Although the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) voted against the Ashlu River Independent Power Project (IPP) earlier this year, issues surrounding similar power projects remain.
As a result, the provincial government has agreed to pursue an IPP memorandum of understanding with local governments.
Area C Director Susan Gimse recently attended a workshop on behalf of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) attended by members of the provincial, federal and local governments. During the meeting, issues such as a lack of community land-use planning were identified.
"It was the first of many meetings and I think our message came through that we need planning or battles will continue," Gimse said at an SLRD board meeting Tuesday (March 29).
"I think it is really important to be positive about this process and proactive because we have a bad reputation when it comes to IPP development."
During the meeting, SLRD directors and staff took a leadership role because the district is recognized as an area with a high level of IPP development. She said the working groups are step in the right direction on the part of the provincial government.
"I can't think of one single issue that draws the same amount of impact. It is fair to say that we are supportive of green energy," said Whistler director Hugh O'Reilly. "IPPs have a very long life cycle and we have to live with those decisions for a long time."
O'Reilly said it is natural that people are going to walk away from the Ashlu IPP process with a sense of dissatisfaction. As the last organization to touch the issue, O'Reilly said the SLRD became the "fall guys."
"I am hopeful that we can take what we have learned and move forward. I suspect this issue is not going away and in 30 years we might have to address values again," O'Reilly said.
The goal of the workshops is to develop an overall strategy and synchronize the approval process. SLRD board chair John Turner also attended the working group session and said many other districts have not considered cumulative impacts until now. He said the SLRD brought a different perspective to the discussion.
"We had a bad reputation long before the Ashlu IPP decision. The vote just brought the issue to the table with all of the key players," Gimse said.
Future meetings are expected to include stakeholders, recreational users and the tourism sector. The SLRD board also adopted a motion to refer the IPP issue to other regional districts and municipalities for comment. Turner is expected to take those comments and represent the SLRD at the next working session.
Wildfire plans discussed
In the past few years wildfires have devastated vast tracts of land in SLRD Area B and Mickey Macri, director for the area, is pushing for a community wildfire prevention plan.
"There is funding available from the UBCM and I think the time has come to do something about it," Macri said. "My understanding is that $15,000 per application is available from the UBCM to enter into wildfire hazard mapping, a wildfire threat assessment and a pilot project."
Although money is given to areas with the greatest need, Gimse said the UBCM would consider more than one application from regional districts. To cover extra costs from a potential assessment, Macri said money earmarked for Area B could be added to potential grant money. Although UBCM funds are helpful, Paul Edgington, SLRD administrator, said the SLRD is hindered by the lack of an emergency planning service. He said the provincial program puts things on a faster pace than the SLRD is capable of handling. At the same time, Edgington acknowledged the need for a community wildfire plan in Area B.
"It looks like it is going to be another hot summer and Director Macri has shown a willingness to expedite things by contributing funds. I think we need to do everything we can to support that initiative," said Russ Oakley, Area A director. "I am not sure we can afford to wait on this because it might be too far into the fire season soon."
After a lengthy discussion, it was decided that a grant application would be put together for Area B. SLRD staff has also committed to investigate fire hazard mapping in the regional district and bring forward other areas that could benefit from a UBCM grant.
