Eastmain-1-A/Sarcelle/Rupert

The Project and Your Community

Nemaska

Signed in 2002, the Boumhounan Agreement launched the -1-A and Sarcelle powerhouses and Rupert diversion project. Under this agreement, work is governed by a new relationship based on cooperation and mutual respect between Hydro-Québec, its subsidiary Société d’énergie de la Baie James (SEBJ) and the . In addition, the Cree play an active role in project design and in the implementation of mitigation and enhancement measures: Cree companies, workers and tallymen have worked on the project. The tallymen have also participated in all the technical and environmental studies throughout the draft-design and construction phases, as well as in the environmental follow-up activities, some of which should continue until 2021.

Trapline location

6675_hq_495_nema_120508_en.EPS Giard

Lac Rivière Lac du Boyd Vieux Comptoir Rivière Sarcelle control structure Opinaca Sarcelle powerhouse (under construction) Conn Opinaca Rivière reservoir

OA-05 dam

Opinaca e OA-10A and Rivièr OA-10B dams Gipouloux n Eastmai e Rivièr Lac Rivière Lichteneger à l'Eau OA-11 dam Froide Eastmain-1 powerhouse Eastmain-1 dam Eastmain-1-A powerhouse Eastmain Eastmain 1 reservoir

achiskw Jolicœur W e -1 dam Rivièr R19 Enistuwach Matthew Wapachee Nemiscau-2 dam

Baie-James Pontax Rivière R16 Rupert la Sam Cheezo R20 tailbay James Rivière Lemare Tommy-Neeposh de Wapachee transfer tunnel Nord dam R17 Route Route Neil Wapachee du Lac Nemiscau R21 Rupert Jolliet Lemare forebay Weir Rivière Kenny Jolly Spur KP 170 R18 Rupert Weir dam KP 85 Luke Tent Rivière KP 110.3 Rupert Rupert Weir Lac KP 290 Rivière Nemiscau Lac N23 N25 Weir N24A Walter Jolly Mesgouez Abel Wapachee KP 223 Samuel Mettaweskum N24 M33 Famille Moar Andrew Brien (Nemaska) Lac Matthew Iserhoff (Mistissini) Giffard Nemaska Lac Lac Legoff Le Gardeur Lac Lac Lac Tésécau Lac Montmort Dana Lac Camousitchouane Evans

Lac Théodat Mistissini

Rivière Broadback

Waswanipi

013 26 km

Lambert, NAD83 File: 6675_hq_495_nema_120508.fh10

Eleven traplines are affected, including Mistissini trapline M33, for which responsibility is shared with a Nemaska tallyman. Nemaskafaune_N25_goose_flyway_and_Jolly_Bay.JPG

Goose flyway at Baie Jolly

Economic spinoffs

Since 2007, Nemaska companies have obtained 37 contracts, including construction of three hydraulic structures in the Rivière Rupert and their access roads. The tallymen obtained 67 contracts and some have been able to develop management and construction expertise with the support of jobsite personnel. From 2007 to 2011, nearly 9% of the Cree workers on the project were from the Community of Nemaska. In general, the results of the surveys carried out with Cree workers show that they appreciated their work experience on the jobsites. In fact, 92% of them would like to have another similar experience due to the nature of the work, the knowledge they acquired and the good salaries. Furthermore, their return to their community was relatively straightforward and 81% of them found new jobs.

Although the results of the environmental follow-up studies are known, some data are still missing and some remain inconclusive regarding the nature and extent of the project impacts. Nemaskaréam_PK_290_planting_by_Priscilla_Jolly.jpg

Priscilla Jolly, planter, near the weir at KP 290

Mitigation and enhancement measures

Why How To maintain or improve access By implementing more than to the territory, use of the 35 types of mitigation and Rupert diversion bays and enhancement measures hunting and fishing activities

By the end of 2011, the vast majority of these measures had been implemented, with some still in progress. The measures to be completed in 2012 include relocation of two camps, construction of a community boat ramp on Lac Nemiscau, remediation of some brook trout spawning grounds, and planting and seeding on affected sites. During the fall of 2011, the tallymen were consulted on the effectiveness of more than 100 mitigation and enhancement measures carried out on their respective traplines. This assessment was done when the tallymen were beginning to resume their use of the areas modified by the project. The mitigation measures include the following: • New camps • Navigation measures for the Rupert forebay (clearing, boat ramp and signage) and the lower Rupert (boat ramps, portage improvement and signage) • Intensive beaver trapping • Development of spawning grounds in the lower Rupert Nemaskapoisson_R21_brook_trout_spawning_ground.jpg

Brook trout spawning ground developed at KP 9 of Rivière Lemare

• Seeding of exposed banks • Weh-Sees Indohoun Corporation activities • Planting and seeding on affected sites The environmental follow-up data show that the hydraulic structures at KP 290, 223, 170, 110.3 and 85 were built according to the planned design criteria and meet the navigation and aquatic environment objectives. Among the enhancement measures are the keeping in place of construction roads at the request of tallymen and the new land access trails which facilitate their use of the traplines. Various measures will remain in effect for several more years to support the resumption of trapline use: • With the support and supervision of the Cree/Hydro-Québec joint committees • With user participation in the many environmental follow-up studies planned and in monitoring the effectiveness of the mitigation measures

Environmental follow-up

Between 2007 and 2011, the tallymen concerned or their representatives participated in all the follow-up programs carried out in Nemaska territory. They will continue to be involved in about 20 activities, some of which are planned until 2021. These follow-ups deal with the following areas: • Changes in fish communities in the river • Land use • Changes in the shoreline and vegetation • Use of the shore by animals and waterfowl Nemaskafaune_N23_seeding_exposed_banks_PK_107.JPG

Seeding of exposed banks

Committees

During 2012, the transition from the construction teams to the operations teams will occur more quickly. Continuity will be provided, in part, by the Cree/Hydro-Québec joint committees that will continue their work, including the Monitoring Committee and the Rupert River Water Management Board.

Agreements

Under the agreements between Hydro-Québec and the Cree administered by the Niskamoon Corporation, several dedicated funds are available for projects designed to help the Cree pursue their traditional activities and for community projects.

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