of this evaluation a resolution was passed by the Nova Scotia Legislature in January 1975 indicating that the project was to proceed, and "that a phased environmental assessment be undertaken to minimize potential adverse effects". In March 1975, Nova Scotia Minister of the Environment, Mr. Bagnell, joined with Mme Sauve, the federal Minister of the Environment, in calling for a new assessment of the project's environmental effects with particular emphasis on the segment involving the Chéticamp River system. Details of the agreement were contained in a March 1975 joint Canada-Nova Scotia press release. The Nova Scotia Department of the Environment was to be responsible for the coordination of the assessment and the NSPC was to produce the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) under joint guidelines approved by the federal and Nova Scotia Departments of Environment. Both Environment Departments were to co-chair a public meeting on completion of the EIS. The federal government chose the Environmental Assessment and Review Process (EARP) as the federal review mechanism. All Panel members came from the Department of the Environment with the exception of one member from Parks Canada. A series of public meeting and public consultations were held in Baddeck, Halifax, and Sydney. The Final Environmental Impact Statement was produced by the Nova Scotia Power Corporation and distributed in May, 1977. Following review, the Nova Scotia Department of the Environment found that all provincial environmental concerns had been adequately dealt with. In the end the Panel concluded that the Chéticamp portion of the Wreck Cove hydroelectric project may be constructed and operated with acceptable environmental impact provided the recommendations advanced in their report were implemented. Construction Between 1975 and 1978, more than 2.5 million cubic metres of rock were blasted and removed to construct the facility's 11 major dams and associated wing dams. All are earth dams or rockfill dams with an impervious material in the middle (the core dam), with filter material at both sides and rockfill on each dam for stability. The development involved the diversion of seven headwater streams, including Indian Brook, West Indian Brook and MacMillan's Brook, Wreck Cove River, MacLeod's Brook, the Ingonish River and the headwaters of Chéticamp River. Several large lakes were formed, Wreck Cove Flowage, Gisbourne, MacMillan Lake, Chéticamp Lake, all linked by canals and tunnels, guiding the water to Surge Lake at the head of the penstock, where it drops to the underground powerhouse and then