A Hydroelectric Project for Present and Future Generations

Home , Nemiscau, Rupert River

Project Agent

Eastmain-1-A and Sarcelle Powerhouses and Rupert Diversion A hydroelectric project for present and future generations

Information Document • March 2008

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CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Hydro 25201 The project in a nutshell

The Eastmain-1-A/Sarcelle/Rupert The Rupert diversion is made up of project is now in the construction phase. the following: The Société d’énergie de la Baie James • Four dams obtained the mandate to carry out the • A spillway on the Rupert River, which project. The main components of the will also function as an instream fl ow project, which has an estimated output release structure of 8.7 TWh, are: • 74 dikes • Eastmain-1-A powerhouse (768 MW), • Two diversion bays covering a total near Eastmain-1 powerhouse area of some 346 km2 • Sarcelle powerhouse (150 MW), at the • A 2.9-km-long tunnel between the outlet of Opinaca reservoir Rupert forebay and tailbay • The Rupert diversion, through which • A network of canals with a total length part of the water from the Rupert River of about 7 km to facilitate fl ow in the will fl ow to Eastmain-1, Eastmain-1-A various portions of the diversion bays and Sarcelle powerhouses, then on to while minimizing the total area fl ooded Robert-Bourassa, La Grande-2-A and • Eight hydraulic structures on the La Grande-1 powerhouses Rupert River to maintain post-diversion water levels along approximately half Mean annual output 8.7 TWh the river's length Eastmain-1-A powerhouse 2.3 TWh To comply with the maximum water Sarcelle powerhouse 1.1 TWh level stipulated in the Sakami Lake Agreement, a canal equipped with Power that’s clean and green: Robert-Bourassa, a concrete weir will be constructed a very profi table drop of water … La Grande-2-A and La Grande-1: at the lake's outlet. four times through the turbines! additional output generated by infl ows from the Rupert 5.3 TWh To bring the electricity generated by The project’s main strength lies in the the new powerhouses onto the power optimization of the generating capacity Project cost $5 billion grid, a 315-kV line will be built between of the La Grande complex. Once it has Unit cost 5.1¢/kWh the Eastmain-1 and Eastmain-1-A switch- driven the turbines at Eastmain-1 or yards, and between Sarcelle and Eastmain-1-A and Sarcelle powerhouses, Construction schedule 2007–2012 Eastmain-1 substations. the water diverted from the Rupert River will increase the turbine fl ow at the existing Robert-Bourassa, La Grande-2-A and La Grande-1 generating stations.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Hydro 25201 Studies conducted in collaboration From design with the Crees P to construction

From 1998 to 2001, Hydro-Québec Environmentally friendly Wi developed a draft version of the project During the studies, concerns expressed Du in collaboration with the Crees. by the Cree Nation and James Bay The With the signing of the Paix des Braves residents infl uenced the design of the Ne in February 2002, the Crees consented to project. We the project’s construction subject to the In the construction phase, the environ- pat conditions set out in the Boumhounan mental program has three main focuses: sur Agreement as well as compliance with monitoring the work for compliance with Fea the applicable legislation. applicable laws and regulations, imple- trad Between February 2002 and December menting planned mitigation measures, of t 2004, in collaboration with the Crees, and launching a follow-up of environ- and Hydro-Québec optimized the project mental changes caused by the project. design and conducted the environmental impact study in accordance with the directives of the governments of Québec and Canada.

In November 2006 and February 2007, after a stringent environmental assessment process, Hydro-Québec obtained Criteria that infl uenced the project design: the necessary government approvals to • Minimal fl ooding of land begin the project, deemed environmen- • Application of an ecological instream fl ow regime in the Rupert River tally, socially, technically and economi- • Maintenance of fl ow equivalent to the natural fl ow in the Lemare and Nemiscau rivers Du cally acceptable. • Building of hydraulic structures on the Rupert River to protect fi sh communities For The building of permanent structures and habitat, preserve the natural appearance of the river, and support navigation Hyd began in February 2007. Eastmain-1-A and land use in some of its stretches wa and Sarcelle powerhouses will be com- • Mesgouez Lake, Champion Lake and Lake Nemiscau to be kept at their natural levels fro missioned in 2011 and 2012 respectively. • Supply of drinking water to be ensured for the village of Waskaganish abo The Rupert diversion will go into opera- • Sakami Lake to be maintained at the level set out in the Sakami Lake Agreement and tion in December 2009. • Guarantees, assurances and undertakings in the Boumhounan Agreement Com bet tra com abo mit sup pro

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Hydro 25201 Signing of the Paix des Braves with the Crees Partnerships on February 7, 2002 Foreground, from left to right: Bernard Landry, then Premier of Québec, and Dr. Ted Moses, former Grand Chief of the Grand Council of the Crees of Québec

