Upper Pitt named most endangered river in B.C.

Add one more obstacle to Run of River Power's plans for the Upper Pitt River.

The river was just named the most-endangered in B.C. by the Outdoor Recreation Council of B.C.

"I'm very pleased, delighted," said Joan Domer, with the Alouette Field Naturalists.

"It just gives us an extra ammunition," added Duanne Vandenberg, AFN president. "I can't see how they can possibly go against this much public feeling."

The declaration came Monday, a day before the second open house in Pitt Meadows to hear Run of River's initial plans to put power plants on seven tributaries to the river that flows into the north end of Pitt Lake.

The Pitt Meadows fire chief closed the first open house in February because of overcrowding.

The release of the most-endangered rivers list wasn't timed to coincide with the open house, said Mark Angelo, chair of the recreation council.

"Every year, going back 16 years, it's [the endangered rivers list] always been in late March," said Angelo.

"This list really is all about representing the views of many British Columbians. I don't think anybody can take issue with the strong views coming out of this listing."

Angelo said the Top 10 list is compiled after considering nominations by individuals and groups. A committee evaluates the nominations, then considers those rivers with the most urgent issues. About 40,000 to 50,000 nominations were submitted, representing as many as 200,000 people in B.C., Angelo said.

"That's why this list gets the profile it does," said Angelo.

"So I don't think anybody can take issue with the results."

Nominations are anonymous, allowing federal and provincial government environmental managers to participate. It's a six-month long process and a huge undertaking, he added.

The last time the Upper Pitt was considered the most endangered river was when a gravel pit was proposed for the area eight years ago. And in 2005, the trash from an old logging camp dump that was washing into the river raised concern. Any time an issue has developed involving the Upper Pitt, it's become a major battle, he said.

The rec council's announcement doesn't change Run of River Power's plans.

"They're great projects and I believe they're compatible in a watershed that's been logged for 100 years," Jako Krushnisky, CEO of Run of River Power, said Monday.

He's confident in the Environmental Assessment Office process. "These projects will be vetted on their merits and they will be vetted scientifically."

Run of River wants to put seven small dams on seven creeks to generate 180 megawatts of power, enough to light 55,000 homes. The company wants to tie into the B.C. Hydro grid by building a powerline through 4.6 kilometres of Pinecone Burke Provincial Park.

Power is generated when part of the creek flow rushes down a pipe down the mountain to turn a turbine at the bottom.

The water is then released back into creek. Environmentalists however fear that too much water will be taken, killing fish habitat and food sources.

Angelo said the Upper Pitt is home to largest bull trout population in B.C., has the "most signifcant" coho salmon population in the lower Fraser River and supports all salmon species – yet is within minutes of Vancouver.

The issue could have an affect on Liberal government results in the provincial election in May 2009, said Vandenberg, an NDP supporter.

She described as "totally autocratic" Bill 30, which allowed the provincial government to overrule local governments who opposed to such projects.

She acknowledged, she was cautiously optimistic, given the amount of local opposition, the government would reject the plan, in particular, the proposal to put a powerline through Pinecone Burke Provincial Park.

She noted Maple Ridge, Mission and Squamish oppose it, while Pitt Meadows is "still dithering."

Angelo said Tuesday's open house (4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Pitt Meadows secondary), could bring up to a thousand people.

"I think one of the biggest public meetings in the Lower Mainland will take place tomorrow night at Pitt Meadows secondary.

"No one is saying that you can never have a run of river project of any kind," he said. People just want the ability to distinguish between good and bad projects, he said.

Government MLA Randy Hawes, however, maintained the meeting is for the public to get information.

"They'll be no dirt turned, no diversion of water without having all the environmental studies," he said.

He said the company has the right to put forward a proposal, which the government will review. He doesn't plan on attending the meeting.

"This is not a government-run meeting. This a meeting run by the proponents."