Diverse group opposing proposed hydro project includes NHL players, fishing clubs and outdoor recreation businesses

VANCOUVER – In a diverse but united show of support, more than 50 British Columbia wilderness tourism businesses, fishing and outdoor recreation groups, rivers advocates and prominent individuals are calling on the federal government to turn down a hydropower project proposed for the Kokish River.

The Kokish River, located 15 km east of Port McNeill on northern Vancouver Island, is threatened by a proposed 45 megawatt hydropower project. The river is renowned for its high fish values including an endangered summer- and winter-run of steelhead.

“The Kokish River is an excellent example of where not to put a Run of the River project,” said Perry Wilson, President of the BC Federation of Fly Fishers. “That’s why we are seeing such a broad-based outcry to protect this river.”   

Kwagis Power, owned by Brookfield Renewable Power and the Namgis First Nation, has applied to dam and divert the 11 km river into a 9 km pipe. The federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) considers the Kokish to be a high-value river with a sensitive fish population.

“This river is home to a rare population of summer-run wild steelhead,” said Mark Angelo, Order of Canada recipient and renowned rivers advocate. “It is just far too risky to build a hydro project in a wild river that is home to such a diversity of fish species.” The Kokish is important habitat for five species of wild salmon, coastal cutthroat trout, Dolly Varden, as well as steelhead.

The BC government signed off on the project in December 2011, however Kwagis Power still requires approval from the DFO to proceed. A decision from DFO is expected imminently. “We are calling on the federal government who oversee DFO to do the right thing and keep the Kokish wild,” said Brian Braidwood, President of the Steelhead Society of BC. “We just can’t afford to lose this river.”

Over 70 per cent of independent power projects in BC are found in water bodies with known or suspected fish populations according to a report about to be released by Watershed Watch Salmon Society. Impacts from such projects include severely decreased water flows and problems with plant malfunctions and rapid changes in water levels all of which negatively impact river health and fish populations.

“The Kokish River is one of the last places you should put a hydropower project and that is why hockey players, lodge owners, fishing groups and wilderness tourism operators are standing up for this river,” said Gwen Barlee, Policy Director with the Wilderness Committee. “Steelhead and wild salmon streams are hurting in BC and we need to protect those we have left.”

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Contact:

For more information please contact:

Perry Wilson, President of the BC Federation of Fly Fishers, 250-956-2879
Brian Braidwood, President of the Steelhead Society of BC, 604-626-7085
Gwen Barlee, Policy Director, with the Wilderness Committee, 604-683-8220 (w) or 604-202-0322 (c)
Mark Angelo, Recipient of the Order of Canada and renowned rivers advocate, 604-432-8750

Keep the Kokish Wild: Organizations and Individuals

Angler Works Guiding
Babcock Custom Rods
BC Federation of Fly Fishers
BCfishingreports.com
BC Wildlife Federation
Bluewater Rockies Sportfish Guiding Co.
Brendan Morrison, NHL player, Chicago Blackhawks
Bruce Langereis, Chariman, Delta Land Development Ltd.
Campbell River Guides Association
Campbell River Whale Watching and Grizzly Bear Tours
Clayoquot Ventures – Tofino Fishing
Clipper Canoes
Discovery Islands Lodge
Dr. Marvin Rosenau
Dr. Villy Christensen, Fisheries Centre, UBC 
Father Charles Brandt
FishingwithRod.com
Fly Fishing Fantasy
Fly Gal Ventures
Flyfishbc.com
Flytyingbug.com
Fraser River Fishing Adventures
FraserValleyWhiteWater.com
Friends of Bute Inlet
Haig Brown Institute
Hatch Match r Fly and Tackle
Hurricane Jack Adventures
Inlet Seafoods
Ken Bowden, President, Hotel Georgia Development Ltd
Kingfishers Rod and Gun Club
Krazy Kanuck Guide Service
Leisure Suit Charters
Lower Dean River Lodge
Mark Angelo, Order of Canada
North Coast Steelhead Alliance
Northern Rivers Conservation Trust
Osprey Flyfishers of BC
Outdoor Recreation Council
Pacific Angler
Pitt River Lodge
Proline Sports
Rafe Mair
Riseform Flyfishing Ventures 
Sea-Run Fly and Tackle
Steelhead Society of BC
Steelhead Valhalla Lodge
Streamline Guiding
Suskeena Lodge
The Lodge at Gold River
Terry David Mulligan
Totem Fly Fishers
Upstream Adventure 
Vancouver Island Whitewater Paddling Society
Vicky Husband, Order of Canada and Order of BC
Watershed Watch Salmon Society
Westcoast Flyfishers Association
Western Canoeing and Kayaking
Whistler Fly Fishing
Wild River Angling
Wilderness Committee
Wilderness Tourism Association of BC
Wildsight
Willie Mitchell, NHL player, Los Angeles Kings