Northland Power Inc. Mclean's Mountain Wind Farm Environmental

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Northland Power Inc. Mclean's Mountain Wind Farm Environmental Northland Power Inc. McLean’s Mountain Wind Farm Environmental Screening Report/Environmental Impact Statement July 2009 09-1983 Submitted by Dillon Consulting Limited Northland Power Inc. – McLean’s Mountain Wind Farm Environmental Screening Report/Environmental Impact Statement Executive Summary Northland Power Inc. (NPI) proposes to develop the McLean’s Mountain Wind Farm (MMWF), located south of the community of Little Current, in the Municipality of Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands (NEMI); geographic Township of Howland, and the geographic Township of Bidwell in the District of Manitoulin, Ontario. This wind farm is expected to consist of up to 43 wind turbines that will generate 77 MW of electricity. NPI intends to develop the project under the new Green Energy Act (GEA) Feed-In-Tariff (FIT) program. This Environmental Screening Report/ Environmental Impact Statement (ESR/EIS, referred to in this report as ‘ESR’) is consistent with the Environmental Screening provisions of Ontario Regulation 116/01 for a Category B project and with the requirements of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. A team of interdisciplinary professionals completed the screening and this report using best practices. Field work and data collection, based on agency- approved protocols and methodology, was undertaken to assist in the determination of potential environmental effects, including both the social and natural environment, which could result from this project. Key data collection activities included one full year of bat surveys and initial aquatic habitat surveys. A mitigation and monitoring strategy has been developed to manage the potential effects. NPI is also committed to conducting additional bat survey work to meet MNR guidelines. The level of environmental investigation that has been undertaken to support this environmental screening is consistent with the level of work undertaken for an environmental review. A significant amount of field work and detailed assessment of effects has been undertaken that goes well beyond the expectations of an environmental screening as outlined in the “Guide to Environmental Assessment Requirements for Energy Projects” (MOE, 2001a) (the Guide). Significant effects to the natural and social environment have been avoided through careful site selection, good planning, the implementation of mitigation measures, and adherence to regulatory requirements. The project is located in a rural area where the wind farm will not interfere with the existing land uses. No significant adverse environmental effects are anticipated. The overall conclusion of this ESR is that this project can be constructed, operated and decommissioned without any significant impacts to the environment, including the natural and social environment. Public and government agency consultation activities have been undertaken and will continue. NEMI, in principle, has indicated their support for the project. NPI has been in discussion with several Aboriginal communities in regards to this project since 2004. NPI is committed to continuing these discussions and accommodating the concerns and interests of Aboriginal communities regarding this project. Dillon Consulting Limited Page i July 2009 Northland Power Inc. – McLean’s Mountain Wind Farm Environmental Screening Report/Environmental Impact Statement There are significant net benefits of this project including the generation of clean renewable energy for Ontario, increased economic activity for the region, and employment opportunities for the local communities, particularly during the construction phase of the project. During the operational phase, the project, it will also provide annual economic benefits through municipal taxes paid to NEMI, and a continuing need for services from the local economy. Dillon Consulting Limited Page ii July 2009 Northland Power Inc. – McLean’s Mountain Wind Farm Environmental Screening Report/Environmental Impact Statement TABLE OF CONTENTS Page EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................. i 1. PROJECT SUMMARY...................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Project Proponent .....................................................................................................1 1.2 Title of Project .....................................................................................................2 1.3 Project Location .....................................................................................................2 1.4 Estimated Capacity of Wind Farm..............................................................................2 1.5 ESR Report .....................................................................................................2 1.6 ESR Study Team .....................................................................................................2 1.7 Environmental Assessment (EA) Requirements.........................................................4 1.7.1 Provincial EA Requirements........................................................................4 1.7.2 Federal EA Requirements............................................................................7 1.7.3 Coordinated Approach to Federal and Provincial Approvals......................7 1.8 Agencies Involved in the Environmental Screening...................................................7 1.9 Required Permits and Approvals ................................................................................8 1.10 Project Schedule .....................................................................................................9 1.11 Report Organization....................................................................................................9 2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION............................................................................................... 10 2.1 Description of Project Components..........................................................................10 2.1.1 Wind Turbines ...........................................................................................10 2.1.2 Access Roads.............................................................................................14 2.1.3 Electrical Connections/Substation .............................................................14 2.1.4 Staging/Laydown Areas.............................................................................15 2.2 Description of Project Activities...............................................................................16 2.2.1 Construction Phase.....................................................................................16 2.2.2 Operation and Maintenance Phase.............................................................16 2.2.3 Decommissioning Phase............................................................................17 2.3 Economic Benefits of the Project .............................................................................21 3. SCOPE OF THE ASSESSMENT..................................................................................... 23 3.1 Scope of Assessment.................................................................................................23 3.2 Scope of Factors ...................................................................................................24 3.3 Study Objectives ...................................................................................................26 3.4 Methodology of Environmental Screening/Environmental Impact Assessment......27 3.5 Study Area ...................................................................................................27 3.6 Uncertainty and Data Gaps .......................................................................................27 4. STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION..............................................................................28 4.1 Consultation Methodology........................................................................................28 4.2 Project Notices ...................................................................................................29 4.3 Aboriginal Consultation............................................................................................30 4.3.1 Aboriginal Consultation to Date ................................................................30 Dillon Consulting Limited Page iii July 2009 Northland Power Inc. – McLean’s Mountain Wind Farm Environmental Screening Report/Environmental Impact Statement 4.3.2 Future Consultation....................................................................................34 4.4 Agency Notification and Consultation......................................................................34 4.4.1 Federal Agencies........................................................................................34 4.4.2 Provincial Agencies ...................................................................................36 4.4.3 Municipal Agencies ...................................................................................37 4.5 Communication Tower Consultation........................................................................38 4.6 Public Meetings and Presentations ...........................................................................39 4.6.1 2004 Public Information Centre.................................................................39 4.6.2 2004 Presentation to NEMI Council..........................................................40
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