QUOTES OF NOTE RE: DAMS & HYDRO POWER "...[T]here is no question of stopping development." John Ciaccia, Robert Bourassa's Special Representative, on James Bay, 1975. "Hydro-Quebec's own studies confirmed that they are mobilising and exporting mercury into the fresh water and marine ecosystems of James Bay and Hudson Bay. Studies from as far back as 1978 indicate an already high mercury level in many marine animals and fish species inhabiting the area...Hydro-Quebec is, by its own admission, generating quantities of methylmercury...A recent S.E.B.J. study on mercury in fish confirms the mercury hypothesis for the La Grande project. Mercury levels are high in fish from the reservoirs, the downstream area, the estuary of the La Grande river in the plume and, probably, far offshore. There are no indications, at this point, of decreasing mercury levels anywhere in the system." (Makivik Corporation, 1987) "In recent years, the Inuit...and Department of Fisheries and Oceans have identified a decline in...beluga whales... in particular, the ...eastern Hudson Bay population, concentrating at the Nastapoka river estuary and Richmond Gulf have ...specific problems ...Problems and concerns include: -impact on beluga habitat from hydroelectric development in Nunavik [Northern Quebec]; -local and long-range transport of contaminants such as mercury..." (italics added) (Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Quebec region, 1990) "Mr. Mulroney said Ottawa is doing all it can to defend Quebec... [and ]...the development of the Great Whale project against an international campaign by native[s]...and environmentalists" (Rheal Seguin, Globe and Mail, A1, Nov. 19, 1991). "...[I]ncreased development of hydro-power...in Labrador, Ungava Bay, James Bay, and Hudson Bay is bound to threaten the (fish production and biological productivity) of the Grand Banks of Newfoundland." (Hans J. A. Neu, 1982) "Marine aquatic organisms at all levels accumulate mercury into tissues ...birds, particularly coastal species or those eating prey that feed in estuaries, have been affected by mercury contamination. It has adversely affected breeding and may have influenced population stability." (World Health Organisation, 1989)" "For the...Cree on James Bay in Quebec, the ingestion of methyl mercury lead to deformed limbs, convulsions and brain damage." (Edith Terry, Globe and Mail, D3, Jan. 5, 1991). "You shouldn't get excited about this." (Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney on James Bay 2, Nov. 18th, 1991). "The natural forces redirected by the Churchill river diversion scheme are generally too large and too dispersed to be mitigated by further construction. As a result, the instabilities created in the environment are essentially beyond control." (Newbury, McCullough, and Hecky, 1984) "A reduction in the transport of...[spring runoff] water [held in hydro reservoirs] ...decreases the influx of nutrients - the natural food supply - during the biologically active season... An increase ...during the winter does not compensate for these losses... since [there are no plants or animals present during this period]...and the nutrients will be returned to the [ocean] without being [used]. (HJA Neu, 1982) "Cumulative impacts of dams and associated activities, have also been demonstrated on the Nelson River. The Nelson...below Kettle Rapids once offered abundant habitat for trophy-sized brook trout and lake sturgeon. Hydroelectric development has greatly reduced the habitat and...the populations of these two species... The conversion of the shallow fast-flowing Nelson to a series of turbid lake-like reservoirs has caused the loss of feeding habitat for the trout. These reservoirs are also unsuitable habitat for the sturgeon which is slowly dying out..." (Manitoba Environmental Council, 1991) "Lethal levels of [methyl] mercury range from .1 to 2 ug/l in water for aquatic organisms; 4,000 to 40,0000 ug/kg in the diet of birds; and 1,000 to 5,000 ug/kg in the diet of mammals ...chronic exposure...can result in adverse effects on growth, development, metabolism, and behaviour ...in mammals [signs] include cancer, [movement] disturbances, birth defects, and impaired reproduction .. [C]hronic sublethal impacts on behaviour and reproduction can have devestating effects on large [parts] of populations ...[T]hese impacts may be the most important in determining whether a species can [avoid extinction]. (Mary Fadden, Winter 1991, NEIQ) "...the social and ecological impacts of dams around the world include...increase of water-borne diseases,... exacerbation of flooding,... net loss of water from the area through evaporation, and...the triggering of earthquakes by dams, ...[a] number of other ..problems are uprooting of people from their homes with attendant devestation of their social life and culture, ...large changes to the fish communities upstream and downstream of the dam...impacts on the receiving estuaries...[on Manitoba's north shore, home to the world's largest beluga whale herd], and the fact that [those] ..who benefit from the projects are not the same ones that bear the environmental and social costs." (Manitoba Environmental Council, 1991) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dianne Murray, Dam-Reservoir Working Group, OPIRG-Carleton, Rm. 326 Unicentre, 1125 Col. By Drive, Ottawa, ON, CANADA K1S 5B6 vox: (613) 788-2757 // fax (613) 788-4060 (mark cover sheet with "Attn. OPIRG") _______________________________________________________________________________