Reaction has been mixed following a decision by B.C.'s environment minister to block a proposed project that would have put transmission lines in a provincial park beside the Upper Pitt River, east of Vancouver.

Opponents object to the proposed Run of River project carving a swath through a pristine provincial park, possibly damaging wild salmon runs and area wildlife in the Upper Pitt River.
(CBC)

Barry Penner's announcement Wednesday comes after the proposed power project drew vociferous opposition during a meeting Tuesday night in nearby Pitt Meadows.

More than 1,000 people packed the public hearing in a high school gymnasium. Most were opposed to Run of River Power Inc.'s privately-funded plan to divert eight tributaries and construct seven powerhouses just off the river's main stem.

"It sends a message to other proponents that you better think twice about whether you're going to build your business case on getting a power line through a provincial park," Penner said Wednesday, commenting on his announcement.

"That's a high standard to meet and on this one I'm not prepared
to recommend it."

B.C. Environment Minister Barry Penner says he's going to ask the legislature to formally oppose the proposed project.
(CBC)

Jako Krushnisky, CEO of Run of River Power, said he was shocked by Penner's decision and accused the minister of cutting short the review process.

"Certainty is what all investors look for when investing in a province or an industry, and that process is key to certainty," Krushnisky told CBC News Wednesday evening.

"When it appears a process has been short-circuited that's of concern," he said. 

Gwen Barlee, a spokeswoman for the Western Canada Wilderness Committee, said the government made the right decision.

Gwen Barlee, a spokeswoman for the Western Canada Wilderness Committee, is happy about the environment minister's decision.
(CBC)

"Having a power line bisecting a provincial park, Pinecone Burke Park, and putting seven power projects in a really important wild salmon area was crazy," Barlee said.

"We'd like to congratulate [Mr. Penner] on that decision and we're thrilled for the Upper Pitt River," she said. 

Province needs power, company says

Krushnisky said the project would deliver much-needed clean energy to a growing population in B.C., generating enough electricity to power 50,000 homes.

"The province's population has grown from 1.6 million to four million people, and at the same time, no major generation has been built in this province,'' Krushnisky said.

'If this comes in there, the tourism in that valley is over.'— Danny Gerak, lodge owner

Danny Gerak, who owns a fishing lodge on the Upper Pitt River, said the Run of River project would damage wild salmon runs and area wildlife and drive tourists away.

"[Tourists] don't want to see power lines,'' he said.

"They see that every day. They want to see trees and they want to see wilderness. And if this comes in there, the tourism in that valley is over."

Penner said it is pretty clear what the public thinks about the proposal and he's not going to go against the opinion of the majority.

Aside from the reaction in Pitt Meadows, Penner said he was influenced by the cool response to the plan from local governments and opposition from the Squamish First Nation.

As a net importer of electricity, B.C. needs to produce more power within the province, Penner said. However, each new power project has to be judged on its own merits, he said.