Proponent continues to break Township of Muskoka Lakes by-law
As yet another disgusting example that the proponent has no respect for the public (and that they are desperately behind schedule), they continue to break the Township of Muskoka Lakes Noise Control by-law by working after 9:00 pm, and often all night.
As confirmation that the proponent knows this work is not allowed, last month they offered cash to the Township of Muskoka Lakes in the hopes of being allowed to continue this illegal work. They apparently believe that money should win over democracy. However, the Council of the Township of Muskoka Lakes showed they can’t be bought, and did not accept this.
Also last month, due to numerous complaints from the public, the Township of Muskoka Lakes filed a total of 13 charges against; the proponent, their project manager, and their sub-contractor.
More detail is here, and a previous article on this issue is here.
Proponent requests permit to operate their dangerous proposed project
The proponent now needs a permit – called a Permit to Take Water (PTTW) – from the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP, which used to be called the MOECC, and before that, the MOE). They must have this PTTW to operate their proposed hydro-electric generating station at the Bala falls.
Earlier this month the MECP notified the Township of Muskoka Lakes thatthe proponent had submitted their Application for a PTTW and that the MECP would accept comments on this Application.
While these permits are normally for purposes that are not directly dangerous such as for golf course irrigation and producing bottled water, the MECP’s responsibilities include protecting human life, and the proposed project would create extreme new dangers.
As a result, last week members of the community presented their concerns to the Township of Muskoka Lakes Committee of the Whole. As summarized here the Council of the Township of Muskoka Lakes subsequently passed a resolution to ask the province to not permit operation of the proposed project at least during the tourist season (MuskokaRegion.com article here).
The MECP stated they will accept comments (hopefully from the public as well) until February 1, 2019. The comments submitted by SaveTheBalaFalls.com are here.
What you can do to help
Send an e-mail to the PTTW evaluator, copying the Minister of the Environment (click here for the e-mail addresses, you can add others such as Premier@ontario.ca and Norm.Miller@pc.ola.org). Let them know that:
Now is the time for the MECP to protect the public, I request that the MECP not issue the PTTW until the proponent has provided a Public Safety Plan which has been determined to be acceptable by an unbiased organization with the required expertise, such as the Royal Life Saving Society Canada.