With the Crees Many means of communication are With the Jamesians used by the Committee: During the studies During the studies • Meetings with Cree land users The Cree communities of Mistissini, Information and discussion panels were directly aff ected by the project Nemaska, Waskaganish, Eastmain, an opportunity to meet with Jamesian • Public information sessions in Wemindji and Chisasibi actively partici- land users and discuss the results of the communities pated in the environmental and technical the environmental and technical studies • Distribution of the Boumhounan surveys through the Cree–Hydro-Québec at each major stage of the draft design. Newsletter Feasibility Study Group. Thus, the Crees’ Concerns expressed during these • Radio programs traditional knowledge and knowledge meetings were taken into account of the land played a key role in collecting For any questions about the in the project design. and interpreting the data. Committee and its activities, call (514) 286-2020, ext. 2022, During construction or send an e-mail to Throughout the construction period, [email protected]. Jamesians will be kept informed of the project status. At statutory meetings with ComaxNORD, Hydro-Québec–SEBJ will continue its discussions with Nord- du-Québec stakeholders to ensure the implementation of measures designed Information session to maximize regional economic spinoff s. for the Crees

During construction

For the construction phase, the Cree– Signing of the partnering agreement Hydro-Québec Follow-Up Committee with the Municipality of Baie-James on January 28, 2005 was created, made up of representatives Background: from left to right, Sam from the Cree communities mentioned Hamad, then Québec Minister of Natural above, from the Niskamoon Company Resources, Wildlife and Parks, and Jean Charest, Premier of Québec. Foreground, and from Hydro-Québec. The roles of the Thierry Vandal, then President of Hydro- Committee include promoting discussion Québec Production, and Gérald Lemoyne, Mayor of the Municipality of Baie-James between Hydro-Québec and the Crees, transmitting information to the Cree communities, advising Hydro-Québec about the environmental follow-up and mitigation measures, and coordinating support for trappers throughout the project.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Hydro 25201 Rupert diversion

Instream fl ow

In order to protect fi sh habitat and preserve navigation and fi shing, an ecological instream fl ow regime will be implemented downstream of Rupert Visual simulation dam. A spillway equipped with a control Spillway releasing structure will release the instream fl ow, instream fl ow The Rupert River stretches some 560 km which will be modulated according to

from Lake Mistassini to Rupert Bay. A four main biological cycles for fi sh, namely dam will be built 314 km from the river spring spawning, summer feeding, fall mouth and 71% of the river’s fl ow will spawning and winter incubation. be diverted north, leaving a residual fl ow Instream fl ow release structures on the of 29%. Between the dam and the river Lemare and Nemiscau rivers, two tribu- mouth, infl ows from the tributaries will taries of the Rupert, will help maintain continue to feed the river. Thus, the fl ow mean annual fl ows equivalent to natural at the mouth of the Rupert River, near conditions. the village of Waskaganish, will be equivalent to 48% of the present mean annual Future instream fl ow of the Rupert fl ow. In other words, 52% of the water at the diversion point in the Rupert watershed will be diverted toward Eastmain-1 and Eastmain-1-A. Spring fl ow 416 m3/s

Getting the diverted fl ow to the power- Summer fl ow 127 m3/s houses will entail the creation of two Fall fl ow 267 m3/s diversion bays: the Rupert forebay and tailbay. A series of hydraulic and retaining Winter fl ow 127 m3/s structures will be built to contain the Mean annual fl ow 181 m3/s diverted waters in the diversion bays and channel the fl ow northward. A tunnel approximately 2.9 km long will transfer the fl ow from forebay to tailbay. These structures are designed to mini- mize the land areas fl ooded.

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KP 290 Visual simulation of weir ral Before partial diversion of the Rupert After partial diversion of the Rupert

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Location of hydraulic structures on the Rupert River

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Hydro 25201 Road that will run alongside Creation of Rupert Rupert tailbay diversion bays

Diversion bays For

The partial diversion of the Rupert • U River will require construction of a series • L of hydraulic and retaining structures, • T including a rockfi ll dam on the Rupert • R River and three sand and gravel dams, • L one on the Lemare River and two on the r Nemiscau. Construction of an approxi- • 3 mately 2.9-km-long tunnel is also planned n between the Lemare and Nemiscau • F watersheds, as well as 9 canals and R 74 dikes. w le These structures will create two diversion bays which will be connected by the tunnel and will channel the water into Eastmain 1 reservoir. The net mean annual diverted fl ow is anticipated at 452.6 m3/s and will not exceed 800 m3/s. Unlike a reservoir, a diversion bay is not used to stock water.

