

Paul Leeson, Wildsight member and concerned citizen, said that he took part in the hike because he wanted to be an active member of the community and this was an opportunity to do so. Leeson donated his helicopter, time and gas to provide some members of the group the opportunity to fly over and film aspects of the area.

Lesson said that he and his wife are concerned about the government’s approach to resource development and job creation and they hope to highlight this area as an example.

“Wood River is a prime candidate because it stands as an example of poor government process. The government shouldn’t just willy nilly approve projects with high environmental impacts. We need to take a breath and decide whether they [individual IPPs] are appropriate or not.”

Leeson said that he is not opposed to IPPs as a whole, he just thinks the government is nowhere near the point of being able to look at projects individually. He said he believes power projects should be set aside, until the government, with public input, looks at the overall planning process.

“Wood River is a rare place. It is a little slice of the coast in the Rocky Mountains. It is very unique and has somehow avoided the huge impacts from human development. This was an opportunity to take this remote place and show it to a broader audience.”

Cheekwan Ho, of the Public Affairs Bureau for the Ministry of Forests & Range and Minister Responsible for the Integrated Land Management Bureau (ILMB), reported that the ILMB received applications for the project from ATLA Energy Corporation, in April 2009.

“As with all permit applications, ILMB will be referring the application to federal and provincial agencies, including the Ministry of Environment so they can evaluate for any impact on the Apple Moss and Mountain Caribou, and to the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts for any impact on culture heritage resources.”

Ho reported that the applicant must advertise in the local newspaper for public review and comment and the ILMB must also consult with First Nations before the project can be approved.

Dag Sharman, director of communications for BC Hydro, said that two of the proposed projects are found under BC Hydro’s Clean Power Call.

“They [ATLA] have submitted a proposal, but because this project is in a competitive bid, we can’t talk specifics,” said Sharman, adding, “We do expect to sign Electricity Purchase Agreements (EPA) out of the Clean Power Call starting this fall.”

Steve Kukucha, president of ATLA, said it is important to note that ATLA is in the early conceptual development design stages of this project.

He explained that ATLA has submitted two applications to BC Hydro under the Clean Energy Call, on the lower Wood River and Goldstream River. Kukucha said that the Clemenceau Creek bid was not submitted under the Clean Power Call.

When queried about environmental concerns, Kukucha said that ATLA understands the need to be sensitive with issues that relate to Caribou and Apple Moss.

“We are aware of these concerns and they have been identified through our own environmental studies and through the Ministry of Environment. Any development would need to have strong mitigation plans to address those issues.”

Kukucha stressed that ATLA is not even at that stage yet.

“But we believe that communities should have their voice and it is never to early to talk. We want to be fair and we look forward to meeting people in the community. There will be the opportunity for public consultation upon being awarded the contract from BC Hydro.”

Darvill said that the film profiling the Wood River area will be available on the saveourivers.com website and will show in town upon its completion.