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Delta farmers furious at Fortis

Power lines to service expanded LNG plant in Tilbury are proposed to cut through farmland
farmers
Delta farmers are concerned over the possibility of losing more farmland to an infrastructure project.

Delta farmers are furious at FortisBC after being informed of a plan to route new power lines through their properties to service a major expansion now underway at its Tilbury LNG plant.

FortisBC and B.C. Hydro recently notified property owners by letter of a plan to install power lines and towers along 68th Street. According to FortisBC, a new overhead electric transmission line connecting Tilbury Island to B.C. Hydro's Arnott substation in Ladner is required to meet the increased power requirements of the expanded FortisBC LNG facility.

Delta's agricultural advisory committee was recently informed that two different routes could impact approximately 25 properties. The committee wanted to know why the new infrastructure couldn't be built on an existing right-of-way along 72nd Street, which was created when the South Fraser Perimeter Road was constructed.

Concern was also expressed that farmland is being chosen because it's less costly than residential land and because there is a perception there would be less opposition.

In a letter to federal Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaq, Delta Farmers' Institute president David Ryall stated the potential benefits of LNG to B.C.'s economy should not be at the expense of Delta's farmland and businesses.

"Over 10 or more agricultural businesses will lose farmland and be negatively affected by the ForitsBC proposal that includes construction of a 230kV overhead electric transmission line from the Tilbury

LNG plant to B.C. Hydro's substation," Ryall wrote. "A few of these farmers are now facing a third and fourth expropriation from federal and municipal infrastructure development." The DFI is requesting a federal environmental assessment by a review panel that includes impacts to farmland.

Coun. Ian Paton noted farmers have already had to deal with losing land for power lines, roads and railways, saying "enough is enough." Coun. Bruce McDonald agreed, saying FortisBC's claim that the ground is too soft on the existing corridor isn't a convincing argument since power lines already cut through areas of Burns Bog.

McDonald said "it's absolutely appalling" how farmers are being treated.

CAO George Harvie told civic politicians that representatives with FortisBC have assured they'll look at the 72nd Street option.

Meantime, Delta will also obtain a legal opinion on the authority of FortisBC and B.C. Hydro to expropriate farmland.

A FortisBC spokesperson told the Optimist it's still in the early stages of looking at potential routes from the Arnott substation. Landowners are still being consulted and "no stone will be left unturned" to figure out the best route, according to the utility, which recognizes it is a sensitive subject.