Visual simulation Lemare dam

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Hydro 25201 Bridge over the Transfer Lemare River tunnel

Forebay Tailbay

• Upstream from transfer tunnel • Downstream from transfer tunnel • Length: 50 m • Length: 44 km • Total area: 228.7 km2 • Total area: 117.5 km2 • Rupert dam and spillway • Nemiscau-1 dam and instream fl ow • Lemare dam and instream fl ow release structure release structure • Nemiscau-2 dam and instream fl ow • 33 dikes close off the west and release structure north sides • Closed by 41 dikes • Four canals channel water from the • Five canals for adequate water fl ow Rupert to the Lemare watershed, • Partial relocation of three existing while limiting the maximum water transmission lines levels and fl ooded areas

Profi le of transfer tunnel

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Hydro 25201 Powerhouses

Eastmain-1-A Eastmain-1 Inn

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Eas tial nen Visual simulation Visual simulation ma Eastmain-1-A Sarcelle Bu 3 Francis turbine units 256 MW each 3 bulb turbine units 50 MW each Sar Total installed capacity 768 MW Total installed capacity 150 MW wit Design fl ow 1,344 m3/s Design fl ow 1,380 m3/s Bul gen Head 63 m Rated net head 11.7 m tigh Output 2.3 TWh/y Output 1.1 TWh/y situ hea Sar Connection of Sarcelle powerhouse

To bring the power from Sarcelle powerhouse onto the grid, Hydro-Québec will build a 101-km-long, 315-kV single-circuit line. The project also includes building a substation on the powerhouse site.

Bulb

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Hydro 25201 Superstructure built of prefabricated components

Innovation Dam with an asphalt concrete core

A prefabricated powerhouse Nemiscau-1 dam will be a rockfi ll structure with an asphalt concrete core, which Eastmain-1-A powerhouse will be par- is a fi rst in Canada. Well known in Europe, tially built from prefabricated compo- this technique is used instead of till nents assembled on the site. This will to ensure that a structure is watertight. make work on the powerhouse go faster. Although there is no lack of till in the Nemiscau area, Hydro-Québec wants Bulb-type turbines to master the asphalt concrete core Sarcelle powerhouse will be equipped technique for use in future projects in with bulb units, a fi rst for Hydro-Québec. northern regions where till is harder to Bulb units, where both the turbine and fi nd, such as the Romaine project. generator are housed within a watertight metal casing, are appropriate in situations where there is little hydraulic head (about a dozen metres at the Sarcelle site) and heavy fl ow.

Cross-sectional view of Nemiscau-1 dam

Bulb turbine unit

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Hydro 25201 Public Government hearings T authorizations a

During the studies During construction The 70 permits issued by the federal De Minister of Transport, Infrastructure The project is subject to the environ- The certifi cate of authorization issued 20 and Communities under Section 5 (1) mental assessment processes stipulated by the Provincial Administrator of Hyd of the Navigable Waters Protection Act in Section 22 of the James Bay and the JBNQA comes with 97 conditions exp authorize the building of structures Northern Québec Agreement (JBNQA), intended to protect the biophysical in o in navigable water bodies. Chapter II of the Québec Environment and human environments aff ected nio Quality Act, and the Canadian Environ- by the project. During the construction phase, Hydro- stu mental Assessment Act. Québec will also have to obtain some pro The permit issued by the Minister of 1200 sector-related authorizations under life, The project was reviewed by both the Fisheries and Oceans under Section 35 the Environment Quality Act, the Forest nav provincial Review Committee (COMEX), of the Fisheries Act imposes 40 conditions Act, the Mining Act and the Dam Safety cul which reports to the Provincial Adminis- designed to protect fi sh habitats. Act, among others. info trator of the JBNQA, and the federal env Review Panel, which reported to the federal Environment Minister and has An now been dissolved. an the Main steps the

Before beginning construction on the project, Hydro-Québec had to complete many steps. Here are the main ones:

• Project notifi cation fi led on November 29, 2002 • Public consultation on the directives, from May 28 to June 11, 2003 • Final directives obtained in August 2003 for the preparation of the environmental impact statement • Environmental impact statement fi led in December 2004 • Public consultation on compliance of the impact statement, from January 31 to April 30, 2005 • Tabling of answers to requests for additional information from the review bodies, from August 2005 to January 2006 • Public hearings in the six Cree communities as well as in Chibougamau and Montréal, from March 15 to June 9, 2006 • Certifi cate of authorization obtained from the Provincial Administrator for Section 22 of the JBNQA, on November 24, 2006 • Federal authorizations obtained from the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, on February 2, 2007

Fire

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Hydro 25201 Biologists measure water The environment: depth and current velocity above a brook a priority trout nest

