IQALUIT - Few misgivings over a future hydro project near Iqaluit were expressed at a public consultation session hosted by the Qulliq Energy Corporation Thursday evening.

Only five members of the public showed up for an open meeting held in Inuktitut at the Iqaluit parish hall. An English meeting was to be held the following evening.

Mathew Akavak, left, and Sammy Peter were among five members of the public who showed up for a Qulliq Energy Corporation public consultation at the Iqaluit parish hall March 22 about a proposed hydro-electric project. - Derek Neary/NNSL photo Qulliq is considering the following five locations for its hydro dam: Jayne's Inlet - 5 megawatts Armshow River - 15.5 megawatts McKeand River - 20 megawatts Anna Maria Port - 6.2 megawatts Cantley Bay - 20 megawatts FACTS: Capital cost estimates range from $80 million to $550 million. The favoured Jayne's Inlet site would generate 5 megawatts, but that could be boosted to 7-8 megawatts with the addition of a smaller run of the river dam. Iqaluit currently consumes 9-10 megawatts of power each year

Qulliq vice-president Jamie Flaherty viewed Thursday's low turnout as a positive sign.

"If there was a lot of concern then people would be coming to voice their concern," he said, adding that he's heard much encouragement informally, making him optimistic.

"Talking with a lot of people, they say, 'Go for it. We need it,'" he said. "I really think we will (build a hydro project)."

Elder Simon Nattaq, who attended the meeting, was part of a delegation that went to Nuuk, Greenland a few years ago to view their hydro dam. As of result of what he learned there, he has few concerns with Qulliq's intentions other than possible implications for fish if the Armshow River is obstructed, he said through interpretation by David Veevee.

The hydro project would make a major dent in Iqaluit's use of diesel fuel, a reduction that Nattaq said he'd like to see.

Exactly how much hydro will offset the use of fossil fuels will depend on which location Qulliq chooses from the five on the shortlist. Although president Anne Crawford said the company is focusing on Jayne's Inlet, 48 kilometres southwest of Iqaluit, there is still much geological and environmental data to collect.

"It's just too early to make that (final) decision," she said.

Jayne's Inlet rates highly in most categories of an assessment that Qulliq has undertaken. The categories include constructability, design and operation risk, environmental issues and long-term impacts.

Crawford noted that Nunavut would benefit by moving away from diesel, not only for environmental reasons but because hydro would do much more to stimulate the local economy.

The power corporation is anticipating that the project's tender process will take place between 2008-2010.

Construction would begin between 2009-2011. The three-year construction phase will create scores of jobs for various tradespeople and labourers. Ongoing operation and maintenance of the hydro project, predicted at 50-80 years, would employ plant operators, electricians, linesmen, environmental monitors and maintenance crews. There would also be various contracts associated with the project.

In response to a question from the small audience on Thursday, Crawford said a social impact study this summer will help determine the investment in local training.

It would take $150 million to $200 million to construct the dam at Jayne's Inlet - if that's ultimately the chosen location.

Qulliq has approached the City of Iqaluit and Inuit birthright organizations about being partners in the project, and southern businesses have also expressed interest, according to Crawford. Because Qulliq is already carrying a debt load held by insurance companies and pension funds, they could be lenders for the project, she added.

As hydro traditional knowledge (IQ) co-ordinator, David Veevee has been concentrating on the environmental and cultural aspects of the project.

He was involved in questioning 20 people from Iqaluit and several from Pangnirtung and Kimmirut on their use of the land and their thoughts on a dam, which will cause flooding. He asked about such things as berries, clams, fishing, campsites and caribou hunting.

Once a site is selected, there will be even greater scrutiny and many more questions, Veevee said.