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Clinton News-Record, 1986-04-23, Page 191➢Y39'osATING•TH IVG.01'11 ANXMAD:rurriMIENkI,uNn U(' SECOND SECTION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23,1986 Transmission route hearingbegins Day one of hearings gives background information • By Alan Rivett CLINTON - Ontario Hydro rolled into Clin- ton on April 15 for the next round of hearings of the proposed hydro transmission route from the Bruce Nuclear Power Develop- ment to London, through Huron County. The Consolidated Hearings Board, an im- partial three-member board, has been hear- ing, submissions concerning the proposed hydro corridor from Ontario Hydro, interest groups and individuals since the preliminary hearings opened in Guelph in November of 1985 and have continued in Markdale and London. "We've sat through 62 'days of hearings and have 12,000 pages of submissions con- cerning the proposed Hydro route," said Board Chairman Robert Eisen, represen- ting the Environmental Assessment Board. Also sitting on the joint board are J. Ward Rodman and James Mills of the Ontario Municipal Board. To open the Clinton hearings, Mr. Eisen said the Hydro panel would make their presentations first on alternate routes and how the routes were determined. He said the public submissions may be directed towards any aspect of the transmission corridor. The consolidated hearings became necessary after Ontario Hydro announced plans for a 500 kilovolt double circuit transmission line from the Bruce Nuclear Power Development (BNPD) to the London .generating station in July of 1985. The plan, called system plan M7, would also involve transmission lines from the BNPD to Essa near Barrie and another line from London to the Nanticoke generating station on Lake Erie. The BNPD to London route would pass east of Ripley, through Ashfield, . Colborne and Goderich Townships, and continuing west of Ailsa Craig to London. Tony McQuail, Chairman of the Foodland Hydro Committee, says he expects between 25 and 30 submissions from the committee to be made to the joint board during theear_ ings. However, he says there are fe dividual submissions to the board. He says the committee will base their submissions on the impact of transmission lines on agriculture. "We want to give the board an impression of the real impact the transmissidn lines will have on the land and farming operations. "We also want them to consider whether it is prudent to build new transmission lines from the Bruce Nuclear Power Develop- ment when there's a lot of confusion as to the life expectancy of Bruce. They've got some pretty serious problems up there," said Mr. McQuail. The Hydro panel of Glen Hoglund, Christopher Bancroft -Wilson, Bill Scott and • Greg Neill of Hydro's design and transmis- sion department, were first to speak at the opening day of hearings. They gave a general description and features of the BNPD to London region, placing particular significance on agriculture, recreational, and environmental aspects of the area. According to Bill Scott, senior planner with Hydro, the London corridor . was originally split into three specific regions encompassing • the north, central and southern sections for the purposes of a study in 1984 and 1985. Hydro representatives, at that time, met with such agricultural organizations as the Federation of Agriculture, Christian Farmers'. Associa- tion and other area groups to determine land use objectives. • From these meetings the objectives were categorized for the purpose of ranking the The Consolidated Hearing Roard has been hearing submissions from Ontario Hydro, in- terest groups including t' 7oodland Hydro Committee and by individuals since the hearings on the proposed all Hydro corridor, which includes a line from the Bruce Nuclear Power Development to the London Generating Station. The hearings began in importance of avoiding an area when plann- ing the hydro routes. The three groups, made up of Hydro's planner review group and agricultural organizations, split up into north and south sections of the study area, agreed on.10 areas of importance which in- cluded mineral, forest, agricultural, recrea- tional, , heritage, water and biological resources, human settlement and cultural landscapes, Mr. Scott explained to the hear- ings board. Land Use Objectives The categories were given a rating rang- ing from very high to very low by the three groups with agriculture broken down into five headings by the planner review group allowing • for . specialty crops (orchards, tobacco, etc), land with potential for specialty crops, and Class 1, 2 and 3 agricultural land. However, the two agricultural group areas involved in the study furthur divided Class 1, 2 and 3 land into areas with special- ty crop potential. According to Mr. Scott, this area was broken down more thoroughly by the agricultural groups to "insure this factor received weight." Mr. Scott said the information in this study provided the basis for constraint maps, one showing the ranking of Hydro and another showing the rankings set down by the agricultural groups. These maps were used by Hydro to determine the individual corridors and to assess where constraints would be lessened to accommodate the transmission lines. The Hydro representatives also &Al ned ` how the hydro routes ' were identified, through the use of a variety of technical in- formation, composite maps and studies as well as comments and suggestions at public meetings in the area. According to Mr. Bancroft -Wilson, the Hydro open houses have