OTTAWA – July 16, 2009 – Canada’s Environment Minister Jim Prentice announced today the establishment of a three-member federal review panel for the proposed Bute Inlet Hydroelectric Project in British Columbia.
Minister Prentice appointed Les Cooke as panel chair, as well as Ian Birtwell and George Kupfer as panel members. Biographical information on the panel chair and members is available in the accompanying backgrounder.
The panel terms of reference for the environmental review were issued by the Minister in May 2009, along with the document entitled “Guidelines for the preparation of the Environmental Impact Statement”. The Panel Terms of Reference document describes the review process and the procedures to be followed by the federal panel in conducting the review, as well as details on the scope of the environmental assessment.
In accordance with its terms of reference, the panel will:
- conduct an examination of the environmental effects of the proposed project and the significance of those effects;
- consider measures that are technically and economically feasible to mitigate any adverse environmental effects, as well as the need for and the requirements of any follow-up programs with respect to the project; and
- consider comments from the public that are received during the review.
Further information on this project, along with the terms of reference, is available on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency Registry under registry number 09-05-44825.
Bute Hydro Inc. is proposing to construct 17 run-of-river hydroelectric facilities in the vicinity of Bute Inlet. Major components, in addition to the generating facilities, include a substation near the mouth of Southgate River, associated access roads and ancillary works, 216 km of 230 kV collector transmissions line and a 227 km 500 kV trunk transmission line from the proposed substation near the mouth of Southgate River to the existing 500 kV substation at Malaspina.
For more information, media may contact:
Lucille Jamault
Senior Communications Advisor
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Tel.: 613-957-0434
