BC Creek Protection Society

Full Press Release (PDF)

For Immediate Release: August 13, 2007

Two new reports help answer questions, raise others, on the sustainability of
run-of-river hydropower

Coquitlam, BC –Watershed Watch today released two reports that expose
weaknesses in how government and industry measure, monitor, and minimize the
impacts of “green” hydropower in British Columbia. (more…)

By RUSS FRANCIS

Aug 08 2007

$100,000 later, hydro project pullback raises questions

Just how green is hydroelectric power? As the B.C. government energetically pushes so-called “green power,” there is a widespread belief that hydroelectricity is as environmentally benign as planting a tree. A little water pushes turbines around. No waste products. No pollution. No impact.
(more…)

Rivers for Generations: Maple Ridge this Thursday, Aug 9th from 3:30 pm to 7:30 pm.

We hope to continue to raise awareness for the about the threat to BC’s
rivers by private power developers, with an emphasis on RoR Inc’s danger
to the Upper Pitt. We will have a booth at the Maple Ridge Jazz and
Blues Festival (www.jazzblues.ca) on
Saturday, Aug 11th and want to make sure members of the community feel
the urgency of this issue. (more…)

Do you enjoy river activities such as swimming, kayaking, canoeing, rafting, fishing, camping…? BC rivers are the heart of many BC communities, supporting year-round recreational and economic activities. But our rivers are at risk! Currently, the government is in the process of awarding water licenses to private companies for over 500 BC Rivers. This could mean the building of hundreds of new power plants in watersheds throughout the province, without an adequate review of the environmental or community impacts. It will result in incalculable damage to wild and scenic rivers – through road building, habitat destruction, water-diversion and new transmission lines. This is not micro-hydro development, it is a province-wide mega-project.
One of the proposed power projects is for 8 tributaries of the Upper Pitt River which is part of the provincial Pinecone-Burke Park. The BC Creek Protection Society encourages young people to enter a coloring contest which will also serve as a petition. The drawing shows what Pinecone Burke Park would look like if the power project was built. This coloring contest is open until August 20 for children of ages 4 to 12 - please write your name, address and age in the box. Color in the drawing provided and on the backside draw or paint a picture showing why we need to protect rivers in BC. Please mail the pictures to 4145 Borden Street, Victoria BC, V8X 2G6. The best pictures will be awarded prizes by BC Creek Protection Society from MEC and Ocean River Sports. The drawings will be then sent to the Western Canada Wilderness Committee who will forward them with comments about how we need to protect our rivers to BC Parks Minister Penner. Adults can access the following website for more information http://publicpowerbc.ca/rivers-for-generations/

Colour Contest Sheet