BC Hydro-Double Overhead Circuit: Upgrading of Electrical Service Infrastructure to Tofino, British Columbia – Public comments invited from February 28 to March 30, 2022

February 28, 2022 – Parks Canada must decide whether the proposed project BC Hydro-Double Overhead Circuit: Upgrading of Electrical Service Infrastructure to Tofino, British Columbia, located in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. Parks Canada will be assessing this project using a Detailed Impact Assessment.

To help inform this decision, Parks Canada is issuing this notice of intent to make a determination and inviting comments from the public on the project's potential effects on the environment as the public consultation for this proposal. All comments received will be considered public. For more information on the public nature of your comments, individuals should consult the Privacy Notice on the Registry website.

In order to submit comments or request a copy of the draft Detailed Impact Assessment report, contact:

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
PO Box 280
2040 Pacific Rim Highway
Ucluelet, British Columbia V0R 3A0
Telephone: 250-726-3500
Fax: 250-726-3520
Email: Jackie.Arsenault@pc.gc.ca

Comments must be submitted by March 30, 2022.

Project Summary: BC Hydro wishes to upgrade the existing electrical service infrastructure through Pacific Rim National Park Reserve to address increasing demand in the region (Tofino and other remote communities).  To complete this work BC Hydro will: 1) Remove the vegetation in the National Park Reserve impeding the construction of the new overhead pole line in the section from the Pacific Rim Highway junction with Ucluelet to approximately the midsection of the circuit to Tofino, 2) Replace ~10 km the current overhead pole line in the same corridor. Construction work includes, removing old poles, installing taller poles at closer spacing, (200+ new poles),  tree trimming, and hazard tree removal and upgrading automatic splice connectors and insulators as required.  Environmental mitigations will be required to protect aquatic and riparian areas, salmonid habitat, species at risk critical habitat (Hemphillia dromedarius), songbird nesting, old growth forests, cultural resources (culturally modified trees, and traditional use sites), visitor experience and visitor safety.  These (and additional consultations) will be addressed as part of the Detailed Impact Assessment process.

Document Reference Number: 1

Date modified: