The region drawn for this study is bound by areas of the Upper Skeena that are rural by definition and are either on diesel power generation for energy needs or are serviced by the BC Hydro power grid.
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The Empowered Energy Solutions project (EES) region of study is defined by the eastern boundary of the traditional territory, Madii Lii of Wilp Luutkudziiwus in the Suskwa Valley and the Northern boundary is the Bear Claw lodge in the Kispiox Valley. (See map below) The physical landscape of this region and territories is shaped by mountains and rivers throughout.
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The map of the study region (below) identifies the location of each project participant. The Kispiox Valley, which makes up the largest area of the study region, is home to ancient village sites and trails that date back to a time before European contact when the Gitxsan people traveled and traded throughout this region. Century-old ranches and homesteads are a living testament to a way of life that helped shape the culture and community of British Columbia
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The land in the entire region is still traditionally used as people hunt, trap, and forage/gather sustenance and medicines. It is unceded Gitxsan land.
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The climate of the study area – Upper Skeena - is between the cool, wet conditions of the outer coast and the drier conditions of the interior of the province. This is the transition zone between the Great Bear Rainforest and interior forest. The local mountains provide protection from Pacific storms but also trap cold Arctic air in the winter. Spring brings periods of intense cold and snowy conditions in some areas thus the climate of this basin is transitional between the wet mild coast, and cold, dry interior. The cold, Arctic air that invades this basin allows a more interior forest type, the Interior Cedar – Hemlock forests to grow on the valley floor. Subalpine forests of Engelmann Spruce - Subalpine Fir occurs on the few higher hills and ridges[2]. This region has seven out of the nine geoclimatic zones of the Pacific Northwest which means that it has more biodiversity than anywhere in North America.
MAP OF STUDY REGION
The map below indicates the location of each project participant.
REGIONAL ENERGY USE
Until the early 1970’s the Kispiox Valley was not connected to the BC Hydro power grid. Kispiox Valley residents and industry got their power and heat by either diesel generators for some applications like running Sawmills and homes were heated by wood stoves and illuminated by kerosene lanterns.
Before the 1980’s there were more than 30 local sawmills running in the Kispiox Valley that milled local timber. Large amounts of diesel were brought in to power these mills and transport the products to market.
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When power was extended into the Kispiox Valley it ended at KM 41 on the Kispiox Valley Rd and anything beyond is still not connected to the BC Hydro grid today.
The Madii Lii territory of Wilp Luutkudziiwus includes a settlement and culture camp powered by gasoline generator.
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The residents that are on the BC Hydro power grid today have become dependent and reliant to the power grid and many homes do not have backup power for when the power goes out. Until recently, other power generation options were not available, reliable, or affordable to residents or businesses.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT​
Forestry has historically played a large role in the Upper Skeena regional economy. At many times in recent history, forestry and related industry has been the largest contributor to the local economy. Forestry employment includes timber cruising, harvesting, wood processing, silviculture, milling, and trucking.
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The Kispiox Timber Supply Area covers an area of 1.22 million hectares in the northwest part of the province of British Columbia.
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The largest employment sector in the Upper Skeena today is the public sector which includes education, health, safety, and government administration.
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Tourism has a presence in the Upper Skeena but does not make up a significant number of jobs. The jobs in the tourism industry include fishing/hunting guiding, river rafting guiding, accommodation services and restaurants.
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Mining within the Upper Skeena accounts for little economic development although there are many jobs held by local residents in mining and mineral exploration in other areas of Northern BC.