At least one environmental group is expressing concern over the Upper Lillooet Hydro Project, fearing that the planned diversion of water will see the end of water flow over the scenic Keyhole Falls.

The independent, run-of-river project proposed by Creek Power Inc. calls for three hydroelectric facilities that have a combined 113-megawatt capacity on the Lillooet River above Keyhole Falls, which is situated 60 kilometres northwest of Pemberton.

Gwen Barlee of the Western Canada Wilderness Committee (WCWC) said Tuesday (Dec. 21) that the public hasn’t been properly engaged for its input on the project.

“Is Keyhole Falls an appropriate place to put an industrial power project? The Wilderness committee would say clearly ‘no,’ that we need a moratorium on the project,” said Barlee.

The majority owner of Creek Power Inc. is Innergex Renewable Energy Inc., a publicly traded company that currently operates 14 run-of-river power plants and three wind farms.

In an email to The Question on Monday (Dec. 20), Richard Blanchet, Innergex western region vice-president, said that “a number” of studies were being conducted to assess the social and environmental impacts of diverting the water flow.

“At the conclusion of these studies, we will be able to assess whether mitigation measures will be required,” wrote Blanchet. “They may be addressed by having Aesthetical Flow Releases in the falls at different times.”

Barlee said she was amused to hear that Innergex is considering aesthetical flows because she didn’t believe they would follow through on such an initiative.

“Every ounce of water that’s diverted from the river… and produces electricity is another dollar in their pocket,” she said. “I can’t imagine that they are going to say ‘OK, we’re going to (earn) less money in order to provide more water over the falls.’”

Pemberton Councillor Ted Craddock said Tuesday that he would consider it disappointing should water flow over Keyhole Falls cease or be reduced.

“It’s certainly a spectacular area. To see those waterfalls in a full cycle of water is pretty amazing,” he said. “Any time you take something that’s visually beautiful out of people’s ability to see it, that would be unfortunate.”

The Upper Lillooet project is currently undergoing the Province’s Environmental Assessment process, during which time the public is asked to provide input on the proposal.

As of Tuesday, more than a dozen people who have commented on the Environmental Assessment Office’s (EAO) website had voiced their desire to see the project scrapped or altered. There were no favourable comments posted. The EAO could potentially have received correspondence via other methods as well.

However, Barlee said she doesn’t expect the public outcry to have any impact on the proposal based on past history.

“The provincial Environmental Assessment process has only once recommended that an industrial proposal not proceed,” she said.

“The Environmental Assessment Office doesn’t do follow up, they aren’t on the ground finding out if private power producers are meeting the obligations they are supposed to meet.”

Also of a concern to Craddock is the 72 km of 230-kilovolt transmission line that would need to be erected as part of the project. Though the line would not pass through the Village of Pemberton, it would run very close by to be connected to the power station at Rutherford Creek.

“My hope is that the company and SLRD (Squamish-Lillooet Regional District) will negotiate an opportunity for people in the community and the valley to be able to access the area for maybe non-motorized trail.

“We’re in a situation where there’s a number of projects being initiated up in this valley… and the concern I have for the community is if there’s another set of power lines… that would not be acceptable as far as I’m concerned.”

The EAO is accepting public feedback on the project at www.eao.gov.bc.ca and via mail or fax until Jan. 9. Further information on the project can be found at www.upperlillooethydro.com, or at the Creek Power office on Prospect Street after it reopens on Jan. 3 after the holiday period.