Another issue plagues Mackenzie
MACKENZIE – There is another issue plaguing the District of Mackenzie, other than sawmill closures. Aside from Canfor’s decision to indefinitely curtail operations in that mill, and Conifex’s temporary shut down, BC Hydro has applied to drop the water levels below the permitted level of 21-50, which will have serious consequences on the community.
“As you may know just three years ago BC Hydro reviewed the Peace Williston Water Use Plan requesting a new minimum reservoir water-operating level of 2,140 down from 2,147,” said Pat Crook, Regional District Representative for Area G, to the crowd gathered at the Mackenzie Matters rally.
He went on to talk about the impacts of that on the community, starting with the District of Mackenzie itself.
“At 2,147 the District of Mackenzie will be discharging its effluent into a creek not a lake and the dilution factor would put us out of compliance with our permits.”