Proposed Bc Hydro line pathway through the Nehalliston Plateau

Hello, my name is James Seeley, owner and operator of Rock Island Fishing Camp, located approximately 12 km north of Hwy 24 on Taweel FSR. 

Our camp has operated as an international tourist destination for 70 years and currently operates from the beginning of June to the end of September. attracting clients from England , Germany, across the continental United states and Canada.

We have some concerns about the proposed BC Hydro power line route from 100 Mile House to Taseko's proposed new copper mine.

-From what I have read there has been no consultation with any of the Fishing camps in the Nehalliston area as to the potential impact on tourism during the construction phase of the power line

-What time of year and how long will the construction take? How many months/years?

-will this impact tourist travel on Taweel FSR? Our only route in and out to Hwy 24? Will it be blocked by heavy equipment usage ? Will it affect client travel on the spur roads, Blowdown road, Crossover road, Deer lake FSR. These are main access routes for our clients to travel to access remote lakes that we keep boats on for their usage.

-the map provided for reference of the proposed route is to vague to see the actual power line route as it crosses by many of the lakes that our clients fish. How close does the power line come to Beattie lake, Gammarus lake, Thumb lake, Deer lake, Rock island lake, Heidi lake, Heather lake, Boot lake. Will the power line be visible from any of the site lines on these lakes. Our clients travel here for the serenity and remote beauty of this prisitne wilderness, not to see a power transmission line. 

Will there be an impact on the trails we use to acess these lakes? will our clients be able to access these lakes during construction phase of the power lines? Will our clients be able to access these lakes after the power line construction?

How will the usage of heavy equipment used to build the power line across the Nehalliston plateau affect our clients recreational enjoyment, noise from machines, chainsaws etc?

Will the access to building the power line be along Crossover road, Blowdown road, Deer lake FSR or Taweel FSR degrade the road conditions so that future travel is uncertain or not acheivable by the vehicles our clients use. Many of them use rental vehicles from the airports they fly into and then travel here. Not all of them will have 4x4 vehicles.

Will the construction have a negative impact on our clients travel to our camp? Will there be restricted road travel during the time heavy machinery is brought in and out of the main acces troads? We need to know the time frame for construction so we can advise international clients about their travel plans.

We have a favourable attitude towards Taseko developing the new mine and the economic benefits. We are only concerned about the impact of the power line route upon our historical fishing tourism recreational use.

Thank you for taking the time to consider our concerns,

respectfully, James Seeley, Rock Island Lake Fish Camp

rockislandfishingcamp.com

rockislandfishcamp@gmail.com

1 778 767 5781