Project Background
Clean, reliable power since 1947
Located within the City of Campbell River on Vancouver Island, the John Hart Generating Station has been operating since 1947. It is one of the oldest and most important generating facilities in BC Hydro's hydroelectric system on Vancouver Island. See the video for more information of the project.
Since 2007, BC Hydro has been engaged in consultation and information sharing activities with First Nations, agencies, stakeholders and the public on the safety, reliability and environmental benefits of the John Hart Generating Station Replacement Project. BC Hydro has also consulted on project impacts particularly during the construction phase, such as vegetation disturbance zones and work near riparian areas.
BC Hydro reviewed a number of possible project alternatives, including deferral, rehabilitation, replacement, and decommissioning. By weighing the financial, environmental and social considerations of these options, in February 2012, the BC Hydro Board of Directors approved the facility replacement alternative.
Regulatory approvals
The John Hart project has commenced a number of important approvals with key regulatory agencies including the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC), Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA), and BC Parks Boundary Adjustment.
A key part of these regulatory approvals were our ongoing consultations with First Nations, and the engagement of government agencies and stakeholders.
British Columbia Utilities Commission
In 2012, a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) application for the proposed John Hart Generating Station Replacement Project was filed with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC). The application provides BC Hydro's justification and technical rationale to construct the project.
In February 2013, BC Hydro received BCUC project approval. For more information about the BCUC ruling, please visit www.bcuc.com.
BC Parks Boundary Adjustment
On June 8, 2012, BC Hydro submitted a Stage 2 Detailed Proposal to adjust the boundary of Elk Falls Provincial Park for the proposed John Hart Generating Station Replacement Project. BC Hydro's commitment is to ensure there is an overall net increase in the area of the Elk Falls Provincial Park after project completion.
In 1946, a portion of Elk Falls Provincial Park was transferred to the BC Power Commission for construction of the John Hart hydroelectric project. BC Hydro's proposed project is surrounded by the park and there are some small areas of parkland required for the siting of a replacement powerhouse and improvements to access roads. The boundary adjustment proposal includes modifications to the three existing access roads into the site from Highway 28 and to narrow foreshore and river bed areas immediately upstream and downstream of the existing generating station.
Total parkland potentially required for the project is estimated at about 5.7 hectares. It is anticipated that about 5.3 hectares will be returned to the park after construction, leaving about 0.4 hectares required for the project. The net increase to the park after project completion, and to be determined through consultations with BC Parks, will be completed by transferring some BC Hydro land beside the property boundaries to BC Parks.
Changes to the boundaries of the park require an Act of the provincial Legislature. Once approved, BC Parks will then seek permission to place those lands in protected area status. That means the lands will still be managed by BC Parks but the change in status will allow BC Parks to issue Park Use Permits to authorize for construction works as required by BC Hydro.
In the fall of 2011, after consideration of the information set out in BC Hydro's Stage 1 Initial Proposal, the B.C. Minister of Environment determined that BC Hydro could submit a Stage 2 Detailed Proposal.
In 2013, BC Hydro was advised that we now have in place the Elk Falls Provincial Park boundary adjustment for the John Hart project. It was part of Bill 5 that had received third reading and a vote in the Legislature in early March. Following that there were a number of procedural processes including the bill receiving Royal Assent, which was received on March 15. The boundary adjustment became official at the end of March.
The boundary adjustment now allows BC Hydro to proceed with all the early site preparation works this spring and summer in order to prepare for the major construction work beginning later this year.
