MAY BRITISH COLUMBIA. Ref: Ms. Lori Ackerman Chair Peace River Regional District Box 810 Dawson Creek, BC V1G 4H8. Dear Ms.

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1 A MAY BRITISH COLUMBIA A Ref: Ms. Lori Ackerman Chair Peace River Regional District Box 810 Dawson Creek, BC V1G 4H8 Dear Ms. Ackerman: Premier Christy Clark has asked me to respond to your April 30, 2015 letter regarding BC Hydro s Site C Clean Energy Project (Site C) and Order in Council No Under Section 7 of the Environment and Land Use Act, the Lieutenant Governor in Council has the authority to exclude lands from the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) on the recommendation of the Environment and Land Use Committee (ELUC). The ELUC approved the recommendation to remove the lands in mid-march 2015, agreeing that further review by the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) would duplicate the review on the impacts on agriculture that took place as part of the provincial environmental assessment process on Site C, which included a public hearing process by the independent Joint Review Panel (JRP). The impacts of Site C on agricultural lands were thoroughly and publicly reviewed as part of the JRP process that informed the subsequent environmental approval of Site C. In December 2013 during the JRP process, the Government made public a letter to the Chair of BC Hydro and the Chair of the JRP of its intention to take appropriate action to ensure the requirements related to ALR lands would not apply to lands potentially affected by Site C should the project receive environmental approval. Further review by the ALC would be a duplication of that process, resulting in increased costs to taxpayers and possible delays to the project. The JRP had a very comprehensive process in place and was free to seek out information from whomever it thought could offer input. In fact, the JRP asked the ALC for input on the project. The review of Site C impacts on agriculture included a review of loss of agricultural land, effects on individual farm operations, changes to agricultural economies, changes to local food production and consumption, the agricultural mitigation measures proposed by BC Hydro, the views of the participants, and the ALR considerations..12 Ministry of Office of the Minister Mailing Address: Energy and Mines and P0 Box 9060, Stn Prov Govt Minister Responsible Victoria, BC V8W 9E2 for Core Review Telephone: Facsimile:

2 -2- The JRP concluded that permanent loss of the agricultural production in the Peace River Valley bottomlands impacted by Site C is not significant in the context of British Columbia or western Canadian agricultural production. More than 99 percent of Class 1 to 5 agricultural lands (land capable of crop production) in the Peace Agricultural Region will not be affected by Site C. The BC Environmental Assessment Certificate issued for Site C in October 2014 contained as conditions BC Hydro s proposed mitigation measures for agriculture, including the implementation of a $20 million agricultural compensation fund. The conditions outline a consultation process to be followed regarding the fund, and BC Hydro will work with the Ministry of Agriculture to undertake the consultation. Individual farm mitigation plans will be implemented to manage for project effects and support the continued operations of the majority of farms near Site C. Thank you for writing. Sincerely, * Bill Bennett Minister pc: Honourable Christy Clark Premier Honourable Norm Letnick Minister of Agriculture Honourable Steve Thomson Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Mr. Pat Pimm, MLA Peace River North Mr. Mike Bernier, MLA Peace River South

3 PEACE RIVER REGIONAL DISTRICT Office of the Chair April 30, 2015 The Honourable Christy Clark Premier of British Columbia Box 9041 STN PROV GOVT Victoria, BC V8W 9E1 The Honourable Norm Letnick Minister of Agriculture BOX 9043 STN PROV GOVT Victoria, BC V8W 9E2 The Honourable Steve Thomson Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations PO Box 9049 STN PROV GOVT Victoria, BC V8W 9E2 Dear Premier Clark and Ministers: Re: Order in Council No.148 I am writing to you to express the Peace River Regional District Board s concern with the recent decision by our Provincial Government to enact Order in Council No.148 on April 8, 2015, without an application or public input. We would respectfully ask that you provide the rationale for this unilateral decision, as previous cabinet orders for exclusion were subject to public input, both for and against, prior to a decision being made. Public participation on such a large and important project as Site C is important for maintaining open and transparent communication with all stakeholders. We would also like to notify you that during the Board Meeting on April 23, 2015, the Board resolved that a resolution on Order in Council No.148 be drafted and submitted for consideration at the upcoming North Central Local Government Association (NCLGA) Annual General Meeting and Convention. A copy of the resolution is attached for your reference. We look forward to your response. Sincerely, Lori Ackerman Chair cc: Mr. Mike Bernier, MLA - Peace River South, mike.bernier.mla@leg.bc.ca Mr. Pat Pimm, MLA - Peace River North, pat.pimm.mla@leg.bc.ca Mr. Brian Frenkel, President, NCLGA, admin@nclga.ca attachment PLEASE REPLY TO: X BOX 810, DAWSON CREEK, BC VIG 4H8 TELEPHONE: (250) or (800) FAX: (250) prrd.dc@prrd.bc.ca STREET, FORT ST. JOHN, BC V1J 4N4 TELEPHONE: (250) Fax: (250) prrd.fsj@prrd.bc.ca

4 LR2: Order in Council No. 148 Removal of Land from Agricultural Land Reserve PEACE RIVER REGIONAL DISTRICT WHEREAS Cabinet Order in Council No. 148 excluding land within the Site C reservoir is the largest exclusion in the 43 year history of the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR); AND WHEREAS historically there have been other Cabinet Orders for exclusion which were subject to much public input both for and against prior to a decision being made and this decision was made without public input or application; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Province of BC be requested to rescind Order in Council No. 148 until there has been adequate public input and respect shown for the legal requirements required to apply for removal of lands from the ALR. BACKGROUND: On April 8, 2015, the Province of B.C., by Order in Council No.148, removed lands both Permanently and under Temporary exclusion from the Agricultural Land Reserve. Maps showing exactly which lands have been removed, or if any of those lands are privately owned, have not been made publicly available. Attached is a copy of Order in Council No. 148.

5 F, Definitions I Excluded lands In this order: ORDER RESPECTING LANDS IN THE AGRICULTURAL LAND RESERVE agricultural land reserve has the same meaning as in the Agricultural Land Conunission Act; permanent exclusion maps means the series of 8 maps labelled Site C Permanent Exclusion ALR, dated December 8, 2014, and with reference number ARCS - - on file with the office of the deputy minister, Ministry of Agriculture; temporary exclusion maps means the 2 maps labelled Site C Temporary Exclusion ALR, dated December 8, 2014, and with reference number ARCS l309l4F, on file with the office of the deputy minister, Ministry of Agriculture. 2 All the land shaded grey on the permanent exclusion maps is excluded from the agricultural land reserve. Temporarily excluded lands 3 All the land shaded grey on the temporary exclusion maps is excluded from the agricultural land reserve until December 31, page 2 of 2

6 ORDER OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL page 1 of2 December19, 2014 RES1JBIO/940/2014/27 Other: Act and section: Environment and Land Use Act, R.S,l3CJ 996, c. 117, s. 7 Authority under which Order Is niade: (Thu pnrl is for- idmtnisirarh e purpostn ewly wid ii me pun ofthe Onkr.) Natur1 Resource Operations Minister of Forests, Lands and Pr idthq Mom I the Executive council Executive Council, orders that the attached Order Respecting Lands in the Agricultural Land Reserve is made. On the recommendation of the imdersigreej, the Lieutenant Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council Chambers, Victoria Order in Council No. 148, Approved end Ordered April 08, 2015 PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA