Environmental Impact Assessment Public Involvement Program Round 1 Keeyask Generating Station Location Proposed Keeyask Generation Project

Artist’s Rendering – Concept Only Generating Stations, Communities and Resource Management Areas

N Southern Indian Hudson Lake Bay

Fox Lake RMA Splitt Lake RMA

York Factctoryctt RMA

Conawapa GS (Proposed) O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Nation Keeyask Generating Station (Proposed)

Hayes River Waskaiowaka Limestone Lake Fox Lake Cree Nation Limestone GS Lake Bird

Leaf Rapids Kettle GS Long Spruce GS Stephens Lake Gull Fox Lake Cree Nation Nelson River Lake Gillam Split Lake Granville Lake NAC Assean Lake er Kettle v i Split Lake Lake R

l

l YorkYork i h Factoryy c York Factory r Ilford NAC Fox/Atkinson Shamattawa First Nation

u RMAA Lake h First Nation C Kelsey GS York Landing PR 391 PR 280

Highrock Lake Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation Thompson Armstrong Three Point Nelson House NAC Lake Lake Nelson River

Wuskwatim NAC Lake Wuskwatim GS

Thicket Portage NAC

Generating Stations (Existing)

Generating Stations (Proposed) Sipiwesk Lake Generating Stations (Under Construction) NAC

Wekusko Community Lake (NAC: Northern Affairs Community) Cross Lake Cross Lake Cree Nation Road Cross Lake NAC Jenpeg GS Rail Line Split Lake Resource Management Area

Fox Lake Resource Management Area

York Factory Resource Management Area Kiskittogisu Lake

Norway House Cree Nation P 4020 0 40 Kilometers la NAC y g re en

La ke Proposed Keeyask Generation Project

• The Keeyask Project is being studied for possible hydroelectric development in the foreseeable future. The Keeyask Project is in the Split Lake Resource Management Area. The Fox Lake Resource Management Area is downstream; the largest portion of the York Factory Resource Management Area is also downstream; a smaller portion is generally within the boundaries of the Split Lake Resource Management Area • The project is still at a planning and discussion stage • No decision has been made to go forward with the project • Planning and environmental studies have started for the project with data collection and analysis • While additional transmission capacity would be required to transmit power from Keeyask, planning for the transmission project is proceeding independently of the generation project for reliability and security of the electrical system • The Conawapa Project is also being studied for possible hydroelectric development, but is not part of the current process. The Conawapa Project is in the Fox Lake Resource Management Area. The Split Lake Resource Management Area is upstream; the largest portion of the York Factory Resource Management Area is also downstream; a smaller portion is generally within the boundaries of the Split Lake Resource Management Area Potential Keeyask Project Partnership

• Hydro is exploring the potential of a partnership with in-vicinity Keeyask Cree Nations (KCN) – Tataskweyak Cree Nation and War Lake First Nation (acting as the Cree Nation Partners), Fox Lake Cree Nation and York Factory First Nation • The parties are currently negotiating a Joint Keeyask Development Agreement (JKDA) or agreement that would govern how the project would be developed, as well as setting out understandings related to potential income opportunities, training, employment, business opportunities and other related matters • Keeyask would proceed at this time only with a positive vote on the JKDA by the KCN represented by a majority of the population Sustainable Projects

Manitoba Hydro is applying the principles of sustainable development in planning the project Economic • The Keeyask Project is an economic opportunity with energy initially being sold to export customers. As Manitoba’s energy needs continue to grow the project will eventually service domestic customers Social • Manitoba Hydro and local Cree Nations are working together to ensure the project, if it proceeds, is benefi cial to local and northern people Environmental • The project is being planned to avoid and mitigate environmental effects to the greatest extent practical Keeyask Project - Overview

• Keeyask would be the fourth largest 1600 - Station Size Comparison 1,485 MW of Manitoba Hydro’s current 1,330 MW 1400 - 1,220 generating stations MW 1200 - 980 • Approximate generating capacity: 1000 - MW

