Dear BC Hydro, TNRD, and Ministry Officials,

I am writing to express my concern about the proposed m.ah a temEEwuh Solar Project and its potential impact on Crown ranch land and native grasslands in the Tunkwa Valley.

The project area encompasses approximately 776 hectares (~1,900+ acres) of working grasslands that currently support multigenerational ranching operations under Crown range tenures. These grasslands are not idle — they are actively managed landscapes that sustain local food production and rural livelihoods.

Converting this scale of productive rangeland to industrial solar infrastructure raises serious questions:
- What happens to the ranchers and families who depend on these tenures?
- How will the loss of this grazing capacity affect regional food security?
- Can these grasslands realistically be restored after decades of industrial use?

Native grasslands in BC's interior are among the most ecologically sensitive and slowest to recover once disturbed. I urge you to ensure that the Environmental Assessment process fully evaluates the long-term consequences of converting working ranch land to industrial use.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Community]

Dear BC Hydro, TNRD, and Ministry Officials,

I am writing about the proposed m.ah a temEEwuh Solar Project and its impact on public recreation and backcountry access in the Tunkwa Valley area.

This area is used year-round by British Columbians for fishing, camping, hiking, horseback riding, hunting, and general backcountry recreation. Tunkwa and Leighton Lakes are popular destinations, and the surrounding Crown land provides access to trails, open landscapes, and wildlife viewing opportunities.

An industrial solar development of this scale — approximately 776 hectares — would fundamentally change the character of this area. Construction traffic, fencing, restricted access zones, and the visual impact of thousands of solar panels would diminish the recreational value that draws people here.

Crown land belongs to all British Columbians. Before approving a project that limits public access and enjoyment of these lands, I ask that the Environmental Assessment process carefully evaluate:
- The current recreational use of the area and its economic value
- How public access will be maintained or restricted during and after construction
- Whether alternative sites on less recreationally significant land have been considered

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Community]

Dear BC Hydro, TNRD, and Ministry Officials,

I am writing regarding the proposed m.ah a temEEwuh Solar Project and its impact on off-road vehicle (ORV) recreation in the Tunkwa Valley.

The Tunkwa area is a well-established destination for ATV, side-by-side, and dirt bike riders. The network of trails and open Crown land in this region provides responsible ORV users with access to some of BC's best interior riding terrain.

Industrial solar development on approximately 776 hectares of this land would eliminate or restrict access to trails and riding areas that have been used for decades. Fencing, construction zones, and post-construction security measures would permanently alter the landscape for ORV recreation.

I ask that the Environmental Assessment process evaluate:
- The existing trail network and ORV use patterns in the project area
- How construction and operation will affect access to established riding areas
- Whether displaced ORV activity could create new conflicts in adjacent areas

Responsible ORV use is a legitimate and valued form of Crown land recreation. Please ensure these users are heard in this process.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Community]

Dear BC Hydro, TNRD, and Ministry Officials,

I am writing to raise concerns about cumulative effects related to the proposed m.ah a temEEwuh Solar Project in the Tunkwa Valley.

This project is not being proposed in isolation. The BC Hydro Call for Power initiative has prompted multiple energy project proposals across the region. When considered together — rather than individually — the combined impact on land use, water resources, wildlife corridors, and rural communities could be substantial.

The Tunkwa Valley has already experienced significant disturbance from the 2021 wildfire. Adding a 208 MW industrial solar complex (two phases of 104 MW each) to a recovering landscape compounds the stress on ecosystems that are still rebuilding.

I urge you to ensure the Environmental Assessment includes:
- A cumulative effects assessment that considers all proposed energy projects in the region
- Analysis of the combined impact on water systems, wildlife habitat, and land use
- Evaluation of how multiple projects affect the long-term viability of ranching and recreation

Individual project reviews that ignore the broader context risk approving developments whose combined impact would never pass a comprehensive assessment.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Community]

Dear BC Hydro, TNRD, and Ministry Officials,

I am writing about the traffic impacts of the proposed m.ah a temEEwuh Solar Project in the Tunkwa Valley.

Construction of a 208 MW solar facility would generate significant heavy vehicle traffic on rural roads not designed for industrial use. Based on publicly documented traffic data from a smaller 20 MW solar project (which generated 284 two-way vehicle trips per day during peak construction), a project of this scale could produce substantially higher traffic volumes.

The roads serving the Tunkwa area are narrow, often unpaved, and shared with recreational users, ranchers, and wildlife. Heavy construction traffic raises concerns about:
- Road safety for local residents and recreational visitors
- Road degradation and who bears the cost of repairs
- Dust, noise, and disruption to rural communities along haul routes
- Increased collision risk with wildlife

I ask that the Environmental Assessment fully evaluate construction and operational traffic impacts, including cumulative effects if other energy projects proceed in the same region.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Community]

Dear BC Hydro, TNRD, and Ministry Officials,

I am writing to express concern about the combined threat that multiple proposed energy developments pose to rural life in the Tunkwa Valley and surrounding communities.

Rural communities like Logan Lake, Savona, and the broader TNRD region are defined by their relationship with the land — ranching, recreation, and the open character of the landscape. The proposed m.ah a temEEwuh Solar Project, at 208 MW across approximately 776 hectares, would industrialize a significant portion of the valley.

When combined with other energy projects proposed under BC Hydro's Call for Power, the cumulative effect on rural character, community identity, and quality of life could be transformative — and not in a way that benefits local residents.

Please ensure the Environmental Assessment evaluates:
- The social and economic impact on nearby rural communities
- Whether local residents will see meaningful, long-term employment or economic benefit
- How the project aligns with community land use plans and values
- The precedent this sets for further industrialization of Crown land

Rural communities deserve a voice in decisions that reshape their landscape and way of life.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Community]

Dear BC Hydro, TNRD, and Ministry Officials,

I am writing regarding the potential wildlife impacts of the proposed m.ah a temEEwuh Solar Project in the Tunkwa Valley.

