NOTICE OF COMMENCEMENT

of an Environmental Assessment

Four Slide Falls Hydroelectric Generating Station in Serpent River (Xeneca Power Development)

Serpent River (ON)

September 22, 2011 (Updated September 22, 2011) — Transport Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada are required to ensure that a screening is conducted commencing on September 15, 2011 in relation to the development proposal: Four Slide Falls Hydroelectric Generating Station in Serpent River (Xeneca Power Development).

The proposed Four Slide Falls hydroelectric development will be operated as a “modified run-of-river” facility that is capable of holding water back to be used during peak hours with an output of 7.3 MW from a gross head of 28.5 m. The facility will consist of a 137.5 m concrete main dam and a 140 m long concrete auxiliary dam. The dam will direct flow from the river to an intake connected to a penstock approximately 163 m in length to convey water to the powerhouse located on the west side of the river.

The scope of project for the Four Slide Falls Hydroelectric Generating Station has been identified as the physical works or activities associated with the construction, operation and maintenance of the proposed hydroelectric generating facility as well as the decommissioning or abandonment (where applicable) of certain components of the development proposal. The RA(s) have determined that the scope of project will include the following components:

• The construction, operation and maintenance of a new generating station and dams at Four Slide Falls on the Serpent River.
• The construction, operation and maintenance of a new tailrace and its associated works or undertakings at the Four Slide Falls sites.
• The construction of new transmission lines and associated structures.
• The construction or alteration of portage routes either temporary during construction or permanent.
• The construction of new access roads and upgrades to existing access roads.
• Any other works or undertakings directly associated with the hydroelectric project including those that are temporary.

Under section 5 of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, an environmental assessment is required because, for the purpose of enabling the project to be carried out in whole or in part, Transport Canada may take action in relation to section 5 of the Navigable Waters Protection Act and Fisheries and Oceans Canada may take action in relation to subsection 35(2) of the Fisheries Act and may take action in relation to section 32 of the Fisheries Act.

This project is also subject to the environmental assessment requirements of the Government of Ontario.

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency will act as the Federal Environmental Assessment Coordinator for this environmental assessment.

For further information on this environmental assessment, please contact:
Jennifer Hughes
Senior Environmental Officer
Environment and Engineering
4900, rue Yonge, Suite 300
Toronto  ON  M2N 6A5
Telephone: 416-952-0469
Email: jennifer.hughes@tc.gc.ca

and refer to Registry reference number 11-01-63902