Micro-Hydro Generation - Policy and Legal Issues

Micro-Hydro Generation - Policy and Legal Issues

Godkin, Karen; Kilgour, Megan; Mankowski, Jessica; Peters, Natalie; Zwir, Kathryn

Emmerson Lumber Ltd
Host contact: Emmerson, Kim

Attridge, Ian
Department: Environmental and Resource Science/Studies

TP-480

2004

U-Links Office and online

Haliburton County

Micro-hydro dam proposal

An environmental impact assessment of the proposal to use an existing dam in the village of Haliburton to develop a micro-hyrdro project.

This report reviews the proposal by Emmerson Lumber Ltd for the development of a micro-hydro dam on the Drag River. There has been extensive use of the site since settlement of the town of Haliburton, with he earliest known dam in 1864. These dams have interrupted the river flow and altered the landscape downstream. Current human impacts on the ecology of the site include light and noise from the town, which can be harmful on fish and wildlife.

The proposed hydropower development would be run-of-the-river, resulting in much less environmental impact in comparison to other hydropower developments. This report lists the numerous approvals required from the MNRF, DFO, MOE, and the Municipality following acts such as the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, the Navigable Waters Protection Act, Fisheries Act, etc.

Based on successes from other Micro-hydro dam projects, it is recommended that public participation in key to process, without proper consultations the environmental assessment is not effective.

Trent University