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Whitewater Ontario – Position Statement – Petawawa River

To: DFO – CEA Registry Office -Central & Arctic Region – Ontario Area

To: Mark Holmes / Uwe Roeper, Xeneca Power Development Inc.

To: Kelly Thompson, A/Manager, Navigable Waters Protection, Transport Canada

To: Joanna Samson, Water Resources Coordinator, Ministry of Natural Resources – Pembroke

Cc: Vanessa Enskaitis, Petawawa River Rats, Mayor of Petawawa Bob Sweet, Community Alliance to Save the Petawawa, Whitewater Ontario Members

May 20, 2011

Re: CEAA Registry Number: 11-01-61006 Big Eddy Hydro Project on the Petawawa River.

Whitewater Ontario (WO) is a volunteer-driven organization uniting, supporting, and sustaining the inclusive development of the whitewater paddling community and resources. Our diverse membership of over 400 includes recreational paddlers, high performance slalom athletes, open boaters, and freestyle competitors.  While our membership is diverse and representative of many whitewater disciplines, members of Whitewater Ontario share a common belief about river access and the preservation of existing waterways for current and future generations.  Our membership encompasses both current and future users of the Petawawa River for recreational purposes, including but not limited to navigation.

USAGE

The Petawawa River, as it flows through the Town of Petawawa is a well-known, world-class destination for whitewater boating enthusiasts.  It provides a training facility for our Olympic athletes, as well as many members of the Canadian kayak and canoeing teams.  Informal data gathering has been able to identify approximately 5000 person trips per year; by recreational boaters, for commercial rafting, by competitive athletes and by community groups such as the Boy Scouts of Canada, the YMCA Canoe Camping Club and the Alpine Club of Canada. The river also provides a training ground for members of the Canadian Forces.  Read More.