The Ojibways of the Pic River First Nation announced a proposal July 16 for development of hydro potential at Chigamiwinigum Falls, a site located inside Pukaskwa Park.
“We believe that projects like the Chigamiwinigum Falls project are consistent with the Park mandate, and in particular, with the mandate of Pukaskwa Park as an prime example of Canada’s boreal forests. Hydroelectric development and the retention of the forest ecology values are completely compatible objectives,” said Chief Duncan Michano. “We continue to assert our Aboriginal title to the traditional territory of the Begetikong Anishnabe, because we did not sign the Robinson Superior Treaty”, he continued.
If constructed, the Chigamiwinigum site will have an installed capacity of 25-30 MW of electricity and produce enough power to meet the needs of 12,500 homes annually. Added to the Pic River energy portfolio, this would push the community’s supply of electricity to approximately 33,000 Ontario homes. The project would cost in excess of a $100 million and be Pic River’s largest project to date. Pic River has also developed a 23 MW run-of-river facility at Umbata Falls.
“We are excited by this project as it represents new investment in green renewable energy,” added Byron LeClair, Director of Energy Project Development. “We will work with our partners to complete the environmental assessment as soon as possible, and look forward to new construction taking place in 2018.”
Parks Canada already hosts numerous hydro-electric facilities. “The Trent Severn National Park has 26 hydro power stations in Ontario, out west, Banff National Park has the Cascade Falls Generating Station, and Jasper plays host to the Astoria Falls Generating Facility. We anticipate full Park support for Pic River’s proposal,” said LeClair.
See also the feature article, “Consultation becomes consent,” also this issue.