Hydro-Québec technicians inspecting Line 2 towers in preparation for removal

03/09/2020

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) wishes to advise community members that Hydro-Québec technicians will be in Kahnawà:ke today to conduct inspection work in the area on the west side of Highway 138. Additional inspections are expected leading up to the actual dismantlement of the lines, which will remain in operation until such time as the dismantlement project begins.

The technicians will inspect the land on which the Line 2 towers are located. As announced in October 2018, an agreement was reached between the MCK and Hydro-Québec for the removal of the towers along Hydro Lines 2A and 2B, which run from the North Wall to Chateauguay. A total of 256 towers will eventually be dismantled. It is important to note that the approach being used in this project will optimize the removal of Hydro infrastructure from the Territory while preventing significant damage to the natural environment. The Kahnawà:ke Environment Protection Unit has been involved to ensure that the works will have limited impact to environmentally sensitive areas.

The current inspections will be to determine if the land can support the machinery normally used in the dismantlement process. If not, arrangements will be made to bring in suitable alternatives.

The Line 2A and 2B lands are both privately-held and common lands. The MCK and Hydro-Québec will consult with the affected lot holders on an individual basis in the coming months. Once the towers are removed, Hydro-Québec will relinquish its rights in favor of the registered lot holders. The work to remove the towers will be carried out by Kahnawà:ke contractors and workers, except in instances where specialists are needed and there are no qualified local persons available.  

“Lot holders affected by this will finally be able to use their land again, without the encumbrances that have been there for over ninety (90) years,” said Ratsénhaienhs Lindsay LeBorgne, who is the lead on the Infrastructure, Operations & Transport portfolio. “I think it’s safe to say that just about everyone in Kahnawà:ke is happy with these important developments.”