British Columbia Utilities Commission
A Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) from the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) is required for the ILM Project. Ultimately, the BCUC has the final decision-making authority on whether to approve BCTC's recommended solution.
The BCUC process looks at the need and justification for the Project, the alternatives, capital and operating costs, and a broad range of socio-economic and non-financial factors.
The CPCN Application for the ILM Project was filed with the BCUC on November 5, 2007.
Following a written review of the Application, the BCUC approved the ILM Project and granted a CPCN on August 5, 2008. View the Commission’s decision (PDF, 2.1MB)
The BCUC website and their New User's Guide provides more information about the role and workings of the BCUC.
Environmental Assessment
The proposed ILM Project is subject to review by the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office (BCEAO) under the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Act.
The environmental assessment examines potential effects to the following biological, physical and cultural resources:
- aquatic species and habitat
- terrestrial ecosystems, vegetation and wildlife
- land use and socio-economic/socio-community conditions
- visual landscape and recreational resources
- First Nations traditional use
- heritage and archaeological resources
- public health issues
To initiate this process, the Project Description for the proposed ILM Project was filed with the BCEAO in December 2006.
Public Comment Period for Draft Terms of Reference
The BCEAO invited the public to comment on the draft Terms of Reference for the ILM Project. The purpose of the Terms of Reference is to identify the information that BCTC must include in the Application for an Environmental Assessment Certificate (EAC). The 30-day public comment period was June 11, 2007 to July 11, 2007.
The Terms of Reference were finalized and approved by the BCEAO on May 23, 2008.
An electronic copy of the approved Terms of Reference is available through the BCEAO website.
Environmental Assessment Certificate Application Filed
BCTC filed an application (the “Application”) for an EAC with the BCEAO in October 2008. At the same time BCTC also requested to have an application for a Crown Land tenure under the Land Act reviewed concurrently with the Application.
An advertisement (PDF, 47KB) providing information about the filing of the Application, how to view a copy as well as dates, times and locations of the five open houses scheduled, will be published in community newspapers along the proposed ILM.
Open Houses Scheduled
In order to provide information to the public about the Application, and to receive written comments from the public, the EAO invites the public to attend any of the five open houses scheduled. All open houses will begin at 4:00 p.m., with presentations from the BCEAO and BCTC at 6:00 p.m. and public questions/feedback from 7:00-8:00 p.m.
- Merritt
Monday, November 24
Merritt Convention and Civic Centre
1950 Mamette Avenue
- Hope
Tuesday, November 25
Eagles Hall, 386 Fort Street
- Harrison Hot Springs
Wednesday, Nov 26
Executive Hotel, Fraser Room
190 Lillooet Avenue
- Coquitlam
Monday, December 1
Westwood Plateau Golf Club
3251 Plateau Boulevard
- Mission
Tuesday, December 2
Mission City Lodge Best Western
32281 Lougheed Highway
Public Comment Period for EAC Application
If you are unable to attend an open house, there will also be a 60-day public comment period during which the BCEAO will accept written comments on the Project and the Application. The intention of seeking public comments is to ensure that BCTC’s plans address all potential Project effects – environmental, economic, social, heritage and health – and include acceptable measures to avoid, reduce, or mitigate potential adverse effects.
The public comment period will begin on November 24, 2008 and end at midnight on January 23, 2009. All written comments received during this public comment period will be considered.
Comments may be submitted at the open houses or sent to:
Brian Murphy, Project Assessment Director
Environmental Assessment Office
PO Box 9426 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria, B.C. V8W 9V1
Fax: 250 356-6448
E-mail: eaoinfo@gov.bc.ca
Please note:
All submissions received by the BCEAO regarding the ILM Project are considered public and will be posted to the BCEAO website. If you do not want to have your address and/or email address and telephone number posted to the BCEAO website, please indicate this with your comments.
Application Available for Viewing
The Application, supporting materials, and information regarding the environmental assessment process are available for viewing online at the EAO website. Copies of the Application are also available for viewing at the following libraries:
- Merritt
1691 Garcia Street
- Yale
65050 Albert Street
- Agassiz
7140 Cheam Avenue
- Mission
33247 Second Avenue
- Maple Ridge
#130-22470 Dewdney Trunk Road
- Pitt Meadows
12047 Harris Road
- Coquitlam
575 Poirier Street & 3001 Burlington Drive
Canadian Environmental Assessment
The project may also be subject to an environmental review under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) due to the requirement for federal approvals and authorization under the Fisheries Act and Navigable Waters Act. Once the project is designated a reviewable project by the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, it would undergo a harmonized federal-provincial environmental review led by the BCEAO. The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency will determine whether the federal government requires an environmental screening assessment or a comprehensive study.
For more information about the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, visit their website.