ORTECH Power Submission to Ministry of the Environment Appendix A For McGraw Falls G.S. Environmental Screening Report Project No. 61006 APPENDIX A Stakeholder Consultation Letters and Notifications (14 pages) ORTECH Power Submission to Ministry of the Environment Appendix A For McGraw Falls G.S. Environmental Screening Report Project No. 61006 Letters and Correspondence December 10, 2007 To Whom It May Concern: McGraw Falls Water Power (MFWP) is proposing to incorporate a two (2) megawatt hydro- electric facility on the Matawin River approximately 7km southwest of Shabaqua Corners. This facility will make use of the current weir and reservoir located just upstream of McGraw Falls. A small powerhouse and penstock will be constructed downstream of the existing weir. A 5km wooden pole distribution line will be added for transmitting electricity to the Shabaqua Distribution Station. The Ministry of the Environment regulates private electricity projects in Ontario under the Electricity Projects Regulation (O.Reg. 116/01) which requires all electricity projects to undergo an environmental screening process. In 2006, McGraw Falls was identified as a location with hydro-electric potential for development through the Ministry of Natural Resources Direct Site Release Program. This program requires the proponent to liaise with the Ministry of Natural Resources throughout the environmental assessment, permitting and construction phases. Consistent with the requirements of these two ministries we are developing a draft Environmental Screening Report for the spring of 2008. Public consultation is a major component of the environmental screening process in Ontario, and as such we will be actively engaged in that process in various ways, one of which is a public open house set for early 2008. Based on the results of the public consultation process and comments to the draft report, we hope to release our Final Environmental Screening Report in the summer of 2008. ORTECH Power Submission to Ministry of the Environment Appendix A For McGraw Falls G.S. Environmental Screening Report Project No. 61006 This letter is to inform potentially interested parties that we are entering our public consultation phase of the project. We encourage you to attend the public open house this spring in order to obtain information and speak with our experts. You are also invited to send us your written comments and questions via e-mail or regular mail at any time. We encourage you to visit our website www.mcgrawfallspower.ca for more information and project updates or contact: Leah Deveaux ORTECH Power 2395 Speakman Drive, Mississauga, ON, L5K 1B (905) 822-4120 ext. 305 or 1-877-774-6560 ext. 305 [email protected] We look forward to your participation in this project. Leah Deveaux ORTECH Power c.c. Patrick Gillette, McGraw Falls Water Power c.c. Ministry of Natural Resources, 435 James St. S., Thunder Bay, ON P7E 6S8 (Attention: Bill Ringham & Jim Cameron) c.c. Ministry of Energy, 3rd Floor, 880 Bay St., Toronto, ON M7A 2C1 (Attention: Perry Cecchini) c.c. Ministry of the Environment, Environmental Assessment and Approvals Branch, Floor 12A, 2 St. Clair Avenue West, Toronto, ON M4V 1L5 (Attention: Marie Legrow) c.c. Ontario-Great Lakes Area, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 28 Waubeek St., Parry Sound, ON P2A1B9 (Attention: Dan Thompson) ORTECH Power Submission to Ministry of the Environment Appendix A For McGraw Falls G.S. Environmental Screening Report Project No. 61006 February 12, 2008 To: Selected Media For Immediate Release Proposed hydro project aims to be low impact Acting on the Province’s need for more sources of clean, renewable energy, the first of many steps has been taken toward the commissioning of a waterpower generating facility about seven kilometers south of Shabaqua Corners (50 km east of Thunder Bay) in Northwestern Ontario. Interested parties attending a February 26 information open house at Thunder Bay’s Valhalla Inn will hear that, if it proceeds, the McGraw Falls project offers significant economic opportunity for the region with an estimated 20,000 person hours of work and $2-$3 million in local spending on goods and services. Awarded Applicant of Record Status by the Ministry of Natural Resources, McGraw Falls Water Power, a subsidiary of Xeneca Power, of Mississauga, is now proceeding with the next level of intensive consultation with local and regional stakeholders. Xeneca President Patrick Gillette notes that surveying, engineering studies, environmental impact assessments and permitting must all be completed to ensure the project minimizes impacts on the environment and other users and maximizes the benefits of resource. “There are certainly a number of natural features in the area, and we are convinced that we can maintain and likely enhance them as we proceed with this project,” Mr. Gillette observes. The existing weir structure on the site, built about 70 years ago, created wetlands upstream that supports