Dear Editor:

This letter is in reference to the article entitled "Merritt Power Upgrade Takes New Route" as printed in the Merritt News, dated April 12, 2012. The article makes reference to a letter sent out March 19 by BC Hydro advising residents on Forksdale Avenue, Forksdale Court, Forksdale Place, Irvine Avenue, and Springbank Avenue that BC Hydro has chosen to implement alternative 1B instead. Route 1B involves building a brand new transmission line from the Highland Substation to the Merritt Substation, which is located behind the Provincial Court Building off of Voght Street (also located at the west end of Irvine Ave). This new route was chosen because BC Hydro can utilize existing right-of-ways that run parallel with Forksdale Avenue. This right-of-way is located directly behind the homes on the south side of Forksdale, in the vacant lot behind. BC Hydro states they plan to install the new 138 kilovolt high-power transmission line overhead, on wood poles 70 feet high. BC Hydro has advised that they are proposing to locate the new transmission line close to the north edge of the right-of-way. Residents on Forksdale are concerned about the health effects from the electromagnetic field that will be given off from this high-power transmission line. EMFs are classed as a known carcinogen. Residents from Springbank, Forksdale, and Irvine are concerned about the devaluation of their properties as well. There are many unanswered questions about the project at present. In consultation with BC Hydro, a neighbourhood meeting has been scheduled. BC Hydro has made themselves readily available in order to meet with the affected neighbourhood to provide details about the project. The meeting will be held May 3 at 7 p.m. at Merritt Bench Elementary School. Everyone who has concerns about having a high-power transmission line in their neighbourhood are encouraged to attend. Suggestions will be put forward to BC Hydro in hopes that our concerns will be addressed. Members of city council are also encouraged to attend, as the devaluation of our properties will have revenue generation implication as a result of the anticipated decrease in property values. I believe this neighbourhood meeting will be an excellent forum in which to express our concerns and get answers to our many questions. Please come out to support your fellow neighbours.

Shauna Perkins
Merritt, B.C.