First Nation supports hydro dam

A First Nation near Prince Albert, Sask., says it is one step closer to building a hydroelectric power dam.

In a recent referendum, members of the James Smith Cree Nation voted overwhelmingly for the project, which has been described as a $1-billion, 250-megawatt plant.

About 96 per cent of those who voted were in favour, Chief Wally Burns said.

Burns added that the Pehonan hydro-electric project has been a long time in the making and he's glad to see the support.

"I was surprised," Burns said. "You know, a lot of our younger generation came out and voted, and it was overwhelming."

Since 2001, the band has been working towards building the power dam across the Saskatchewan River, close to where the North and South Saskatchewan rivers meet.

The new dam will have a relatively small impact on the local ecosystem, according to Renewable Power Brookfield vice-president Andy McPhee, whose company is a partner with the band.

"This does not include a lot of flooding," he said.

If everything goes according to plan, the dam could be up and running within the next five years, officials said.

The reserve is about 100 kilometres east of Prince Albert.