Newsgroups: bit.listserv.biosph-l
Date:         Thu, 19 Nov 1992 05:40:28 -0600
Reply-To:     mdunn@MAIL.BUCKNELL.EDU
From:         mdunn@MAIL.BUCKNELL.EDU
Subject:      Terminate Phase II of the James Bay Project

        The James Bay hydroelectric project is a capitalistic endeavor that
disregards the environment and the human rights of the indigenous
population of this area.  Phase I of this project has caused environmental
chaos and the construction of the Phase II could follow the same path.
Construction of Phase II is scheduled to begin very soon.  An environmental
precedent must be adopted to terminate the second phase.
        Yes, the James Bay project is a clean and renewable energy source
and profit-making venture, but the natural resources already lost are
irreplacable.  And more of Canada's natural resources our in danger of
being destroyed.  An extra 5,300 megawatts of electricity is already being
produced by the existing installments of Phase I.  Canada has no need for
Phase II because all the electricity it will be producing is extra.  Its
deals to sell electricity to New York State and other states have fallen
through, so therefore Canada has no buyers for the surplus of electricity
that will be created by Phase II.
        Phase I diverted the water flow from three small rivers into La
Grande Riviere. An area of 4,000 square miles of northern Canadian forest
was flooded.  It includes the largest underground powerhouse and a spillway
three times the height of Niagara Falls.  The environment of this area has
been devastated.  10,000 caribou drowned due to a release of water from
Hydro-Quebec's Caniapiscau Reservior.  Part of this territory was a primary
calving ground of North America's largest caribou herd.  Also, the initial
flooding caused a large quantity of mercury to erode from the James Bay
soil.  This formed a poisonous substance of methyl mercury which
contaminated the lake trout and large pike, an important supply of food for
the Cree Indians.
        The indigenous population of this area, the Cree Indians, have
suffered greatly due to the James Bay project. They have inhabited this
region for over 5,000 years and now their homeland is turning into a giant
watershed.  Their culture has been destroyed and their lifestyles have
drastically been altered.  A monetary value cannot be placed on their
suffering.  The rivers they once fished in have been polluted and their
forests of hunting grounds have drowned.  The Crees were forced to sign a
deal that compromised their values and beliefs  since they so vehemently
protested the construction of this project.
        If the construction of Phase II is not terminated, even more
environmental destruction will occur. It is proposed that more than 600
dikes and dams will block  19 rivers, which will cause an area of 6,000
square miles of Canadian wilderness to   irreversibly be flooded.  Delicate
food chains that feed the polar bear, snow goose, and the freshwater seal
will be jeopardized.  The calving grounds of the Beluga whales will be
altered in its temperature and salt-content. These whales will have no
place else to breed.  Also, the world's largest water fowl breeding ground
could be flooded.  This is only some of the environmental obliteration
which could happen.
        As you can see, a great amount of Canadian's wilderness is in
jeopardy of being destroyed.  The calving grounds and habitats of these
endangered animals cannot be replaced.  The Cree Indians can never gain
back the culture and their original lifestyles that have been altered.
Phase II of the James Bay project is a profit-making venture that Canada
does not need.  Due to the above reasons, please respond if you believe
that Phase II of the James Bay hydroelectric project should be terminated
or not.

                                             Thank you,
                                                   Marta Dunn
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