More than 50 scientists protest BC Hydro closures/lay-offs in Castlegar and Nelson
By Kyra Hoggan
A group of more than 50 scientists is publicly lobbying BC Hydro to reconsider its decision to close the Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP) office in Nelson, and to lay off staff in Castlegar, Nelson and Prince George.
The offices are to be closed by January 2012, and the program consolidated in Burnaby offices. “In this particular program, they’re laying off everyone and assigning one person to contract out the work,” said conservation ecologist Greg Utzig, who penned a protest letter that was subsequently signed by more than 50 experts in the field and CCed to virtually every political entity in the region. “BC Hydro isn’t saving a nickle doing this, because they have to spend the same amount of money because of their water license. It makes no sense.” BC Hydro’s agreement with the province allows it to generate power by damming B.C. rivers, but stipulates than $7 million a year be spent restoring river ecosystems and fish populations. Utzig said the biggest problem with BC Hydro’s plan is that, while the company will still spend over $4 million in the Basin, they won’t have experts on the ground, able to help hone project proposals and ensure maximum bang for the buck. “Secondly, the staff that have been here have offered a lot of added value to BC Hydro through their involvement in outside projects and relationships with other groups and agencies,” he added. Utzig had several other concerns with BC Hydro’s new policy, all of which were outlined in detail in the Nov. 19 letter, to which he said there has been no reply. “It’s appears they’re completely ignoring public opinion in the Basin – there have been other letters sent supporting our letter: the City of Nelson, a couple of regional districts, the Association of Kootenay Boundary Local Governments. As far as I know, BC Hydro hasn’t replied to any of them. “I hope they’ll change their minds, but I’m not optimistic,” he said. The Source was unable to reach a BC Hydro representative for comment.
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