Band Intending To Proceed With Hydro Project

Band Intending To Proceed With Hydro Project

Friday, May 02, 2008 at 16:07

The chief and council of the Black Lake Denesuline First Nation have formally announced plans to start development of a hydroelectric generator.

A feasibility study has been finished by the band.

According to Black Lake officials, the facility would generate electricity for sale into the province’s grid.

The band says the project will provide power and jobs to people throughout the province’s North.

Chief Freddie Throassie says it has been a very long process to get to this stage.

Throassie says the initiative started in the 1970s, but didn’t go very far because of concerns from the elders about potential environmental damage.

In order to lessen the environmental impact, the band plans to route water underground and over a turbine — rather than building a dam.