resulted in four changes incorporated into the final, plan of the alternate routes. The four alternative routes, were also described by the°Hydro panel using a large map and a detailed photo -mosaic map which showed the individual property lines. The recommended hydro BNPD to Lon- don route, the western route, would run from Bruce, southward through Greenock, Bruce and Kincardine Townships, while avoiding the village of Glammis and the Glammis Bog. In traversing Kincardine Township, the line would observe side lot lines, but moves off the lot lines when cross- ing the Durham Road, explained Mr. Scott. In Huron and Ashfield Townships, the route picks upon the side lot linesagain un- til it reaches the Ashfield - Colborne Township line where a short diagonal is re- quired. When crossing the Maitland river, Hydro considered two possibilities of traver- sing the river, but both involve a "potential- ly great effect on the natural environment," said Mr. Scott. Clinton on April 15 and will end on May 8. The hearing board consists of, from left, James Mills of the Ontario Municipal Board; Board Chairman Robert Eisen from the En- vironmental Assessment Board and J. Ward Rodman of the Ontario Municipal Board. (Alan Rivett photo) Upon crossing the river, he said the route does not follow the boundaries because of the fabric of the river and the built-up area along Highway 8 near Hohnesville: ' The route then follows the CNR railway tracks on a diagonal and proceetbrough Goderich Township on the side lot lines. It would then extend on the side lot lines through Stanley Township, then east of Zurich while avoiding the Hay swamp in Hay Township and continues on to London. In accessing the line, Mr. Scott said the route generally follows side lot boundaries which would have a minimal effect on Class 1 and 2 soils in the area. The route also has limited forestry resources with most of the woodlots found in the eastern corridor. Other technical aspects associated with planning the route were three cable TV operations and the Goderich Municipal Air- port, north of Goderich; and the Huron Air Park near Centralia. In order to determine the clearance for transmission towers near the airport, Transport Canada and local zon- ing bylaws on height restrictions were con- sulted, said Hydro representative Glen Hoglund. In addition, Mr. Hoglund said gas and oil pipelinesrun along the route, but explained they don't need a great deal of clearance and can be adjacent to the hydro lines. In cross-examination of the Hydro panel, Foodland Hydro Chairman Tony McQuail asked the panel members to speak on the feasibility of using wetlands or forestlands for the transmission corridor as opposed to farmland. �"`" Glen Nogliiiid, of the Hydro panel, said it would cost Hydro 200 per cent above the base cost to establish a line through wetlands and a cost of $50,000 per kilometre to construct a line through forestlands. "So I would be correct in saying it would cost twice as much to construct towers in wetlands and forest lands as compared to stable soil and the maintenance costs would be higher - in wooded areas than on farmland," said Mr. McQupil. Mr. Hoglund was in agreement with Mr. McQuail on these two statements. Mr. McQuail further asked the Hydro representative if they ever built a hydro line through., wetland in the past. Mr. Hoglund replied Hydro had to construct a line through several sections of swamp when building the BNPD to Milton transmission ' line. Mention was made by Mr. McQuail to an existing 115 kv line which runs from east of Seaforth to Kitchener. Mr. McQuail asked if use of these existing right-of-ways could not be used instead of establishing a new line. Mr. Hoglund replied the line would not be appropriate to rebuild because of the nar- row right-of-ways on the line. He also said the wooden poles used on the line are not designed for the 500 kv power lines. •Day two finds farm land and towers on agenda CLINTON - The hearings resumed here on court regarding the structure of the hear- minimize weed growth, but weed control on April 16 with Consolidated Board Chairman ings. They require a decision stating if the wide base towers is a concern with Robert Eisen issuing a request for a newspaper advertisements are sufficient Hydro. representative' from the Northeastern for the. purpose of expropriation. If the ' Mr. Rodman also asked the Hydro panel Power Coordinating Council to be an expert answer is no, is mail notice prior or during about the potential land loss with the wide witness to the hearings. the hearings sufficient notice for expropria- based towers along the fence lines. He said Mr. Eisen said since both Ontario Hydro tion. They expect a court decision on the he regarded both as having potentially great and the Foodland Hydro Committee have matter by June. land loss for the farmers. referred to the council on several occasions Board member J. Ward, Rodman opened The land loss, said Mr. Scott, with towers through the course of the hearings, a first- the day's questioning by asking the Hydro on the fence lines would decrease the hand testimony from the council should be panel on their policy for establishing hydro amount of land loss as compared to towers set up. He requested Ontario Hydro lawyer towers on farm land. in the fields. He cited two studies from the Bruce Campbell to arrange for the witness In explaining the policy, Bill Scott of the Ridgetown and Kemptville Agricultural col - to be present when the hearings return to Hydro panel, said the narrow based tower leges which