Thursday March 28, 2024
CBC News —
There are “substantial gaps” in research into how the Whitehorse dam is affecting not just salmon but also other fish species, according to a new letter from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) regarding Yukon Energy’s proposal to relicense the facility for another 25 years.
The letter, which the federal department submitted to the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board (YESAB), states those gaps in research impede a scrupulous review of the project. It says the full impact of the hydroelectric dam is “unknown.”
“Although the proponent did provide fish and habitat information, there are gaps in baseline aquatic information provided,” states DFO, a decision body in the project assessment.
“Without this baseline information, DFO is unable to understand the full effects of the continued operation of [the dam] on fish and fish habitat.”
Yukon Energy’s current operating licence for the dam expires next May.