Editor:
Linda Williams’ letter to the Nov. 5 Coast Reporter opposes a reconsideration of the Chapman Lake status within the “Tet” due to potential environmental impacts.
She references Dayton and Knight’s Technical Memorandum No. 3 (2007). This included an overview of potential options to access additional water storage on Chapman Lake. They were an increase in the Chapman Lake dam height by four metres and a drawdown involving a permanent floating pump station with the use of on-site fuel.
The SCRD subsequently proposed an alternative, which was a permanent pipe drawdown to meet water demand under drought conditions. The “Chapman Lake Water Supply Expansion Project Environmental Assessment” prepared by AECOM in 2016 addresses this project.
Its overall conclusion was that the potential for residual impacts to the lake environment from a drawdown was rated as “negligible or low.” On-site construction would be in an area disturbed in 1978 when the existing dam was constructed and the impacts could be mitigated. The amount of drawdown can be managed via water licence and impacts monitored.
Also referenced is Memorandum No. 4 (2007) in which it is concluded that the Chapman source would remain “a primary water source at its present capacity.” This is true if the existing Class A provincial park status remains.
Between 2004 and 2018, the province made 75 boundary modifications to provincially protected areas and parks. Of these, 22 were to deal with human health and safety issues such as highway realignments and community infrastructure such as water supplies.
Tetrahedron Park, established in 1995, encompasses several lakes. Mount Richardson and Spipiyus Provincial Parks subsequently established in 1999, also include mountainous lakes. The only significant lake not included in these parks is Rainy Lake which serves the mill. Chapman Lake is an essential historic regional water source and has watershed capacity to be recharged upon return of winter rains. Its status within the “Tet” should be revisited.
Judy Skogstad, West Sechelt
