Nova Scotia Power Inc. (NSPI) has been conducting refurbishment work to their hydro dams primarily to be compliant with the Canadian Dam Association Dam Safety Guidelines. Due to the number of projects NSPI plan to take on in the next 10-15 years, NSPI agreed to have a Mi’kmaw Community Liaison work on behalf of the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs.
The role of the Mi’kmaw Community Liaison is to develop and maintain working relationships with NSPI, the Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw communities, Mi’kmaw organizations and the Assembly. An important role of the Mi’kmaw Community Liaison is to communicate information to the Assembly, their Councils and to the Mi’kmaw communities on any relevant NSPI projects that may impact the Mi’kmaw Communities where NSPI work is being conducted. Since 2016, NSPI started over 15 Hydro Capital projects, while a number of those projects are now complete, there are still several sites where the work is in various stages.
Some of the projects include:
- Bear River Hydro System – Lake Mulgrave Dam Refurbishments
- Black River Hydro System – Gaspereau Dam Safety Remedial and Hollow Bridge Spillway Stabilization
- Mersey Hydro System – Mersey Redevelopment, Big Falls and Lower Lake Falls Bridge Replacements
- Tusket Hydro System – Tusket Main Dam Refurbishment
- Wreck Cove Hydro System – Penstock Intake
As part of their role, the Mi’kmaw Community Liaison, will be delivering Community Information Sessions to the Mi’kmaw communities near these NSPI projects. The Community Information Sessions will focus on NSPI projects currently underway, and/or upcoming projects that may impact the Mi’kmaw communities. The sessions will provide community members with a review of any current projects, project descriptions, answer any questions community members may have and allowing KMK the opportunity to bring forward any issues or concerns to NSPI.