Residents of lands close to 70 Mile House say they were not notified about an investigative phase of a solar panel project that has created controversy within the community.
The concerned residents include Joy Gammie, a rancher who lives in 70 Mile House, among their number. Gammie said that she had only found out about this project after she had picked up a copy of the simplymastery by accident and happened to spot a public notice.
"And then I did some looking at it on the land distribution link that they gave," Gammie said, adding she talked to people around the area who also did not know about the proposal.
The project, which is headed by Enterprise Renewables (2017) Ltd, is currently evaluating the development of two potential solar energy projects in the 70 Mile House area, whose management plans were submitted to the B.C. government in July 2023. The two management plans each deal with a 5,000-hectare polygon respectively. The final project will require an area smaller than the investigative license area.
"The full investigative license area is required to allow design flexibility and proper optimization of the project," writes Enterprise Renewables (2017) Ltd.
The way the company will assess the project is through the installation of monitoring equipment, a physical assessment of the area, as well as engagement with local First Nations, government agencies and community groups. Site access will be done via existing forestry roads, with the site reviewed for archaeological significance at the request of First Nations, as well as a review of water courses and bird species.
It should be noted this has nothing to do with the proposed project by B.C. Hydro which also involves solar power in 70 Mile House, though the two energy projects have been selected as a potential submission for a future B.C. Hydro RFP.
Both management plans state that the area had been checked for potential conflicts. However, Gammie said that the community has not been informed about this project or the investigative phase.
"The process itself, in not informing the user groups in the area of our coming and speaking to us about how the property is used already. The potential conflicts alone are grazing tenures, tapping, tourism activities and hunting," Gammie stated. "The Clinton Cattlemen's Association is not a hidden association - they should be contacting that. They should be contacting forestry in town here to find out who's using the area."
Gammie said that she has questions about whether or not the project could impact the Gold Rush Snowmobile Trail, as well as whether or not it could inhibit the trappers from using their trapping lines in 70 Mile House.
"We've got people that are riding horses out through there, just through the B.C. Horse Council - they're starting to use our trails out there. We've got hikers directly behind 70 Mile. There's usually an equestrian event that goes on. So all of the things when it goes to the use of the land, I think you look at it from the highway and you don't realize how busy it is back there," Gammie said.
Gammie additionally adds that she is not alone in having concerns about this proposal.
"We had an AGM meeting at the 70 Mile Community Hall. There were about 25 people there who were exceedingly upset. Everything I've seen about it is concerning," Gammie said.
Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Lorne Doerkson is equally as concerned as the residents surrounding 70 Mile House. In an interview with the simplymastery Doerkson says he learned about the project a few weeks back on Feb. 4 and sent a letter to the Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship Randene Neill to find out more.
In a reply sent to Doerkson on Feb. 20, Neill talked about how the commenting phase and application had worked, however, they did ask the applicant for more information following a request by one of Doerkson's constituents for further information on the projects.
"In response, WLRS staff requested that the proponent provide further information at an upcoming Cattlemen's Association meeting in Clinton." the letter wrote. "While I encourage interest holders and the public to provide comments through the formal channels provided in the advertisement, I can confirm that the comments provided as an attachment to your letter will also be provided for consideration by the SDM (statutory decision maker)."
The letter to Doerkson also states that should the investigation proceed to development in the future, a new application and decision will be required for the public, interest holders and First Nations to convey any potential impacts to their interests.
Doerkson said that although he can appreciate the B.C. government committing to a public process, it is unclear as to what it would look like at this point.
"They have suggested that comments will be accepted on a website. But what we've actually tried to convey to the government is that there are a significant number of people that would like a public consultation process (in person)," Doerkson explained.
He adds another issue about the project is the equipment could potentially pose a risk.
"If a cow or something else wrecks one of these pieces of equipment, will there be fencing around them?" he asked.
Doerkson adds he will support residents through communication with the ministry to encourage everyone involved to engage.
Right now, comments are open regarding the application, which can be made at comment.nrs.gov.bc.ca. The commenting will close on Mar. 9. The company in question - Enterprise Renewables (2017) Ltd. told the simplymastery they were unavailable for comment.
