Site C dam sediment deemed threat to fish stocks

If problem persists, federal environmental officials intend to hit B.C. Hydro with fines

VANCOUVER — B.C. Hydro is in trouble with enforcement officials again, after sediment from construction of the $9-billion Site C dam was deemed a threat to fish stocks in the Peace River system.

Lucille Jamault, spokeswoman for the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, confirmed that federal officials conducted an inspection of Site C March 24 to 28.

As a result of problems observed, the agency informed Hydro it intends to “issue an order” on April 21 unless the Crown corporation comes into compliance with environmental conditions set out for the project.

Hydro faces the prospect of summary fines of up to $200,000 on first offence and $400,000 on subsequent offences if the environmental problems remain unaddressed.

Federal documents indicate sediment problems affecting three locations at Site C, noting that “any erosion and sediment mitigation measures in place were not effective in preventing sediment-laden water from entering fish-bearing waters.”

Hydro spokesman Dave Conway said in response: “Given the magnitude of the project and the area that we are working in, we’ve always known that sediment and erosion control will require ongoing monitoring and adjustment.”

Hydro has expanded its erosion and sediment control program to include reporting, mapping and weekly updates, Conway said. From September 2016 to March 2017, it had conducted more than 2,200 inspections on site in an effort to meet erosion and sediment control requirements.

“We also continue to receive feedback from the province on additional measures,” Conway said.

While B.C. Liberal Leader Christy Clark has vowed to push the Site C project “past the point of no return,” Hydro officials deny any suggestion the project is a rush job to meet her political objectives.

The provincial NDP wants to refer the question of need to the B.C. Utilities Commission, something Clark rejects. The B.C. Green Party dismisses the project as a wasteful subsidy for the LNG export sector.

In an inspection in January, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency decided not to take further enforcement action after Hydro took the necessary steps to ensure that “erosion and sediment-control contingency supplies” are stocked at Site C.

The project has also repeatedly incurred the ire of compliance and enforcement staff with the provincial Environmental Assessment Office.

Postmedia News reported in December 2016 that environmental compliance on construction has been so poor that repeated and ongoing violations related to sediment control and erosion have harmed water quality and fish habitat, based on provincial inspection documents.

“Continued non-compliance with these requirements has caused adverse effects to water quality and fish habitat as a result of the transport of sediments” to the Peace and Moberly river systems, the Environmental Assessment Office concluded.