Fortis’ Bob Gibney, Senior Manager of Community and First Nations reported “no new info” on the proposed Similkameen dam at the regional district Corporate Services Committee meeting on February 6.
An updated project description had been filed with the BC Environment Assessment office, with a detailed plan outlining how to proceed expected to come back to Fortis in late February.
Some seasonally sensitive field work has also been undertaken with both Similkameen Indian bands. An expression of interest in use of the land has also been filed.
Some tabletop studies have also taken place.
“The reality is, this project is 100 per cent funded by our shareholders, there is no customer cost, so we will have an idea whether this project is a go – no go… the timeframe keeps slipping, but I’m going to suggest in 2014 we’ll have an idea if it’s going to go.”
Gibney said Fortis would be contacting local municipalities to arrange formal meetings to discuss the project in the near future.
Later in board discussions, it was noted by Director Michael Brydon (Westbench) that the board had not yet taken the time to seriously debate the issue of a dam on the Upper Similkameen. It was noted, however, that it was a concern of the joint committee at a recent meeting.
