ASHLU CREEK CASE STUDY by Michael
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INDEPENDENT HYDROPOWER PRODUCTION IN BRITISH COLUMBIA AND THE IMPACTS TO WHITEWATER KAYAKERS: ASHLU CREEK CASE STUDY by Michael John Neville Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Recreation Management Acadia University Spring Convocation 2018 © by Michael John Neville, 2017 This thesis by Michael John Neville was defended successfully in an oral examination on December 8, 2017. The examining committee for the thesis was: ________________________ Dr. David F. Duke, Chair ________________________ Dr. John W. Colton for Dr. Alan W. Ewert, External Reader ________________________ Dr. Brian L. VanBlarcom, Internal Reader ________________________ Dr. John W. Colton, Supervisor _________________________ Dr. Glyn C. Bissix, Head This thesis is accepted in its present form by the Division of Research and Graduate Studies as satisfying the thesis requirement for the degree MASTER OF RECREATION MANAGEMENT. ii I, Michael John Neville, grant permission to the University Librarian at Acadia University to archive, preserve, reproduce, loan or distribute copies of my thesis in microform, paper, or electronic formats on a non-profit basis. I undertake to submit my thesis, through my University, to Library and Archives Canada and to allow them to archive, preserve, reproduce, convert into any format, and to make available in print or online to the public for non-profit purposes. I, however, retain the copyright in my thesis. _____________________________ Author _____________________________ Supervisor _____________________________ Date iii Table of Contents List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... v List of Figures ................................................................................................................... vi Abstract ............................................................................................................................ vii List of Abbreviations ..................................................................................................... viii Acknowledgements .......................................................................................................... ix CHAPTER 1: Introduction .............................................................................................. 1 CHAPTER 2: Literature Review .................................................................................... 6 CHAPTER 3 : Administration of Hydropower in BC ................................................ 24 CHAPTER 4: Research Approach and Methods ........................................................ 38 CHAPTER 5: Results ..................................................................................................... 48 CHAPTER 6: Discussion .............................................................................................. 105 CHAPTER 7: Conclusions and Recommendations ................................................... 114 References ...................................................................................................................... 124 Appendix A: Interview Guide Sample Questions ...................................................... 143 Appendix B: Informed Letter of Consent ................................................................... 144 Appendix C: Informed Consent Form: Photographs ................................................ 146 iv List of Table Table 1. Definitions 4 Table 2. Results Summary: Major Themes and Sub-Themes 49 v List of Figures Figure 1. Typical Run of River 27 Figure 2. Large Scale Dam 28 Figure 3. Sea-to-Sky Map 30 Figure 4. Ashlu Creek Map 31 Figure 5. 50/50 Entry Falls - Box Canyon 32 Figure 6. Ashlu Creek Project - pre- and post-project Hydrograph 36 vi Abstract This thesis assessed a small-scale Independent Power Project (IPP) on Ashlu Creek, British Columbia. An interpretive approach was used to examine the relationship between independent hydropower production and water-based recreation, as RoR (Run- of-River) projects often require similar gradient and flow regimes as those that are sought after by advanced whitewater kayakers, often referred to as ‘creekers’ or ‘creekboaters.’ Key issues included outdoor recreation and its benefits, conflict, the role of community engagement in addressing conflict, and the evolution of the regulatory environment that relates to IPP development in British Columbia. The results of the study indicated: 1) that creekboaters’ needs are very specific to the sport, 2) mitigation efforts reasonably maintained kayaking on the Ashlu, 3) mitigation efforts did not take into account all sections of the bypass reach adequately, 4) more communication can help alleviate some negative impacts, 5) more can be done to reduce impacts on other rivers. vii List of Abbreviations BC Hydro – British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority BCTC – British Columbia Transmission Corporation BCUC – British Columbia Utilities Commission EAA – Environmental Assessment Act EAO – Environmental Assessment Office GWh – Gigawatt hour IPP – Independent Power Producer MW – Megawatt or 1,000,000 Watts MWh – Megawatt hour ROE – Return on Equity RoR – Run-of-the-River REB – Research Ethics Board SLRD – Squamish-Lillooet Regional District T & D – Transmission and Distribution UCA – Utilities Commission Act viii Acknowledgements This thesis would have never been possible without the help and support of several people. I would first like to thank Dr. John Colton for his endless patience, encouragement, friendship and support to make this research possible. A chance meeting on the Tatshenshini River in 2009 and a conversation about graduate studies has changed my life profoundly and has enabled me to follow paths that would not have otherwise been possible. I would like to thank Dr. Glyn Bissix, Dr. Brian VanBlarcom, Dr. Alan Ewert, and Dr. David Duke for the insightful feedback during the process of this thesis. Their input helped form the analytical framework for this research and helped shape these ideas into a more complete finished product. I would like to thank all of the participants in this study. Their insight about the impacts and on how to increase meaningful mitigation while decreasing negative impacts was valuable when forming recommendations. I would like to thank my friends and family for their encouragement. I would like to dedicate this work to Mackenzie Schafers and Mackenzie Neville. ix CHAPTER 1: Introduction 1.1 Context The worldwide growing demand for energy has served as a catalyst for the emerging renewable energy sector (IPCC, 2011). Renewable energy accounts for the majority (59%) of energy production in Canada (Natural Resources Canada, 2016). The majority of this power is from hydropower (Ibid). Within the BC Hydro grid, that provides power to 95% of the population, 98.4% of power is considered Clean Energy, with the vast majority being generated from hydroelectric sources (BC Hydro, 2016). British Columbia’s geography, from a renewable energy perspective, has exceptional potential for energy growth, specifically with hydropower. Large amounts of precipitation and gradient create thousands of potential sites for energy generation (Hui, 2008). To increase its hydro capacity, BC Hydro has been investing billions of dollars in upgrading its older hydroelectric facilities, known as ‘Heritage Energy,’ and using Independent Power Producers (IPP) to answer its call for clean energy (BC Hydro, 2009). While the growth of renewable energy will ultimately reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and the resulting impacts, it does not come without its own impacts. BC has extensive existing and potential renewable energy resources for hydroelectric generation. Small and large-scale hydro works modify water flows, impact biodiversity, displace local populations, and alter accessibility to wilderness rivers (Fearnside, 2015; Nilsson & Berggren, 2000). There are many challenges associated with these types of developments including environmental, economic, and cultural impacts. Environmental impacts are widespread as many traditional large-scale dams have a lifespan of 100 years. During this time areas of land are flooded above the works and 1 flow regimes are altered below the dam. Typically the annual freshet is held back and released slowly during times where more energy is consumed. In Canada, this is typically during the winter. Small-scale dams have less impact above the project as the headpond is less expansive however there are still impacts as flow regimes alter the natural state of the river. Economic impacts from any dam include some benefits from the construction of the works to the local community, national and international businesses, and in some cases the local First Nation. Long-term economic benefits to the local municipality are water use fees and several jobs for maintenance and monitoring of the site. Economic impacts can also be seen through either an increase or decrease of visitation to the area. The cultural aspect of hydropower is commonly addressed during the project review period. Stakeholders such as local municipalities, First Nations, recreationalists (such as anglers, campers, hikers, birdwatchers, and whitewater kayakers) are often given an opportunity to voice their support or concerns with the project either with the proponent directly or the government through an environmental review process or a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). New hydropower