Show your opposition
This Friday September 1, 2017 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm come out to show your opposition to the proposed hydro-electric generating station. As we have been all this week, we’ll be peacefully walking along the Bala north bridge sidewalk.
If you can’t be on the bridge (or if you’re on the bridge with a cell phone), between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm this Friday September 1, 2017 call the Premier’s Office at 416 325-1941 and let them know (for example) that it is unacceptable that the public has still not been informed how, or if, the proposed project would be operated safely, and you request that work be halted until the MNRF and MOECC’s responsibilities for safe operation and public safety have been fulfilled.
The current status – District Municipality of Muskoka
The District Municipality of Muskoka has issued a press release and has stated that on August 21, 2017 the District provided the licenses and permits the proponent needs to make a driveway entrance into the Township’s Portage Landing area west of Muskoka Road 169.
This is very unfortunate as the District rushed this process and would not provide answers to our questions until after they issued these licenses and permits.
Now that we have been able to review the answers provided, we find that the proponent’s consultant made incorrect assumptions and therefore dismissed our observation that the highway bridge could be damaged by the flow due to the proposed generating station. As this damage could result in the collapse of the highway bridge, we have asked the District to require the proponent to provide an answer that properly considers the flow conditions.
The current status – Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
We understand the MNRF has provided the permits the proponent needs to begin some in-water work, such as installing their proposed upstream cofferdam. This is unfortunate as:
- The proponent still has not shown how, or if, they could safely operate their proposed generating station. We feel it is absolutely unacceptable that the public has no information on the proponent’s safety plan.
- The proponent has not shown they could remove their upstream cofferdam as required to avoid flooding Lake Muskoka, without breaking important environmental commitments they have made to the MOECC.
- The MNRF refuses to meet with us to discuss these concerns.
The current status – Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change
We continue to work to get more information on the MOECC’s public safety and environmental assessment obligations.