Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - December 7, 2000, Winnipeg, Manitoba Aid local Frap 2000 Coal Plant not Hydro says tests get facility off Utility claims by Aldo Santon Manitoba Hydro has released soil test data that indicates that its controversial Coa burning generating Plant at East Selkirk is not responsible for the Environ mental changes affecting prop erties near Birds Hill residents who live in the area said they dont Trust the data results because Sites with damaged Trees we rent officials from Manitoba conservation said they had reviewed soil samples taken in october by Hydro in an area about 10 kilo metres South of the East Selkirk where residents have been complaining about the plants the soil samples were Analysed by an Alberta Laboratory and reviewed by Manitoba conserva based on these data there is no evidence that the Selkirk generating facility has affected the soil and vegetation chemistry in the area near Birds Hill Park where the residents have express con states a report prepared by Floyd conservations manager of terrestrial Quality Larry director of environmental approvals for Manitoba said he sent out the test results because he though it was important for the residents to see Strachan said the results wont affect the decision he has to make whether to hold a formal review of the East Selkirk operating Strachan said his own depart ment is having Independent tests carried out on the Moss and Lichen and a tree health assessment study in the residents believe there is a link Between the death of a variety of tree species in the past three years and the operation of the which had greatly exceeded Hydro original projections when it was licensed in in addition to the some residents have complained about a dark powder buildup inside and outside their another family had a sick horse tested and results found extremely High lev Els of toxic including arsenic and Hydro admitted in october that it stepped up production at the which Doest have any scrubbers on its to take advantage of a lucrative Export Market in the United but Utility officials said All emissions have been within or below allow Able limits and Are not responsible for the environmental Wayne Glowacki Winnipeg free press Dennis Epps believes emissions from the Plant killed his Hydro announces employment plan aimed at first nations by Bud Robertson within the next five aboriginal people will make up on Quarter of Manitoba Hydro workforce in the under a memorandum of understanding signed yesterday Between aboriginal leadership and the Crown across the the number of aboriginal employees is expected to climb to 10 per cent of the people employed by Manitoba seven per cent of Hydro work Force is of aboriginal in the the figure climbs to 23 per but Only in construction were Here to address a major Opportunity for first nations and one that is very Assembly of Manitoba chiefs grand chief Dennis White Bird White Bird noted this is the first major employment Initia Tive signed with Manitoba Hydro since the 1977 Northern flood which compensated five Northern first nations for flooding caused by the diversion of the Churchill River into the Nelson Pimp Cikamek first nation for Merly known As Cross Lake is the Only first nation among the five to pursue its claims under the original the others have signed alternate the first nation has taken its Battle against Manitoba Hydro to the United where the Utility Sells White Bird said this initiative May be one step towards try ing to mend that relationship Between Pimp Cikamek and Manitoba last the Minnesota Public utilities commission approved an agreement Between icel Energy and Manitoba Hydro to Supply Power to the Minneapolis based despite requests to hold off on endorsing a final Deal until an investigation is undertaken next year into the socioeconomic and environmental costs of hydroelectric theres no question that the activities of Manitoba Hydro and aboriginal interests Are closely tied to one said adding the memorandum will help Cement better relations with the Utility and first nations with files from Canadian press get them a gift really like free digital web browser 2 months unlimited airtime talk or 200 anytime or 500 see your nearest its mobility dealer for its mobility free phone applies to select models while supplies last and requires a minimum calling plan on an 18month customer pays 50 plus taxes for digital phone and receives Bill credit on 1st months unlimited airtime offer expires 2000 and applies to first 2 months of airtime calling Long distance roaming charges will still weekends Are Friday 6 pm monday 7 digital service available in select Winnipeg mall Eaton place Garden City 3346363 or Grant Park Kildonan place Polo Park vital Winnipeg Square 9820302 Winnipeg North 1143 Henderson Hwy 810 notre Dame 9473558 1128 main 5892000 Winnipeg South 1389 Nia Kwa 2725 Pembina Hwy 1210 Pembina Hwy unit 2267 Vermilion 123 Scurfield 4883444 Winnipeg East 1277 Dugald 12846 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