Atlin, B.C., hydro project testing starts without notice
Residents surprised by loud blasting noise before public consultation or environmental review
The small community of Atlin, B.C., was startled by loud explosions last weekend.
The blasting, part of seismic testing related to a new hydroelectric station, was much louder than expected, says Peter Kirby, CEO of Tlingit Homeland Energy Limited.
"Our mistake — and I am ultimately responsible for this — is that we didn't communicate early or effectively enough with the Atlin residents," he says.
Kirby says the sound reverberated because workers did not bury the explosive charges, a precaution taken to prevent the risk of rom flying debris.
"Initially, in talking to consulting engineers, we were told this would be about the sound of a shotgun blast or a little bit louder," Kirby says. "What actually happened, it turns out, was considerably louder than that."
Plans for microgeneration
Kirby says the company is testing bedrock to see if a new powerhouse could be built near Pine Creek Beach in Atlin. The proposed project would seek to generate about five megawatts.
It would be run and owned by the Taku River Tlingit First Nation through Tlingit Heritage Energy Ltd.
This would be the second hydroelectric project in Atlin. A smaller, two-megawatt turbine was built in 2009 and supplies nearly all of Atlin's electricity.
Some residents opposed
A few Atlin residents don't like the idea of the new project. A form letter is being circulated among community members urging them to ask B.C.'s Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources to intervene.
The letter cites concerns over wildlife impacts the project could have on birds, fish and freshwater snails — a "huge food source" for local trout.
"The area of Pine Creek Beach is a sensitive wetland and delta. It is host to many species that would be threatened by the destruction and erosion from a diverted creek," reads the letter.
"The current hydro plant produces sufficient power for the community. Excess power production is planned to be sold to the Yukon."
The letter also says the construction of power lines between Atlin and the Yukon would cause environmental damage.
Company promises consultation
Kirby says Tlingit Heritage Energy Ltd hoped to have information about bedrock stability and possible locations before launching consultations, but it has now suspended work. He says the company will hold public consultations on the hydro generation project in November.
Kirby says the project would go to environmental review after a site is chosen.