March 4/08: Over 300 concerned citizens packed the public information meeting in Mission to speak out against the proposed Run of River private power project in the upper Pitt River. The project will divert all 8 tributaries of the Pitt River, devastating the largest remaining wild coho and sockeye salmon runs in the Fraser Valley. The project will build a transmission line through Pinecone Burke Provincial Park, threatening critical grizzly bear and elk habitat, and setting an appalling precedent for industrial intrusions in other provincial parks. “BC Parks has a commitment to protect and manage for all time the natural heritage conserved in the provincial protected area systems” said CAUSS chair, Dr. Tracy Lyster. “This project enables and perpetuates sprawl. By the time the project is complete, the demands for power arising from urban sprawl will exceed what the project contributes. Is the plan to sacrifice every river and stream in BC to feed urban sprawl? What is really needed is better conservation, efficiency and growth containment”. Citizens can voice their concerns at an upcoming public meeting, 6:30 pm, March 25 at the Pitt Meadows Secondary School, 19438- 116B Avenue, Pitt Meadows. If you cannot make the meeting, you have until April 2 to oppose the deletion of land from Pinecone Burke park by emailing: PineconeBurke AT gov.bc.ca. For more information, see www.ourrivers.ca.