Design, Construction, Operation, 2002–2006 2007–2012 beginning in 2012

Hydro-Québec took the concerns In the construction phase, the project’s Hydro-Québec will monitor the project’s expressed by the land users into account environmental components focus on impacts on the environment, verify the in order to integrate the project harmo- three areas: eff ectiveness of the mitigation measures niously into the environment. The many and make any necessary corrections. The - studies conducted during the draft design Environmental compliance knowledge acquired during the environ- provided valuable information on wild- mental follow-up process will be put to In accordance with the law and the der life, vegetation, land use, archaeology, good use in future projects. ISO 14001 environmental management t navigation and the economic, social, and standard, Hydro-Québec is making sure y cultural environment of the region. This that the work is conducted with environ- information was used to establish the mental conservation in mind, and with environmental baselines. the least possible disruption to the activi- An analysis of the impacts then provided ties of land users. an assessment of the project’s eff ects on the environment and helped establish Mitigation measures the necessary mitigation measures. Hydro-Québec has begun to implement the many mitigation measures set out in the impact statement and government authorization conditions, to ensure that a new environmental balance is achieved and the activities of the land users carry on.

Environmental studies

Hydro-Québec will continue its environmental studies, particularly with respect to fi sh, birds and land animals, until impoundment. Hydro-Québec is keeping a close watch on how the construction of structures and roads aff ects land use patterns as well as the economic, social and cultural environment of the populations concerned.

Fireweed Labrador tea Common merganser

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Hydro 25201 Granular blanket Banks seeded on the banks of the with grasses Grande Rivière

Protecting the banks Water quality Ve of the Grande Rivière The diversion of the Rupert River will Aft In the Grande Rivière estuary, the bring about a slight change in water to m change in fl ow regime caused by the characteristics, mainly in the diversion of t Rupert diversion may accentuate erosion, bays and the Rupert River. Nonetheless, and which already aff ects the river banks at water quality will remain excellent and rea this location. To prevent the eff ects of will sustain aquatic life and the various Rup such erosion, work will be carried out uses of the Rupert River. A follow-up giv at the base of the left bank in erosion on water quality in the Rupert and gol zones, between 2007 and 2009. Nemiscau rivers will monitor changes haw in water color, turbidity and suspended The solids near Cree camps. Protecting the banks of J of the Rupert 199 Waskaganish drinking bed Some 400 ha of exposed banks below water plant wa Rupert dam will be seeded with grasses, The mainly from the air, to slow erosion sub- The village of Waskaganish, which gets 200 stantially and improve the wildlife poten- its water supply from the mouth of the to 2 tial of the riverbanks. Seeding will be Rupert River, will be equipped with a done after the Rupert is diverted, in the new water treatment plant to replace summers of 2010 and 2011. the existing, outdated plant. The new plant, scheduled to be commissioned in In Waskaganish, armor rock will be put 2009, will meet the needs of the popula- in place to stabilize a section of bank tion for 20 years. above and below the village water intake. This work will be done while the new drinking water plant is being built.

Waskaganish water intake

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Hydro 25201 Golden hedge-hyssop

Merchantable timber

Vegetation Restoration of work areas Clearing of diversion bays

After diversion, a study will be done Temporary work areas such as roads, Before impoundment, over one quarter to monitor the colonization of the banks sandpits and quarries will be restored (51 km2) of the Rupert diversion bay area of the Rupert diversion bays by riparian as soon as they are no longer needed. will be cleared to facilitate fl ow, naviga- and aquatic vegetation in the lower This operation involves a number of tion and land use. Clearing operations reaches of the Rupert, the estuary and stages: cleaning, grading, restabilization will run from 2007 to 2009 and be carried Rupert Bay. Particular attention will be of slopes, scarifi cation of compacted soil, out by Cree businesses and the tallymen given to special-status plants such as and re-establishment of natural drainage. concerned. golden hedge-hyssop and Robinson’s Grasses and leguminous plants will be hawkweed. Recovery of merchantable timber seeded hydraulically over nearly 390 ha The eelgrass beds on the northeast coast of restored areas. More than 6 million Approximately 45,000 m3 of merchant- of James Bay will also be monitored. In trees and shrubs will also be planted, able timber will be recovered from the 1999, a decline was noted in eelgrass mainly green alder, but also jack pine Rupert diversion bays. In accordance beds, which are a favorite habitat of and black spruce. In some places, goose with the Boumhounan Agreement, the waterfowl and a refuge for small fi sh. hunting areas will be developed in con- wood recovered will be delivered free of They started to make a comeback in junction with Cree land users. charge to the Cree sawmill at Waswanipi. 2000 and will be monitored from 2009 In addition, 10,000 m3 of merchantable to 2019. Forests timber is expected to be recovered in work areas outside the diversion bays. The region’s forests consist almost entirely of spruce-moss stands of varying density, Monitoring and collection of wood dominated by black spruce. Northward, debris in the Rupert diversion bays this vegetation gives way to relatively unproductive, open spruce-lichen forest. After impoundment of the diversion The diversion bay section was severely bays, wood debris will rise to the surface aff ected by major forest fi res of natural and drift with the winds and waves until origin in 2002. it washes up on the banks or sinks to the bottom.

