BC Hydro engineers are disputing accusations that a proposed CA$7.9-billion ($7.2 billion) dam in northeastern British Columbia will damage wildlife migratory routes and trample on First Nation aboriginal rights. At public hearings in December and January, BC Hydro submitted more than 27,000 documents to assure stakeholders the Site C Dam would be safe, clean and sensitive to aboriginal rights.
“We have very good mitigation plans proposed,” says John Nunn, BC Hydro senior project engineer. “And we’re trying to negotiate impact-benefit agreements with various First Nations so that their interests and needs will be accommodated, as well.”