James Smith Band Introduces Hydro Dam Plans

James Smith Band Introduces Hydro Dam Plans

Friday, November 27, 2009 at 15:19

 

 

The James Smith Cree Nation says it wants to construct a hydro-electric dam on the North Saskatchewan River.

 

Band officials say they are looking at an area five kilometres east of the Fort a la Corne diamond exploration site.

 

Early estimates are that the new facility could deliver around 250 megawatts of power.

 

The price tag for the structure could be as much as $1.4-billion though, so government support will be needed.

 

James Smith chief Wally Burns notes that 96 per cent of his membership supported the idea in a survey completed yesterday.

 

Burns says he made economic development a major priority for his band when he was elected.

 

“The way I thought of it is, people want jobs, education and training. And when I got elected as chief, that’s what I based my consensus on, is those three factors. Without the three factors, I don’t think we’d accomplish any of our goals,” he says.

 

Meanwhile, Melfort MLA and provincial Finance minister Rod Gantefoer says the idea will be studied by the province.

 

“I understand, although SaskPower is not directly in my file, but I understand that discussions have been ongoing, and it will continue to move forward. Certainly in principle, we as a government are very much supportive of this type of initiative,” Gantefoer says.

 

However, he didn’t make any firm commitments.