Editor:

A public watchdog charged with protecting our environment has flipped sides. It is now actively promoting private interests.

The B.C. Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) hosted open houses Oct. 12 and 13 in Egmont and Sechelt “to receive comments from the public.” Not so. The EAO told those who attended it was strictly for the benefit of NI Hydro, which plans to build five private power plants in Narrows Inlet, north of Sechelt – the only opportunity for public comment was by letter or e-mail.

Whose side are they on?

According to the company’s own reports, these industrial-scale hydro plants will draw down alpine lakes by 48 metres. High quality habitat for Roosevelt elk, grizzly bears, mountain goats, wolverines, mule deer, western screech owls, rare plant species, Pacific salmon, herring, sea-run cutthroat, seals, sea lions and many species of marine birds will be harmed.

The company says this damage is “not significant” because it can be reversed if the power plants are decommissioned. In other words, our great grandchildren can fix it.

Narrows Inlet is a magnet for recreational users and home to a vast variety of fish and wildlife. It should not be sacrificed to private profit.

Soren Bech, Roberts Creek