The District of Squamish (DOS) does not support an application by Western Forest Products to operate an Independent Power Project (IPP) on the western side of Howe Sound.
According to a staff report, the proposal could challenge viewscapes, complicate the area's footprint and strain the district's fire protection resources. Further, continued the report, should the project be approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, any use of ferry infrastructure will require refurbishing and public accessibility. Also, tree clearing should be kept at a minimum. Council supported staff at this week's regular meeting.
The project could see Woodfibre Creek and Mill Creek generate seven and 10 megawatts of power respectively. The projects are standard, said the report, as they call for moveable structures to alter the flow of the river into a powerhouse, wherein a turbine will be turned to generate power. There's a pre-existing project on Woodfibre Creek, which was used to power the plant.
The referral from the ministry offers DOS just one chance at input on the project.
In 2006, the province passed legislation that freed IPPs on Crown land from local bylaws, zoning and regulation.