- Nominal capacity: 695 megawatts 800 - 695 MW - Average annual energy production: 600 - 4,400 gigawatt hours 400 - 200 78/120 MW • Generator units: 7 200 - MW • Flooded land area: 45 square kilometers 0 - Pointe Wuskwatim Keeyask Long Spruce Kettle Limestone Conawapa du Bois (Under (Proposed) (Proposed) (may gradually increase due to erosion) Construction) • Total reservoir area of Keeyask Generating Station: 93 square kilometers • Length of reservoir: Approximately 40 kilometers • Construction period: Approximately 7 to 8 years • Construction completed: 2020 Keeyask Project Components and Construction Activities

Principal Structures Supporting Infrastructure - Powerhouse - Access roads - Spillway - Cofferdams - Dams – central, north, and south - Worker accommodations - Dykes - Storage areas - Transmission tower spur - Offi ces

North Dyke North Access Road N

North Dam Powerhouse Transmission Spur FLOW Central Dam Spillway South Dam

South Dyke South Access Road

1010.5

Kilometers Keeyask Construction Employment

• Estimated 4500 total person-years of employment • Total of 7 to 8 years of construction • Construction occupations include: Designated trades (e.g., electrician, plumber) Non-designated trades (e.g., heavy equipment operator, truck driver, labourer) Support occupations (e.g., clerks, cooks/ catering, security) • Pre-project training of Aboriginal people under the Hydro Northern Training and Employment Initiative for the Wuskwatim and Keeyask Projects* has resulted in: • 1402 trainees participated in 3272 training activities • 627 individuals completed project-related trades or occupational training • Of the 627, there are 13 certifi ed journeypersons, 135 active apprentices and 97 pre-apprenticeship trainees • Aboriginal partners report 267 individuals employed in jobs related to training completed, as well as other occupations *Up to March 2007 Adverse Effects Agreements with Each Keeyask Cree Nation Part of JKDA

• Each of Tataskweyak Cree Nation, War Lake First Nation, Fox Lake Cree Nation and York Factory First Nation is negotiating a separate Adverse Effects Agreement that will bind the Keeyask Limited Partnership

• The purpose of the Adverse Effects Agreements, with certain exceptions, is to fully address all past and future Keeyask adverse effects on the Keeyask Cree Nations and their members which arise from the development and operation of the Keeyask Project and are foreseeable with the exercise of due diligence as of the date of the signing

• These agreements require that, subject to future review to address unforeseen issues, the adverse effects of the Keeyask Project on each of the Keeyask Cree Nations be determined prior to completion of the Environmental Impact Statement and the regulatory process KCN and Manitoba Hydro Environmental Protocol for the Environmental Impact Assessment

• Keeyask Cree Nations and Manitoba Hydro are operating according to protocols by which all prospective partners will participate in structures and committees responsible for the environmental impact assessment

• The protocol recognizes that environmental effects of the project are fundamental to the interests of all parties

• Each Keeyask Cree Nation, with support from Manitoba Hydro, is involving and informing its members about the environmental assessment Environmental Approvals

• An environmental assessment will be Start Environmental Studies

completed for the project to: Environmental Assessment Public - Identify potential effects the project may have on the environment and people Assessment Studies Involvement Program - Determine ways to avoid, reduce or mitigate potential negative effects Preparation of Environmental - Determine ways to enhance potential Impact Statement positive effects - Develop follow-up and monitoring programs Submission to Regulators • An environmental impact statement will report on the results of these studies and will be available to the public Public Hearings • The project is subject to review under thee Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and the Manitoba Environment Act, as Regulatory Approvals Granted well as other federal and provincial legislation. Public hearings are anticipated The Public Involvement Process

Purpose To provide meaningful opportunities for people to receive information and identify issues and potential effects about the proposed project

