Archive for Wanapitei River
Proposed Allen & Struthers (Wanapitei River) Hydro Electric Project – HIFN to Bradley
Posted by: | CommentsApril 10th, 2012
The Honourable Jim Bradley
Minister of Environment
11th Floor, Ferguson Block
77 Wellesley Street West
Toronto, ON
M7A 2T5
E: Minister.moe@ontario.ca
Dear Minister Bradley:
RE: PROPOSED ALLEN & STRUTHERS (WANAPITEI RIVER) HYDRO ELECTRIC PROJECT
Chief/Council of HENVEY INLET Reserve # 2 & FRENCH RIVER Reserve #13 wish to advise you, that the identified hydro electric
project (above) is on our traditional territory and we do not give consent to proceed. Although traditional territory is made up of common lands held by a collective of Indian reserves under the same Treaty (The 1850 Huron Robinson Treaty) it is clearly understood by the collective that specified areas are identified as being under the jurisdiction of one Chief/Council (Henvey French River Band). Read More→
Natural Heritage of the Vermilion River, by Ruth Svensk
Posted by: | CommentsThe First Nations people here called the River a name that means Whitefish River. Depending on who pronounces it, the name sounds like “Atikamgzib” or “Dikmegzubi”. The ‘zib’ or ‘zubi’ means “river”.
(The Europeans misunderstood, and thought that Atikmazib was the little river that runs through Lake Lavase into Penage. That is why you see it marked as Whitefish River on the maps.)
The Vermilion River rises in a small lake called Tramp Lake, about 70 km north of Capreol.
“Probably much of the gold in the Vermilion has come from the winnowing of glacial till by post-glacial rivers and modern rivers. I suspect that the Wanapitei and Vermilion River areas where placer gold is known may have been the site of some of the early Norse washings.”[1]
Boyle’s credentials are as a geologist, not a historian, but others have speculated that, when Greenland was a viable colony, in the 11th and 12th centuries, Norse were entering Hudson’s Bay and trading up the rivers into Northern Ontario.
The Odawa and Beaver peoples who lived near the Atikmagzib moved throughout the year, living in a succession of seasonal camps. Their territory of use stretched from MacGregor Bay to the headwaters of the Vermilion, and I think from the Spanish to the Sturgeon Rivers.
See full document below:
[1] The Geochemistry of gold and its deposits, 1979, by R.W. Boyle, Canada’s “guru of gold”, published by the Geological Survey of Canada
FIT Program Review Comments, by J. Rook, FRDA
Posted by: | Comments13 December 2011:
Download FRDA FIT review letter Dec 13 11
Excerpt:
FIT Pricing
The FIT program has been designed to enable private investment by artificially raising prices paid for electricity. These artificial prices are then passed to the consumer who has no option or recourse but to pay or lose service.
In the meantime, average wholesale prices for electricity have steadily declined. The IESO reports that monthly average prices have declined since 2008 from $0.0517 per kwh to $0.0294 per kwh 3.
The demand decrease, coupled with the price decreases, causes our exported electricity to be sold at a loss. Again, the consumer pays. This burden will only increase as we add artificially high “green energy” projects to the system.
Recommendations
1) Peaking Bonus on hydro electric projects be removed. Hydro facilities are operated remotely and electronically. No additional costs are incurred to supply peak power.
2) FIT pricing structure be reviewed to protect consumers from over-inflated electricity rates.
3) Inflation price increase clause should be no more than 50% of Consumer Price Index, allowing consumers to maintain a standard of living currently enjoyed in Ontario.
4) FIT contracts should not include Price Adder clauses. Any additional costs associated with a project should be considered a cost to the proponent and be included in their business plan, and not be a cost to consumers.
5) Standby charges should be reduced to reflect actual cost; e.g. overhead, labour at standby facility, etc.
Guiding Eagle – Allen & Struthers Proposed Hydroelectric Dam, Wanapitei River
Posted by: | Comments“There is much interest in monitoring Sturgeon Chutes on the Wanapitei River. The eagle was perched on a dead tree on the west bank of the Wanapitei River immediately downstream from Sturgeon Chutes as we passed in the boat. Then he seemed to say, “Hey follow me” and flew directly over the grave at Sturgeon Chutes and on over the proposed Allen & Struthers development while we watched. We put our tobacco on the water while he and his partner eagle were still in sight.
Ginawaydaganuc. We ALL are connected.”
Eagle perched at Proposed Allen & Struthers site, Wanapitei River
Guiding Eagle at Sturgeon Chutes, Wanapitei River
Perched Eagle at Allen & Struthers proposed site, Wanapitei River
NOTICE OF COMMENCEMENT
of an Environmental Assessment
Allen and Struthers Hydroelectric Generating Station, Wanapitei River, Struthers Township
Sturgeon Chutes (ON)
June 7, 2011 — Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Transport Canada are required to ensure that a screening is conducted commencing on May 27, 2011 in relation to the development proposal: Allen and Struthers Hydroelectric Generating Station, Wanapitei River, Struthers Township.
