Objective: Build a dam and a hydroelectric generating station on the Eastmain River in Northern Québec, and connect it to Nemiscau substation via a 315-kV transmission line.
- Installed capacity: 480 MW
- Average annual output: 2.7 TWh (enough to supply 155,000 homes)
- Construction: 2002–2006
- Fully commissioned: December 2006
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ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
When
Why
- Determine the environmental impacts of the project and construction work
Examples of environmental measures
- Beaver colonies found on the site of the future reservoir were moved to new locations
- Eastmain River was seeded with hatchlings and fry to promote lake sturgeon production
- A diked bay was created to provide waterfowl habitat and shelter for small animals
- 24 hectares were cleared to create navigation corridors
- Parking areas were built
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ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE MONITORING
When
- For the duration of construction
Why
- Ensure that contractors on the jobsite adhere to the environmental specifications, according to the ISO 14001 environmental management system
Examples of activities monitored
- Sandpit operation
- Vegetation clearing
- Residual materials management
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ENVIRONMENTAL FOLLOW-UP
When
- Before, during and after construction
Why
- Track changes in the environment, compare them with impacts identified at the draft-design stage, and determine the effectiveness of the planned mitigation measures
Examples of follow-up
- Water hydrology and thermal regime
- Changes in fish communities in the Eastmain River
- Bank erosion below the spillway
- Cree land use
- A study, in conjunction with McGill University, the Université du Québec à Montréal, Environment Canada and Environnement Illimité inc., to determine net GHG emissions from Eastmain 1 reservoir
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