MUSKOKA LAKES — A joint task force between Muskoka Lakes Township and the Save the Bala Falls organization failed to gain the support of council last week.
Speaking on behalf of Save the Bala Falls, Jeff Mole requested council consider a joint committee to address concerns about the proposed hydroelectric project at the falls.
Save the Bala Falls members have worked for more than a year to oppose a Swift River Energy Limited proposal for a hydroelectric project at the north falls in Bala. The project could generate up to 4.5 megawatts of electricity.
The proposal is now in the environmental screening report phase.
Mole said the community continues to have significant concerns about the project. A joint committee would address those outstanding issues, Mole claimed. He said the township has formed task forces on other issues.
“The task force is an appropriate means of bringing together the community response to date and considering all the issues surrounding Bala Falls,” said Mole.
There are many benefits to forming a committee with council, he said. Mole suggested the community could be better informed about the public input process and a committee could help the township prepare a report to senior levels of government.
One of the goals of the township’s strategic plan goal is to communicate with senior levels of government on issues important to the township, he said.
“The issues that are still outstanding have a tremendous impact on the community,” said Mole. There are still concerns about safety, the project’s economic impacts, esthetics and the public use of the falls, said Mole.
Muskoka Lakes mayor Karen Ellis was doubtful the task force would have support at council.
“I don’t see anyone around this table rushing to form another committee,” said Ellis. “I just think we are too far down the road to start reinventing the wheel.”
She also wondered if people in favour of the hydroelectric project would be able to join the proposed task force.
Mole said all sides need to be heard and a task force could deal with all of the issues.
Councillor Nancy Thompson agreed with Ellis.
“I am not interested in having a committee on this issue at this point. I really don’t feel that it is within our jurisdiction,” said Thompson.
Thompson added that she is very supportive of green power if it is done properly.
Township chief administrative officer Walt Schmid said council has commented on the Bala Falls environmental screening report and there are meetings with Swift River in the works.