The project area provides habitat for mule deer, elk, moose, and a range of grassland bird species. These grasslands also serve as movement corridors connecting larger habitat areas. The 2021 wildfire already stressed wildlife populations in the region, and the landscape is still in recovery.

Converting approximately 776 hectares to industrial solar infrastructure would fragment habitat, disrupt movement corridors, and introduce ongoing disturbance from maintenance activities, fencing, and vehicle traffic.

Key wildlife concerns include:
- Loss of grassland habitat used for grazing, nesting, and migration
- Barrier effects from fencing around the solar installation
- Disturbance during construction coinciding with sensitive breeding or migration periods
- Cumulative habitat loss when considered alongside other proposed energy projects

I urge the Environmental Assessment to include thorough wildlife surveys, seasonal assessments, and an honest evaluation of whether mitigation measures can realistically offset habitat loss at this scale.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Community]

Dear BC Hydro, TNRD, and Ministry Officials,

I am writing about the end-of-life waste and recycling implications of the proposed m.ah a temEEwuh Solar Project.

A 208 MW solar facility would require hundreds of thousands of solar panels, along with inverters, transformers, mounting structures, and electrical infrastructure. These components have finite lifespans — typically 25 to 30 years — after which they must be decommissioned and disposed of or recycled.

Current solar panel recycling infrastructure in Canada is limited. According to available research, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has projected that global solar panel waste could reach 78 million tonnes by 2050. Without adequate recycling capacity, there is a real risk that end-of-life panels from projects like this will end up in landfills.

I ask that the Environmental Assessment address:
- The projected volume of waste at decommissioning
- Whether binding recycling and decommissioning obligations will be required of the proponent
- Who bears the financial responsibility if the operator is no longer viable at end of life
- The environmental risk of panel degradation and potential leaching in a landfill scenario

These are not hypothetical concerns — they are foreseeable consequences that must be planned for before approval.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Community]

Dear BC Hydro, TNRD, and Ministry Officials,

I am writing about the conservation value of the lands affected by the proposed m.ah a temEEwuh Solar Project.

The Tunkwa Valley represents a landscape that, despite the 2021 wildfire, retains significant ecological and conservation value. The native grasslands, recovering forests, and interconnected water systems in this area support biodiversity and provide ecosystem services that benefit all British Columbians.

Industrial development on approximately 776 hectares of this land would convert a recovering natural landscape into an engineered facility. While solar energy has environmental benefits at a global level, siting decisions matter — and placing industrial infrastructure on ecologically sensitive Crown land undermines conservation goals.

I ask that the Environmental Assessment consider:
- The conservation value of native interior grasslands, which are increasingly rare in BC
- Whether this land should be prioritized for ecological recovery rather than industrial use
- Alternative siting options on previously disturbed, industrial, or lower-value land
- The long-term ecological cost of habitat conversion at this scale

Not all land is interchangeable. Some landscapes deserve protection, and the Tunkwa grasslands are among them.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Community]

Dear BC Hydro, TNRD, and Ministry Officials,

I am writing about the potential impacts of the proposed m.ah a temEEwuh Solar Project on local watersheds and water resources.

The Tunkwa Valley is part of a sensitive watershed system that feeds Guichon Creek and other waterways important for fish habitat, ranching water supply, and downstream communities. Industrial development at this scale — approximately 776 hectares — would alter drainage patterns, increase surface runoff from impervious panel surfaces, and introduce construction-related sediment and potential contaminants.

Key watershed concerns include:
- Changes to natural drainage and groundwater recharge from large areas of panel coverage
- Sediment disturbance during construction affecting downstream fish habitat
- Potential contamination from panel cleaning chemicals or equipment leaks
- Cumulative effects on water resources if multiple energy projects proceed in the region

Guichon Creek and the broader watershed are not just environmental features — they are essential infrastructure for ranching, wildlife, and community water supplies. Any project of this scale must demonstrate that it will not degrade water quality or alter hydrological function.

I urge the Environmental Assessment to include comprehensive hydrological studies and to set binding conditions for watershed protection.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Community]

Dear BC Hydro, TNRD, and Ministry Officials,

I am writing to raise serious concerns about wildfire risk associated with the proposed m.ah a temEEwuh Solar Project in the Tunkwa Valley.

The 2021 Tremont Creek wildfire already demonstrated the fire vulnerability of this landscape. The Tunkwa Valley sits in one of BC's most fire-prone interior grassland regions, and the area is still recovering from that event. Introducing a 208 MW industrial solar complex into this environment raises critical safety and land management questions.

Key wildfire concerns include:
- Industrial electrical infrastructure — inverters, transformers, substations, and high-voltage cabling — introduces new ignition sources to fire-prone grasslands
- Large-scale solar arrays are inherently vulnerable to wildfire destruction, as demonstrated at facilities in other jurisdictions
- Post-fire cleanup of damaged panels, electrical components, and mounting structures complicates land recovery and introduces potential contamination risks
- Fire suppression access could be obstructed by the physical footprint of the installation, and aerial firefighting operations may be constrained by the facility's presence
- The combination of dry grassland vegetation, high summer temperatures, and wind exposure already creates extreme fire conditions — industrial infrastructure adds risk, it does not reduce it

The proponent must demonstrate how the facility would withstand wildfire, how damaged infrastructure would be safely removed, and who bears the cost and liability for fire-related damage or contamination. The Environmental Assessment must also evaluate whether siting industrial electrical infrastructure in a proven high-fire-risk landscape is an acceptable use of Crown land.

I urge you to ensure these risks are thoroughly assessed before any approvals proceed.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Community]