Climate change is creating significant human-existence challenges worldwide.
In Hartley Bay, community members have noticed and reported on local changes such as low creek levels in hotter, dryer summers, seaweed taking longer to dry than in previous years, increased rain and water flow in winter, and increased drought and fire danger in summer.
As far back as the 1970s, Gitga’ata advocates fought to avoid burning diesel to create electricity in Hartley Bay. Cleaning the air by eliminating greenhouse gases (GHGs) was a driving force. The advocates were in favour of building a local clean energy hydroelectric project, using the five metres of annual rainfall in the Great Bear Rainforest to generate electricity. In 1978, the Federal Government deemed a $1 million project estimate too much.
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In 2003, based on two years of prior meetings, Gitga’at First Nation members wrote their direction in a Community Energy Plan. Feedback from members indicated that they wanted a hydroelectric project. The initiative would bring economic spinoffs, energy security, reduced power costs, and many other local benefits—protecting fish, reducing GHGs, and improving community health.
Studies of all the potential nearby water resources determined that the Hydroelectric Project would utilize Hartley Bay’s watershed, also known as the Gabion Watershed or Watershed #7288, as the best hydroelectric resource to pursue. This Water Security Project is vital to climate resilience while obtaining water and power assurance.
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A reliable, independent power source also means food security in Hartley Bay. Projects of this nature provide employment and training opportunities and catalyze sustainable economic development efforts in the community and the Nation’s territory.
SECURING CLEAN ENERGY AND WATER FOR GENERATIONS
Addressing Climate Risk with New Infrastructure
Water security, or watershed security, implies sufficient high-quality water for healthy ecosystems and communities.
Watershed security can be different in every area and is best defined locally. In 2019, a provincial Climate Risk Assessment concluded that seasonal and long-term water shortages are among the greatest risks to residents of BC. Research demonstrates that climate change can amplify weather patterns, potentially resulting in heat waves, wildfires, and floods, as we have seen throughout the province.
Phase one of the Water and Energy Security Projects involves building a weir/dam structure at the mouth of the Upper Gabion Lake. The asset will be approximately 5.5-metre high, 100–110-metre long concrete and steel structure. It is one asset with three functions
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Excess water overflow and release
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Controlled release of impounded water during drought conditions and for energy creation the rest of the year
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Protecting fish and their habitats through a continuous in-stream flow release
Once built, the weir structure will enable Hartley Bay to control flows from the Upper Lake —conserving water to discharge it to offset drought when required and releasing excess volumes over the spillway. This infrastructure will put the Nation in a strong position to withstand and adapt to climate change.
SECURING THE FUTURE BY MANAGING OUR WATERSHED
Preserving Water Resources in our Territory
Safe Drinking
Water for All
Whether freshwater or saltwater, the lives, culture, and traditions of Gitga’at members rely heavily on waters within the Nation’s territory. All beings require high-quality water that is safe to consume—a dam will give the Nation additional water reserves should climate change dry up the creeks and rivers that feed Hartley Bay.
Healthy Watershed Ecosystems
​As part of water security, the Water Sustainability Act is the primary law governing freshwater in BC. Gitga’at First Nation will complete all provincially required scientific and cultural studies to build the Water Security project and achieve legal and regulatory approvals. We will follow all other provincial and federal laws about water management.
Reduced Risk from Drought
GFN will apply for a Water Licence to build the weir and dam for their water security and energy projects. After the dam construction, Upper Lake water levels will rise by 3 metres. Water security and electricity production will be achieved through water release management and will provide the Nation with always available water for fire control, drinking water, sewage management, and fish flows.
THE ROAD TO WATER AND ENERGY SECURITY STARTS TODAY
With Partial Funding Secured, Construction Has Begun
The Government of Canada has agreed with Gitga’at First Nation that climate change threatens Hartley Bay’s water supply in hot, dry summers. They have agreed to fund the weir construction with a dam, and controls to impound water. A road is being built to get up to the mouth of the Upper Lake and get the materials and equipment to construct the weir. As at January 2024 the road is built to get up to the mouth of the Upper Lake and get the materials and equipment there to construct the weir.
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The weir assets will be built with the Water Licence secured, and then the penstock, powerhouse, switchyard, and transmission lines can be installed.
Completed
Started
Upcoming
Ongoing
Stakeholder Engagement
Members are informed of developments through public meetings, newsletters, annual reports and this website.
Environmental and Water Quality Monitoring and Reporting
The Department of Fisheries (DFO) has our application, and a provincial review is ongoing. The Province has determined that 2010 fish studies are out-of-date, requiring more fish sampling in the spring, summer, and fall of 2025. GOLD is hiring a Registered Professional Biologist to assist with studies, reporting, and meeting permitting requirements.
The Upper Lake Road
The 5.5 km road from the village to the mouth of the Upper Lake was completed in January 2024 and funded partly by Infrastructure Canada’s Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation program. GFN acquired a Provincial Licence of Occupation to build the road. An Occupant Licence to Cut was also acquired, as required.
Investigative Plan
The Gitga’at Power Project Investigative Plan was submitted in September 2023. The Licence was issued February 2024.
Trail-Roads
The trail-road construction in the reach between the Upper and Lower Lakes is complete. Geotechnical investigations for the intake at the upper lake, penstock route, powerhouse location, and potential transmission corridors were required. The investigation allowed geotechnical test pitting, now completed. GFN acquired an Investigative Use Permit to build the trail-roads and do the geotechnical investigations. An Occupant Licence to Cut was also acquired, as required.
Pre-feasibility and Feasibility Studies
These have led to a Design Basis Report from engineers, Knight Piesold.
Funding for the Weir/Dam and Controls
Infrastructure Canada through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation program has agreed to fund in part the construction of the weir/dam and controls.
Traditional Use Studies
GOLD is currently monitoring the watershed environment and setting standards for project development. In June 2023 a Traditional Use Study was completed regarding the watershed.
Archeological
Written Archaeological Resource Chance Find Procedures and Management Guidelines for the Construction of the Gitga’at Nation’s Water Security Project on Gabion Lake near Hartley Bay, B.C.. We received a Heritage Conservation Act Permit valid to December 2025.
Documents included:
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Archaeological Impact Assessment (AIA) report for the Gitga’at Power Project.
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Archaeological Impact Assessment (AIA) report for the Gabion Lake Access Road.
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Gitga’at First Nation - Archaeological Blanket Permit
Gitga’at Power Project Development Funding
The Province has committed $4 million to assist with the development of the hydroelectric project. These funds pay for engineering, trail-road construction, investigations, environmental studies/Provincial permitting requirements, project management and other tasks.
Provincial Development Plan
Gitga'at First Nation filed the Clean Energy Project Development Plan with the Province on October 8, 2024. The Province has required us to do an aquatics impact assessment, a terrestrial impact assessment, and potential other studies to verify fish habitat and quantities. This is leading to delay. They prioritise the fish we never knew over the health and safety of the residents of Hartley Bay.
CEPA Negotiations with BC Hydro
BC Hydro is beginning to model our GPP to determine what level of energy it can produce and match it to community demand expectations. This model will facilitate the negotiation of our Community Energy Purchase Agreement – which will include our obligations and theirs, to pay for the clean energy. A team of experienced experts is being assembled to negotiate with BC Hydro and lenders.
Department of Fisheries and Oceans
DFO will review our plans and are expected to issue authorizations to construct, and compensate for fish habitat losses.
Completing the Dam Project
Provincial Development Plan approval is necessary for our Conditional Water Licence. With that in hand, and several other hoops to jump through, we will build the weir/dam/controls (completing the Water Security Project) and then the remaining Power Project assets.
