Feb 9- ENSL Featuring the Waneta Dam Expansion's Environmental Manager

Amber Ashenhurst, MSc, RPBio, is the Environmental Manager for the Waneta Expansion Project (WAX), and on February 9th she will delve into the inside world of environmental management on the project.

Date: Thursday, February 9
Time: 11:30 -1:30
Location: Castlegar, Selkirk College Staff Lounge
Cost: $10,  Selkirk Students $5

WAX is a five year, $900M hydro-electric expansion project of a second powerhouse downstream of the Waneta Dam on the Pend d'Oreille River south of Trail, British Columbia. Columbia Power Corporation and Columbia Basin Trust have formed a partnership with Fortis Inc. for the project, while the design-build contract is with SNC-Lavalin for construction of the project.

The independent environmental management is contracted to Hatfield Consultants, with whom Amber works.

Over the course of the five years, a multitude of environmental issues will arise on the project. Before the project even got off the ground but mere weeks before blasting started an active black bear den was found.

Then, there are the three listed species of herptiles( including the mysterious skink)  that have an active hibernacula in the middle of the action, listed plant species, noxious weeds, nesting birds, in-river work, and a baby mule deer wandering through the Intake excavation.  During this presentation, Amber will discuss the adventures of the challenges and successes of environmental management on the project over the past year of active heavy civil construction.

About Environmental Networking Seminar Lunches:

Designed to bring together students and the environmental science and business communities in the West Kootenay, the ENSL series features presentations by local scientists working in the environmental sector, lunch and networking.