A new study of the impact of run-of-river power projects, including some on Vancouver Island, underscores the need for the provincial government to do a better job of monitoring independent power producers.
The interim research from the Pacific Salmon Foundation suggests that almost all of the projects are in locations where they could affect fish.
After looking at 44 projects, the researchers concluded that three-quarters had the potential to affect fish in the upper reaches of the rivers, and almost 90 per cent could affect fish in the lower reaches.
Only one of them was in an area where there were no trout, salmon or char.
It is not surprising that dropping an industrial facility into a river could affect the fish. Even though run-of-river plants are not as invasive as major hydro dams, they can affect water temperature, oxygen level, rate of water flow, movement of sediment and rapid water fluctuations called ramping.
Although the final report is not expected until December, it has to be viewed in the light of figures released this year suggesting that as of September 2011, 90 per cent of the projects in sa国际传媒 had 鈥渋ncidents鈥� or 鈥渘on-compliance鈥� with environmental regulations. Other documents show 749 non-compliance incidents from 16 hydro plants in southwestern sa国际传媒 in 2010.
A government memo said the ministry doesn鈥檛 have enough staff to monitor the operations. At the same time, the federal government has reduced its fisheries staff.
The provincial government, which is enthusiastic about private power, must pay attention to this study and ensure that valuable rivers and streams are protected.
