Conservationists call on the auditor general of B.C. to investigate. Hydro and their failure to meet legal and moral obligations to restore habitat as compensation for land lost to hydroelectric dam projects are the reasons they are calling on the auditor general to investigate B.C.
The B.C. The B.C. Wildlife Federation and University of Victoria Environmental Law Centre assertin a brief that the public utilityputs money into the Fish & Wildlife Compensation ProgramInstead, it is being used for ordinary government functions such as the financing of invasive species work or children’s education programmes.
“It’s great for kids to learn about the environment, and to be safe around bears. But that doesn’t mean they can replace the thousands upon thousands of kilometres worth of wildlife habitat and spawning areas destroyed by B.C. Hydro dams,” said Calvin Sandborn, UVic Environmental Law Centre legal director.
“Those funds should compensate for the huge, rich valleys that have been lost to hydroelectric developments on the Columbia or the Peace. [rivers].”
B.C. law requires that the Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program be funded. Hydro’s water licenses.
The B.C. Wildlife Federation executive director stated that the problem has been ignored for a long period of time. Wildlife Federation stated that the province had long ignored the problem.
Jesse Zeman said, “We have flagged the issue hundreds, if it not more, to dozens upon dozens of ministers over many decades and it has fallen on deaf ears.” “There are days when it seems like the tail wags a dog when it comes down to B.C. Hydro and its relationship with provincial government
B.C. Hydro said that it had not seen the B.C. The Hydro stated that it has not yet seen the B.C.
It sent a statement to CBC stating that the Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program operates from B.C. Hydro.
“An independent, third party evaluation and financial audit were conducted for the Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program as recently 2018-2019,” stated the statement.
“Funding decisions at the local level are made in an open and transparent manner: each region has its own independent board and local action plans that include priorities for the area. Each board is composed of representatives from local agencies and First Nations as well as public stakeholders.
Zeman said B.C. Zeman said that B.C. is failing miserably to fulfill its duty to restore habitat and degradation in Columbia River basin. It spends less than $6 million annually.
“[The United States]He said that the government is spending $240million directly on the ground and close enough to $500 million on other functions associated with fish and wildlife compensation.
“The United States has provided a financial perspective that has greatly benefited the Province. The Columbia River treaty has brought us $100 million to $120 millions in financial benefits. We believe that the money should be used to compensate wildlife and fish for their sufferings.
B.C. Hydro indicated that it would welcome the chance to provide more information to the auditor-general.
