{"id":2683,"date":"2011-03-16T11:54:25","date_gmt":"2011-03-16T15:54:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/savethebalafalls.com\/?p=2683"},"modified":"2011-07-20T17:41:35","modified_gmt":"2011-07-20T21:41:35","slug":"dam-safety-letter-sent-to-ministers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/savethebalafalls.com\/?p=2683","title":{"rendered":"Dam Safety Letter Sent to Ministers"},"content":{"rendered":"

The following letter was sent to the Ministers below (and the media) on March 16, 2011.<\/p>\n


<\/p>\n

\n

Linda Jeffrey
\n Minister of Natural Resources
\n Whitney Block, 6th Floor, Room 6630
\n 99 Wellesley Street West
\n Toronto, ON\u00a0 M7A 1W3
\n 416 314-2301
\n LJeffrey.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org<\/p>\n

Brad Duguid
\n Minister of Energy and Infrastructure
\n Hearst Block, 4th Floor
\n 900 Bay Street
\n Toronto, ON\u00a0 M7A 2E1
\n 416 327-6758
\n BDuguid.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org<\/p>\n

The Honourable John Wilkinson
\n Minister of the Environment
\n 77 Wellesley Street West
\n 11th Floor, Ferguson Block
\n Toronto, ON\u00a0 M7A 2T5
\n 416 314-6790
\n minister.moe@ontario.ca<\/p>\n

Dear Ministers,<\/p>\n

As for a doctor, an engineer’s first responsibility is to “do no harm”, and this includes examining risks.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, the proponents for the proposed hydro-electric power station at the Bala Falls have not addressed the risk of possible damage to the north dam \u2013 which would be less than 65′ from the blasting required to excavate a 60′-deep trench into the Muskoka bedrock. A dam failure would be disastrous, as Lake Muskoka is 120 km2<\/sup><\/span> in area, and is 20′ higher than the Moon River, which is heavily used for in-water recreation and has residences on both sides. Accordingly, we have sent the letter below to the Ministry of the Environment.<\/p>\n

We have posted other unaddressed safety, tourism, and economic concerns at http:\/\/SaveTheBalaFalls.com<\/a><\/p>\n

———————————————————-<\/p>\n

Mitchell Shnier, on behalf of SaveTheBalaFalls.com
\n25 Lower Links Road
\nToronto, ON\u00a0 M2P 1H5<\/p>\n

Telephone: 416 222-1430
\n E-mail: Mitchell@Shnier.com<\/p>\n

——————————————————————————————<\/p>\n

———- Forwarded message ———-
\n From: Mitchell Shnier <Mitchell@shnier.com<\/a>>
\n Date: Mon, Mar 14, 2011 at 5:50 PM
\n Subject: Dam Safety for Proposed Hydro-electric Generating Station at the Bala Falls
\n To: “Adam Sanzo (ENE)” <Adam.Sanzo@ontario.ca<\/a>>
\n Cc: michael.harrison2@ontario.ca<\/a><\/p>\n

Hello Mr. Sanzo,\u00a0
\n
\n Dam Failure<\/strong>
\n It has come to our attention that the work required to construct the proposed hydro-electric power station at the Bala falls should trigger a public safety assessment. Such requirements are in draft documents from the Canadian Dam Association and the Ministry of Natural Resources.<\/p>\n

This would be prudent, given that the proposed project would involve rock blasting down 60′ within 65′ of the north dam \u2013 which is over 50 years old.<\/p>\n

Given that the water level of Lake Muskoka is 20′ higher than the Moon River, and given the huge 120 km2<\/sup> area<\/span> of Lake Muskoka, a Bala dam failure would be catastrophic; to people and structures downstream, to boats and marine life upstream, and to the proponent\u2019s finances.<\/p>\n

According to the draft \u201cTechnical Guidelines and Requirements for Approval Under The Lakes & Rivers Improvement Act, Volume Three \u2013 Life Cycle Management of Dams<\/em>\u201d, Chapter 2, Section 2.2.3, this situation would be classified as \u201cHigh Hazard Potential\u201d.<\/p>\n

Therefore, information is required from the proponent concerning:<\/p>\n