studied the loss of land due to Guelph in August. would be used when the lines are running towers. The board will prepare a list of questions diagonal across Class 1 to 4 agricultural "They confirmed that the fence line is the for the power council witness.which will also land, and specialty crop land, but when best place to put them," said Mr. Scott. be circulated to the two parties prior to the following the lot lines, a conventional or Mr. Scott also said that in Hydro discus - Guelph hearings for comments. wide -based tower would be used. - sions with the Ontario Federation of Mr. Eisen alsp said the board will be mak- Mr. Scott said the solid concrete founda- Agriculture prior to the setting of the ing two recommendations to the divisional tion of the narrow -based towers would transmission line routes, they were asked were the conventional single -pole towers and the narrow -based towers should be used on farm land. "They conceded that narrow -based lattice towers should be used in the field, but not on the fence lines." said Mr. Scott. James Mills .of the consolidated Hearing Board, asked the Hydro representatives about the land acquisition costs as com- pared to the construction costs. Glen Hoglund said 20 per cent of the capital costs are set aside for property acquisition. With regards to current right-of-ways owned by Hydro, Mr. Hoglund said they own 80 per cent of the right-of-ways from Bradley Junction (near Essa) to Wingham, which is part of Hydro's eastern alternative, route. He also said Hydro also owns 16 km of right-of-ways from the BNPD to Glammis which could be used in the western route. In cross-examination of the Hydro panel, Tony McQuail, Chairman of the Foodland Hydro Committee, asked them to chart the locations of the residence removal for the eastern (alternative) and the western (recommended) routes. The residence removals, said the hydro panel, would involve removals in Chepstow in Brant Township; in Greenock Township; in Culross, near L• angside; in Tuckersmith, east of Brucefield; in Usborne Township Porth -east of Exeter and in Caradoc Township, east of Strathroy. Hydro representatives then outlined the reasons for choosing their western recom- mended route 'over the east, east -west and central west. In recommending the western route, the Hydro representative remarked it was the shortest route at 186.5 km in length, com- Turn to page 2A • JJayadvantages and . of aterna to ro u to CLINTON - In the third day of hearings on residence would be removed east of Exeter; I1ydro panel. He first asked how marry through, most of the vegetation will have to agricultural benefits. The eastern route was April 17, Tony McQuail of the Foodland an older style barn would be removed in toners were required to traverse each of the be cleared," said Mr. Neill. even less desirable than the west route from Mr. McQuail also ointed out to the Hydro an agricultural standpoint. Hydro Committee asked the. Hydro panel � Morris.Township; an older style barn in river galleys. � p members to comment on the number of Greenock Township, as well as the tobacco At the Maitland River crossing, two panel as to the revenue derived from At this point, J. Ward Rodman of the hear - farm buildings which would be'removed in kilns, said Mr. Scott. towers would be required on the north side farmland in this area was significantly ing board asked the Hydro panel if the east the western and eastern transmission Mr. McQuail asked what Hydro's policy of the valley and one tower on the south side. above the provincial area. He said the crop or west route is more valuable agricultftral- routes. was regardingrestitution to the farmer for The Bayfield River crossing Would require sales per hectare of land was $1,084 while ly. Y panel . . gvalley. ponlydollars "Both routes are similar in terms of value Bill, Scott of the Hydro said the the removal of a farm building. one tower onsitach side C� �sngs, Hydro in sales per Necaverage was $776 of the resource to agriculture. But, it's the western route would involve the removal bf. In response, Mr. Scott said the moving of In assessing s, was He also hectare. out this area had 01 that he lines would impact the three farm buildings. These include a new the building to another location on the pro- representative Greg Neill saidpointedout rthi n land, resource that is important. would The impact the t shed in Ashfield Township; an perty is one option. If the building cannot be primarily second growth pine in both significantly higher investments in to , in would rutin a greater impact on implement line older style barn on the township of � moved, Hydro will build_ a comparable valley`s. Mr:11d+cQtlail asked how much of the machinery and livestock and poultry than route rrn pine would have to be cleared to accom the provincial average. agriculture. The west route would maximize Stephen and H Tovnnships and a couple Of building on another location on the fa Hoy --The p thetowers in these:• areas.. The Hydro uncisaid Abe re sans far thein: the use of e. , boundaries,"trou said r. Scott. tobacco kilns near- London which ars also The transmission line,, crossing at the modate With .. � . � It In terms of Class 1 farm and, the western it land and Bayfield RiVers was also an "Probably Probably. most would be removed. selection of the western route was because found on the eastern route.� "�� to page 2A • In the eastern route, a hog barn and ea -which Mr. *Quail questioned the the 'tower heights ,pnd • locations going was felt•to have cost benefits: as well as