Snowdrift (Apr 14/03) - The Lutsel K'e Dene Band and Regional Power Inc. signed an agreement in Yellowknife last week to develop, construct and operate an environmentally friendly power station.

"The community has taken the position that we have to be a partner in ensuring that the environment is protected," said Lutsel K'e band member Florence Catholique. "Not just for ourselves but for future generations."

Catholique said emissions from diesel power generation currently being used by area diamond mines are having an adverse effect on vegetation in the area, which affects caribou migration patterns.

"The emissions are caught in the lichen, which is the main food of the caribou," she said. "And the caribou don't eat lichen that's been affected."

"The caribou haven't been in this area for three years and we think that it's associated with their food source."

She said it's too early to tell how much money will be spent on the station.

"This is a new thing for us," she said.

Catholique said they are already looking at potential sites for the station.

"Generators have to be designed specifically for the water system," she said.

"The project would be up and running about four to five years after the site is located."

The strength of the current at the site will determine how much power the station can generate, she said.

"Our market is the two diamond mines that we thing are having an affect on our caribou," she said.

Catholique said they would also look for input from area mines about how much power they would use from the station and are hoping to get federal government support under its commitment to reduce emissions under the Kyoto protocol.

Regional Power Inc. is part of the Manulife Group and has been involved in hydro projects in remote areas since the 1980s. It operates and develop projects in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec and specialize in partnerships with First Nations groups.