ACFN, MCN receive commitment from BC Hydro

The Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation and Mikisew Cree First Nation dropped their legal challenge on July 16 against the Site C dam after receiving a commitment from BC Hydro to monitor the dam’s downstream impacts. The case was to begin in federal court July 20. The two First Nations had filed suit against BC Hydro and the federal government over approval of the $8.8-billion dam on the Peace River. The bands argued an environmental review of the project did not consider downstream impacts on the Peace Athabasca delta, part of their traditional land. They held that the delta had been devastated by drastically lowered water levels since the construction of the WAC Bennett dam in the 1960s. The two nations filed suit in November 2014. Jeff Langlois, of JFK Law Corporation, which represents the two First Nations, said Hydro has agreed to partner with ACFN and MCN to monitor the dam’s impact on the delta, and adjust its operations and water flows if adverse effects are found.