COOL WATERS: Regional District of Kootenay Boundary Director Grace MacGregor believes the natural beauty of Cascade Falls is more valuable than a hydroelectric dam in the long run. —photo by Bob Dupee

Though the proposed power project on the Kettle River near Christina lake has received the green light from the Environmental Assessment Office (EAO), it certainly hasn't received the blessings of the Boundary Area residents and businesses.

After thirteen years of negotiations, Christina lake residents were deeply dissatisfied with the outcome of the assessment and the way the decision was handled by our Provincial Government. There was no chance of a hearing with government Ministers to express local concerns about the loss of tourism values the dam would create, and little compensation to locals who depend on the beauty of Cascade Falls to attract visitors to the area.

One company who runs kayaking tours on the Kettle River, WildWays Adventure Sports, is concerned that this dam will destroy the best white-water rapids on the Kettle—which are essential to its business. Another outfitter, Owl Mt. Ranch, will have to move and reschedule trail rides which have traditionally used the area around the Falls as the highlight of their rides. All of the Boundary region depends on tourism, and this is one natural feature that is unique to the region.

"We're not against hydroelectric dams here, we just believe that the natural beauty of Cascade Falls is more valuable to all of us in the long run," wrote Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB)Director Grace MacGregor.

The proponent, Powerhouse Developments Inc., has offered to build a museum near the power plant, but only one or two permanent jobs will be created from the entire project, with little income coming back into the area. The diminished Falls will be a true loss to the area, both in tourism dollars and natural beauty that locals and visitors can appreciate.