Yukon Energy consults Carcross First Nation on hydro enhancement plan

The Yukon Energy Corporation will be in Carcrosson Wednesday afternoon,trying to sell its hydro enhancement plan for the Southern Lakes to the local First Nation.

Yukon Energy wants the license for its Marsh Lake dam amended so it can hold back an additional foot of water in the winter in order to generate more electricity through the Whitehorse dam.

Many residents of the area aren't sold on the idea, saying they'll see groundwater or erosion impacts if the project goes ahead.

• RELATED:Yukon Energy talks water mitigation with Southern Lakes residents

The Yukon Southern Lakes are near peak levels right now, but drop dramatically over the winter as the water is used for hydro generation.

In a video for Yukon Energy, consulting engineer Forest Pearson explains the corporation's proposal, saying that"if we can store a little of that water into the winter just like any of us getting ready for winter, we save our resources for the long, cold months it's the same with the water."

Yukon Energy says additional hydro generated from the plan could save up to $2 million a year in fuel costs.

The Carcross Tagish arehosting Wednesday'sinformation session, butChief Dan Creswell says the First Nation isn't saying yes or no to anything yet.

Former Chief Mark Wedge spent two years with the Southern Lakes Water Level Committee studying the proposal and the committee ultimately rejected it.

"To be asked as a community member to review these things and you come back with recommendations not to do it, and you go ahead anyway, it's discouraging," he said.

Yukon Energy spokesperson Janet Patterson says the corporation is aware of the opposition, but says many other Southern Lakesresidents support the plan.

She says theSouthern Lakes HydroEnhancementStorage Project is just one of many being discussed with the First Nation.