District of Mackenzie mayor Pat Crook is raising the alarm over a BC BC Hydro proposal to increase the amount of water it can draw out of the Williston Reservoir.
The utility wants to reduce the minimum operating level for the reservoir to 2,140 feet above sea level from the current 2,147, saying it will only draw down the reservoir to that level in the event of a drought or other "system events."
But Crook worries the impact on the community of 3,500 people north of Prince George will be too much.
"It's pretty scary for us because it virtually shuts down the town," Crook said.
According to a briefing note, industry in the town have "expressed great concern" about the proposal.
If the level drops below 2,147, there would not be enough water to adequately supply the community's pulp mill, two sawmills and bio-energy plant.
As well, water-based log delivery systems would become landlocked and the pulp mill's effluent discharge would breach provincial regulations.
Likewise, the town's effluent discharge system would also run into problems.
If the level is "consistently maintained" at a lower level, the district could be forced to build a new outfall to Parsnip Reach, at a cost of $2.7 million and likely have to upgrade its wastewater treatment system for another
$5 million.
If recommended by the comptroller of water rights, the province could compensate the district and industry.
"However, compensation could be limited to a decision that industry is no longer profitable and offering a buy-out," the district says in a letter to BC Hydro.
The drawdown would also create problems for two First Nations - the Tsay Keh Dene and Kwadacha - who have reserves at the north end of the reservoir, according to the briefing note.
As it stands, the current drawdown "exposes several thousands of acres of beaches that are constantly changing due to wind erosion."
"They have huge sand storms when the reservoir is down and the wind is blowing," Crook said.
"It's actually very unhealthy for them."
The Williston reservoir supplies water for the WAC Bennett dam.
The Peace Canyon Dam and Site C dam, currently under construction, also benefit from the reservoir.
Crook said the 2,147 mark is a compromise between the level of 2,150 the town was seeking and the 2,140 BC Hydro had wanted when the issue was first raised.
In an email response, BC Hydro spokesman Bob Gammer said BC Hydro is working with the district and industry on ways to mitigate impacts.
"We understand the sensitivity of this study and the complex nature of the challenges facing the mills in Mackenzie and the operation of the reservoir," Gammer said.
Gammer said two phases of the study into the proposal have been completed and input from the district and industry will be included along with the study findings will be forwards near the end of this year to the comptroller who will then determine next steps. Site C would not increase the risk of so-called "system events" occurring, Gammer said.
He said such events could "include emergencies such as an ice storm affecting the transmission lines from our Columbia region generating stations, major earthquake, or security-related issues affecting BC Hydro infrastructure."
