Bala Falls supporters continue to voice concerns

Environmental go-ahead only one of many approvals needed

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BALA - Those opposed to the Bala Falls hydro project are not wavering on their stance against the hydroelectric station following the minister of environment’s approval.
Muskoka Lakes Mayor Alice Murphy said the fundamental concerns have not yet been addressed.
“From a council perspective, we certainly stand by our strategic plan and that places a high priority on safe public access to water,” she said. “We have heard many concerns articulated over the years by the community and this is the community which we represent. And at this point, these fundamental concerns have not been addressed or yet resolved by the proponent.”
On Jan. 23 the Minister of Environment gave his final approval for the project, rejecting an appeal for an environmental addendum. The minister’s letter gave his final decision on environmental issues that have been raised since the project was first announced in 2007.
In his letter, Minister of Environment Jim Bradley said, “I am satisfied therefore that the purpose of the act (the Environmental Assessment Act), ‘the betterment of the people of the whole or any part of Ontario by providing for the protection, conservation, and wise management in Ontario of the environment,’ has been met for the project.”
Mitchell Shnier, a member of Save the Bala Falls, said he sent detailed proof of the existence of a portage route on the land of the proposed project and his concerns relating to it to the minister which was not addressed in the letter.
“To us it’s just more of the same. Bringing up the issues, and there’s nothing about to happen here,” he said.
Both Murphy and Shnier are concerned about the project’s impact on swimming and water recreation at the base of the falls, which was brought to the minister’s attention in a previous appeal and therefore was not considered as a basis for requiring an elevation request to the addendum.
The minister’s reply did however address the swimming and recreation issue, saying the area is currently designated as a “no swimming” zone and the Ministry of Natural Resources has the authority to enforce trespassing onto dam facilities.
Shnier voiced his concern for the public, tourism, investors and others.
“We’ll continue to highlight this to all the agencies that care,” he said.
Murphy said there is a misunderstanding as to what the minister of environment’s approval means.
“Swift River does not have a green light to start any project,” she said.
The environmental issue has been on-going for years, often dominating the attention of the project, but is only one of a number of permits required by the developer.
According to Karen McGhee, project manager for Swift River, the developer doesn’t expect any prolonged delays with the future approvals, such as a building permit, they need to go ahead with before construction can begin.
“We don’t see those as roadblocks, we see those as getting all the details figured out. It’ll take work, but it’s not going to be a political thing like this was, or controversial,” she said
McGhee expects construction to begin in late summer or early fall.

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