Why can’t the transmission line follow the old Nanaimo Lakes Road?
BCTC considered two alignments following the old Nanaimo Lakes Road for the proposed transmission line, and determined that they are not feasible. These routes go through the centre of a Crown parcel that is under offer to the Snuneymuxw First Nation (SFN) as part of their treaty negotiations with the federal and provincial governments. BCTC intends to respect the proposed land offer to the SFN by pursuing a preferred routing option that minimizes the impact of the project on this land. Limited ROW to the southeast corner of this land parcel enables us to do so.
The area through the Crown parcel under offer to SFN also represents potential environmental concerns that were identified during the preliminary environmental assessment studies and confirmed by the impacted First Nations
Our intention with all new transmission infrastructure is, subject to consideration of other relevant factors, to minimize the amount of land required for ROW and to minimize the visual impacts, regardless of whether the land is public or private. For the CVI Project, we considered:
- topography
- visual impact
- environment
- existing land use
- transmission system requirements
- cost
In determining the final alignment for the proposed transmission line we endeavoured to balance local interests with our broader mandate of ensuring safe and reliable electricity for BC communities.
Will this project result in lower property values in the neighbourhood?
Studies indicate that residential property value is affected by many factors that can outweigh proximity to transmission corridors. For example, features of the house (living space, number of bathrooms, etc.), size of lot, and neighbourhood factors also influence property values.
For the South Forks Road community, the transmission line may be visible for approximately three kilometres along Nanaimo River Road (west of Boulder Creek) and on South Forks Road at the point where the line crosses the road. For this reason, BCTC is proposing to construct the transmission line using steel poles, which are less visually intrusive within the landscape compared to the steel lattice towers used in the past.
How will a transmission line right-of-way affect land use?
For this project, BC Hydro will be acquiring a statutory ROW for the transmission line and fee simple ownership of the land for the substations.
The property within a ROW continues to be owned by the property owner. BC Hydro acquires from the owner the right to use portions of the land in a specific manner. These rights include, but are not limited to, the right to clear, construct and operate a transmission line (or lines), and maintain vegetation within a ROW area to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the transmission line.
Landowners retain the rights to use these ROW areas for activities that do not threaten or interfere with the utilities’ works, cause a hazard or interfere with the rights granted to BC Hydro. The ROW remains on the title when the ownership of the property changes.
For more information on compatible uses within ROWs, please visit our website: http://www.bctc.com/the_transmission_system/rights_of_way_prop_rights/
When more power is needed in a few years, will the voltage on the transmission line increase?
The proposed transmission line will be built to operate at 230 kilovolt line voltage rating. Once built this line cannot be operated at any higher line voltage. Any upgrade or change to the line or the ROW would require the approval of the BC Utilities Commission.
How many more roads will you be building? Won’t this bring more recreational users to the neighbourhood?
Some remote locations on the route will require new access. The intent of the project is to use existing access as much as possible with extensions to the ROW if required.
It is anticipated that all new access to the ROW off of existing roads will include the installation of access control measures (e.g., locked gates, barriers, etc.) to control unauthorized entry to private and Crown lands.