Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and Kiewit recently partnered with Indigenous communities in northeastern Ontario to conduct seed collection workshops aimed at supporting land restoration efforts for the Little Long and Smoky Falls Dam Safety projects. These initiatives are crucial to improving dam safety and ensuring environmental sustainability in the region.
The workshops, held this fall, brought together youth and members from the Moose Cree First Nation and Taykwa Tagamou Nation. Participants learned about plant identification and seed collection techniques. The seeds gathered, including Mountain Maple, Clover, and Goldenrod, will be used to rehabilitate the project sites, helping return the land to its natural state after construction.
“Site rehabilitation and environmental stewardship is a big component of any OPG project,” said Chris Lledo, OPG’s Environmental Advisor. “Working with Indigenous communities on seed collection, storage, and site rehabilitation is a great way to gain an even deeper understanding of land stewardship.”
The Little Long Dam Safety Project, set to conclude in late 2024, involves increasing discharge capacity by adding sluice gates at the Adam Creek Spillway to handle extreme weather. The Smoky Falls project, slated for completion in 2025, focuses on upgrading sluice gates and closing obsolete spill bays downstream of Little Long.
By engaging Indigenous communities, OPG ensures that traditional knowledge and sustainable practices are integrated into these vital infrastructure projects, promoting both environmental conservation and community collaboration.
