West-side Hydro line could cause more damage than east: Opposition

Manitoba Conservative Leader Hugh McFadyen says fewer trees will be cut down if Manitoba Hydro builds a proposed new transmission line down the east side of Lake Winnipeg, rather than the west side.

Last month, provincial officials announced that Manitoba Hydro's third high-voltage direct current transmission line, called BiPole III, will run west of Lake Manitoba, rather than cutting a shorter route through pristine boreal forest on the east side of the lake.

The western route is longer and will cost hundreds of millions more to build but environmentalists have applauded the decision, saying that maintaining the forest is worth the cost.

But McFadyen said Friday that a west-side line could cause more environmental damage.

Worries about losing forest

"We don't have an exact tree count I don't think that anybody does but in general terms, and that's what we've been working with, Hydro has provided us with estimates that show the west-side line traversing about 830 kilometres of both boreal shield and boreal plain, and about 770 kilometres of boreal shield on the east side," he told CBC News.

"That's an increase of 60 kilometres on the west side."

McFadyen added that it's a "misconception" that the east-side forest is untouched, while the west side is more developed.

"The east side is, in fact, traversed by three existing power lines and three winter roads, and the NDP has announced that they are also going to build an all-weather road up the east side of the lake," he said.

In addition, McFadyen said, remote First Nations on the east side of the lake could receive a much-needed economic boost through construction jobs and benefit-sharing opportunities related to the traditional lands that are affected by the transmission line.

If he were to become premier,the opposition leadersaid he would reverse the NDP's decision and build the line on the east side of the lake.

"We just think if you are going to spend overspend by a minimum of $410 million, that there are uses to which that money could be put that would be a much more positive legacy either in terms of environmental initiatives, health care, education or some other direct benefits for future generations.

But Ron Thiessen, executive director of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, said damage has already been caused to the environment and wildlife on the west side by existing road networks, hydro development and forestry.

Short-term economic relief

The ecosystem on the east side must be protected for environmental reasons, he said. In addition, while a transmission line would provide short-term economic relief for First Nations in the area, untouched boreal forest could provide long-term benefits.

"Certainly for local communities, this is an opportunity to develop sustainable economies based on keeping the area environmentally whole and intact," he said, speaking after McFadyen on the same program.

"Eco-tourism and cultural tourism are two of the fastest growing industries in the world."

The precise route for the $2-billion line will be determined after an environmental, design and public consultation process that is expected to take several years.

About three-quarters of Manitoba Hydro's electricity production is currently supplied through two transmission lines that run from Gillam to Winnipeg through the Interlake area.

Once it is complete in 2017, BiPole III will provide a backup to those lines and carry power from new planned generating stations to southern Manitoba.