Stage 2 Public Consultation

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The Stage 2 consultation process began with Pre-Consultation, which asked how people wanted to be consulted, and about what topics. Project Definition Consultation built on public and stakeholder input from Pre-Consultation and was designed to consult the public and local, regional and provincial stakeholders on key impacts, benefits and features of the potential Site C project. Project Definition Consultation, Round 1, took place from May 1 to June 30 and Round 2 Consultation took place from October 1 to December 3.

During all rounds of consultation, the following opportunities were available for participants to provide feedback:

• Reviewing the Consultation Discussion Guides
• Completing online Feedback Forms
• Attending multi-stakeholder meetings
• Attending open houses
• Sending written submissions by emailing: sitec@bchydro.com, writing to: PO Box 2218, Vancouver, B.C. V6B 3W2 or faxing: 604 623 4332 or 250 785 3570
• Visiting the Community Consultation Office: 9948 100th Ave., Fort St. John
• Calling toll-free phone: 1 877 217 0777
• Signing-up for email updates
  
  

Three rounds of public consultation were conducted:

• Pre-Consultation (December 2007 - February 2008)  
• Round 1 (May - June 2008)
• Round 2 (October - December 2008)

Pre-Consultation
(December 4, 2007 – February 15, 2008)

BC Hydro conducted Pre-Consultation with stakeholders about the potential Site C project locally, regionally and provincially from December 2007 through February 2008. Pre-Consultation asked people how they want to be consulted, and about what. This input was considered in designing the first round of Project Definition Consultation.

Pre-consultation participation

• 687 people, representing approximately 50 stakeholder groups
• 305 feedback forms
• Approximately 400 people attended 48 stakeholder meetings
• 31 submissions (fax, email, phone and mail)
• 56 people attended public meeting and Open House in Hudson's Hope
• Approximately 200 visits to Community Consultation Office in Fort St. John
  
  

Key results – consultation topics

The major topics that participants indicated they would like to discuss in Project Definition Consultation included: project design, water management, fish/wildlife, socio-economic impacts, land use, infrastructure, local benefits and opportunities, recreation, local and provincial climate, and alternatives to the project.

During the 48 stakeholder meetings, participants raised questions and concerns on a number of topics, including:

• Local impacts (36 meetings)
• How and when Site C will be compared to energy alternatives (34 meetings)
• The consultation process and participation in Project Definition Consultation (25 meetings)
• Local community benefits (10 meetings)
• Impact on First Nations, process for consultation (10 meetings)
• Cost/economic issues (seven meetings)
• Northern impacts vs. southern benefits (seven meetings)
• Conservation (seven meetings)
• Greenhouse gas (GHG)/climate change (seven meetings)
• Procurement/employment (five meetings)
• Historical grievances (four meetings)
  
  

Key results – consultation methods

The majority of Pre-Consultation participants indicated they would likely participate in Project Definition Consultation through the following:

• Stakeholder meetings
• Public open houses
• Online feedback forms
• Fort St. John Community Consultation Office (high among Peace River region participants)
  
  

Please read the Pre-Consultation Summary Report to review the full results of Pre-Consultation and the Pre-Consultation Consideration Memo to see how public and stakeholder input was considered.  

Round 1 Consultation
(May 1 – June 30, 2008)

Project Definition Consultation, Round 1, was conducted from May 1 to June 30, 2008, and consulted the public and local, regional and provincial stakeholders on key impacts, benefits and features of the potential Site C Project. The consultation sought feedback on elements of project design, recreation, infrastructure, local impacts, land uses and community benefits.

Participation, Round 1

• 936 people  participated in Project Definition Consultation, Round 1
• 224 feedback forms returned
• 284 people attended 29 stakeholder meetings, Peace River region and provincial
• 380 people attended 10 open houses, Peace River region
• There were 22 submissions (fax, e-mail, phone and mail)
• 250 people visited the Community Consultation Office between May 1, 2008 and June 30, 2008
  
  

Project Definition Consultation, Round 1 – Key Results

Results from feedback forms, stakeholder meetings and open houses showed that participants had a strong interest in avoiding or mitigating local impacts, particularly potential socio-economic impacts associated with an influx of construction workers. Environmental concerns such as impacts to air quality, water and land were also raised, and were generally deemed more important than factors such as dependable and low-cost energy.

Participants were interested in potential local community benefits associated with the Site C project, particularly upgrades to infrastructure such as roads, bridges, parks and health facilities.

In addition to project design features, participants were interested in the multi-staged evaluation and consultation process, the BC Hydro and government decision making processes and timelines, alternatives to Site C, and the further promotion of conservation.

Please read the Project Definition Consultation, Round 1 Summary Report to review the full results.

Round 2 Consultation
(October 1 – December 3, 2008)

Project Definition Consultation, Round 2, was conducted from October 1 to December 3, 2008, and sought feedback on Site C as an energy option, the potential powerhouse access bridge and associated access roads, provincial and community benefits – other potential infrastructure improvements, reservoir preparation considerations, sourcing dam construction materials, and relocation and reclamation of excavated soil and rock, and environment.

Participation, Round 2

• 909 people participated in Project Definition Consultation, Round 2
• 345 feedback forms returned
• 358 people attended 26 stakeholder meetings
• 326 people attended 7 open houses
• 72 submissions (fax, email, phone and mail)
• 153 visits to Community Consultation Office between October 1 and December 3, 2008
  
  

Project Definition Consultation, Round 2 – Key Results

Overall, 57% of participants "strongly" or "somewhat" agreed with pursuing Site C if conservation, upgrading existing equipment, and investing in new sources were insufficient to meet the energy demands of B.C. 69% of provincial participants agreed with the statement while in the Peace River, participants were evenly split on their level of agreement (47% "agree" and "disagree")

Participants have a strong interest in avoiding or mitigating local impacts, particularly environmental impacts to water, air and land. Mitigating impacts to fish and aquatic habitats and wildlife and terrestrial habitats were also consistently important to participants.

Participants were interested in and supported potential local and provincial benefits, including business contracting and training opportunities for local workers, public access to the Powerhouse Access Bridge and other road improvements, additional city infrastructure such as water and sewer and recreation opportunities such as campgrounds, RV parks, boat launches and marinas.

Participants continue to want BC Hydro to review alternatives to Site C, including reinvesting in heritage assets, further promotion of conservation and investment in renewable energy sources such as wind, solar and biomass.

Please read the Project Definition Consultation, Round 2 Summary Report to review the full results.

How input will be used

BC Hydro is reviewing and considering feedback provided through the three rounds of public consultation conducted over the last year and will document consideration of input through the production of a consideration memo that will show how the technical team considered public and stakeholder input related to areas of the potential project.