By Mary MacArthur
Camrose bureau
One of what’s expected to be a long list of lawsuits against BC Hydro’s Site C dam has been filed in Federal Court Oct. 12.
The Mikisew Cree First Nation and Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation filed the lawsuit opposing the dam project on the Peace River in British Columbia, saying it would have a devastating impact on their traditional hunting land.
The First Nations are opposing the project because they believe the government did not properly consider Site C’s downstream effects on the Peace Athabasca Delta in northern Alberta. The delta is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the largest fresh water deltas in the world.
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The $7.9 billion dam would be the third hydroelectric dam on the Peace River.
The provincial and federal environment ministries issued environmental certificates to the project in October, saying the dam’s adverse effects would be outweighed by the benefits.
Previous dams on the Peace River, upstream from the proposed Site C damn near Fort St. John, B.C., have affected water levels on the Peace River.
The First Nations said decreasing water levels have put species of wildlife at risk, altered vegetation and made it difficult for them to access areas within the delta.
“There is too much at stake in the Delta to ignore potential effects of yet another dam on the Peace River,” said Mikisew chief Steve Coirtoreille.
An environmental assessment panel said the dam would cause significant effects on wildlife, environment, farmers and First Nations.
The B.C. government has not yet approved construction of the dam but hopes to have a decision before the end of the year.
