Topic: SAVE THE PETAWAWA RIVER: Town Hall meeting on January 17

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I just received this letter/request from Cale Reeder from the Kawartha Club asking pretty much the same thing as did Phil Kompass. Here's his message:

Paul

Advocacy Committee: Request for Paddler Action

 

The local officials in the Town of Petawawa and of Renfrew County and the Member of Provincial Parliament for Renfrew - Nipissing - Pembroke have asked that those people who are concerned about the Big Eddy hydroelectric project on the Petawawa River to send them a note. They do not believe that people are upset about this dam, but have stated that if the public give them a clear indication of their concern that they will act on these concerns, bringing them to the Minister of the Environment.

 

If you are concerned about paddling the Town Section of the Petawawa River, and consider it worthy of a full and proper environmental assessment your assistance is requested.



Step 1. Cut and paste these addresses into a new e-mail:

john.yakabuskico@pc.ola.org; venskaitis@xeneca.com; mayor@petawawa.ca; petawawa-river@hotmail.com

Step 2: Please compose a short e-mail that lists your objections or concerns.  If you wish, you may cut and paste the text below, but please expand on it if you can.

I strongly object to the damming of the Petawawa ? both at Big Eddy and at Half Mile.
These projects will negatively impact the quality of life in this community.
I ask that you take every possible step to prevent the projects from moving ahead.
I also wish to be notified of any project developments or opportunity for public input, including Public Information sessions, the Notice of Inspection and Notice of Completion.

Name & Address

Step 3: Click Send

 

 

Please consider sending this, or sharing it via social media, to help further the reach of the message.

 

Many thanks.

 

Whitewater Ontario River Advocacy Committee

[Larry W]

hi all

A request from Phil Kompass

Thanks Larry!

One more request - anf if you could forwrad it to your CDB members that would be very helpful.

Send a note to our MPP John Yakabuski (john.yakabuskico@pc.ola.org)

that

1. thanks him for his support and
2. ask that he bring our concerns to the Minster of the Environment, asking that a full EA be undertaken for the Big Eddy project.


He has agreed to do it if there is enough a 'clear demonstration' that the public doesnt want this dam.

I received the same message from the MPP, but I wasn't expecting a personal message. What is key that my opposition is now on record. Now if only they could quantify "if the community clearly indicates that they oppose the project" . Until that happens the letters will sit in a big file folder somewhere.

Below is my letter ... use part of it if you wish

Larry

John Yakabuski
MPP Renfrew--Nipissing--Pembroke
Opposition House Leader
Critic, Energy



Dear Mr. Yakabuski,

In regards to the Big Eddy project proposed by Xeneca Power Development Inc. on the Petawawa River, I would like to express my opposition to the project.

Xeneca's only vested interest is their bottom line, and no real interest in how that section of river is used by the public whether it be fishing, swimming or paddling. If that section of river is basically de-watered as proposed, that would have a negative impact on those activities.

The opportunity for the public to be heard during a Class Environmental Assessment has been largely ignored. Therefore I would like to request a full Individual Environmental Assessment for this project.

I would also thank you for bringing these issues to the attention of the Minister of the Environment.

 

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I just received this response from John Yakabuski's office.


Thank you for contacting the office of John Yakabuski MPP.

Mr. Yakabuski and his caucus opposed and voted against The Green Energy Act. John spearheaded the challenge to the Act in public hearings on behalf of the PC Caucus. While the reasons are many I will list some of them here;

1) The Act has striped away the Municipalities power to restrict renewable energy projects within their boundaries.

2) In order to make many renewal energy projects viable, they must be heavily subsided on the backs of the electricity rate payers.

3) The Act grants the Ministry of Energy sweeping powers to override many acts including the Environmental Assessment Act.

4) We have further stated that the first necessary component for a developer of an energy project to be successful is that of obtaining a willing host.

I have met with a number of people regarding the Petawawa River Project and share a number of their concerns. If the community clearly indicates they oppose this project then I will take that message to the Minister.

　
John Yakabuski, MPP
Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke
p. 613-735-6627
f. 613-735-6692
e. john.yakabuskico@pc.ola.org

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I've just sent this letter

Please feel free to use it entirely or in any parts of it you whish...


You can also follow the thread on boatwerks at

http://boatwerks.net/boater-board/1/10939

Mon, February 7, 2011 8:31:44 AM

Save The PetawawaFrom: PAUL POTVIN <paulpo@rogers.com> View Contact
To: john.yakabuskico@pc.ola.org 
Also to: mayor@petawawa.ca
Cc: Petawawa-River@hotmail.com


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To: John Yakabuski, MPP.

