The fate of the Ashlu independent power project (IPP) remains undecided.
However, stakeholders may have a decision earlier than the expected end of year resolution.
The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) board members Monday altered staff recommendations to allow for an earlier decision if a regional strategy on IPPs is not underway by June 1.
"I was pleasantly surprised by the decision," said Ledcor project manager Kelly Boychuk. He characterized his mood leaving the meeting as being "cautiously optimistic."
Walking into the Jan. 30, meeting Boychuk had expected the board to accept the staff recommendations as presented. The three-part recommendation asked for a rezoning application for the Ashlu IPP to be deferred pending completion of a regional energy/IPP strategy and that the province be requested to initiate and complete a multi-stakeholder regional IPP strategy as soon as possible, with a completion no later that Dec. 31, 2006.
Delegations from a number of those stakeholder groups presented their positions to the board in front of a packed house.
Mount Currie Band administrator Sheldon Tetreault and lead negotiator for economic development Lyle Leo made a joint presentation outlining the Lil’wat Nation’s concerns. Leo pointed out that while the Ashlu project is in Squamish territory, the implications of a provincial government offer to protect 10 other rivers in the region in return for approval of the Ashlu IPP could dramatically affect B.C.’s fourth largest First Nations community,
Leo also reminded the SLRD that the Lil’wat Nation had opted out of the provincial and federal land claims process in the early ’90s.
"We are unique in the way we collaborate and engage our neighbours and all levels of government," said the Lil’wat negotiator. "We look for win-win outcomes on complex issues that society at large is not educated upon. We welcome you to come and talk to us if you have an issue going on in our territory."
Tetreault outlined the issues the band had with the way the provincial government was positioning the project.
"The Ashlu project does not fall within the Lil’wat traditional territory. However, eight of the 10 (waterways) that the government would reserve fall within the Lil’wat Nation’s traditional territory," said Tetreault.
He added that the band council felt the planning on IPPs had been neither comprehensive nor principled and the provincial government’s proposal effectively negated aboriginal title and rights.
Presenting the board with maps of Lil’wat traditional territory and a copy of a letter the band sent to the deputy energy minister, Tetreault concluded the presentation by appealing to the board to not support the Ashlu project under the current terms.
The position presented by the Lil’wat Nation was in direct opposition to that of the Squamish Nation. Councilor Dale Harry said the Squamish Nation had made its position known in 2004 pertaining to the IPP and the position remained the same. After years of watching traditional lands developed without concern for First Nations’ interests, Harry made the case for supporting the Ashlu IPP.
"We are interested in this project because it is a smart project for us to support. It has the support of the Squamish Nation," said the Squamish Nation councilor.
"Ashlu is in our back yard. Thirty acres of our tree farm license includes the Ashlu Valley. We use these lands. We are undergoing land use negotiations with the provincial government. It would be wrong for you to make a decision to reject this important project out of concern for our lands in the Ashlu and the needs of casual users. This is a good, clean project. The benefits of this project reach beyond the Squamish Nation."
Shane Simpson, MLA for Vancouver-Hastings and the NDP’s environment critic, cautioned all sides to not be intimidated by the provincial government.
"The Lil’wat Nation wants a better planning process. There are concerns and aspirations of the Squamish Nation to move its people forward. The problem is not the application, but the process," said Simpson, citing the lack of an overall strategy.
Simpson criticized Deputy Energy Minister Greg Remier’s letter with the offer of protecting 10 rivers in exchange for approval of the Ashlu IPP as being coercive. He appealed to the SLRD board not to be intimidated by the deal that was being presented and to "do the right thing."
Stewart Smith of the Sea to Sky Community Coalition for Rivers and Power also made a compelling case for developing a regional strategy for dealing with IPP applications.
"Applications on hand are indicative of the industry’s interest in the area," he said of the 45 applications currently on 39 streams or rivers within the SLRD. "The region will suffer in the present review process. We are asking that the SLRD avoid having to go through this one at a time."
Smith suggested developing a simple screening of projects, allowing SLRD input without having to be part of the planning process.
Tom Rankin, identified as an Upper Squamish Resident, also cautioned the SLRD not to buckle to provincial pressure.
"Local government only has zoning authority at the pleasure of the province. If the province wants to take over the zoning authority let them. Then at least the province would bear the political burden of the decision.
"The province wants to force the decision on the local residents. The board should exercise their authority and do the right thing. If the province overrides their authority then at least it becomes public knowledge."
Another Squamish resident and business owner, Paul Ally, made a case for supporting the Ashlu IPP to counter the economic impact the community has faced with the closure of Woodfibre pulp mill.
"I encourage the SLRD to look at giving first readings to this project. There’s going to be a lot more support for a project like this because of the economic situation we are facing in Squamish," he suggested.
During the discussion period, Area C Director Susie Gimse pointed to provincial inaction on developing a strategy as an ongoing problem.
"We’re looking at a strategy and the request before us is to ask the province to initiate it. We asked the province to do this a long time ago. I’m not all that hopeful that point three of the (staff) recommendation will happen.
"My concern is that they may not wish to participate in a study and if that’s the case, we need to determine that fairly quickly and be prepared to proceed on our own.
"At the end of the day, an overall regional strategy is required to create some certainty, not only for the community, but the industry. I don’t want to see millions of dollars invested in a project only to have it turned down at the local government level."
After a lengthy discussion, the majority of the board voted to accept the SLRD staff recommendation with the addition of finite terms.
Whistler Mayor Ken Melamed was the lone voice of dissention.
"The community has spoken very clearly that the Ashlu is not a good choice. They’re not saying stop IPPs in the region – but not at the expense of some of our most precious places in the province," stated Melamed.
