DOMINION WATER-POWER APPLICATION AND COMMENCEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCREENING
Burritts Rapids Renewable Energy Association, P.O. Box 47, 4490 Donnelly Drive, Burritts Rapids, Ontario K0G 1B0, hereby gives notice that, on February 25, 2011, an application was filed with the Director of Waterpower, Parks Canada Agency, under the Dominion Water Power Act (DWPA) for a Priority Permit to develop a small hydroelectric generating facility on the Rideau River at the Burritts Rapids Dam, also known as part of the bed of the Rideau River adjoining Part 6, Plan 15R-9117, located in part of Lot 3, Concession 1, township of North Grenville, geographic township of Oxford, county of Grenville and part of the bed of the Rideau River adjoining Part 1, Plan 4R-12128, located in part of the west half of Lot 27, Concession 1, city of Ottawa, geographic township of Rideau, originally township of Marlborough.
The project involves installing one very low head turbine within one of the existing water control gates in the existing dam. This turbine will use Rideau River water that is surplus to the needs of the Rideau Canal, and it is designed to operate on a run-of-the-water principle that does not require storage of water or water level manipulation. The total installed capacity of the project is 4 MWh per year, which will be connected to the adjacent grid on Donnelly Drive for local and general use.
The environmental screening for the project will be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment’s “Guide to Environmental Assessment Requirements for Electricity Projects (2001).”
The intent of this notice is to
- determine, on behalf of the Minister of the Environment, Government of Canada, the level of public interest or objection to the project in consideration of issuance of a Priority Permit under the DWPA. A Priority Permit provides permission for project-related studies and does not constitute permission for construction;
- provide the first of two mandatory public notices pursuant to the Ontario Ministry of Environment guidelines; and
- request public input regarding the project.
In the event of protest or objection, the Minister may determine that a hearing may take place. Interested parties will have further opportunities to obtain information and provide comments during the permitting process that will be conducted under the DWPA regulations and other legislation subsequent to the issuance of a Priority Permit.
Under the DWPA, interested parties are encouraged to provide comments or objections in writing within 30 days of the publication of this notice. Submit these in writing to Jacques Haché, Director of Water Power, Parks Canada Agency, 25 Eddy Street, 6th Floor, Station 45, Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0M5, 819-953-9482 (telephone), 819-953-2004 (fax), DirWaterpower. ForcesHydrauliques@pc.gc.ca (email).
Under the Environmental Screening process for Ontario, written comments and objections will be accepted at any time during the environmental screening process and should be submitted to the Director of Water Power at the above address.
June 18, 2011
BURRITTS RAPIDS RENEWABLE ENERGY ASSOCIATION