• Applications for private
hydro power water
licences
• Existing private hydro
power water licences
MAP: WILDERNESS COMMITTEE,
SEPTEMBER 2009
ENVIRONMENT BY APRIL LINK Power or Play? GREEN HYDRO BECOMES A DAMNABLE ISSUE FOR B.C. KAYAKERS
IT IS EASIER to grasp your place and stake in the environment when you spend time splashing around in it. Tat connection means kayakers will be among the first to see the ef- fects of changes to the way electricity is gener- ated in B.C. Since the British Columbia government halt-
ed public hydro energy development in favour of a privatized system, over 700 proposals for Independent Power Projects (IPPs) have been filed that would create run-of-river systems. Run-of-river hydro is often called “green hydro” because it doesn’t use a large reservoir; it only temporarily diverts creeks into a hydro station before returning them to their original paths. With the Inside Passage gaining prestige as
a dream trip, the IPPs that will touch the area concern paddlers from all over. Te Kaikash Creek project, of particular relevance to kayakers, touches both the public and commercial sea kay- aking communities from Canada, Europe and the U.S. who camp there every summer. A recent newsletter from the Sea Kayak Guides’ Alliance of B.C. states that this site will include a water house at the ocean and will require powerlines be erected between the camp and Beaver Cove, on Vancouver Island, to connect it to the grid. If this goes ahead, every kayaker who pad-
dles down Johnstone Strait in hope of com- muning with the orcas of Robson Bight will do so with powerlines in view. For communities and sea kayak companies along the east and north coasts of Vancouver
Events
Feb 26–28 Florida Gulf Coast Interna- tional Sea Kayak Symposium St. Petersburg, FL
sweetwaterkayaks.com
Mar 6–Apr 4 WaterTribe
Ultimate Florida Challenge Tampa Bay, FL
watertribe.com
Island, Te Sunshine Coast and Coast Moun- tains, the degree of wilderness where they op- erate is a part of the attraction for clients. Nancy Mertz of Canada Sea Kayak Adven-
tures says that if the project goes ahead her industry will no longer be able to “sell B.C.’s visual landscape” which currently provides an upper hand over American destination where people are “paddling past mansions versus Johnstone Strait where it’s a pristine area and they can paddle by forest.” She suggests high wires are enough of an intrusion to at least warrant a closer look at what the power com- panies are bringing into paddling areas. According to the Sunshine Coast Con-
servation Association’s website, “IPP propo- nents are not obligated to respect Landscape Unit Plans, Old Growth Management Areas, Wildlife Habitat Areas, or other environ- mental features.” Tis is alarming given that there’s no overarching plan or regulation to evaluate the collective impact of all existing and proposed IPPs and their necessary infra- structure development. Te question is not whether Canadians or
even Americans need renewable energy proj- ects. It is whether they can live up to their “green” reputation by being responsibly sited and designed, and fitting into comprehensive local, provincial and federal plans to get us off of fossil fuels and into a societal mindset that intelligently, efficiently moves forward with in- novation and compassion.
Mar 12–14
Canoecopia Madison, WI
Rutabaga.com
March 26–28 Southwest Kayak Symposium San Diego, CA
aqua-adventures.com
March 26–28 Paddlesport 2010
Somerset, NJ
jerseypaddler.com
For a full event listing go to
adventurekayakmag.com adventurekayakmag.com 13
New!
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48