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Preserving the Peace River Valley

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Created on Wednesday, 17 June 2009 16:41
Written by Kimball Cariou
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On the CUSP in the Peace
by Andy Sinats
Tzeporah Berman made the argument that the Bute inlet or Toba Independent Power Producer (IPP) projects were not in wilderness and should proceed because the area was already "industrialized." Which is rather like recommending a rape victim should then just go work the streets because the reputation and sanctity of the person was already violated.

The same argument is being made for IPP's and the Site C on the Peace River. Mike Smyth of the Province even claims First Nations are hard done by if these projects don't get rolling.
 
"The vast majority of these critics have never visited the region itself. None have had the guts to look the In-SHUCK-ch people in the eyes and tell them why they should remain cut off from the world and forced to pollute their own environment to survive. The endorsement of First Nations -- and the jobs created in remote, recession-weary communities -- are just two of the benefits of the run-of-river hydro projects currently being built in B.C."
 
 
[For complete article links, please see source at Citizens United to Save the Peace here.]
 
The Federal government is now disbursing funds to the first nations that will play ball with privatization. If FN's do not sell out, no Federal money. But what do, in fact, hereditary chiefs say?
 
"Mr Smyth. Firstly we are not In-Shuck-ch People. Secondly, it was the support from the St'at'imc Tribe that allowed this Run-of-the River Project. In fact, the Chief Negotiator, tried to remove our 3 Bands, Samahquam, Skatin and Douglas from the Tribe and BC Hydro negotiations to settle past Grievances. There are only 54 members who belong to the In-Shuck-ch Nation. And In-Shuck-ch had no play in any BC Hydro Negotiations. Nothing wrong with being cut-off from the rest of the World. We are in Poverty situation, because BC Government continues to steal our Natural Resources. We have never benefited from the Logging, no percentage of the Profits. In fact Logging has extinguished our Hunting Rights where they logged. Run of the River systems are obsolete.
 
Check out our Truly environmental System at www.saladacres.net We not only grow healthy veggies, we also provide electricity and heat. With thousands of mortgage closures in the United States, our main Hydro Consumer, who will buy hydro from us. Hydro is on its way out. We at the St'at'imc tribe have been negotiating Past Grievances with BC Hydro since 1993. Hmmm, There will be, it is believed 6 creeks to be used for Run-of-the-River projects in the Douglas First Nation area. In fact, Douglas apparently no longer supports the In-Shuck-ch Treaty Process. So do not call us In-Shuck-ch People, no one has signed the treaty, we are still St'at'imc Tribal Members. Plus, any new Hydro Projects or Run-of-the-River project, Companies over charge the costs to install these. Another Scam in that area. There are 4 Hereditary Chiefs in our area, the Lower Lillooet River Valley communities. Chief Patrick Williams of Skatin, Chief Donald Harris of Douglas, Hereditary Chief Harold Peters of Samahquam, and myself, Kakila, Hereditary Chief Tenas Lake area, Clarke Smith.
 
Thank you."
 
 
This is Melody Blaney's letter from the Peace Valley that will be flooded, and some of the world's best farmland for wheat and honey destroyed in the process, unless we power down.


CUSP (Citizens United to Save the Peace)
June 17, 2009 2:56:49 PM PDT (CA)
 
Dear Editor:  Re: Back large B.C. dams that won't spoil any more rivers, June 9th.
 
The idea that the Peace River has already been destroyed by the two existing hydro dams and cannot therefore be spoiled by a third is a common misconception.  It is true that vast stretches of what used to be a completely wild and pristine river now lie lifeless behind these dams and there have been notable impacts downstream as well.  But the situation cannot be improved by making it worse.
 
The remaining Peace River is a great river.  Its rich alluvial soil and local sub-climate give it title to the only Class 1 agricultural land in Northern BC.  With its prime valley- bottom habitat, it is home to wildlife populations not commonly found elsewhere in the province, and to 42 Blue and Red-listed species including Bull Trout.  The proposed Site C dam would not only flood more than half of the remaining Peace River and its valley in BC, but also the still-pristine and wild Halfway and Moberly River valleys and various stream tributaries. 
 
Sacrificing one waterway will not save others.  Hydro and the Campbell government would have all of BC’s rivers and streams up for sale. This outdated approach has no place in a time when more environmentally and socially acceptable means of energy production not only exist but continue to improve.  We must stand united for all of our rivers and streams.
 
Melody Blaney
Spokesperson, CUSP (Citizens United to Save the Peace)