Community
Throughout project assessment, review and development, Kwagis Power will undertake a public consultation program to:
- provide information to build project awareness and understanding
- provide opportunities for public input and information exchange
- identify interested parties and project-related concerns
- propose ways to avoid, minimize or compensate for project impacts
- demonstrate how public input has been incorporated into project design
Activities undertaken to date:
- In March 2009, Kwagis Power met with representatives of Western Forest Products and TimberWest, as well as the guide outfitter whose territory encompasses the Kokish watershed.
- A meeting with representatives of the Vancouver Island Whitewater Paddling Society, BC River Outfitters Association, Transport Canada, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency and BCEAO was held in Nanaimo on January 29, 2009.
- Open Houses were held in Alert Bay and Port McNeill in January 2009 during the public comment period on the Draft Terms of Reference for the Environmental Assessment Certificate Application.
- Two stakeholder meetings were held in Port McNeill in April 2008 to request input from local businesses, elected representatives and interest groups regarding potential Project issues, concerns and questions.
- Kwagis Power conducted an Open House in Port McNeill in November 2007.
- Since 2006, Kwagis Power has conducted periodic meetings with elected representatives of the Regional District of Mount Waddington and the Town of Port McNeill. During this time, we have also met with representatives of Western Forest Products and TimberWest, the two main forest companies and employers in the Port McNeill area.
- Kwagis Power issued a public notice describing the Project in March 2006 in the North Island Gazette, the regional newspaper for North Vancouver Island.
Kwagis Power will continue to work closely with local government representatives, business, stakeholders and area residents during the formal environmental assessment process.
First Nations Engagement
The Kokish River watershed is located in whole or in part within the traditional territory claimed by:
The ‘Namgis First Nation and Brookfield Renewable Power are limited partners in Kwagis Power.
‘Namgis First Nation members are involved in project planning and development, including ongoing environmental assessment studies and consultation with provincial and federal regulatory agencies and local governments.
Kwagis Power and the BC Environmental Assessment Office have also approached the Tlowitsis First Nation, the Mamalilikulla/Qwe’Qwa’Sot’Em First Nation, and the We Wai Kai (Cape Mudge) First Nation to discuss their participation in assessment studies and the project review process. Both the Mamalilikulla/Qwe’Qwa’Sot’Em First Nation and the We Wai Kai First Nation have indicated that, since their interests lie outside the Project area, they will not participate in the environmental assessment process.
Kwagis Power will continue to build relationships with the First Nations with an interest in the project area throughout project planning, environmental assessment and review, and project implementation.
Kwagis Power’s First Nations Engagement Program will:
- provide information to build project awareness and understanding
- facilitate involvement in project assessment and review
- allow for input regarding traditional values and ecological knowledge in the project area
- identify and follow-up on issues and concerns to avoid, minimize or compensate for project impacts.