About the PVEA
The Peace Valley Environment Association was formed in 1975 to counter the proposal by BC Hydro and Power Authority to build the Site C dam and power station on the Peace River, 18km upstream from Taylor and 6.5km southwest of Fort St. John, BC.
The development of the Peace River valley between the Peace Canyon and Alberta border had been the subject of continuing study at BC Hydro for a number of years prior to 1971 when engineering studies were undertaken. From 1976 until 1980, BC Hydro concentrated on building a case for the development of Site C. These studies culminated in their application for an Energy Project Certificate.
The Peace Valley Environment Association, together with the West Coast Environment Law Association, The Society for the Promotion of Environmental Conservation, the Sierra Club, and many other groups and individuals combined to mount a vigorous campaign to stop BC Hydro from flooding the valley. This campaign was successful in convincing the British Columbia Utilities Commission that BC Hydro's application should be refused.
Presently the proposed Site C dam is undergoing review through the joint federal/provincial environmental assessment (EA) process. The EA process officially began on August 2, 2011. This is a 2-3 year process. In order to participate effectively, PVEA has retained a coordinator, a legal team as well as several subject matter experts. While minimal funding may be made available by the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency to pay for the costs of some of these services, significant additional funds are required for the PVEA to effectively participate in the EA process.
PVEA’s efforts are endorsed and supported by a number of organizations including: West Coast Environmental Law, Treaty 8 First Nations, Wilderness Committee, Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative, Pembina Institute, BC Women’s Institute, Sierra Club and others.
The development of the Peace River valley between the Peace Canyon and Alberta border had been the subject of continuing study at BC Hydro for a number of years prior to 1971 when engineering studies were undertaken. From 1976 until 1980, BC Hydro concentrated on building a case for the development of Site C. These studies culminated in their application for an Energy Project Certificate.
The Peace Valley Environment Association, together with the West Coast Environment Law Association, The Society for the Promotion of Environmental Conservation, the Sierra Club, and many other groups and individuals combined to mount a vigorous campaign to stop BC Hydro from flooding the valley. This campaign was successful in convincing the British Columbia Utilities Commission that BC Hydro's application should be refused.
Presently the proposed Site C dam is undergoing review through the joint federal/provincial environmental assessment (EA) process. The EA process officially began on August 2, 2011. This is a 2-3 year process. In order to participate effectively, PVEA has retained a coordinator, a legal team as well as several subject matter experts. While minimal funding may be made available by the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency to pay for the costs of some of these services, significant additional funds are required for the PVEA to effectively participate in the EA process.
PVEA’s efforts are endorsed and supported by a number of organizations including: West Coast Environmental Law, Treaty 8 First Nations, Wilderness Committee, Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative, Pembina Institute, BC Women’s Institute, Sierra Club and others.