Chiefs Steering Committee on Hydro Grid Corridor Communications Updates 1 to 6
The Chiefs Steering Committee Communications Bulletins are being distributed to the First Nations involved in discussions about the hydro grid routes being considered to transport power from Northern Manitoba. The following six bulletins are available for download as Word documents by clicking on each of them.
Communications Team Bulletin # 1 – October 20, 2006
The regional communications team is now into its second month of providing the findings of the final report through community presentations to all 47 Treaty #9 and Treaty #5 (Ontario Portion) communities. The Community Information Officers have visited 6 communities in the month of September and will be visiting more communities in October. Their anticipated target is to complete the visits of the remaining communities by the end of November. The Team will be delivering the findings of a report related to the Ontario-Manitoba Interconnect (Clean Energy Transfer Initiative). The three main areas of inquiry were:
1) Financial Participation
2) New Energy Sources, and
3) Impacts and Benefits.
Community visits completed in September were as follows:
Constance Lake
Fort Severn
Hornpayne
Wapakeka
Wawakapewin
Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug
The confirmed community visits for October is as follows:
Pikangikum
Kasabonika Lake
Nibinamik
Deer Lake
Poplar Hill
North Spirit Lake
Peawanuck
Webequie
Keewaywin
Sachigo Lake
Attawapiskat
Wunnumin
Eabametoong
Fort Albany
McDowell Lake
Whitewater Lake
Some of the initial community concerns and feedback are as follows:
Potential Compensation and/or Financial Participation
Individual First Nation must consider other First Nation’s decisions
Some form of ownership of the proposed transmission line
Environmental impacts/Environmental assessments Socio-cultural impacts – land use impacts
Winter Road/all season road developments - access issues
Present capacity as First Nations as a regional collective Training/Employment/Business/Economic Development Opportunities
Communications/Collaboration among First Nations
Formal First Nation/Public Consultations
Need more information and/or studies
Possible long term, cheaper solution for community’s energy needs
The information sessions are based on the preliminary findings of the Northwest Ontario Transmission Line Report and, therefore, are not a formal consultation process.
Further studies would have to be completed should communities be interested in proceeding to the next phase.
For those community members who still have questions or have missed the presentation further information is available by calling Tracey Willoughby, Communications Assistant at 1 800 465-6821. Information is also available on our website at www.chiefssteeringcommittee.com
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Communications Team Bulletin # 2 – October 30, 2006
Frequently Asked Questions: (More FAQ’s will follow in each issue)
1) What good is this for me & my community?
A: Communities could have opportunities for training, employment, all weather road access, ownership, business development, compensations, if a preferred route is chosen.
2) Is it going to kill the animals?
A: Potential impacts to species such as moose, deer, fur species, fish, waterfowl and other species in the potential corridors would be limited, and therefore the loss of any habitat would likely be small. However, more specific environmental studies would have to be conducted on a preferred route to obtain more detailed information.
3) Is there another route being considered?
A: There are currently four (4) corridors being considered for another study:
Route Options
Direct
Thunder Bay
Winnipeg
Far North
The width of the conceptual corridor options on the maps approximately 100 km wide.
Radio Broadcast:
We will be broadcasting information on the Wawatay Radio network on the following dates:
November 13 at 11:00-11:30 November 20 at 11:00-11:30 November 27 at 11:00-11:30
December 04 at 11:00-11:30
For more information please call us at 1 (800) 465-6821 or visit our website at www.chiefssteeringcommittee.com.
