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DAM-L [harmful-hydro] Manitoba Hydro News Release: Settlement With Grand RapidsFishers (fwd)

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Date: Sat, 28 Apr 2001 15:09:44 -0000
Reply-To: harmful-hydro@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [harmful-hydro] Manitoba Hydro News Release: Settlement With Grand Rapids Fishers

DATE:  2001 04 27  
01 - 06  



Settlement Reached With Grand Rapids Fishers

The Grand Rapids First Nation, the Grand Rapids Fishermen's 
Cooperative, the Grand Rapids Fishermen's Association, the Government 
of Manitoba and Manitoba Hydro signed a settlement agreement today, 
resolving all the outstanding issues and concerns of the Grand Rapids 
fishers related to impacts of the Grand Rapids Hydroelectric Project 
on the local fishery. 

"The Grand Rapids fishery has and continues to play an important role 
in the lives of the people of the community," said Greg Selinger, 
Minister responsible for Manitoba Hydro. "This settlement is a key 
step in the development of a viable commercial fishery that will have 
a lasting benefit for the community. We are pleased to have worked 
with the fishers and Manitoba Hydro to realize this historic 
agreement."

The settlement negotiated by the parties is worth approximately $7 
million and provides for: 


ongoing financial support in the form of subsidy to offset increased 
costs of future commercial fishing activities;

- annual cash distributions to retired fishers;

- the establishment of a trust fund to be used for certain capital 
projects (the fund will also provide financial support to assist 
individuals in retiring from, or entering into, the commercial 
fishery);

- a one-time cash distribution to active fishers, non-active fishers, 
retired fishers and the estates of deceased fishers who fished during 
the period of 1965 to 2000 (the cash distribution will also assist in 
addressing outstanding debt incurred by the Grand Rapids fishers in 
mitigating the impacts of the project); and

- the enhancement of local fish stocks.

"We are very glad to have been able to reach an agreement that will 
benefit all of our people," said Chief Douglas Ballantyne, Chief of 
the Grand Rapids First Nation. "The agreement will provide valuable 
resources to the fishers and the fishery of Grand Rapids. I am 
confident that the settlement will go a long way to ensure a viable 
future for our community. This is a good deal for our community."

Alpheus Cook, President of the Grand Rapids Fisherman's Cooperative 
said that "the fishers of Grand Rapids have worked long and hard to 
get a fair agreement. It was forty years ago that Manitoba built the 
hydro development project and this agreement will go a long way to 
satisfy what the fishers have been asking for. I congratulate them, 
Manitoba Hydro and the Province for taking the time to come up with 
an agreement that recognizes our situation and will mean a healthy 
fishery in the future." 

The fishers had expressed concerns that the construction and 
operation of the Grand Rapids Generating Station adversely affected 
fish populations, and consequently, the profitability of the fishery 
within their traditional fishing areas on the lower Saskatchewan 
River and on Lake Winnipeg in the vicinity of Grand Rapids. 

Commenting on the settlement, Oscar Lathlin, Minister of 
Conservation, said, "This agreement provides Grand Rapids fishers 
with hope for a sustainable future for their industry. By providing 
funding to support a healthy commercial fishery, the settlement sets 
the stage for economic development opportunities for the community. 
We are pleased to have had the opportunity to resolve this long 
outstanding issue between the Grand Rapids Fishers, the Grand Rapids 
First Nation, Manitoba and Manitoba Hydro. I commend the fishers of 
Grand Rapids for all their hard work and determination to address 
those issues affecting their livelihood."

Bob Brennan, President & CEO of Manitoba Hydro, said the settlement 
demonstrates Manitoba Hydro's commitment to working with those 
affected by the Corporation's projects. "I am, of course, very 
pleased with the outcome of these negotiations. We have achieved a 
mutually beneficial solution to a long-standing issue. And, I look 
forward to an improved relationship between Manitoba Hydro, the Grand 
Rapids First Nation and the Grand Rapids fishers."

Also in attendance at today's announcement was Eric Robinson, 
Minister of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs, Rosann Wowchuk, Minister 
of Agriculture and Food, and Robert Buck, Mayor of Grand Rapids. 



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----- End of forwarded message from Donne Flanagan -----