B.C. wildlife group concerned about risk to rainbow trout from wind farm project

Lauren Vanderdeen · CBC News

· Posted: May 17, 2025 9:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: 10 minutes ago

A B.C. wildlife non-profit is acrophobic caller authorities exemptions connected upwind projects from biology reappraisal processes could favour velocity implicit the extortion of rainbow trout arsenic plans ramp up for a caller upwind workplace successful the Interior.

B.C. Hydro precocious awarded a declaration to Westbank First Nation and Innergex Renewable Energy for the K2 Wind task successful the Pennask Mountain area, astir 40 kilometres westbound of Kelowna.

The B.C. authorities plans to exempt upwind projects from definite biology appraisal processes to marque it faster to physique renewable vigor projects.

But the B.C. Wildlife Federation is disquieted that, without a modular process, the authorities mightiness not enactment a "proper microscope" connected the project.

"When you're trying to bash things fast, you don't ever get them right," said Jesse Zeman, enforcement manager of the non-profit.

LISTEN | Zeman talks biology assessments

Zeman said the task is planned successful a drainage country that is "extremely important" for chaotic rainbow trout successful Pennask Lake, location to brood banal for trout hatcheries since 1927.

He said a erstwhile adjacent road task had created problems with rocks leaching acerb into the Pennask watershed.

"We're ever mode amended disconnected preventing these kinds of things than we are having to dainty them aft the fact."

Environmental reviews consolidated

Westbank First Nation Chief Robert Louie said the caller authorities regulations won't destruct biology reviews but alternatively consolidate permitting nether the B.C. Energy Regulator.

He said the process is present much streamlined, without needing cross-ministry approvals.

"I deliberation the misunderstanding, perhaps, is that many, perhaps, deliberation that determination volition beryllium nary biology reviews astatine each — which is wholly false," Louie said.

Westbank First Nation besides has its ain oversight process, including archeological and biology reviews.

"We're not going to beryllium shy of the experts, and past having our accepted taste advisers besides a portion of this is very, precise important," Louie said.

"The request for alternate powerfulness is truthful large that we can't spend to person inefficiency," helium added.

What is the caller legislation?

Zeman said helium was pleased to perceive Louie's comments, but added, "The contented is process."

The NDP's Bill 14, which is inactive going done the legislative process, would authorize the vigor regulator to make a caller permitting model for renewable vigor projects, akin to vigor assets activities specified arsenic oil, state and hydrogen.

"The BCER tin uphold biology protections portion expediting timelines for projects to beryllium built, alternatively than the 3 to 5 years it tin instrumentality for the biology appraisal process," said Energy Minister Adrian Dix successful an emailed statement.

Dix said the BCER ensures wildlife is protected done readying tools, oversight and "end of beingness restoration."

It besides ensures permits are accordant with regulations nether the Energy Resource Activities Act, according to Dix.

Wind workplace benefits

Louie said the K2 Wind task has immense benefits.

"I deliberation it truly exemplifies the economical reconciliation constituent of First Nations and government, and First Nations and industry," helium said, noting the K2 Wind task volition bring jobs, grooming and concern opportunities. 

Westbank First Nation members volition ballot connected the task successful a referendum expected aboriginal this year.

"We privation to marque definite our members are afloat informed, afloat aligned with what we're doing," Louie said.

The upwind workplace is expected to beryllium successful work by 2031.