• The public involvement process will: - Keep members of the public in Manitoba informed about the project - Listen to and acknowledge the public’s concerns and interests in the project - Communicate how public input has infl uenced project studies and decisions Public Involvement Opportunities

• Public involvement is a key element of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) activities for the project • Round 1 of the Public Involvement Program will introduce the project and begin the process of public involvement – this will be followed by further opportunities to review information and to provide input

Round 1 Round 2 Round 3

• Project Description • Preliminary • Final Environmental Environmental • Issue Identifi cation Assessment Results Impact Statement Review Round 1 Consultation

Purpose

• To introduce the Keeyask Generation Project to the public

• To learn about any issues or concerns that the public may have about the project

• To hear from the public how they wish to be consulted in further rounds of the Public Involvement Program

Variety of Methods

• Meetings, workshops, open houses

• Newsletter, information panels

• Website Target Audiences

Those potentially affected by or interested in the proposed project: • Communities - Focus on Churchill-Burntwood-Nelson area - Other beyond the KCN - Gillam, Thompson - Northern Affairs communities

• Organizations - Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak - Keewatin Tribal Council - Manitoba Métis Federation - Northern Association of Community Councils - Environmental non-government organizations - Interested groups/organizations (e.g., outfi tters/lodge operators) - General public Keeyask Environmental Studies

• Since 2001, Manitoba Hydro has been working with local Cree Nations to collect information that will contribute to the environmental assessment study of the project • So far, studies of the existing environment have considered: - Physical environment - Terrestrial and aquatic environment - Heritage resources - Resource use (started 2007) - Socio-economic environment (started 2007) • In addition, the Keeyask Cree Nations have been undertaking their own community studies • Manitoba Hydro and its potential Cree Nation partners are committed to using both western science-based knowledge and traditional knowledge in the Keeyask Environmental Impact Statement Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge in Environmental Studies

• Manitoba Hydro and the Keeyask Cree Nations are currently discussing how best to include Aboriginal traditional knowledge in the environmental assessment of the proposed Keeyask Project

• Aboriginal traditional knowledge will provide important perspectives on the environmental and socio-economic implications of project development

• Inclusion of Aboriginal traditional and local knowledge, along with knowledge from scientifi c and other studies, is intended to enhance the environmental assessment Keeyask Physical Environment Studies

StudiesStudies completedcompleted or underwaunderway:y: • Air quality • Climate • Geology and soils • Water levels and fl ows • Thermal regime • Ice processes • Erosion and sedimentation • Debris • Water quality Keeyask Aquatic Studies

Studies completed or underway: • Aquatic habitat • Aquatic plants and invertebrates • Fish community – populations, spawning, and movements • Lake sturgeon – species of special interest • Fish quality – mercury

Keeyask Terrestrial Studies

Studies completed or underway: • Vegetated habitat classifi cation and mapping • Rare plants • Insects • Amphibians • Songbirds, raptors and waterfowl

• Small mammals (e.g. voles, rabbits, mice)

• Furbearers (e.g. beaver, muskrat, mink, otter) • Large mammals (e.g. caribou, moose) Keeyask Heritage Resource Studies

Studies completed or underway: • Burial sites • Heritage resources, such as pottery or bone fragments from pre-contact to the historic period • Culturally important sites Keeyask Socio-Economic and Resource Use Studies

Studies completed or underway: • Land and resource use for traditional, recreational and commercial purposes • Local and regional economy, including employment and business • Population, housing, infrastructure and services • Transportation, navigation safety and access • Outdoor recreation • Community health • Culture • Social well-being and quality of life Do You Have Questions, Concerns or Issues about the Proposed Project?

Mailing Address Keeyask Project Public Involvement Program Major Projects Licensing Department Manitoba Hydro 820 Taylor Ave. Winnipeg, MB R3C 2P4

Website www.hydro.mb.ca/keeyask