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Greg McIvor
Manitoba Hydro’s Flooded Legacy
Written by Chanda Hunnie
Twelve stories up, we look out upon the city. It is raining and pools of standing water are forming on the flat-roofed buildings below. It is a perspective perhaps similar to that of a bird in mid-flight; the sky is dull and grey, mirroring the colossal expanse of concrete and asphalt surrounding us.
“What I don’t understand is how they can get away with calling it renewable,” says Greg McIvor. In a process that is not only unfair to First Nations people, but one that, according to Mr. McIvor, involves blatant misrepresentation of information by Manitoba Hydro.
For generations, Mr. McIvor and his family have hunted and trapped in an area 52 kilometers south of Waskwatim Lake known as Trapline 18 (close to Thompson, Manitoba). Already impacted by surrounding hydropower generation, the trapline may be further damaged by Manitoba Hydro’s plans to build a dam on Wuskwatim’s Taskinigap Falls.
Concerned about the unreported degradation of the area and of the northern environment in general, Mr. McIvor petitioned Manitoba Hydro but his apprehensions were quickly dismissed.
“Based on information from a map depicting data from 1971, Manitoba Hydro cites a 40 meter height difference as an impediment to any flooding concerns for the area of Trapline 18, adding that it is impossible for water to flow south in Manitoba’s watersheds,” says Mr. McIvor.
Yet comparing those same maps compiled in 1971 with aerial reconnaissance video and current satellite imagery, Mr. McIvor sees consistent patterns in overland flooding following hydro development in areas Manitoba Hydro claims are not affected. He also declares the Manitoba Hydro claim of a 40 metre height of land separator is unproven.
“Caribou routes have been cutoff, animals cannot move in their traditional patterns anymore and their calving grounds are now abandoned. The area used to house lynx, wolverine and even cougar,” claims McIvor. In his grandfather’s day, the trapline used to earn a considerable income and was a family affair involving everyone including his brother and sister, his father and grandfather. “Now there are no animals, the climate is so unstable you can’t even count on the regular flow of water and neither can the animals, the wildlife just don’t go there anymore.”
“Caribou routes have been cutoff, animals cannot move in their traditional patterns anymore and their calving grounds are now abandoned.”
The diversion of Manitoba’s waterways and unpredictability in flow restricts the movement of animals through their usual migration routes. The unnatural drainage of water has caused flooding as water is backed up or forced to flow in directions contrary to its nature. In many areas, shorelines are being eroded and trees are submerged. Under these conditions, forests can no longer act as regulators of climate change and consumers of harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
“What hydro development is doing to our environment may affect First Nations immediately and directly, but indirectly, it will affect everyone,” McIvor points out.
But agreements to build hydroelectric generating plants are based on the false assumption that there are little to no impacts to either the environment or to First Nations people. Manitoba Hydro boasts that the flooding caused by the development of the Waskwatim dam will be less than 0.5 square kilometers. Also downplayed are the associated transmission lines that cut through and fragment the forest and its ecosystems, yet hydro development is promoted as one of the cleanest forms of energy.
Mr. McIvor would like to see honesty and transparency in the Manitoba Hydro policies and methods. He believes that people need to educate themselves on the issues, and although Manitoba Hydro’s processes are tainted, one still has to make the effort to protect what is important for people and the Earth.
May 8th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! AGAIN MB HYDRO DUSTING OF THERE HANDS!
WE NEED MORE EYES AND EARS LIKE YOURS TOO SPREAD AND PROMOTE THE DESTRUCTION AND FILTH OF MB HYDRO CONTINUES TO BRING TO OUR LANDS AND LEADERS FOR TRADING.