upstream

Photo by Mag3737

Whistler Blackcomb (WB) has involved themselves in a controversial run-of-river power plan for Fitzsimmons Creek that has the potential to disrupt a threatened bull trout population in the Whistler Valley watershed. Run of River Power has been developing private power projects throughout  British Columbia in recent years with controversial aspects of their hydro projects that include corporate democracy and shortsighted planning that, in the interests of this post and its readers, ultimately disrupts fish habitats.

WB issued a news release back in the fall of 2008 outlining their plan to install a 7.5 megawatt hydroelectric generator on Fitzimmons creek and claimed that, “The Fitzsimmons Creek area provides the ultimate conditions for a successful small hydro electric project. The creek has an abundance of water, the necessary vertical drop, it is not a major fish-bearing stream, nor is the creek used recreationally within the project area. “

A little bit of research lead me to the Whistler 2020 website and revealed this post from a Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) Fish & Wildlife technician in and around the same time of the WB press release. At press time the RMOW were in the process of erecting a fence in the stream allowing technicians to monitor the spawning bull trout.  It goes on the mention “In BC, bull trout is a blue-listed (threatened) species, meaning that they are a sensitive species vulnerable to human and natural disturbances. The small tributary streams these species use for spawning and rearing are extremely susceptible to human impacts such as sedimentation, loss of streamside vegetation, and increases in water temperature.”

WB’s news release claim could be true with respect to the fact that Fitzsimmons Creek is not a major fish-bearing stream assuming they’re referring to fish population. That said, the RMOW has clearly identified a spawning population of a threatened species of bull trout in a stream that is now undergoing the development of an upstream hydro generator that will inevitably impact the free flow of water in addition to the amount of water that WB already removes from the creek to aide in the operation of their snow making machines. I’m of the opinion that the bull trout species is of major importance to the Fitzsimmons Creek habitat and the sustainability of a threatened species.

Renewable energy should be the ultimate goal, but at what cost? Interested in voicing your concern on this topic? Have a look at this letter from Watershed Watch. You might want to do a bit more research and send something similar to the following people:
- Whistler Mayor Ken Melamed
- David Lede, Chairman & CEO, Ledcor Group of Companies
- Dave Brownlie, President and Chief Operating Officer, Whistler Blackcomb Mountain Resorts Limited
- Brian Collins, President of Intrawest
- Arthur DeJong, Whistler Mountain Planning & Environmental Resource Manager

“Why build new hydropower dams that have definite and certain environmental impacts for a minor reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and a highly uncertain contribution to reducing the environmental impacts of climate change globally? Instead, we would recommend that Whistler Blackcomb increase its already successful energy conservation efforts to a level that would both eliminate the need for this project and “achieve a net-zero footprint.” ”
- From Watershed Watch