Public input sought for Site C Guidelines

A 45- day public comment period will be held by the Agency and the EAO for the draft EIS Guidelines for the environmental assessment. Such guidelines provide direction to the proponent, as well as identify the information that is required in the EIS, which provides a detailed analysis of potential environmental, economic, social, health and heritage effects of the proposed project.

Once finalized, the EIS Guidelines will be made public and provided to the proponent.

The Agency and EAO will also be holding a variety of open house sessions during the public comment period, with the intention of providing information on the EIS Guidelines and to inform the public of the environmental assessment process, as well as how the public can participate.

As part of the open house sessions, the public will also have the opportunity to submit written comments on the guidelines. There will also be representatives from both agencies available to answer questions from the public.

B.C. Hydro will also be in attendance to answer any technical questions regarding the project.

Both Fort St. John and Dawson Creek will be holding open house sessions. The Energetic City will host its open house at the North Peace Cultural Centre Tuesday, May 1, from 3-8 p.m., while Dawson Creek will be holding its open house Wednesday, May 9, from 3-8 p.m. at the Best Western Dawson Creek.

Written comments as part of the Public Comment Period will begin to be accepted April 17, and must be received by June 1. All received comments will be considered public and will be posted on the agency online public registry and on the EAO website.

Written comments can be submitted to the following address: Linda Jones, Panel Manager, Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, 22 Floor, 160 Elgin Street, Ottawa, On, K1A 0H3, or email SiteCReview@ceaa-acee.gc.ca.

If interested in viewing the draft EIS Guidelines or for more information on this project, visit the official website of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry, reference number 11-05-63919. Information can also be obtained through the B.C. Environmental Assessment office website.