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THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2011
EMACIATED ANIMALS SEIZED BY SPCA A female and her pups were found in Lake Errock
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Ruskin dam area residents brace for disruption Project to take six years, cost $850 million BY ADRIAN MACNAIR Mission Record
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Long overdue BC Hydro infrastructure upgrades to the 81-year-old Ruskin Dam are scheduled to begin in mid-2012, but local residents have warned district council it will be “unendurable.” The six-year project is expected to cost $850 million and will entail crews working 20 hours a day, which resident Stewart Swingle says will have a severe impact on his quality of life. “There’s no way you can do this quietly,” he said Monday during a presentation by the Ruskin Townsite Residents Association. Most residents live directly downstream from the dam on the west bank of the Stave River extending to Thompson Creek Farm. They expect drastic noise and light pollution from construction vehicles, delivery trucks, and crews working six days a week. Noise is especially an issue because the valley provides acoustic amplification. Swingle acknowledged BC Hydro has been working with the association since Dec. 1, 2010 but said though they appreciate the consultation, it doesn’t change much. “At the end of the day, no matter how hard you try this is going to be difficult on the residents,” he said. BC Hydro has offered mitigation
Z The Ruskin Dam upgrade is going to have a long-term impact on local residents. PAGE 3 plans for concerned residents, including having contractors and deliveries stationed off-site, and an onsite liaison available at all times during project construction. As well, there will be noise monitoring, use of electric generators (instead of diesel) when possible, and a light pollution plan included in the contract. “They are trying and they do seem to have our best interests, we’ll see if it will work or not,” Swingle said. He has reason to be concerned. The residents endured a previous BC Hydro project on the right abutment of the dam on Wilson Street — this abutment is scheduled for more construction in the project — where the roadway is built on a rock ridge consisting mainly of glacial silt and erodible sands. That project caused a major disturbance to residents, including noise until 2 a.m., light, dust and traffic.
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Patriotic pride Eight-year-old Kara shows off her appropriately painted face at the July 1 Canada Day celebration held at Fraser River Heritage Park. The highly popular, free family event saw thousands of people come to the park to enjoy the annual festivities, which concluded with a fireworks show. Visit The Record’s Canada Day photo gallery for more pictures. ADRIAN MACNAIR PHOTO
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