Environmental Planning
Proposed waterpower facilities in Ontario are subject to the Environmental Assessment Act (EA Act). The EA Act formally recognizes the Ontario Waterpower Association (OWA) Class EA for Waterpower Projects (May 2022), which provides a planning process that allows waterpower facility proponents to assess potential effects of a waterpower project to the environment. The OWA Class EA applies to all waterpower projects to which Ontario Regulation 116/01 – Electricity Projects (2001) under the EA Act applies.
Section 3.2.1 of the OWA Class EA outlines exemption criteria that apply to waterpower projects. Through discussion with the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) they have advised that the Kakabeka GS is defined as a Category A project based on the following criteria:
- The Kakabeka GS was constructed in 1906 prior to the EA Act.
- The project will have minimal new effects on the environment. There are no changes to water levels and flows under the existing Water Management Plan (WMP). There are no changes to the Lake Sturgeon Mitigation Plan. Best management practices and mitigation measures identified during the environmental permitting process will eliminate or minimize adverse effects from construction.
- The proposed redevelopment of the GS will result in an increase in nameplate capacity of less than 25%., and the increase in the footprint is less than 25%. As a Category A project, the Kakabeka GS is exempt from the EA Act and therefore the OWA Class EA.
Since the Kakabeka Project does not trigger the Class EA process, the Project can go straight to permitting then to construction. OPG will use the Planning and Definition Phase, prior to construction, to consult with the public to ensure that permits are obtained and construction advances in an efficient manner. OPG hired a design engineer (Stuart Olsen) to refine the preliminary design drawings, ensure they are constructable and optimize the design to manage and minimize environmental impacts.
Environmental Studies
- Baseline aquatic studies to support Fisheries Act permitting are underway.
- Terrestrial ecology studies have confirmed that no species at risk will trigger Endangered Species Act permitting.
- Surface and groundwater studies are underway to characterize baseline conditions to support construction dewatering activities.
- Archaeological studies have confirmed that there are no areas of archaeological potential within the study area and no further archaeological studies are required.
- A Cultural Heritage Evaluation Report has been completed and determined that the Kakabeka GS is considered a provincial heritage property but is not considered a provincial heritage property of provincial significance. A Cultural Heritage Impact Assessment will be completed to identify any required mitigation measures to address potential impacts.