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The James Bay Project is the name of a giant hydroelectric development in northern Quebec. It is a series of dams, dykes, reservoirs, and power stations that have been built to harness the energy of some of the major rivers that drain into James and Hudson bays. The James Bay Project originally had three phases, but only one phase was completed. The size of the original project was gigantic. The rivers drain about 350 000 km2 of Quebec, almost one-fifth of the province. Some of these rivers were diverted and reduced to a trickle; others swelled and flooded their former banks. Eventually, up to 28 000 megawatts of power were to be produced. The area of the reservoirs were to equal that of Lake Ontario. The project was launched in 1971 by Robert BOURASSA who was then premier of Quebec. Development was planned over several phases. Phase One
of the project was completed in 1985 at a cost of some $16 billion. Five rivers were diverted into La Grande River, almost doubling its flow. The three powerhouses built on LA GRANDE RIVER can generate more than 10 000 megawatts of electric power. They are operated by HYDRO-QUEBEC, the provincially owned electricity-generating company. Phase Two
, or the Great Whale Project, was to consist of power stations on the Great Whale River (Grand Rivière de la Balleine). It would have generated 3212 megawatts of power. Phase Three
would have diverted the Nottaway and Rupert rivers into the Broadback river, where up to eight powerhouses would be built. James Bay is one of the last undeveloped hydroelectric sites in North America. If the whole project had been completed, it would have produced 25% of North America's power. Controversy
The massive James Bay Project has been controversial because of its effect on the environment, and on the CREE Indians who live in northwestern Quebec. The native people had fought the project from the beginning. In 1975, the Cree allowed to let the project proceed for $225 million and control over about 75 000 km2. The Cree launched another legal challenge. The diversion of rivers, the flooding of forests, and the creation of huge reservoirs would have had unknown effects on the ENVIRONMENT. The Cree, along with environmental groups and native-rights supporters, put a great deal of pressure on Quebec to stop the project. In 1992, New York State cancelled an agreement to use Quebec's hydro electric power. New York did this because of the public outcry against Great Whale and a drop in its energy requirements. The Quebec government was counting on New York's $17.6 billion to help pay for the project. In November 1994, Jacques Parizeau, who was then premier of Quebec, announced that the Great Whale Project would not go on. If it had been built, the Great Whale Project would have flooded an area almost the size of Prince Edward Island and cost $13 billion. Related Articles: HYDROELECTRIC DEVELOPMENT; JAMES BAY AGREEMENT.
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