Re: “Reports of lost Site C farmland simply not true,” comment, Oct. 3.
Quoting from B.C. Hydro reports on agriculture in the Peace River Valley upstream of the Site C dam, we would like to make sure your readers have the facts.
The land to be inundated includes: 6,419 hectares of Class 2; 3,765 ha of Class 3; 1,019 ha of Class 4; and 401 ha of Class 5 — all of which can grow crops, for a total of 11,604 ha or 28,673 acres.
James D. Anderson calling a 190-foot-high dam a “run of the river project” is incorrect.
Anderson reported that only 1,600 ha (3,953 acres) has potential.
The 6,419 (15,860 acres) of CLI2 has the potential to grow most crops, including most horticulture crops, berries and fruit. CLI3 land, comprising 3,765 ha (9,303 acres) can also grow most crops if the soil is an alluvial deposit, which most is. (The abbreviation CLI represents Canada Land Inventory, which is recognized across Canada.)
Unfortunately, Anderson has forgotten that there is a culture in agriculture. Each food-producing acre in B.C. is more precious than a diamond. To lose an acre today is to forgo substantial food production in the centuries ahead. Site C has only a potential productive life span of at most 50 years, which is the remaining productive term of the W.A.C. Bennett Dam.
Stewardship of our agricultural land in B.C. for future generations is everyone’s responsibility.
Arthur Hadland. P. Ag.
Jim Collins, P. Ag.
Fort St. John