Sir,

 

I am a paddler who really enjoys paddling the Petawawa River City Section, particularly the Rail Road Rapid section, on which there is a proposed building of a dam by the Xeneca Company.

 

I enjoy the town of Petawawa, its people and facilities, and go there often in the spring, summer and autumn to run these magnificent rapids (Railroad Rapids, Lovers Rapids and Suicide Rapids). That being said, if the Railroad Rapid is dammed it will directly impact on my paddling activity and I will no longer visit the town of Petawawa. Railroad Rapid is the biggest, the friendliest, the Main Rapid of the town section and the reason why most paddlers, over 100 in my own club, in Ottawa, go to Petawawa in the first place. When we go there we enjoy all the facilities that the town has to offer and contribute to your local economy. I?m sure that the building of the dam may bring some very temporary construction jobs to the region, but that does not compare to the money that we paddlers bring to your region year after year.

 

I would like to thank you personally for already taking my concerns, which are shared by thousands of other kayakers, canoeists, campers, hunters, fishermen and eco-tourist, to the minister of the environment.

 

I am also requesting an Individual Class Environment Assessment done as soon as possible and before any decision is rendered to permit the building of the dam.

 

Thank you,

 

Paul Potvin

Avid Paddler,

Member of the Coureurs de Bois Paddling Social Club.

[Larry W]

hi

2012 is the proposed start date

http://www.oel-hydrosys.ca/News/tabid/349/EntryId/7/Xeneca-Power-Development-Inc-Project-Descriptions-for-Eight-Small-Hydroelectric-Projects.aspx

Larry

[Bill Schlarb]

Here's an update on last night's meeting in Petawawa and some additional info from Whitewater Ontario.
WO is firmly behind the opposition to the dam and is asking all paddlers to provide support:

http://www.whitewaterontario.ca/news/ap-news/293-petawawa-town-hall-session-and-launch-of-savethepetawawaca.html


Bill

[Bill Schlarb]

Are you still going? If so.. where do we meet up!?

Got an e-mail from Phil Compass about the meeting:

"The presentation(s) on Monday are being hosted by the Black Bay Ratepayers (a residents association) so I'm not sure how much focus there will be on recreation or kayaking. I have been asked to attend on kayakings behalf, but there is no guarantee Ill be able to speak. The presentations are about 20 minutes and Q&A after.

Again,  you guys are totally welcome, but I thought I should let you know the gist of it all so that you don't expect one thing and find another.

Either way it is great to have you guys on board."

His point is that we won't be hearing Xenaca, the project developer, so it will be basically an info session for the local residents.
As I posted previously, the Black Bay Ratepayers Association has posted a lot of good information about their view of the project's impact.

If people still want to go, I'm up for the drive. It will be a chance to talk with Phil directly and to get to meet some of the local residents
who are also concerned about this project

Bill

[JohnCyr]

Are you still going? If so.. where do we meet up!?

[JohnCyr]

Count me in Bill

[Bill Schlarb]

Hi Folks,

I received a Facebook notification from a member of the Petawawa RiverRats about a town meeting
happening on January 17 at the Lions Hall in Petawawa. Here is the info:


Brad Wipp  January 5, 2011 at 6:56pm
Subject: Come show your support
If you use the river in any way. Swim in it, paddle in it, fish it, walk beside it, or even just look at it,You should be aware of the impact this project will have on our river and our town.

The project will:
? Destroy the appearance of a 350 metre long stretch of the river (Railroad Rapid)
? Have a serious impact on public safety downstream of the dam due to anticipated operating schedules.
? Have significant effects on the wildlife in the Petawawa River
? Have significant impact on boating, fishing, and swimming.
This project affects all residents of Petawawa. it is important that the entire community come out to learn about the project plans.

IF WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE PROPOSED HYDRO DAM ON THE PETAWAWA PLEASE JOIN US?

Community Info Session: Monday, January 17 at 6:30 PM
Lions Hall, 1163 Victoria St, Petawawa

Here is the link to the SAVE THE PETAWAWA RIVER Facebook page:  http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/group.php?gid=128443970517049

The local community is beginning to see the potential negative impacts of the project.
The Black Bay Ratepayers Association has links to several documents concerning the project and investigations they
have done about the possible end results of the dam constructiuon. Check out the following link for more info:

http://sites.google.com/site/blackbayca/home/bbra-issues/power-generation

I am planning to go the meeting and have space in my car for at least three others.
Let me know if you're interested.

Bill