Defend Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound's precious ecosystems
March 5, 2026
Suzanne Senger
A fragile recovery at risk
The ecological recovery of Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound is one of those rare good news stories.
I remember when acid rock drainage from the Britannia Mine was still contaminating Howe Sound ecosystems. It took tens of millions of public dollars and decades of remediation, advocacy, and stewardship to reverse that damage.
As the ecosystems recovered, we've witnessed the return of the herring and salmon, followed by sea lions and whales. This recovery is beautifully real and hopeful, yet so very fragile.
We simply cannot allow FortisBC to repeat the mistakes of the past.
Stop FortisBC's toxic tunnel
FortisBC is tunneling through 5.2 km of granite bedrock, and has encountered potentially acid generating rock. The tunnel has created a pollution machine, with contaminated water flowing into Howe Sound. The effluent is loaded with heavy metals, similar to what happened at Britannia Beach with acid rock drainage.
For over a year, FortisBC has been discharging DOUBLE its permitted wastewater into Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound and exceeding Provincial and Federal water quality guidelines for copper and aluminum—with zero consequences from the BC Energy Regulator.
Instead of fixing the problem, FortisBC is asking for permission to pollute even more.
Stand with me to defend Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound
Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound is designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Region, which is recognized internationally as "a cultural and ecological treasure."
Biosphere Regions are expected to conserve biodiversity, model sustainable development, foster collaboration with Indigenous Nations and local communities, and serve as living examples of how ecological integrity and human activity can coexist.
Weakening water quality protections and increasing pollutant discharges violate the commitments and responsibilities of the UNESCO Biosphere Region designation.
Take action by March 7, 2026
Tell Ministers and regulators to reject FortisBC's permit amendment and hold them accountable for this uncontrolled water pollution that is exceeding the original permit conditions.
FortisBC needs to stop work on the tunnel until they upgrade the water treatment system to meet water quality guidelines.
SEND A LETTER NOW!Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound already paid the price once. We cannot let it happen again.
Not on our watch.
Suzanne Senger
Executive Director
Sunshine Coast Conservation Association
in partnership with My Sea to Sky
P.S. Our handy letter writing tool will send a letter to key Ministers, BC Energy Regulator, FortisBC, your MP, and your MLA. But you can also submit a comment on your own to Waste.Management@bc-er.ca and egp@fortisbc.com by March 7, 2026. FortisBC's application to amend the permit can be accessed here. Weekly water quality testing results can be found here.
My Sea to Sky is incredibly proud and grateful to say that we rely on the My Sea to Sky community for small donations that provide the majority of our funding. Since our launch in 2014, we have been funded through personal savings, family and friends; and powered by the passion of our volunteers. Your generous contribution will help us to run our critical campaigns to defend, protect, and restore Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound. Can you chip in?