An opportunity to collect free millions is not something local governments usually take a pass on, but when it comes to the Sunshine Coast regional water system, normal rules do not apply. Confusion is not only excusable, but perhaps mandatory.
Last week SCRD directors wrestled over the pros and cons of applying for a federal infrastructure grant that could cover up to 73 per cent of the $5-million Chapman Lake drawdown project. That would be good news for regional water users who will be stuck paying off a 30-year loan if the project wins provincial approval and actually goes forward, neither of which is guaranteed.
When the matter came to a board vote, three directors who oppose the Chapman project – chair Bruce Milne and Doug Wright from Sechelt and Lorne Lewis from Elphinstone – voted against applying for the grant and the other four rural area directors voted in favour. Milne initially declared the motion carried, but it turned out the vote was “weighted” in Sechelt’s favour, so it was defeated on a tie.
It seemed like a reckless decision to kill the grant application, given that the SCRD is officially committed to the project – and sure enough, Milne, presiding Wednesday night as Sechelt mayor, said he would bring the motion back for reconsideration at the next SCRD board meeting, “so that all individuals are clear about how they’re voting and what the impacts are.”
For attempted clarity’s sake, opposition to the Chapman project falls into two sometimes overlapping camps – those who are against it because of its ecological impact on Chapman Lake and those who believe the SCRD’s focus and finances should be devoted strictly to increasing the water supply, whether by adding new sources or constructing a reservoir. A key goal is to ensure that Stage 4 restrictions, banning all outdoor water use, are never imposed again.
Adding to the confusion is that the Chapman drawdown is called the “Chapman Lake Supply Expansion Project,” strongly suggesting it would increase the water supply. In a recent Q&A, however, the SCRD had this to say about the Chapman project:
“Once drawdown begins, do we then go back to Stage 1 or 2 or stay at Stage 4? Current direction from the SCRD Board is that the proposed additional lake drawdown can only be used when Stage 4 is in effect. Stage 4 will continue to stay in place until sufficient rain has fallen to refill Chapman Lake significantly.”
This policy mirrors the shíshálh Nation position reported in April 2017 – that the Nation “requires written assurance by the SCRD that the additional drawdown will only be deployed once the SCRD declares Stage 4 restrictions, not to prevent Stage 4 restrictions.”
So if the Chapman drawdown will only be deployed at Stage 4, critics have argued, why not use the existing syphon system at Stage 4 and spend the $5 million on increasing the regular water supply?
The SCRD has its reasons for wanting readier access to the lake during dry spells – the siphon is considered less reliable, it needs to be staffed continuously, land acquisition for a reservoir is expected to take several years – but having a board chair who is staunchly opposed to the project makes the whole thing rather awkward, and yes, just a tad confusing.
Some vocal supporters of the Chapman expansion, meanwhile, insist it’s the only way to avoid repeated Stage 4 events in the future, without explaining how it would prevent Stage 4 when it can’t be used until Stage 4, at least under current policies.
Confused? It must be something in the water.
