NOTICE OF COMMENCEMENT

of an Environmental Assessment

Hydroelectric Development, Kapuskasing River, Buchan Township

Kapuskasing River (ON)

June 24, 2011 — Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Transport Canada are required to ensure that a screening is conducted commencing on May 6, 2011 in relation to the development proposal: Hydroelectric Development, Kapuskasing River, Buchan Township.

Xeneca Power Development Inc. is proposing to construct and operate four hydroelectric generating stations on the Kapuskasing River at Kapuskasing Lake Outlet, Buchanan Falls, Clouston Rapids and Cedar Rapids between the towns of Elsas and Kapuskasing and would be operated as four run-of-river facilities with provisions for modified peaking. The Kapuskasing Lake Outlet project would involve the construction of an 85 m long concrete spillway, with a 10 m long side abutment, a 62 m long central abutment and a 16 m wide intake structure and would result in the flooding of approximately 1.3 ha of riparian lands. The proposed project would connect to the Buchanan Falls site via a new 44 kV power line. Access to the proposed site would require construction of a 6 km long road. The Lapinigam Rapids project at Buchanan Falls would involve the construction of a 215 m long spillway dam and a 23 m wide intake structure and would result in the flooding of approximately 6.3 ha of riparian lands. The proposed project would connect to the Middle Townships site at Clouston Rapids via a new 44 kV power line. Access to the proposed site would require construction of a 9 km long road. The Middle Township Buchanan project at Clouston Rapids would involve the construction of a single dam incorporating a 46 m long earth-filled abutment, the powerhouse, which has a footprint of 35 m long by 13 m wide, and a 90 m long roller compacted concrete spillway section. All 44 kV feeder lines from the other four sites converge at this location. A common 44 or 115 kV line will connect to the Ivanhoe River- Third Falls line, and subsequently to the Weston Lake DS, then onward to Circuit T61S, Tower 217. Access to the proposed Middle Township site would require construction of a 7 km long road. The Near North Boundary project at Cedar Rapids would involve the construction of a single dam incorporating a 23 m long earth-filled abutment, the powerhouse, which has a footprint of 35 m long by 10 m wide, and a 95 m long spillway section and would result in the flooding of approximately 1.6 ha of riparian lands. The proposed project would connect to the Middle Townships site at Clouston Rapids via a new 44 kV power line. Access to the proposed site would require construction of a 9 km long road.
In accordance with section 15(1) of CEAA, the scope of project for the Kapuskasing River Hydroelectric Project has been identified as: all physical works and activities associated with the construction and operation of the proposed Kapuskasing River Hydroelectric Project, including: The construction, operation and maintenance of 4 new dams, generating stations, weirs, and associated works or undertakings, including those that are temporary, on the Kapuskasing River. The construction, operation and maintenance of the diversions and tailraces and associated works or undertakings at the Kapuskasing River sites.  The construction, operation and maintenance of any temporary facilities, access, working areas, platforms, coffer dams and borrow pits required for construction.  Construction, operation and maintenance of new transmission lines.  Construction, operation and maintenance of new access roads.  Construction or alteration of portage routes, either temporary during construction or permanent. The RAs have not included “decommissioning” as part of scope of the project since the proponent has not proposed any decommissioning works. It is anticipated that the structure will have an approximate life span of 50 to 100 years and, as such, details regarding decommissioning works are not available at this time. If and when decommissioning is required, such works will be subject to an EA as per regulations current to that time. The screening report must provide a complete description of all proposed project components, and the associated physical works and activities, with an approximate schedule (timing, frequency, duration). The report must also clearly state who is responsible for the ownership, construction and operation of each work or activity. The level of detail provided in the project description should be appropriate to the scale and complexity of the project and to the sensitivity of its location. Reference maps and/or site plans should be attached to indicate the project location and/or its key features.

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, Fisheries and Oceans Canada may take action in relation to subsection 35(2) of the Fisheries Act and 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 11-01-62501