BC Hydro has reached an impact benefit agreement with the Lax Kw'alaam Indian Band to provide training programs, contracting and jobs, and other economic development opportunities related to the construction of the Northwest Transmission Line (NTL) project.
It's the eighth such agreement Hydro has reached in the past several months although the Kitsumkalum, near Terrace, remain a holdout. Consisting of 3,090 members, Lax Kw'alaams' main community is located at Port Simpson, about 30 kilometres northwest of Prince Rupert.
The 287-kilovolt transmission line will stretch 344 kilometres from Skeena Substation, near Terrace, to Bob Quinn Lake and is scheduled to be in service by December 2013.
The NTL is estimated to create up to 840 direct jobs during the three years of construction.
A 2008 report commissioned by the Mining Association of B.C. and the Northern Development Initiative Trust concluded the power line could spur a $15-billion investment and 10,000 jobs.
The report cautioned the benefits would only be created if the resource projects went ahead, also saying they would likely take place over time.
Imperial Metals has already said it will time the opening of its $443-million Red Chris mine to the start-up of the transmission line. The open pit gold and copper operation would be located 80 kilometres south of Dease Lake and 120 kilometres from the Bob Quinn substation.
The agreement was signed in Vancouver on Friday.