a population of waterfowl and other species. Studies indicate that the existing structure may not be optimal for some of these environmental features, and Xeneca officials believe their project can be built in a manner that will stabilize water levels. Improved water control can help to maintain or even enhance the wetland habitat while generating a modest 1.5-2 megawatts of electricity during times of peak demand. Fish habitat is also of significant interest adds Mr. Gillette pointing out the proposal to build on top of the existing structure will minimize impacts on the aquatic ecosystem both upstream and downstream. A relatively small penstock delivering water to the powerhouse will have to be built. Xeneca is committed to constructing and operating these structures to have as low of an impact as possible both visually and environmentally. “We will be holding information sessions. We’re looking for people’s input and ideas. Our process is intended to be open, transparent and accountable,” adds Mr. Gillette. For more information contact Leah Deveaux of ORTECH Power at (905) 822-4120 ext. 305/Fax: (905) 855-0406 ORTECH Power Submission to Ministry of the Environment Appendix A For McGraw Falls G.S. Environmental Screening Report Project No. 61006 April 1st, 2009 To Whom It May Concern: ORTECH on behalf of MFWP has posted a Notice of Completion, concluding the Environmental Screening period for the McGraw Falls Generating Station. This notice was published in the Thunder Bay Source, Chronicle Journal for Wednesday April 1st, 2009 and Wawatay News for Thursday March 19th, 2009. You will find a copy of this notice attached. The publication of the Notice of Completion marks the beginning of a mandatory 30 day review period which will conclude Friday May 1st, 2009 at 4:30pm. In accordance with Ontario Regulation 116/01 this ESR is being made available for review and comment from Wednesday April 1st, 2009 until Friday May 1st, 2009. The ESR may be reviewed on the project website: www.mcgrawfallspower.ca Hard copies of the ESR may be found during this review period at the following public locations: The Brodie Resource Library KBM Forestry Consultants Inc. Thunder Bay City Clerks Office 216 Brodie St. 349 Mooney Ave. 600 Victoria Avenue East Thunder Bay Thunder Bay Thunder Bay In accordance with the EA Guide, stakeholders must first attempt to resolve any outstanding issues with MFWP during the 30 day review period. In the event that issues cannot be resolved during this period, the concerned party may make a written request to the Director of the MOE’s Environmental Assessment and Approvals Branch at the address provided below, to elevate the project to an Environmental Review or Individual Environmental Assessment. A copy of this elevation request must also be sent to MFWP at the address below: McGraw Falls Water Power c/o Leah Deveaux ORTECH Power 804 Southdown Rd. Mississauga ON; L5J 2Y4 Phone: 1-877-774-6560 x.305 Fax: 905-855-0406 Email: [email protected] Requests must be made in accordance with the provisions set out in the Ministry of the Environment’s “Environmental Screening Process for Electricity Projects” (The Guide). A copy of The Guide can be found on the MOE’s website. www.ene.gov.ca The Director must also receive requests for elevation by 4:30pm Friday May 1st, 2008, at the following address: Director of Environmental Assessment and Approvals Branch Ministry of the Environment 2 St. Clair Avenue West, Floor 12A Toronto, ON; M4V 1L5 Fax: 416-314-8452 ORTECH Power Submission to Ministry of the Environment Appendix A For McGraw Falls G.S. Environmental Screening Report Project No. 61006 Your information will be forwarded to the Water Management Planning process, and you will receive all associated updates and consultation notices. We appreciate your input into this process and look forward to your continued input in the future. Thanks kindly, Leah Deveaux ORTECH Power www.mcgrawfallspower.ca -enclosures c.c. Patrick Gillette, McGraw Falls Water Power c.c. Scott Manser, ORTECH Power c.c. Dave Thomson, KBM Forestry Consultants ORTECH Power Submission to Ministry of the Environment Appendix A For McGraw Falls G.S. Environmental Screening Report Project No. 61006 McGraw Falls Hydro Electric Project Newsletter February 21, 2008 Edition 1 Project Status Currently McGraw Falls Water Power has begun several specialty studies, examining their conclusions and establishing plans of operation for the project which will benefit the environment and residents while remaining economical. This process is estimated to take between 6-8 months to complete. Studies which are currently in process include: Habitat Study: this study examines the aquatic and terrestrial environment, the species who reside in the area and an in depth assessment of the wetland upstream of the weir. Hydrology Study: this examines the flows of the river over an extended period of time. This is used to establish an accurate estimate of electricity production.