OTTAWA –

The Joint Review Panel reviewing the proposed Site C Clean Energy Project in British Columbia is inviting the public to comment on the draft Public Hearing Procedures.

The Panel is reviewing the amended Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) received from the proponent, BC Hydro.   The Panel will determine whether the EIS is sufficient or if the proponent must provide additional information before the Panel schedules the public hearing.  The Panel will issue a notice of hearing at least 30 days before the start of the public hearing.

The Panel is currently seeking written input from members of the public, Aboriginal groups, and governments on the Public Hearing Procedures which detail how the public hearing will unfold. After reviewing the comments received, the Panel will issue a final version of the document.

The Panel must receive written comments on the Hearing Procedures by September 16, 2013.  All comments received will be considered public and posted on the online public registry. Written comments in either official language should be sent to the attention of either panel co-manager:

• Courtney Trevis, Panel Co-Manager
  Site C Review Panel Secretariat
  160 Elgin Street, 22nd Floor
  Ottawa ON K1A 0H3
  Tel.: 613-960-0286
  Toll free: 1-866-582-1884
  Fax: 613-957-0935
  
  
• Sean Moore, Panel Co-Manager
  Site C Review Panel Secretariat
  4th Floor, 836 Yates St.
  PO Box 9426 Stn Prov Govt
  Victoria BC V8W 9V1
  Tel.: 250-387-3209
  Fax: 250-356-6448
  
  

The proposed project

BC Hydro and Power Authority proposes to construct and operate a dam and 1,100-megawatt hydroelectric generating station on the Peace River in northeastern B.C. The proposed project would be the third in a series of dams on the B.C. portion of the Peace River. The project components are an earthfill dam 1,050 metres long and 60 metres high, an 1,100-megawatt generating station and associated structures, an 83-km long reservoir, realignment of four sections of Highway 29 and two 77-km transmission lines along an existing transmission line right-of-way connecting Site C to the existing provincial power grid.

By: news.gc.ca

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