Wood debris will be monitored from 2010 to 2015, to see how it moves and where it accumulates. If necessary, a clean-up program will be set up in collaboration with the tallymen to facilitate navigation, mainly in the areas that were cleared. A Cree worker plants trees

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Hydro 25201 Lake Fishing for cisco sturgeon at Smokey Hill

Fish impoundment, one near Mesgouez Lake Cisco Rep and the other on the Misticawissich, wh The most abundant species in the Lake cisco are rare in the Rupert River, a tributary of the Rupert. A third, down- on Rupert River are walleye, northern pike, except in the lower reaches. The Rupert stream from the weir at KP 290, will be the lake sturgeon, lake whitefi sh, longnose cisco is an anadromous species, meaning disturbed by weir construction and fl ow dev sucker, white sucker and anadromous that it feeds in brackish or salt water reduction in the Rupert. These three and lake cisco. The two species most valued and reproduces in fresh water. The draft- spawning grounds will be redeveloped dow by the Crees are sturgeon and cisco. design studies provided a lot of informa- near their present locations. wh tion on the cisco population. Sturgeon The sturgeon follow-up program will The The cisco feed in Rupert Bay and James focus on monitoring the downstream larg Lake sturgeon is a species likely to be Bay in spring and early summer. They migration of larvae and juveniles in in t designated threatened or vulnerable. begin to migrate up the Rupert in early spring, spawning, and the eff ectiveness eco This fi sh has a unique life cycle as it may August and continue until late Septem- of the mitigation and compensation a ro live for 60 years or more and reaches ber. The cisco swim up the Rupert to the measures put in place. me sexual maturity between age 20 and 30. Smokey Hill Rapids, which are impassable tan The reproduction cycle ranges from two for almost all fi sh. It’s at the foot of these to six years, depending on gender and rapids that the Waskaganish Crees meet The the latitude of the water body. Sturgeon in late summer every year, to fi sh for in t spawn in spring, immediately down- cisco and smoke them. for stream of large rapids, and spawners wil may swim up to 100 km to reach their spr spawning ground. spa fall Fifteen sturgeon spawning grounds have been found in stretches of the Rupert that will be aff ected by the project. Two will be fl ooded by the diversion bay

Young sturgeons will be hatched and seeded into the Rupert River downstream from Lake Nemiscau. Lake seedings will continue from 2008 to 2012, to increase the numbers in a fi sh population that was once abundant in this stretch of the river.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Hydro 25201 Gathering cisco at Smokey Hill

Monitoring the migration of cisco larvae

Reproduction takes place in November, Lake trout, brook trout, when the cisco deposit their eggs directly lake whitefi sh, walleye, on the river bed in a 10-km section of white sucker and longnose sucker rt the river between KP 14 and 24. The eggs ng Diversion bay impoundment will raise develop during winter and hatch in May the water level at existing spawning and June. The cisco larvae are then swept ft- grounds. To ensure the long-term survival downstream by the current to Rupert Bay, ma- of fi sh species, spawning grounds for lake where they feed and develop. trout (gray trout) will be developed in The Rupert spawning ground is the three lakes in the Rupert forebay, and es largest known cisco spawning ground spawning grounds for walleye, suckers in the James Bay territory. Thanks to the and lake whitefi sh will be created near y ecological instream fl ow regime and to the planned hydraulic structures. m- a rock blanket that will maintain the he In addition, because the reduced fl ow mean summer water level, this impor- ble in the Rupert and the construction of tant breeding area will be conserved. se hydraulic structures will disturb some et The anadromous lake cisco population spawning grounds used by lake white- Brook trout spawning grounds created using a weir and baffl e in the Rupert River will be monitored fi sh, walleye and suckers, new spawning for several years. In particular, drift nets grounds will be created nearby. will be used to study the downstream For brook trout, new spawning grounds spring migration of cisco larvae. The have been planned along with related spatial distribution of spawners in the works, such as baffl es and weirs, in order fall will also be tracked. to improve breeding conditions in four tributaries of the lower Rupert and increase the population of this species.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Hydro 25201 Walleye cooking over a fi re

