Corner Brook -
According to Nalcor Energy's recent environmental assessment registration document, Labrador-Island Transmission Link, "the transmission line is in keeping with, and represents a key aspect of, the province's energy plan (Focusing Our Energy), which was released by the government of Newfoundland and Labrador in September 2007."
"Two objectives define this plan: protecting the environment and developing our resources in the best long-term interests of the people of the province. … These objectives are not mutually-exclusive; we believe our actions can and must achieve both of these objectives."
"The new Sustainable Development Act will ensure renewable and non-renewable resources are developed to maximize benefits for the province, while protecting the natural environment so that future generations have the ability to meet their own needs."
Nalcor's environmental assessment document states "the consideration of environmental issues from the earliest stages of project planning and design is an integral part of Nalcor Energy's approach. … The project will be planned and implemented so as to avoid or reduce potential adverse environmental effects and to optimize benefits."
Both the province's energy plan and Nalcor Energy's environmental assessment document commit to maximize the benefit of the province's natural resources while minimizing environmental impact. However, this should be the case whether the natural resources are energy, forest, mineral, or any number of other, including tourism.
Which brings us to the proposed Lower Churchill transmission line that would enter Gros Morne National Park at its north boundary and follow the current transmission corridor south to Rocky Harbour, then east to Wiltondale.
The IATNL supports the park's position that the outstanding natural and tourism value of this resource should not be depreciated by this development. When all things are considered, it will be clear that promoting the natural resource of Lower Churchill power at the expense of one of the few important natural resources of the Northern Peninsula, makes little short- or long-term economic sense, not to mention spiritual or aesthetic sense. Furthermore, any significant negative impact on one of the west coast's most valuable and pristine environmental assets is inconsistent with the overall values and goals of promoting Corner Brook and the west coast as a Center of Environmental Excellence.
What is not so clear are the values of the natural tourism resources along the alternate transmission routes.
In the event the power corridor has to be routed around the park, the alternate routes as outlined in Nalcor's document would cross the Long Range Mountains at the Portland Creek watershed and cross the Main River National Heritage River at Four Ponds.
Together with the Parsons Pond watershed, this area forms a marquee trail section unsurpassed anywhere in eastern North America.
When complete with a full network of trails and backcountry "huts" (i.e., lodges and cabins), this remote, scenic and pristine region will rank as one of the premiere backcountry "hut to huts" on the planet - rivaling those in Norway, New Zealand and the Rocky Mountains - and expand the local outfitting industry from six to 20 weeks.
Blessed by eight glacier-carved fiords, more than 100 waterfalls (a number over 1,000 feet) and abundant moose, caribou and black bear, the area is a valuable natural tourism resource that is destined to increase in value.
Unlike the long-term value of hydro power that may some day be eclipsed by a much cheaper and more portable energy source, by the fundamental law of supply and demand - and barring some devastating natural catastrophe -as the world's population continues to expand (from two billion to six billion in the last century alone) and its wild places continue to shrink (the new power corridor being an example why), the value of the remaining wild and scenic places will undoubtedly rise.
As the saying goes, God isn't making any more land, let alone pristine natural scenic resources.
However, contrary to another saying, in this case we can have our cake and eat it too.
As stated in the province's energy plan, the objectives of "protecting our environment and developing our resources in the best long-term interests of the people of the province … are not mutually-exclusive; we believe our actions can and must achieve both of these objectives."
And according to Nalcor's document, "as a linear development, there are typically a range of options and alternative routings that can be considered to meet project objectives."
Unlike the pinpoint geographic location of a valuable mine or oil field, locating a two-kilometre wide transmission corridor on a 65-kilometre wide peninsula is not an either/or proposition, and should leave ample room for compromise.
A two steps forward, one step back solution to resource development is no match for a confident three strides forward approach, replacing bitter faction with common purpose and harmony.
If adding another five or 10 backcountry kilometers to a 1,200 kilometre transmission line renders the project uneconomical, reason indicates the project wasn't viable from the start.
Moreover, refusal to incur the additional cost begs the question that the values of the natural tourism resource aren't worth the small difference.
As for an alternative transmission route across the Long Range Mountains and Main River National Heritage River, the IATNL will be recommending routes that avoid the scenic fiords and cross the Main River at the Cat Arm transmission corridor.
One power corridor across the National Heritage River should be adequate and reduce that area's environmental impact by about half.
Given the hard work and dedication by the individuals and groups - as well as the sacrifice of Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Ltd. - that went into the designation of this river as a National Heritage River, Nalcor Energy, a Crown corporation, should lead by example, and not take cover under the pretext of financial viability.
In closing, Newfoundland and Labrador, as elsewhere, needs to make the most of all of its natural resources. What we don't need is another poorly planned Churchill Falls project with a long-term legacy of unfulfilled potential and diminished pride.
Paul Wylezol is chairperson of the International Appalachian Trail Newfoundland and Labrador and vice-president of the International Appalachian Trail Council.