Community visits completed are follows:
Constance Lake
Fort Severn
Hornpayne
Bearskin
Webequie
Wapakeka
Wawakapewin
North Caribou
Lac Suel
Deer Lake
Fort Albany
Peawanuck
Nibinamik
Wunnumin
Slate Falls
McDowell Lake
Ginoogaming
Long Lake #58
Poplar Hill
Keewaywin
Whitewater Lake
Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug
The confirmed upcoming community visits as follows:
Pikangikum
Kasabonika Lake
North Spirit Lake
Sachigo Lake
Attawapiskat
Eabametoong
Neskantaga
Kashechewan
Cat Lake
Flying Post
Aroland
Muskrat Dam
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Communications Team Bulletin # 3 – October 31, 2006
Community visits completed are follows:
Constance Lake Fort Severn Hornpayne Bearskin Webequie
Wapakeka Wawakapewin North Caribou Lac Seul Deer Lake
Fort Albany Peawanuck Nibinamik Wunnumin Slate Falls
McDowell Lake Ginoogaming Long Lake #58 Poplar Hill Keewaywin
Aroland Muskrat Dam Flying Post Neskantaga Eabametoong
Attawapiskat Whitewater Lake Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug
The confirmed upcoming community visits as follows:
Pikangikum Kasabonika Lake Sachigo Lake Kashechewan Cat Lake
CSC Chair, Harvey Yesno visited the proposed Conawapa Hydro site in Northern Manitoba on September 13, 2006. This is the proposed hydro site where a transmission line will originate to Southern Ontario should the project deem feasible on a preferred route.
CSC Chair toured the proposed Conawapa site and met with Chief George Neepin and Councilor Lawrence S. Flett of Fox Lake First Nation. He expressed the concern by the Chiefs Steering Committee (CSC) that the northern Ontario First Nations would not be doing anything to negatively impact Manitoba First Nations. Chief Neepin was very appreciative of the concern.
CSC Chair question Fox Lake FN’s position on Conawapa development whether they are in favor or against the project. Although it was not a clear outright answer because they will be going through their own process of community consultation but it appears that the Fox Lake will try to maximize the benefits from the development. They want ownership as a starting point. The Chief Neepin also mentioned there is group around Island Lake area that would like to see an all weather road development on the east side on Lake Winnipeg.
Chief Neepin mentioned when the Ontario First Nations have decided they would like move forward on a preferred route, then there is the possibility of the Manitoba First Nations supporting their Ontario counterpart. Chief Neepin offered to be available to brief the Treaty #9 leadership if a mutually agreed date can be determined
Radio Broadcast:
We will be broadcasting information on the Wawatay Radio network on the following dates:
November 13 at 11:00-11:30 November 20 at 11:00-11:30 November 27 at 11:00-11:30 December 04 at 11:00-11:30
For more information please call Tracey Willoughby, Communications Assistant at 1(800) 564-6821 or visit our website at www.chiefssteeringcommittee.com
Community visits completed are follows:
Conawapa Visit
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Communications Team Bulletin # 4 – November 8, 2006
Community visits completed are follows:
Constance Lake Fort Severn Hornpayne Bearskin Deer Lake Webequie Pikangikum Attawapiskat Cat Lake Slate Falls Wapakeka Wawakapewin North Caribou Lac Seul Keewaywin Fort Albany Peawanuck Nibinamik Wunnumin Eabametoong McDowell Lake Ginoogaming Long Lake #58 Poplar Hill Kasabonika Aroland Muskrat Dam Flying Post Neskantaga Whitewater Lake Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug
The confirmed upcoming community visits as follows:
Mattagami Sachigo Lake Kashechewan Sandy Lake Beaver House New Post Kingfisher
Please Note: The following First Nations have not been appearing on the maps being distributed.
New Slate Falls Koocheching, Whitewater McDowell
We are currently working towards correcting this matter and hope to have these new maps changed as soon as possible.
We have visited (1) one of the (4) four First Nations communities and met with (2) two of the (3) three First Nation representatives We plan to visit the other First Nation in next few weeks.
You will be able to access the new maps on our website once the changes have been made.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1) How will this transmission line affect current hydro projects in the community? Will this project affect funding commitments or intent to secure funding for current projects or training?
A : This will not affect any current projects in the communities. Communities are encouraged to continue to pursue energy projects that would best meet the communities financial and energy needs.
2) What is a typical megawatt requirement? (1 megawatt (mw) is equal to 1 million watts)
A: Typical sawmill may require 5 mws of power or less, while large pulp mills could require 100 mw or more. Electricity requirements for mineral resource extraction and processing facilities can be 20 mw or more, again depending on the size and type of operation.
