Minister admits new federal dam rules for fish have grey areas

What the rules require

• Limit swings in reservoir flow
• Rescue stranded fish
• Prevent fish deaths in turbines

New Fisheries and Oceans Canada rules require dam owners to limit swings in reservoir flow, rescue stranded fish and keep fish from dying in turbines.

Owners such as Hydro-Québec, Rio Tinto and Domtar could have to invest billions of dollars, and some say the rules are unrealistic if power is to keep flowing.

I think there may be grey areas in how the regulatory framework will be interpreted or applied.

— Joël Lightbound, Liberal Quebec lieutenant

Bloc Québécois MP Mario Simard expects Ottawa to back down, while a Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean fishing group welcomes the rules for spawning fish.