Spotted owl recovery is getting some wind beneath its wings following an initial contribution of $287,790 from Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. in support of spotted owl recovery.

The funding is part of commitments made for Innergex’s Tretheway Creek and Big Silver Creek hydroelectric projects, north of Harrison Hot Springs, and will go toward operational support for the Spotted Owl Recovery Program. The funds represent one-half of the estimated total contribution, and will be used for activities including inventory and monitoring work, supporting the captive breeding program, and other activities to recover spotted owls.

The final contribution will be calculated upon completion of the project on a $10,600/hectare basis. The affected habitat is estimated to be 54.3 hectares.

When planning for the Tretheway Creek and Big Silver Creek hydroelectric facilities, Innergex learned that the proposed Tretheway Creek project and the transmission line shared with the Big Silver Creek project would pass through a wildlife habitat area protected for the recovery of the spotted owl. The area where the transmission line will go currently is not occupied by spotted owls. However, the area is managed by the Province as future habitat for the species should the population increase.

Innergex agreed to work with the Province to create a set of conditions that would minimize any potential impact from the transmission line. In addition to the contribution agreement, other mitigation measures include planning the transmission line in a way that avoids prime spotted owl habitat, using pre-existing forest service roads, and right-of-ways, and working with wildlife experts to ensure the project has the least amount of impact on all wildlife in the area.

The spotted owl is one of B.C.’s most endangered species and the Province remains committed to recovery actions that will help protect it. The spotted owl recovery plan consists of preserving suitable habitat sufficient to provide for 125 pairs of spotted owls, a captive-breeding program to create a population that can be released back into the wild and controlling barred owls, which compete with spotted owls for habitat.

The 23.3-megawatt Tretheway Creek run-of-river hydro project began construction in late 2013. This facility is approximately 50 kilometres northwest of Harrison Hot Springs near the north end of Harrison Lake. Construction of Tretheway Creek is expected to finish in late 2015 and will provide enough clean and renewable energy for more than 10,000 homes.

Innergex also is constructing the Big Silver Creek Hydro Project, 46 kilometres north of Harrison Hot Springs. This 40.6-megawatt facility is expected to generate enough clean and renewable energy to power approximately 20,000 homes.

Quotes:

Steve Thomson, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations -

“This funding agreement with Innergex is a big boost to the Province’s spotted owl recovery efforts. This is an example of our government working collaboratively with industry to promote sustainable resource development, while also providing critical support to endangered species.”

Richard Blanchet, senior vice president, Western Region, Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. -

“As a developer of clean and renewable energy, we take our responsibility to the environment seriously. Being able to partner with the Province in support of spotted owl recovery gives Innergex the opportunity to help protect one of B.C.’s most endangered species and put some of our key environmental values into practice.” 

Quick Facts about spotted owl recovery efforts in B.C.:

• In Canada, the spotted owl is at the northern most end of its range and occurs only in the southwest mainland of British Columbia, accounting for about eight per cent of its global range.
• There are currently 17 owls in the captive breeding program at Mountain View Conservation and Breeding Centre in Langley.
• Over the last five years, 16 separate adult spotted owls have been observed in the wild in B.C.
• Over 325,000 hectares of Crown land have been designated as spotted owl habitat.

Quick Facts about Innergex Renewable Energy Inc.:

• Innergex Renewable Energy is a leading Canadian independent renewable power producer that develops, owns and operates run-of-river hydro facilities, wind farms and solar farms in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and Idaho.
• Innergex currently operates 26 run-of-river power plants, six wind farms and one solar farm, for a total net installed capacity of 687 megawatts.
• In 2013, Innergex produced 2,382 gigawatts of electricity generating virtually no CO₂ emissions.

Learn More:

For more information about spotted owl conservation in B.C. visit:
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wld/speciesconservation/so/

For more information about Innergex Renewable Energy Inc., visit:
http://www.innergex.com/en

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 356-5261

Amrit Dhatt
Public Affairs Advisor
Innergex Renewable Energy Inc.
604 633-9990