Approvals by government and local agencies

The Ashlu Creek Green Power Project has received the support and approval of all required Federal and Provincial bodies.

The project was ranked as the number one small hydro project in the province in 1996 by an independent panel of technical experts based on economic, environmental and social criteria.

A total of 11 regulatory bodies (federal, provincial, local and aboriginal) have reviewed the Ashlu Creek Green Power Project. Below is a quick overview of the agencies and their areas of interest for approval. The status of each permit or approval is stated.

Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA)

Under the CEAA, approval must be obtained from the following review agencies:

Canadian Coast Guard
Environment Canada
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
BC Ministry of Environment (consultation)

Canadian Coast Guard (Navigable Waters)

The Canadian Coast Guard compliance criteria are extensive and include:

Recreational flow releases for continued in-stream use
Flow ramping specifications
Installation of a real time flow gauge
Construction of an access road to the stream and provide a parking area
Creation of portage route (trail) around the inflatable weir
Three-year project survey, post-construction
Removal of all temporary construction items from stream after construction
Warning sign placement
Reclamation standards

Final Review - September 10, 2004
Issue Resolution - September 10, 2004
Ashlu Creek Project Impact on Navigation
Ashlu Creek Recreational Use Works
Ashlu Kayaking Community Proposals
Ashlu Stream Inventory Figure
Kayaking Survey Final Report
Kayak Monitoring Calendar Daily Results
Kayak Survey Daily Usage Matrix
Kayak Survey Water Levels
Pre and Post Project Flows
Resolved and Unresolved Issues
Squamish Nation Recreational Use Results Letter
Summary of Monthly Kayaking Observations

Status: Approved (as per CEAA review)

Environment Canada

Environment Canada provides responses regarding:

Threatened and Endangered species
Harlequin duck habitat, a yellow-listed species in BC
Wildlife and migratory birds
Potential for metal leaching (or acid rock drainage) from tunneling work
Potential for local climate change
Cumulative impacts on the stream and other streams in the area

Acid Rock Drainage Study
Ashlu Rock Geochemistry & Leachate Report - Final

Wildlife and Vegetation Studies
Ashlu Migratory Birds Study Results - Rev C
Ashlu Vegetation and Wildlife Report
Ashlu Wildlife Report Addendum

Status: Approved (as per CEAA review)

Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Habitat Protection Branch

Fisheries and Oceans Canada deal with liability and compensation issues that are related to an affected stream. Their scope covers:

Acceptable construction methods and practices
Maintenance and monitoring of specific flow releases for the benefit of fish species and benthic production
Installation of a “fish ladder” at the weir for non-native rainbow trout and steelhead
Scheduled flushing of accumulated sediment for downstream gravel recruitment
North-side channel habitat compensation
South-side channel habitat compensation
Riparian compensation
In-stream work timelines and scheduling
Environmental monitoring requirements during construction and five years post-construction
Construction Environmental Management Plan review and approval

Status: Approved (as per CEAA review)

Land and Water BC (LWBC)

Land and Water BC issues the land tenure (land lease) for components of the project situated on Crown land under the Land Act and the conditional water license for water use under the Water Act. LWBC also assesses aboriginal rights and title in accordance with the Provincial Policy for Consultation with First Nations (2002).

LWBC act as overseers for all provincial and federal review agencies and are the primary contact for all regulatory agencies. Land and Water BC provide the ten-step guidelines for development of water power projects up to 50 megawatts (MW) in size.

In 2005, LWBC’s land tenure and water licencing duties were respectively given to the Integrated Bureau of Land Management and the Ministry of Environment.

Ashlu Construction Laydown and Occupation Area
Boundaries of License of Occupation (1 of 2) - Addendum
Boundaries of License of Occupation (2 of 2) - Addendum
LWBC Ashlu Land Approval Letter
PLAT Drawing
Right-of-Way (1 of)4) - Addendum
Right-of-Way (2 of 4) - Addendum
Right-of-Way (3 of 4) - Addendum
Right-of-Way (4 of 4) - Addendum

Status: Approved

BC Ministry of Environment

The Ministry of Environment’s scope includes:

Extensive review of fresh water fish species and wildlife (i.e. steelhead and grizzly bears)
Review and input into the Grizzly Bear Mitigation Plan
Review and input into the Grizzly Bear/Human Conflict Prevention Plan
Firearm restriction measures
Food removal requirements
Conditional restriction of access to habitat areas
Relocation of site construction offices, shops and laydown areas

Status: Approved (as per CEAA review and LWBC approval)

BC Ministry of Forests

The Ministry of Forests provides:

License to cut trees
Road-related permits
Land tenure comments
Junction permits
Permission to carry out works
Requirements for maintenance of access roads
Forest fire prevention and suppression criteria
Maximum load limits on bridges
Spoil/borrow pit area reviews
Recreational area site responsibilities
Consent to access private land (tree farm license areas) to clear trees for gravel pits and fish habitat compensation

Ashlu Construction Laydown and Occupation Area
Ashlu Ministry of Forests Referral Response
Ashlu Transmission Line Corridor
MoF Referral Response

Status: Approved

BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources

The Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources issues mineral rights for any sub-surface developments, especially pertaining to tunnel construction. The Ministry reviews existing mineral tenures to ensure no overlap of mineral claims.

Status: Approved

BC Agricultural Land Commission

The Agricultural Land Commission grants permission for the approximate 2.5 kilometres of right-of-way for the new transmission line as it passes through the Agricultural Land Reserve.

Agricultural Land Reserve Approval

Status: Approved

District of Squamish

District of Squamish Referral Response, January 20, 2003
District of Squamish Motion of Approval, September 23, 2004

Status: Approved

Squamish First Nation

The first people of the Squamish Nation have not only consented, but have given their full support of the Ashlu Creek Green Power Project. The three areas of special focus for the Squamish Nation include:

Archaeological identification and protection
Environmental assessment (wildlife and fisheries)
Conservation

Squamish Nation Letter of Agreement, March 22, 2004

Status: Approved

BC Hydro

BC Hydro awards long-term electricity purchase contracts through a competitive bid process for green energy projects. Under the 2003 contractual agreement, 100% of all energy generated by the Ashlu Creek Green Power Project will be purchased by BC Hydro over a 20 year period, the longest contract period offered by BC Hydro.

Successful projects were evaluated based upon BC Hydro’s low impact criteria for green energy projects based on environmental and socially responsible criteria.

Status: Awarded

Squamish-Lillooet Regional District

The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) issues rezoning and construction permits for the powerhouse land and the temporary construction areas.

Ledcor Responses to Planning Report Tabled December 17th, 2004 regarding Bylaw 828-2004 (Report Text)
Ledcor Responses to Planning Report Tabled December 17th, 2004 regarding Bylaw 828-2004 (Map)
Ashlu Construction Laydown and Occupation Area
Ashlu Sigurd Economic Contribution
Ashlu Sigurd Public Hearing Request
Powerhouse and Construction Areas

Status: Pending

Conclusion

The Ashlu Creek Green Power Project has successfully gained support of all of the federal and provincial environmental regulatory bodies and the Squamish First Nation. The SLRD has elected not to issue rezoning for the project at this time.