Follow-up on fi sh Both Crees and recreational anglers can Bir continue to take advantage of the high A major follow-up program on fi sh began Mo nutritional value of fi sh. However, the in 2007 and will continue until 2023. aqu consumption recommendations of public The follow-up will determine whether Bay health agencies such as the Cree Board the instream fl ow adequately ensures sev of Health and Social Services of James the availability of spawning habitats of t Bay must be followed. and successful reproduction in the lower wit Rupert. In addition, the follow-up will Hydro-Québec will monitor fi sh mercury Ne study changes in fi sh populations and until 2021 and will convey its fi ndings to cies habitats in the Rupert diversion bays the public health authorities. In collabo- bee and the increased-fl ow section. ration with the Cree Board of Health of t and Social Services of James Bay, Hydro- for Québec will produce a fi sh consumption Hyd Mercury and health guide for the region. Also, access to alter- the Impoundment of the diversion bays will nate bodies of water will be facilitated so bay submerge a large quantity of terrestrial that land users can continue to consume gro organic matter that will release methyl fi sh with minimal restrictions. mercury during the process of bacterial Exc decomposition. Assimilated by all aquatic for organisms, this form of mercury accumulates up the food chain. That is why the Alt Smoking fi sh mercury levels in piscivorous fi sh are aqu higher. bla is m The expected increase in mercury levels lich will be temporary. Fish mercury will col increase in the diversion bays and, to a lea lesser degree, in the Nemiscau, Lemare fi ni and Rupert rivers downstream of the fl ow pon release structures. Mercury levels will peak 3 to 10 years following diversion In a bay impoundment and will fall back to wil normal levels in 10 to 30 years, depend- can ing on the species. to m

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Hydro 25201 Bonaparte’s gull

n Birds Installing nesting platforms h for the great gray owl More than 130 bird species live in the aquatic and forest habitats around Rupert The great gray owl does not build nests, blic Bay and the diversion bays. These include but uses the nests of other raptors or the d several rare species or species at the limit fl at tops of stout trees. In Finland, it has of their ranges: yellow rail, marbled god- even been seen nesting on the roof of wit, sandhill crane, little gull, bald eagle, a barn. In Québec, only three great gray A suitable habitat for ury Nelson’s sharp-tailed sparrow. Three spe- owl nests have ever been found. the great gray owl, to cies of geese and 27 species of ducks have shown at left Five artifi cial platforms will be set up o- been documented. In 2003, breeding in trees at the edges of the largest wet- of the marbled godwit was confi rmed lands to encourage the great gray owl o- for the fi rst time in Québec. to nest in the Rupert diversion bays. A on Hydro-Québec will take steps to mitigate follow-up will be done to see whether er- the impact that creating the diversion the platforms are being used. so bays will have on the habitats of several me groups of birds. Bird inventories

Inventories will be carried out from 2007 Excavation of ponds to 2021 along the Rupert River, in the for Bonaparte’s gulls Rupert diversion bays and in control plots Although the Bonaparte’s gull is an to monitor population changes in water- aquatic bird, it nests in trees. Found in fowl, raptors and forest birds. black spruce or tamarack trees, the nest In addition, inventories in the Rupert is made of branches, twigs, moss and tailbay and the islands in Lake Nemiscau lichen. The species reproduces in small from 2012 to 2016 will count short-eared colonies of 4 to 20 birds. The young owl nests. Data will also be collected on leave the nest when one week old and the use of the Rupert diversion bays, fi nish their growth on a neighboring Opinaca reservoir and Boyd and Sakami pond. lakes by the Canada goose during migra- In a treed peatland of the tailbay, ponds tion and molting. will be excavated so that breeding pairs can nest there. A follow-up will be done to monitor the use of the ponds.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Hydro 25201 Herd of barren- ground caribou. Far left, woodland caribou

Caribou A follow-up will take place between Be 2008 and 2011 to determine the abun- Two morphologically similar caribou Aer dance and distribution of caribou during ecotypes are found in the project area. Rup the work, regardless of ecotype. Invento- tall The barren-ground caribou (also known ries will be conducted in winter when bea as migratory caribou) lives in large herds tracks in the snow make it easier to we that migrate over great distances every locate the caribou. Information on year. It arrives in the project area in late woodland caribou will also be obtained To fall and stays for the winter. It leaves again from the tallymen. tra in the spring and heads to the tundra me near Ungava Bay for the summer. pro mo The woodland caribou (or sedentary caribou) lives in small herds in the boreal forest. It stays in the project area year- round and uses habitats in the diversion bay section. This ecotype is not abundant and is sensitive to disturbances. It has protected species status in Canada. Beaver trapping

Caribou habitat

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Hydro 25201 Red Spruce squirrel grouse

Beaver and bear Monitoring of land animals

Aerial surveys conducted in 2007 in the and semi-aquatic wildlife Rupert diversion bay section with the six during impoundment tallymen concerned revealed 79 active Helicopter fl ights over the Rupert diver- beaver colonies. About a dozen bears sion bays during impoundment will were observed there, as well. identify and monitor places where ani- To prevent these animals from being mals may take refuge, for instance tem- trapped by the diversion bay impound- porary islands. If necessary, animals in ment, the tallymen are continuing the distress will be harvested or moved with program started in 2007 to harvest or the help of the tallymen. move them. Small animals

