Slave River power project 'a senseless proposition'; Native elder fears for his people, environment

Darcy Henton, April 16, 2008, The Edmonton Journal -- Members of an aboriginal community near the site of a proposed $5-billion Slave River hydro-electric project say they have grave concerns about the impact on fish, wildlife, water flows and the people who live downstream.
Smith Landing First Nations elder Francois Paulette says he fears the project will "destroy a beautiful river" and end in "catastrophe" for his people.

"It's a senseless proposition," he said. "This will be a huge killer of the environment and the people here."

Paulette, 59, who heads one of about a dozen families in Smith Landing, near the Alberta-N.W.T. boundary, said the project will ruin 25 kilometres of beautiful rapids -- touted by kayakers as some of the best class IV whitewater in the world.

He said it will also threaten North America's northernmost flock of river pelicans, as well as 21 species of fish that spawn in the river. He is most worried about the impact of the project on the MacKenzie River delta, which he says is already affected by lower water flows.

"This dam would just dry up the delta. I will guarantee you right now the people down the Slave River, the MacKenzie River people, would be very opposed to all this."

Paulette scoffed at the notion the project wouldn't involve a dam.

"To create 1,500 megawatts of power, they will have to dam this river. There's no two ways about it."

TransCanada Corp. spokeswoman Shela Shapiro confirmed there will be some form of dam or weir on the river to funnel water into the turbines for the project, but it would not be a huge dam with massive reservoirs.

Paulette said TransCanada Corp and Atco, the two partners in a feasibility study of the project, have visited Smith Landing to enlist First Nations support.

"They are talking about a partnership and working together. They come with timelines. They never asked the chief or anyone for their input," he said. "They are starting off on the wrong foot. They have all the money and the people here don't have any way to respond to the proposed operation."

Paulette said his community is planning a meeting Wednesday to discuss the project. He said the companies think "there's nobody up here but a few Indians. Let's destroy the land for a fast buck and sell this power to the United States."

He disputes the claim that the electricity is required for the oilsands or the Alberta grid.

His contention is supported by some environmental and conservation groups. Paulette said a better source of new energy is wind power. He said he was discouraged that the provincial Liberal environment critic has given the project an initial endorsement.

"If the Liberals are in cahoots with the Conservatives, it will make our battle a little harder," he said. "But I am always up for a good fight."

Environmentalist Brian Staszenski also claims the Slave River hydro project is being considered as a source of power for export. He contends the line, as proposed, won't hook into the Alberta grid.