Radio Broadcast:
We will be broadcasting information on the Wawatay Radio network on the following dates:
November 16 at 11:00-11:30 November 20 at 11:00-11:30 November 27 at 11:00-11:30 December 04 at 11:00-11:30
For more information please call Tracey Willoughby, Communications Assistant at 1(800) 564-6821 or visit our website at www.chiefssteeringcommittee.com
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Communications Team Bulletin # 5 – November 15, 2006
Community visits completed are follows:
Constance Lake Fort Severn Hornpayne Bearskin Webequie Wapakeka Wawakapewin North Caribou Lac Seul Deer Lake Fort Albany Peawanuck Nibinamik Wunnumin Slate Falls McDowell Lake Ginoogaming Long Lake #58 Poplar Hill Keewaywin Aroland Muskrat Dam Flying Post Neskantaga Eabametoong Attawapiskat Pikangikum Whitewater Lake New Post Cat Lake Kasabonika Mattagami Beaver House Matachewan Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug
The confirmed upcoming community visits as follows:
Sachigo Lake Moose Factory Sandy Lake Kingfisher Mocreebec
Communities that have not confirmed visits:
Chapleau Ojibway Kashechewan Missanabie Cree Koocheching Marten Falls
Frequently Asked Questions:
What are the environmental impacts on traditional lands?
A: At this preliminary stage, it is not possible to conduct a detailed, comprehensive analysis of potential impacts because a specific corridor has not been selected nor has the following been included:
A. There has not been any community input,
B. There has been no Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) input;
C. Nor have the technical aspects of the project been finalized
A Leadership Review Meeting will take place in early 2007 to determine if there is a preferred route chosen by the First Nations. Once a decision is made to move forward, on a preferred route, then a number of studies will be commissioned.
2. Who will fund training opportunities should the project deem feasible?
A: Should the project proceed beyond the study phase, then funding resources can be accessed and partnerships can be developed with Federal and Provincial Agencies and other relevant organizations who have an interest in creating a skilled workforce among First Nations.
Radio Broadcast:
We will be broadcasting information on the Wawatay Radio network on the following dates:
November 20 at 11:00-11:30 November 27 at 11:00-11:30 December 04 at 11:00-11:30
For more information please call Tracey Willoughby, Communications Assistant at 1 (800) 465-6821 or visit our website at www.chiefssteeringcommittee.com
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Communications Team Bulletin # 6 – November 21, 2006
Community visits completed are follows:
Constance Lake Fort Severn Hornepayne Bearskin Webequie Wapakeka Wawakapewin North Caribou Lac Seul Deer Lake Fort Albany Peawanuck Nibinamik Wunnumin Slate Falls McDowell Lake Ginoogaming Long Lake #58 Poplar Hill Keewaywin Aroland Muskrat Dam Flying Post Neskantaga Eabametoong Attawapiskat Pikangikum Whitewater Lake New Post Cat Lake Kasabonika Mattagami Beaver House Matachewan North Spirit Moose Cree Mocreebec Kingfisher Sachigo WahgoshigMissanabie Cree Brunswick House Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug
The confirmed upcoming community visits as follows:
Sandy Lake Marten Falls Koocheching Mishkeegogamang Chapleau Ojibwe
Communities that have not confirmed visits:
Kashechewan
Frequently Asked Questions:
1) Is it going to kill the animals?
A: If there is a project, the loss of any habitat is expected to be small and therefore potential impacts to species such as moose, deer, fur species, fish, waterfowl and other species in the area of the transmission facilities would be limited.
2) When will we know which route will be chosen?
A: Once the communities have been informed, there will be a leadership review meeting out of which a consensus on a preferred route option may be made.
3) What kind of compensation package would we get?
A: If a feasibility study is done on a preferred route, and if a there a business case for the construction of a transmission line, then the possibility of a compensation package and/or financial participation may emerge. This will depend on the decision made by communities through elected leadership and the approach they wish to take and level of participation they would be comfortable with.
Radio Broadcast:
We will be broadcasting information on the Wawatay Radio network on the following dates:
November 27 at 11:00-11:30 December 04 at 11:00-11:30
For more information please call Tracey Willoughby, Communications Assistant at 1 (800) 465-6821 or visit our website at www.chiefssteeringcommittee.com