The following species are considered small wildlife: American marten, snow- shoe hare, American mink, river otter, American porcupine, red fox, red squirrel, Canada lynx, spruce grouse and willow American ptarmigan. marten Four years after impoundment, a winter aerial survey of small animal tracks will be done in the new riparian environments of the diversion bays and the Rupert River to assess the use of these habitats.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Hydro 25201 Tanning Net fi shing a bear hide

Cree land use Enhancement of wetlands Cr for goose hunting The project involves approximately 30 Hyd of the 297 Cree traplines. The creation To facilitate goose hunting activities, to h of the Rupert diversion bays will primarily ponds and canals will be dug in peat- the aff ect four traplines in the community lands around the Rupert diversion bays. rela of Mistissini and two in the community The sites and access routes have been the of Nemaska. Reduced fl ow in the Rupert chosen in collaboration with the tallymen. a L will have an impact on traplines in the Shallow ponds will also be developed in wit communities of Nemaska and Waska- some borrow pits. nity ganish. Increased fl ow downstream of A fo Eastmain-1 and Eastmain-1-A power- Relocation of Cree camps the houses will aff ect trap lines in the com- and building of access roads on munities of Eastmain and Wemindji. Given the project component locations cov Hydro-Québec has reached an agree- and the disturbances caused by certain bet ment with the tallymen on measures they types of work, some Cree camps will com deem necessary for the continuation of have to be relocated or rebuilt. Accord- their hunting, fi shing and trapping activi- ingly, new access routes will be needed, ties. The main elements involve relocating namely ATV and snowmobile trails and a camps, building new access roads, boat few short roads. The locations of the new ramps and portages, and developing camps and access routes are being wetlands for goose hunting. As much determined in close collaboration with as possible, these measures are to be the tallymen concerned. Wherever pos- carried out by the tallymen and their sible, the work will be carried out by the families. tallymen.

During construction, the tallymen will be informed about all the activities planned on their respective traplines and will be asked to participate in all surveys, inventories and studies that take place on their trapline.

After diversion, a follow-up lasting up to 15 years will determine how the land users adapt to the new conditions in their environment.

New camp

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Hydro 25201 Cree workers clearing land

Cree society Sport hunting and fi shing

Hydro-Québec is developing measures To prevent overharvesting of wildlife to help Cree workers adapt to life on resources and possible confl icts of usage, the jobsite and promote harmonious Hydro-Québec and the Crees, through relations between the workcamps and the Weh-Sees Indohoun Corporation the Cree communities. For example, and with the support of the Ministère a Liaison Committee has been formed des Ressources naturelles, de la Faune Northern pike with representatives from the commu- et des Parcs, have set up a sport hunting nity of Nemaska and from the jobsite. and fi shing management system over a For waterfowl and small game, provincial 15,500 km2 area that includes the main regulations apply. A follow-up will be done to determine workcamps. the level of integration of Cree workers Sport hunting and fi shing by workers on the jobsite. The follow-up will also Under this system, recreational anglers will be monitored throughout the con- cover the type and quality of relations have to obtain a special fi shing permit. struction period (2007–2011). The level between the workcamps and the Cree Each permit is valid for one day only, on of satisfaction of the tallymen concerned communities. one specifi c body of water. Anglers must with the wildlife resource management respect a daily catch limit and declare system will also be monitored, to deter- their catches. Moreover, a maximum mine if changes are necessary. quota applies for each species and each body of water. Once the quotas have been reached, the body of water is closed for fi shing for the season.

For moose, the sport hunting season has been shortened by one week and hunters are allowed to kill males and calves. It should be noted that recreational moose hunting is prohibited throughout the Eastmain sector, south of Opinaca reservoir.

Setting up a tent

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Hydro 25201 Crees on Arte a portage to ri fem toba qua Mist arro

Navigation Ar

In the diversion bays, many measures are Arc planned to facilitate navigation after the 200 construction phase: clearing of corridors, hav building of boat launches and portages, lan collection of wood debris in some areas. and For safety, signs will be set up near dik the hydraulic structures and booms will Landscape div be installed near the Rupert spillway, Art Lemare dam and transfer tunnel. The partial diversion of the Rupert River inc will change the riparian landscape. How- Several measures are also planned for and ever, eight hydraulic structures will maintaining navigation on the Rupert: (ch maintain the mean summer water level release of instream fl ows, construction At along nearly half of the reduced-fl ow of hydraulic structures, building of boat pot section of the Rupert and will preserve launches and rebuilding of portages. can the natural aspect of the landscape in Here too, safety signs will be put up fi nd these areas. In stretches not controlled near hydraulic structures. lod by hydraulic structures, the banks will be red The follow-up will consist in assessing exposed to varying degrees, depending ciat navigation conditions along the Rupert on their grade. The exposed banks most sup diversion bays and the lower Rupert as sensitive to erosion will be seeded with far as the river mouth. A navigation map grasses to accelerate plant colonization To covering both areas will be produced. and improve landscape quality. fac res The purpose of the follow-up is to assess dat the eff ect of the reduced fl ow and lower col water level on the users’ and observers’ of r perception of landscape quality on the sev Rupert. cer rec con fi re

