Status update, April 2014

The current status is that proponent has yet to receive many approvals required before construction could begin:

1. At the Federal government level, while Transport Canada has reviewed the information the proponent provided in their Addendum, Transport Canada has not yet received the proponent’s Application for approval, and Transport Canada apparently not considered that:
   1. The proposed generating station would operate at full capacity an average of 21 days each summer.
   2. That the resulting treacherously turbulent water exiting the proposed station would be just as dangerous outside of the proposed downstream safety boom as within it, and that this fast water would be directed close to the Town Docks on the Moon River and other private docks.
   3. And that children and visitors not familiar with the area would need to navigate through this churning water on their way to dock their boats.
       
2. At the Provincial government level, the proponent has not yet applied for Plans and Specifications approval, as is required under the Ministry of Natural Resources’ Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act. Given the need for blasting and excavation directly adjacent to the Bala north dam and the restriction of the north channel during the construction (creating the risk of flooding Lake Muskoka), there would be many challenges to meeting the requirements.
    
3. At the Municipal government District level, the proponent would need to provide assurance that:
   1. The blasting and excavation would not damage the highway bridge over the north channel.
   2. The traffic delays due to blasting and dump truck movements and speed limit reductions through the proposed construction site would be acceptable for emergency response vehicles, commercial vehicles, and everybody else.
       
4. At the Municipal government Township level:
   1. The proponent needs a building permit.
   2. While the province seems to think that dealing with emergencies is as easy as dialling 911, the proponent has not approached the local emergency responders to discuss what training, budget, and resources would be required to handle the many types of emergency situations that could occur during both construction and operation.
       
5. We were shocked to learn that Margaret Burgess Park would be fenced-off, this is the type of major news that the proponent should be telling the public. Obviously the public consultation has been inadequate, as such crucial information should not be a surprise after years of attempting to get our questions answered by the proponent.
    
6. In addition to the above;
   1. The proponent is no doubt trying to raise contruction financing, which they may never get, as investors may consider the construction to be too difficult and risky.
   2. The Township of Muskoka Lakes has requested an appeal of the Judicial Review decision of last summer.

We will continue to insist the public knows:

• Would it be safe.
• Would it be beautiful, as the area is.
• Would there be enough water over the falls to continue to draw people to Bala.