Manitoba Wildlands  
Manitoba Hydro to Rebuild Manitoba's Oldest Dam 02 October 07

MB Hydro 2007 muralOn July 31, 2007, Manitoba Hydro submitted a proposal under the Environment Act to rebuild the oldest hydroelectric plant operating in Manitoba, which began producing power in 1911.

The Pointe du Bois Modernization Project will involve construction of a new generating station and decommissioning of existing facilities on the Winnipeg River. The capacity of the dam increases from 78 MW to approximately 120 MW at an estimated cost of $800 million.

Manitoba Hydro is seeking separate regulatory approval for two other related projects (transmission line improvements and the conversion of a tramway to an all-weather road). This approach creates a risk that impacts from the overall development (all three components) will not be considered.

Manitoba Wildlands provided comments on the Draft Scoping Document for the Pointe du Bois Modernization project during the public comment period.

"This is one of six dams slated for rebuilding. Our utility needs to disclose the whole $8 billion plan for the Winnipeg River," stated Gaile Whelan Enns, director, Manitoba Wildlands.

View Environmental Assessment and Licensing Branch webpage for Pointe du Bois Project
View Environment Act Proposal and Draft Scoping Document for Pointe du Bois Project (PDF)
View Manitoba Hydro webpage for Pointe du Bois Project
View Environmental Assessment and Licensing Branch webpage for Slave Falls Tramway project
View Manitoba Wildlands' September 25, 2007 comments on Draft Scoping Document for Pointe du Bois Modernization project (PDF)

Sources: Manitoba Hydro, Manitoba Wildlands


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