On September 4, 2011 we e-mailed the following letter (with this additional attachment) to the Minister of the Environment (the honourable John Wilkinson), with a copy to our local Minister of Parliament (the honourable Tony Clement), the Minister of Natural Resources (the honourable Linda Jeffrey), and the project evaluator at the Ministry of the Envrionment for this proposed project (Mr. Adam Sanzo).
Dear Minister Wilkinson,
It has recently come to our attention that the proponent for the proposed hydro-electric generating station at the Bala Falls has not properly surveyed for the presence of the Eastern Musk Turtle, which is designated by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources as a Species at Risk.
This is a concern as a recent report from the District Municipality of Muskoka has determined that the shoreline area both downstream and upstream of the proposed site is in fact a high potential area for this threatened species of turtle.
As the proposed construction and operation of the proposed generating station could cause harmful alteration, disruption or destruction of an endangered species, this would contravene Ontario’s Endangered Species Act.
We have detailed our concerns in the attached letter and we would appreciate a reply of what actions the Ministry of the Environment will take to ensure that Ontario’s wildlife habitats would be protected.
Thank you for your time.
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Mitchell Shnier, on behalf of SaveTheBalaFalls
We have just photographed two Map Turtles sunning themselves on a rock on the Moon River. This is a species of concern that is effected by changing water levels. The “gaming” of the maximum water levels by the proposed power plant will be a disaster to many birds, plants and animals like the Map Turtles and Loons.