Notice of Commencement of an Environmental Assessment

Bala North Dam Waterpower, Lake Muskoka, Township of Muskoka Lakes

Bala (ON)

April 7, 2009 (Updated July 20, 2011) -- Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Transport Canada are required to ensure that a screening is conducted pursuant to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act commencing on March 31, 2009 in relation to the project: Bala North Dam Waterpower, Lake Muskoka, Township of Muskoka Lakes.

The construction and operation of a 4.3MW hydroelectric generating facility approximately 25 m south of the existing North Bala Dam on the Moon River in the village of Bala, Ontario, including the installation of a temporary coffer dam and blasting through bedrock to create an approximately 30 m long intake/approach channel in Muskoka Lake, the installation of a second temporary coffer dam and blasting and excavation of an approximately 20m long tailrace channel in the Moon River, and the diversion of flows through the new facility. There will be no structural changes made to the existing dam as part of the project.

The scope of the project includes impacts associated with the construction, operation, maintenance and decommissioning of the proposed works including temporary coffer dams and access facilities, associated approaches, storage sites and other undertakings directly associated with the generating station.

An environmental assessment is required in relation to the project because Fisheries and Oceans Canada may take action in relation to section 32 of the Fisheries Act and to subsection 35(2) of the Fisheries Act and because Transport Canada may take action in relation to section 5 of the Navigable Waters Protection Act.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada will act as the Federal Environmental Assessment Coordinator for this environmental assessment.

For further information on this environmental assessment, please contact:
DFO - CEA Registry Office -Central & Arctic Region - Ontario Area
P.O. Box 5050
867 Lakeshore Road
Burlington  ON  L7R 4A6
Telephone: 905-336-4508
Email: CEARCNAON-RCEERCAON@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

and refer to Registry reference number 09-01-46531

 

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