TO: NORTHERN MANITOBA TRAPPERS DATED: November 7, 1975
The income assistance and support payments and other benefits provided by this program shall apply to all trappers whose trapping activities have been, or may be affected, directly or indirectly, by the operations of Manitoba Hydro in Northern Manitoba.
The program is being implemented on the clear understanding and condition that any trapper who receives benefits under the program does so on a "without prejudice basis". In other words, participation in the program shall not limit, in any way whatsoever, any rights a trapper has or may have as a result of any adverse effects on trapping activities arising from Manitoba Hydro operations. Of course, any payments or benefits received by a trapper under the program will be taken into account when a full and final settlement is concluded.
The Northern Flood Committee Inc. shall have the right to notice of and to attendance at all meetings between Manitoba Hydro representatives and individual trappers, and/or local fur councils which the Northern Flood Committee represents. This involvement of the Northern Flood Committee will also be without prejudice to any rights which the Indian Bands which the Northern Flood Committee represents have or may have.
NORTHERN FLOOD COMMITTEE, INC.
Per:
MANITOBA HYDRO
Per:
Registered Trapline Program
This Program provides compensation for loss of fur production and encourages efficient use of existing fur resources.
The following Program was prepared by Manitoba Hydro with the assistance of:
Registered Trappers
Department of Mines, Resources and Environmental Management
Department of Northern Affairs
The trapper(s) will be given the opportunity to relocate to a new trapline Granting of a new trapline will be coordinated by the affected trapper, the President of the local fur council and the head Conservation Officer for the area and be compensated for their losses on the following basis:
In addition Manitoba Hydro will provide a fixed wing aircraft to allow a trapper to assess the new trapline from the air, and such incidental expenses as compensation for labour in the construction of a line cabin Labour costs for construction of a line cabin are not considered if a trapper has been compensated for removal of an existing cabin on his former line., improving portages, or additional access roads should the new trapline location substantially increase the travelling distance involved. A maximum of $2,000.00 per trapline has been established to cover these incidental expenses. This type of assistance would be on the basis of proven need and would not automatically be available for every affected trapline.
NOTE: The term "value of furs trapped" refers to the average yearly pelt value as determined by the Department of Mines, Resources and Environmental Management based upon Winnipeg sale prices x the number of pelts produced.
The trapper(s) will be given the opportunity to relocate to a new trapline Granting of a new trapline will be co-ordinated by the affected trapper, the President of the local fur council, and the head Conservation Officer for the area. with Manitoba Hydro providing compensation based on Part I, or, assuming use of the former trapline is continued:
In addition Manitoba Hydro will provide such incidental expenses as compensation for labour in the construction of a line cabin Labour costs for construction of a line cabin are not considered if a trapper has been compensated for removal of an existing cabin, improving portages, or additional access roads should the remaining trapping area substantially increase the travelling distance involved. A maximum of $2,000.00 per trapline has been established to cover these incidental expenses. This type of assistance would be on the basis of proven need and would not automatically be available for every affected trapline.
NOTE: Compensation as it relates to the Permanent Partial Loss Program will be paid only up to a maximum harvest equal to 200% of the historic ten year high annual production of aquatic fur bearing species in the area affected by Manitoba Hydro.
The term "value of furs trapped" refers to the average yearly pelt value as determined by the Department of Mines, Resources and Environmental Management based upon Winnipeg Sale Prices x the number of pelts produced.
The trapper(s) will be given the opportunity to relocate to a new trapline Granting of a new trapline will be co-ordinated by the affected trapper, the President of the local fur council and the head Conservation Officer for the area. with Manitoba Hydro providing compensation based on Part I, or, assuming use of the former trapline is continued.
Manitoba Hydro will pay compensation for loss or partial loss of trapping income based on the highest annual production of fur bearing aquatic animals affected through the 10 years prior to construction. This figure converted to revenue would be subject to fur price index for those years affected.
The following areas have been affected and compensation will be awarded prior to the implementation of this three part program.
Where a Community Trapline is adversely affected Manitoba Hydro will compensate the Community in the form of some local improvement which will offset the loss of trapping benefits.
In the event of the death of an active trapper or his inability to continue to trap during the period of application of this policy, compensation for damage resulting from works will be paid to his estate. Continuing compensation based on the Program will be restricted to new trappers who accept affected traplines provided that an alternate unaffected trapline is not available to them. If a trapper voluntarily accepts an affected trapline rather than an unaffected trapline there will be no liability for compensation.
Manitoba Hydro will carefully consider all claims for compensation which it receives as a result of its construction projects, and will attempt to settle claims promptly. Such settlements will not be considered final. Upon completion of a project, all claims resulting from that project will again be reviewed by Manitoba Hydro to make sure they are consistent and fair, and adjustments will be made where necessary. However, if a final settlement cannot be agreed upon, an appeal procedure will be available.
METHOD OF ADMINISTRATION
A Committee will be established to administer the Program as follows:
Authorized and accepted by Mr. J. F. Funnell, General Counsel and Secretary – June 4, 1975