Hydro lines from Manitoba Hydro were initially going to run through newly-erected towers on Long Plain First Nation land but were knocked out in the Thanksgiving storm last year.

Chief Dennis Meeches told us several weeks ago that the storm, fortunately, put a stop to the project and allowed the First Nation negotiate with the Hydro company to send the lines around the land rather than through it. He notes the lines and towers would have disallowed much-needed space for further housing development.

Meeches gives us an update on that progress.

"They did have a temporary re-route on the Trans-Canada. I think we're all good with that right now," explains Meeches. "That's a temporary measure with what they've done. They still made need to come through Long Plain, skirting right along the border of Long Plain."

He says they're willing to work with MB Hydro on those further efforts. Meeches assures that the initial locations of the towers will not be used moving forward, and that's been settled. He adds this means much more space remains available for further development including commercial or housing.

"I know we have 54 homes here," continues Meeches. "It's a big portfolio here. We will be capping our housing developments at this site on Keeshkeemaquah, too. So, we definitely need to reserve a lot of this property for commercial, recreation or other mix-use sites."