Despite eviction notice, Site C protesters say they're not going anywhere

05/01/16
Author: 
Jonny Wakefield
A charter helicopter lifted a survival trailer with a wood stove and bunk house, shown here, to the site in late December. The next day, Hydro posted notice that the area would be cleared for logging. Photo Courtesy of Helen Knott

Site C opponents dug in on the south bank of the Peace River say they're not going anywhere, despite an eviction notice from BC Hydro. 

A dozen people opposed to the $8.8-billion dam have been living in shifts at the historic Rocky Mountain Fort since mid-December. The camp is set up on the site of an 18th century fur trade fort, upstream from the confluence of the Peace and Moberly Rivers.  

A charter helicopter lifted a survival trailer with a wood stove and bunk house to the site in late December. The next day, Hydro posted notice that the area would be cleared for logging. 

Dam opponent Ken Boon, who is at the site, told Alaska Highway News that a Treaty 8 member turned back a tree felling machine early Monday afternoon.

fort2The eviction notice posted for Site C protest campers at the Rocky Mountain Fort site. Photo Courtesy of Helen Knott

Protesters now plan to man the camp around the clock.  

In early 2016, contractors are expected to clear 620 hectares of trees and vegetation from the south bank. Contractors built a temporary bridge across the Moberly River in late December, giving crews access to the fort. 

Helen Knott spent New Year's Eve at the camp with two youth from the Halfway and Blueberry River First Nations, and told the Alaska Highway News more people are coming. 

"We've had interest from other individuals in other parts of B.C. in coming up," said Knott, a 28-year-old mother and social worker. "We have a schedule going where we're co-ordinating individuals to be out there at all times, manning the camp." 

- See more at: http://www.alaskahighwaynews.ca/regional-news/site-c/despite-eviction-no...