High Falls

 

Background Information


Woods Power Generation of Englehart Ontario is proposing to build a 4 MW hydro electric generating station on the Grassy River within the Timmins City Limits at a place that is locally called High Falls The river at this point drops over 34 metres in an awe inspiring series of rapids and a waterfall. The gorge carrying the water is surrounded by rocky outcrops. It is a place that has been visited by Timmins residents and visitors for decades. It is a place of incredible beauty where one can appreciate the beauty of nature and experience wilderness close to home. At one time a visit meant a 12 km walk in the summer or cross country ski in the winter. With the advent of motor bikes, ATV’s and snowmobiles the trip was faster and more accessible. Today with clear-cuts bordering each side of the river, the rapids and falls can be reached in less than ten minutes from the place where you park your vehicle. With this access comes more industrial change, however, in the form of a proposed hydro dam.


The hydro station being proposed would dam the river at the top of the rapids and direct the water into a penstock that would deliver the rushing water down the large pipe to a powerhouse at the bottom of the falls where a turbine would generate electricity. How much electricity we do not know. The rated capacity of 4 MW is theoretical. The actual amount will almost certainly be much less, particularly on a yearly basis as the water flow diminishes to a trickle from mid-summer to fall. Electrical engineers with experience in hydro-power tell us it might only be enough to power 250 homes. Canoeist, used to making the trip from the falls down to Dalton Road, know enough to avoid the river after mid-summer. The river is impassible due to low water.


History of the Hydro Proposal


In November of 2006 OMNR quietly gave permission to Woods Power Generation, a small company in Englehart, ON, to explore the development of the Grassy River for waterpower. No one locally heard of the approval.


In October 31, 2007 the Notice of Commencement of the Environmental Screening by an environmental engineering company called Hatch Energy, was published in local papers. It came as a surprise for many local citizens who read it with dismay. A small group of people got together to fight the project. They called themselves Friends of High Falls. They began by putting up posters in local sports stores along with distributing 1,500 pre-written postcards to the Ministers of the Environment and Natural Resources. The message on the cards stated the undersigned were opposed to the destruction of a valued natural outdoor recreation site.


The group began to research the procedures necessary for gaining final approval of the project. This included technical papers on environmental assessment guidelines and protocols. Learning how important public input was, they decided to hold a public meeting to make people aware of what was happening. Not knowing how many people to expect, chairs were set out for 50. As more and more people kept coming through the doors on the night of the meeting, organizers kept putting out more chairs until more than 200 people filled the hall. Upon being questioned almost all put up their hands to say they had been to High Falls and were worried about losing it. Speakers outlined their concerns about what the Falls meant to them and their families over the years and how little 4 MW of power really was.


Future Opportunities for Public Input


According to the Environmental Assessment guidelines set down by the Ministry of the Environment the proponent of a hydro project must conduct a public meeting. It is scheduled for early spring, 2008. We are now waiting for this public meeting to voice our concerns to Woods Power Generation. We anticipate a large turnout.


With the conclusion of the screening process, a request for elevation can be made. If the request for elevation is accepted the process will go into a full environmental assessment with further collection of environmental and social impact data.


If agreement is not reached at the conclusion of the environmental assessment, the Minister of the Environment will decide if the project goes ahead or not.


Woods Power Generation is on record as expecting the power generation station will be completed and running by mid-2010


In order to stop the project citizens of Timmins would have to prove the building of a hydroelectric project on this site would have “negative environmental effects that include the displacement, impairment, conflict or interference with existing land uses, approved land use plans, businesses or economic enterprises, recreational uses or activities, cultural pursuits, social conditions or economic structure”.

The last quoted from the Guide for Electricity Projects, the Ministry of the Environment document that sets out the rules that must be followed by the developer.


We are encouraging concerned citizens to write to Hatch Energy to get their protest on record.


Intrinsic Values for Timmins Residents and Tourists


Six values to the residents of Timmins and tourists have been identified including environmental, historic, recreational, economic, social and health.


Environmental


Historic

In the past this water system has been used by:


Recreational

Today the area is used by many residents of Timmins and elsewhere for:


Economic


Social


Health

The site complements the aims of the Porcupine Health Unit in promoting healthy lifestyles.


Major Problems that Have Been Identified


Recommendations


Friends of High Falls would like to see the rapids and waterfalls left in their natural state for the

environmental, historic, recreational, economic, social and health benefits mentioned above. At this point in time we also recommend the area be designated for protection as a conservation area similar to Hersey Lake Conservation area. Although the area is crown land we would envision a partnership developed between OMNR, the City of Timmins and the Mattagami Region Conservation Authority. The area could be carefully and purposely developed with walking trails, observation areas perhaps even a board-walk, with a bridge over the river at a narrow point.


In conclusion, the Friends of High Falls propose the site is more valuable to our community in its natural and wild state. To destroy this beautiful area for the sake of a 4 MW hydro generating station would be short-sighted and foolish.


Revison Date Feb 22-2008