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First Nations want audit before hydro line

By: Larry Kusch

Posted: 03/13/2010 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

SOUTHERN Manitoba First Nations say they will oppose the building of a new hydro transmission line down the western side of the province until a full audit is done of how they've been affected by past hydro development.Several First Nations leaders said in interviews Friday that they will use the courts, if necessary, to block BiPole III, which is to carry electricity south from northern hydro dams.

"It's all about accountability, and Manitoba Hydro must be held to account for the past practices before it talks about it going through our traditional territories for anything new," said Grand Chief Morris Swan Shannacappo of the Southern Chiefs Organization.

A spokesman for Manitoba Hydro, which wants to build the transmission line, said the utility doesn't understand the claim.

"We don't have any knowledge of impacts in the southern part of the province (from past hydroelectric dam construction and operation). So if they have some information, some studies that they can share with us, we'd certainly welcome that," Glenn Schneider said.

He added that the only southern community impacted is Sagkeeng First Nation on the Winnipeg River, and the Crown corporation is dealing with that.

The hard line from First Nations on the proposed transmission line comes after meetings of Treaty 2 and 4 bands earlier this week in Dauphin. All three potential BiPole III lines cross territory belonging to these First Nations.

The First Nations disagree with Hydro's contention that southern communities have generally not been impacted, saying dam development has created artificial water levels, affecting the fishery and other things.

They're also worried about adverse effects of a new transmission line. Hydro is expected to launch new consultation meetings in June after it fixes on its preferred western transmission route.

Chief Norman Bone of the Keeseekoowenin First Nation in western Manitoba said chiefs and elders feel strongly that Ottawa and the Manitoba government should provide resources similar to those given to communities on the east side of Lake Winnipeg to allow them to participate knowledgeably in the debate on hydro development.

"We don't necessarily want to get in the way of development, but we need to have a good mechanism that allows us to participate."

larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition March 13, 2010 A4

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