On a positive note however, the provincial government's Living Rivers initiative is considering allocating funds commencing this spring to renew discussions on a water use plan for the Theodosia which could reinvigorate efforts to mitigate the damaging impacts of the diversion dam. According to Outdoor Recreation Council Rivers Chair and Theodosia Coalition member, Mark Angelo, "the government must follow through on its commitment to restore this great river and the immediate renewal of discussions centering on the implementation of a water use plan would be an important step in the right direction |
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While compensation discussions between the BC government and Powell River Energy Inc. (PREI) have recently stalled, the company did decide to move ahead with stage 1 of the proposed decommissioning of the Theodosia diversion dam on its own after extensive consultations with the Sliammon and other Theodosia stakeholders. Consequently, in the fall of 2003, the initial modification to the dam was completed. Under most flow conditions, this will restore an additional 15 to 20% of the rivers water. This was greeted by both the Sliammon First Nation and the Outdoor Recreation Council as a very positive first step that will improve fish habitat - and PREI is to be commended.
However, the Sliammon people and the non-government groups that formed the original Theodosia Coalition are asking the BC government to renew compensation discussions so as to open the door for additional modifications and further increases in flow. In the interim, groups such as the BCIT Fish and Wildlife department are hoping to access funds to monitor how the river and its fish stocks will respond to the recent improvements in flow. |
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| Update February, 2002 |
Since the announcement 2 years when government stated its intent to decommission the Theodosia dam, all
stakeholders have been working together to gather adequate baseline information in an effort to properly assess how the river and its fish
stocks will respond to increased flows. A plan to modify the structure
so that water can be returned to the Theodosia in increments has also been developed. It's anticipated that the first incremental release of
water back into the river will occur this summer. After assessing the results, a final time-frame for additional releases and the
decommissioning of the dam will be established.
"The planned restoration of the Theodosia is one of the most exciting initiatives of its kind",
said Mark Angelo of the Outdoor Recreation Council, "and we hope this initiative will be a cornerstone of the BC government's soon-to-be
announced Living Rivers Strategy". |
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For Immediate Release
330-30:ELP99/00-186
Feb. 28, 2000 |
Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks |
NATURAL WATER FLOWS TO BE RESTORED TO THEODOSIA RIVER
- Dam Decommissioning Leads to Restoration of Ecosystem - |
VANCOUVER — Water flows will be restored to the Theodosia River near Powell River through an agreement reached by the province and Pacifica Papers Inc., which uses water diverted from the river to generate hydroelectric power for its paper mill.
The agreement calls for an adaptive water management plan to be developed that decommissions or removes the Theodosia dam to restore the natural ecosystem downstream.
"We are improving the management of British Columbia's water resources with a particular focus on protecting and enhancing fish and their habitat," said Environment, Lands and Parks Minister Joan Sawicki. "A strong conservation ethic coupled with fair value for water is crucial if this precious resource is to be sustained for the future."
The dam, 12 kilometres from the mouth of the Theodosia River, diverts about 70 percent of the river's natural flow to the Powell Power Plant. The Theodosia River diversion has been active and licensed through the province since 1956.
Sawicki said the quantity of water diverted from the river by the dam has raised concerns about the river's capacity to sustain fish habitat. The system historically supported a variety of salmon and other fish species.
The joint agreement between the ministry and Pacifica Papers Inc. marks the first step to resolve on-going issues about this diversion.
Miles Lauzon, Pacifica Papers vice-president and general manager of the Powell River Mill, welcomed the announcement as a step toward addressing the Theodosia dam issue.
"While the water that is diverted from the Theodosia River provides a cost advantage for the operation of our paper mill at Powell River, we accept that this needs to be balanced against sound environmental stewardship," said Lauzon. "This has always been Pacifica's perspective, and we are willing to continue playing our part so that this balance is achieved. We think this water use plan is an innovative approach to the management of water as a natural resource."
"This agreement is a progressive example of how our province can restore rivers through adaptive management," said Mark Angelo, spokesperson for the Outdoor Recreation Council and the Heritage Rivers Board. "It's a cautious, risk-averse approach to dam decommissioning and will do much to repair one of Georgia Strait's great salmon rivers."
The planning process will begin this spring and is expected to span a five-year period. Water flow in the Theodosia River will be restored gradually with the first changes this spring. A committee will be formed to hear input from agencies and the public.
Monitoring and regulating dams is an essential part of the ministry's mandate to maintain and protect fish habitat and to ensure sustainable use of its water resources. |
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| Contact: |
John Sager or Valerie Cameron
(604) 582-5214156
Water Management
Lower Mainland Region
Surrey |
Miles Lauzon, (604) 483-2802
Vice President and General Manager
Pacifica Papers Inc.
Powell River |
Betsy Terpsma, (604) 582-5306 or
Cell (604) 329-4244
Communications
Lower Mainland Region
Surrey |
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| Above: Mark Angelo at the Theodosia Dam site. |
Theodosia Press Conference — February 28th, 2000
Comments by Mark Angelo
Chair, Outdoor Recreation Council; Chair, Save the Theodosia Coalition |
Today's announcement pertaining to the Theodosia dam is very positive and I congratulate the Minister.
This sets the stage for one of the most exciting river restoration projects ever undertaken in our province.
And the planned decommissioning of the Theodosia dam, which has been the cause of significant environmental damage, is good news for both the river and its salmon stocks.
This also provides a great opportunity for B.C. to become a leader in the development of appropriate methods to decommission and remove outdated dams.
And the restoration of natural flows, which will be staged in over the next few years, will dramatically improve salmon habitat in what used to be one of the most productive streams in the Georgia Strait.
I also look forward to participating in the water-management planning process that will determine the engineering approaches to be used as well the exact timeframe over which this will occur.
This announcement also sets an exciting precedent in our country — and offers and excellent opportunity for research and monitoring in terms of how this river and its fish stocks will respond to increased flows.
I have been an avid paddler for 30 years and I've travelled on many rivers that have since been lost to large dams — so to witness a situation where we will actually decommission a dam and repair some of the damage that has been done in past is a wonderful and very refreshing change.
There are currently over 2000 dams in British Columbia and, while many continue to provide useful benefits, they have also come with a very significant environmental cost.
But no dam was meant to last forever — they do age and, eventually, outlive their usefulness — and when that occurs, I believe we have to look at the decommissioning or dismantling option in an effort to restore habitat.
And in this particular case, the restoration of flows and the eventual decommissioning of the Theodosia dam will be one of the most significant undertakings of its kind. And for this reason, this beautiful stream near Powell River has captured the imagination of river enthusiasts across our country.
There are many people to thank who helped make this happen, and this is truly a "win-win" scenario for the river and all parties involved.
Within government, once again I thank the Minister for the interest she has taken in this issue — In addition, I also want to thank her ministry staff and in particular, John Sager, Marvin Rosenau and Tanis Douglas.
I'd also like to acknowledge Pacifica Papers — they did not build this dam but they have taken on the responsibility to repair its damage — and for that, they are to be commended. And in particular, I'd like to thank Peter Knor, the former Chief Operating Officer of the company who took a great personal interest in the Theodosia.
I also want to thank the Sliammon First Nation and I'd like to particularly thank my friend, Walter Paul, for his efforts. In addition, nearby residents such as Doug Day played a key role, as did members of the media who took a very specific interest in this important issue.
And lastly, I want to acknowledge Fisheries Renewal for their help in funding our water-use assessment study.
So once again, this is a very positive announcement and this has been one of the most rewarding initiatives I've ever been associated with.
And while we often focus on the management of the fishery when discussing the future of our salmon stocks we cannot forget that the protection of habitat is the other key part of the equation — and from that perspective, today's announcement is an important and significant step forward. |
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