MOE approves Bow Lake wind farm
From Lindsay Davidson, Ministry of Environment | Tuesday, December 17, 2013 | www.saultthisweek.com
From Lindsay Davidson, Ministry of Environment | Tuesday, December 17, 2013 | www.saultthisweek.com
The Ministry of the Environment has issued a Renewable Energy Approval to Nodin Kitagan Limited Partnership to build a 58.32 megawatt wind farm in the Townships of Smilsky and Peever, District of Algoma.
The facility is known as the Bow Lake Wind Farm.
As a result of comments received from the municipality and local residents, conditions of the approval require the company to:
• comply with the ministry’s noise emission limits at all times
• carry out an acoustic emission audit of the sound levels produced by the operation of the equipment
• design, construct and operate a spill containment facility for the transformer substation
• conduct water taking activities in an environmentally responsible manner
• implement the pre and post construction Natural Heritage monitoring program, which includes bird and bat monitoring
• not commence any construction or installation activities at the project location until the applicant has completed any requirements under the Endangered Species Act
• include the facility in the Lake Superior Provincial Park’s interpretive program, if requested
• develop and implement an outdoor interpretive presentation at the request of, and in consultation with the Algoma Kinniabi Travel Association and the Agawa Canyon Rail CN
• fulfill all commitments made by it in writing to Aboriginal communities both prior to and after receiving this approval
• continue to work with Environment Canada to ensure that the ability of the Environment Canada weather radar system to properly detect and monitor extreme weather events is not adversely impacted by the project, and
• notify the ministry of complaints received alleging adverse effect caused by the construction, installation, operation, use or retirement of the facility.
Ontario’s Renewable Energy Approval process ensures that extensive municipal, Aboriginal and public consultation takes place.
All comments the ministry received regarding the project were carefully considered before a decision was made to approve this project.
The approval notice is posted on the Environmental Registry and a link can be found here:
http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/displaynoticecontent.do?noticeId=MTE5NjA4&statusId=MTgxNDY4&language=en
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/12/19/moe-approves-bow-lake-wind-farm/