Canoe and motorboat outings

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Hydro 25201 Artefacts, from left to right: bead, caribou femur (scraper), metal tobacco box, red quartzite knife and Mistassini quartzite arrowhead

Archaeology

Archaeological inventories, started in 2002 with the participation of the Crees, have mainly covered areas aff ected by land clearing, the building of workcamps and the construction of access roads, dikes and structures related to the Rupert diversion bays.

Artefacts discovered at the oldest sites er include chipped stone objects, fl akes w- and tools made of various materials (chert, quartz, quartzite and calcedony). el At more recent sites, fi shing net weights, pots, glass containers, toboggans and e canoe parts have been found. Other fi nds have revealed the presence of Top: Archaelogical digs. d Bottom: A young Cree sifting soil for artefacts. lodgings or temporary shelters: split and be reddened stones, whitened bones asso- ng ciated with fi re pits, tent rings, caches, ost supports of all kinds. h n To date, the digs have uncovered artefacts from all time periods. Preliminary Scheduled to continue until 2009, the results show that the earliest occupations digs will conserve Cree cultural heritage ess date back approximately 4,650 years. The and off er insights into the lives of the wer collection includes tens of thousands region’s inhabitants over the last s’ of rock chips, several hundred tools, and millennia. e several hundred fragments of Amerindian ceramics. Items associated with more recent occupations are mainly metal containers, glass bottle shards, beads, fi re stone and lead shot.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Hydro 25201 Regional K economic spinoff s d

Measures to promote Forecasts and follow-up of economic spinoff s Co economic spinoff s In view of these measures and the experience gained by regional businesses and Rup The Boumhounan Agreement provides workers (Cree and Jamesian) during the Eastmain-1 project, the project’s construction Mu for a number of measures to facilitate phase is expected to generate major economic spinoff s: the participation of Cree businesses Rup Cree communities $122.6 M 1,190 person-years and workers: Hyd Municipality of Baie-James $126.0 M 1,345 person-years • Negotiation of $5 million in contracts Eas for the study phase Abitibi-Témiscamingue $163.9 M 1,698 person-years • Negotiation of construction contracts Sar Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean $227.8 M 2,700 person-years worth $240 million Sak • Submissions to the Commission de la A follow-up will determine the real value of the project’s economic spinoff s during construction du Québec to facilitate construction and operation for the Cree communities, the Municipality of Baie-James Cree employment Co and other regions, and assess the eff ectiveness of the measures put into place. • Hiring of a Cree employment counsellor Rup • A $1.5-million fund for theoretical and hands-on training of Cree workers Eas • Allocation of $45 million worth Sar of contracts during operations

Steps have also been taken to increase economic spinoff s for Jamesians:

• Priority to regional businesses for contracts and procurement under $1 million • Regional subcontracting clause to encourage contractors to procure supplies locally • A jobsite agent has been hired to promote James Bay businesses • 50-year fi nancial partnership with the Municipality of Baie-James

Construction of Rupert spillway

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Hydro 25201 Road construction between Albanel Key construction substation and Rupert workcamp dates

Component Start – End

Rupert diversion bay road February 2007 – Fall 2007 ion Muskeg–Eastmain-1 road Fall 2007 – Summer 2008

Rupert diversion bay dams and dikes February 2007 – Fall 2009 ars Hydraulic structures on the Rupert Spring 2009 – Fall 2010 ars Eastmain-1-A powerhouse Summer 2007 – Fall 2011 ars Sarcelle powerhouse Fall 2008 – Spring 2012 ars Sakami structure Spring 2008 – Fall 2008 es Commissioning

Rupert diversion Fall 2009

Eastmain-1-A powerhouse Fall 2011

Sarcelle powerhouse Spring 2012

Rupert workcamp

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Hydro 25201 For more information: 1 866 447-2047 E-mail: [email protected]

© Hydro-Québec 2008 Reproduction authorized with acknowledgment of source Legal deposit – 1st quarter 2008 Library and Archives Canada Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec ISBN 978-2-550-52454-0 2007G402A Ce document est également publié en français.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Hydro 25201