December 8, 2016 – Six months after ratifying its treaty, the Tla’amin Nation in British Columbia says it is moving to the next stage in developing a hydro plant plan.

“Being a self-governing nation provides us the capability to decide how we want to move forward as a nation,” said Hegus Clint Williams of Tla’amin Nation. “The end point of this project is to have a clean energy power source that will provide sustainable revenue and jobs and training opportunities for our community. This is one step on a long journey, but it is a journey that we are choosing to take together.”

Initial studies indicate potential for a 3MW hydroelectric development on Tla’amin River and Tla’amin Lake and the nation is now moving forward with a full feasibility study using $40,000 from the B.C. First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund to study fish habitats in the project area and carry out geotechnical, archaeological and water-quality assessments.

If the project proceeds, the province notes it will include upgrades to aging water pipes and the potential to replace an existing weir dam to help ease flooding that affects community infrastructure, including a salmon hatchery downstream of the dam.

The nation said it also aims to generate an income stream by selling power from the project through the BC Hydro Standing Offer Program.

Tla’amin Nation is located north of Powell River on B.C.’s Sunshine Coast.