VANCOUVER — Legal opposition to the Site C hydroelectric dam in northeastern British Columbia is ramping up just as BC Hydro and the provincial government announce the first contract related to the controversial megaproject.
A group of farmers and ranchers in the Peace River area is appealing last month's B.C. Supreme Court decision to reject its bid to quash the proposed dam, which it says would flood large portions of prime agricultural land in the region.
The Peace Valley Landowner Association argued that the province failed in its legal duty to consider recommendations that came out of an independent environmental review.
The organization has brought a similar case against the Canadian government, which is currently making its way through the federal courts.
Meanwhile, B.C. has announced construction will soon begin on a road designed to provide better access to Site C.
B.C. Transportation Minister Todd Stone says the nearly $8-million contract, announced in partnership with BC Hydro, is critical to moving people and construction materials to the site.
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