June 21, 2006

The province has issued two licences for construction of the Wuskwatim hydroelectric generating project, developed by Manitoba Hydro and the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (NCN), Conservation Minister Stan Struthers announced today.

"We are pleased to announce the province will issue licences for the project that will have significant benefits for First Nations people, northerners and all Manitobans," said Struthers. "The project can now proceed to the next stages following the recent endorsement of the project by the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation and the 2004 Clean Environment Commission’s (CEC) recommendation that licenses be granted."

According to the requirements of the Environment Act, the province has approved:

• a generating station licence for the Wuskwatim Power Limited Partnership allowing for the construction, operation and maintenance of the Wuskwatim generating station, and related dams, dikes, channels, control structures and infrastructure including roads.

• a transmission project licence for Manitoba Hydro for the construction, operation and maintenance of the Wuskwatim transmission project consisting of three transmission line segments, new transmission station developments at Wuskwatim and Birchtree near Thompson and modifications to the existing Herblet Lake and Rall’s Island transmission stations at Snow Lake and The Pas.

A third water power licence by Manitoba Water Stewardship is expected to be approved shortly. The water power licence would allow the Wuskwatim Power Limited Partnership to use water to operate the Wuskwatim generating station within regulated flows and levels.

In October 2004, the CEC’s final report on the proposed Wuskwatim project found that Manitoba Hydro and NCN had proven the projects were viable and economic. The report also recommended that an environmental licence for the project be granted subject to a number of hydrological requirements and environmental protection plan requirements.

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