Out of a need to fortify their economies, White River, Pic Mobert First Nation and Pic River First Nation are looking for alternatives through hydro generating stations, value-added products and multi-use adventure trails.
Pic Mobert First Nation and Pic River First Nation are presently working on power development projects. Further investigation into green-power hydro developments has allowed the two communities to take advantage of the natural flow of the river, without emissions or impact to the environment, explains Norm Jaerhling, chair of the community adjustment committee in White River and part-time economic development officer for Pic Mobert First Nation.
The two initiatives are being pursued under the new legislation form "Eco Logo," a federal government certification initiative for renewable energy projects with low impact on the environment, he adds.
"Between the two First Nations there is a potential to develop three sites on the White River that have a combined generating capacity of over 30 megawatts."
Should the development come to fruition, it would be a significant boost to the local economies, he says.
"You're probably looking somewhere in the order of $60 million of new private investment in the development of the sites," Jaerhling says.
A joint initiative between Pic Mobert First Nation and White River officials will result in a new value-added project for the area. Wood destroyed from forest fires will be removed from forests and be manufactured into wood chips for the area mills or fuel for the local co-generation plant.
"That will commence in January. It has the potential to employ 20 to 30 people," from the First Nation and the town, Jaerhling says.
Not only are burnt forests being considered for value-added opportunities, but the natural oils from plants and trees are also being looked at by the Pic Mobert community as a potential value-added opportunity. The First Nation is studying the feasibility of extracting the oils for the purpose of developing essential oils for market.
As well, White River, through a job creation project, has taken on a development plan for the expansion of snowmobiling and multi-use trails. Consultation for trail planning, which includes securing the approvals necessary to build on the existing trail network, is in the process.
These initiatives were actively pursued after the Domtar Inc. mill in White River shut down last June, resulting in the laying off of 195 mill workers and 101 forest operators.
The shutdown was the result of "productivity issues tied to the saw mill," says Richard Descarries, manager of regional communication with Domtar.
However, the company and the union have been in negotiations and planned to meet on Nov. 29 and 30.
"We think both parties have indicated that they have made good solid progress," Jaerhling says. "Hopefully they are working toward a positive decision to re-open," he says.
One of the thrusts for Roger Drolet, newly elected mayor for White River, is to concentrate on increasing the number of small businesses in the area.
Leading by example, Drolet is currently closing a deal to purchase industrial property where he intends to open a heavy-equipment repair centre.
The drive to find alternative economic engines has also brought the communities in the region together, says Jaerhling.
