Today BC Hydro moved forward with the environmental assessment for the Site C Dam project. The mega-dam project also has a new, higher estimated cost of almost $8 billion.

There is significant opposition to Site C from environmentalists, First Nations, farmers and others in the Peace River Valley and across the province.

“Site C is a destructive and wholly unnecessary mega-dam, and we want all British Columbians to knows the facts as this project moves into the environmental assessment process,” said Tria Donaldson of the Wilderness Committee. "Site C is neither clean nor green power, and the cost to the taxpayer will be enormous -- the new cost estimate is almost $2 billion higher than it was just a few years ago," said Donaldson.

Campaigners with the Wilderness Committee have joined with allies from the Treaty 8 First Nations and other opponents in a tour of British Columbia, which began on May 9 in Kelowna, warning of the impacts of the Site C mega-project.

Site C is a massive dam project slated to destroy a large part of the Peace River Valley, an area still feeling the environmental and social consequences of two massive dams. It threatens 5,000 acres of prime agricultural land, undermining BC's food security, and will impact two endangered caribou herds and an important flyway for 70 species of birds and waterfowl including endangered species.

“The local population is already staunchly opposed to this mega-project, and we want to ensure that everyone in BC knows the facts about Site C -- especially as the price tag for this keeps increasing in the billions of dollars," said Donaldson.

The second leg of the Site C speaking tour begins May 30 in Victoria, followed by events in Vancouver, the Sunshine Coast and Whistler. There is a full schedule of events below.

For more information please contact:

Tria Donaldson, Pacific Coast Campaigner, Wilderness Committee, 250-388-9292 or cell: 250-686-9249

Victoria May 30 – 7pm First Metropolitan United Church at the corner of Quadra and Balmora

Vancouver May 31 – 7pm Heritage Hall 3102 Main St.

Sunshine Coast June 1 – 7pm Roberts Creek Community Hall 1309 Roberts Ck Rd.

Whistler June 2 - 7pm Whistler Public Library 4329 Main St