Xeneca Power Development Inc. is proposing to construct and operate a hydroelectric generating station approximately 300 m upstream of Sturgeon Chute on the Wanapitei River in the Municipality of Killarney, District of Sudbury. The proposed development would be operated as a run-of-river facility with some daily flow modifications and will have a generating capacity of 2.8 MW. The project would involve the construction of a concrete spillway with a concrete side dam and a spill wall, a concrete dam with incorporated powerhouse and an additional auxiliary earthen dam. The facility would capture 5 m of surveyed gross head and would result in the inundation of riparian lands up to 12 km upstream of the dam. The proposed project would connect to the electrical grid via a new 44 kV power line, supported by wooden piles, approximately 19.5 km in length. The required right-of-way for the power line corridor would extend from 10-30 m dependant on site characteristics. One pad mount transformer would be required. Access to the proposed site would require upgrading 9.5 km of existing road and construction of new road to the proposed powerhouse. Additionally, a new road would be required to access the proposed auxiliary dam from the proposed powerhouse. The total length of the proposed new road construction is approximately 4.8 km. Read More→
6 September 2011:
“Henvey/French River First Nation will not sanction the proposed development at Sturgeon Chutes/Lower Wahnapitea River, and will continue to voice our opposition to the project.
I encourage Xeneca Power to adhere to its own policy in respect to Aboriginal Relations within First Nation’s Traditional Territories.
It has also come to my attention that Xeneca has made attempts to form partnerships with other First Nations in the Traditional Territory of Henvey/French River Band. Further attempts of this nature will result in Henvey/French River seeking legal remedies against Xeneca Power.
I also ask Xeneca Power refer to recent news releases in respect to a supreme court decision regarding Traditional Lands “Grassy Narrows vs. Ministry of Natural Resources.” Download complete letter.
Briefing Notes – Allen-Struthers Hydroelectric Dam Proposal – by FRDA
Posted by: | CommentsFrench River Delta Association
Briefing Notes re apprehension about the hydro electric dam in Allen-Struthers
We are a group of local cottage and resort/marina operators and other members at large whose major focus is the environment. Our association is very worried about the impact of the green Energy Act (2009) implications for Northern Ontario as well as our local habitat and environment.
This Act which was passed into law has some laudable objectives:
- to encourage the growth in clean and renewable energy sources
- to achieve major savings in energy use
- to create 50,000 new jobs in Ontario
To bring about these changes, the government is offering very generous incentives with the program called the Feed In Tariff program. Of major concern to the Delta association is the use of new small hydro electric installations to generate electric power. Of particular concern is, the environmental and monetary exemptions in the act for projects that may make a major economic contribution to the province. Although public consultation must take place, no rules have been set out on how this must be done. (very little public information has been put forth by the project proponents) While the Act does recognize the need for proper decommissioning plans it does not require decommissioning bonds. Local Municipalities have been removed from the decision making process. Local MNR and MOE branches are being told that the decisions are being made in Toronto. Local stakeholders have not been properly consulted during the development stage of this act. The Act in its present form, and the way that it is currently being interpreted and implemented, in our opinion, leaves Northern Ontario’s environment and economy to be raped and pillaged for the benefit of few. We have concerns that by circumventing the environmental aspects (the endangered species list and species at risk) in depth environmental assessments will not be required on a broad scale. 46 Water Power Feed in Tariff contracts have been offered in Northern Ontario, 32 of which are in the North East region. Read More→
FRDA to Minister Gravelle – Proposed Allen & Struthers (Wanapitei River) hydro electric project
Posted by: Linda | Comments (0)Download FRDA letter to Michael Gravelle February 24 2012
Download Hatch Energy – costs spreadsheet corrected.
FRENCH RIVER DELTA ASSOCIATION
857 Hartley Bay Road
RR 2 Site 10 Comp 4
Alban, Ontario P0M 1A0
February 24, 2012
The Honourable Michael Gravelle
Minister of Natural Resources
Whitney Block
6th Floor Rm 6630
99 Wellesley St. West
Toronto, ON
M7A 1W3
Dear Minister Gravelle
Re: Proposed Allen & Struthers (Wanapitei River) hydro electric project
We are writing you to ask you NOT to approve Xeneca Power’s proposed Allen & Struthers (Wanapitei River) hydro electric generating station project. Although we are strong supporters of renewable energy, this particular project presents a serious danger to the French River and the French River Provincial Park’s ecosystem.
Many renewable energy projects have significant environmental and economic benefits, but neither is true of this project. The project faces extensive opposition due to its long-term effects on our local ecosystem, water quality, and economy. Allowing it to proceed would be inconsistent with the MNR’s Statement of Environmental Values.
About us
The French River Delta Association consists of cottage owners and local business owners who depend on the French River ecosystem, and who would be harmed by the proposed project. We are committed to ensuring that this ecosystem is sustained for future generations.1
We support the Henvey Inlet First Nation, which strongly opposes the proposed project. We congratulate you on your commitment to First Nation involvement. During your January 21, 2012 address to NAN Members, you said: “And while I firmly believe that we share the same goals, I do want to take this opportunity to emphasize our commitment to local decision making for each First Nation community as we move forward together.”2
Read More→