NELSON— The three New Democrat MLAs from the Kootenays are working together to ensure the Campbell government doesn’t ram through the controversial Glacier-Howser private power project without full public consultation.
“People are concerned that the Campbell government wants the environmental assessment to be just a rubber stamp,” said Michelle Mungall, MLA for Nelson-Creston. “It’s time for Gordon Campbell and his environment minister to show Kootenay communities that they respect our right to have a voice in the decisions that affect us.”
Norm Macdonald, MLA for Columbia River-Revelstoke, and Katrine Conroy, MLA for West Kootenay, joined Mungall to write an open letter to the Minister of the Environment requesting more meaningful consultations with the region about the Glacier-Howser project. They are calling for hearings in Nelson, and for the process to allow residents and communities to have a real say about whether the project continues to move forward.
“People in the region are deeply concerned about this project and the effect it will have on the environment, their businesses and the recreational opportunities they enjoy,” said Mungall.
Nelson and Rossland city councils have joined the Mayor of Trail and several directors with the regional district to ask for a meeting in Nelson because it serves as a regional centre. Other stakeholders, including the B.C. Wildlife Federation and a coalition of Environmental groups are calling for the same. Currently public consultations are only scheduled in Kaslo, Meadow Creek and Invermere.
“There is a broad coalition of stakeholders calling for expanded consultations,” said Mungall. “If the Campbell government thinks they can ignore people in the Kootenays on this issue they are going to have a real fight on their hands.”
TEXT OF LETTER:
June 4, 2009
Dear Minister Penner:
With the announcement of the Environmental Assessment Office’s Open House schedule for Purcell Green Power Inc.’s proposed Glacier/Howser Project on the east side of the Duncan Reservoir, citizens throughout the Kootenays have indicated their disappointment with the limited number of opportunities to attend public meetings and provide comment. There is strong demand to include Nelson as a location for a public meeting, as it is the West Kootenay region's primary service area and most central point for rural transportation.
Previous experience with the Environmental Assessment process in this area has not been satisfactory, and Kootenay residents are finding it difficult to trust that this process will work well in the case of the Glacier/Howser Project, a project that will have massive impacts on this area. Residents are requesting meaningful public input into this project.
Many of our constituents, including local governments, have communicated serious concerns about the effect Glacier-Howser would have on their livelihoods and their communities. They deserve to have a voice. Nelson provides a geographical and service central point for the West Kootenay region, making it an ideal localtion to gather meaningful public input.
It is our expectation that the Environmental Assessment Office will announce the addition of a Nelson public meeting to discuss the Purcell Green Power Inc. proposed Glacier/Howser Project, a small step towards regaining the public trust in this process. With the removal of local decision-making on independent power projects, this is the only consultation opportunity left to concerned citizens. We urge that you use your authority as Minister of the Environment to ensure that the City of Nelson is inlcuded as a location for the required EAO public hearings.
We appreciate your prompt response to this matter.
Sincerely,
Katrine Conroy, MLA Kootenay West
Norm Macdonald, MLA Columbia River-Revelstoke
Michelle Mungall, MLA Nelson-Creston
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