Lakeshore Advance, 2013-05-01, Page 8Wednesday, May 1, 2013 • Lakeshore Advance 7
Next Era's 37 -turbine Bluewater project planned for Varna area gets Ministry approval
Melissa Murray
SMI Agency
The Bluewater Wind Energy Centre, one of two projects
Next Era has proposed for the municipality of Bluewater,
received Ministry of Environment approval last Monday,
April 22.
line project that was approved plans for 37 turbines for a
generating capacity of 60 megawatts. Although the turbines
will be located in Bluewater, bounded by Blackbush/Bronson
Line to the west, Mill Road to the North, Concession 5 Road
to the east and Danceland Road/Staffs Road to the south, a
transmission line is to be constructed through Huron East to
connect to the Seaforth 'Transformer Station by way of Cen-
tennial and 1lensall Roads.
"This is a major milestone for the project," said Project
Director Nicole Geneau. "Everyone will see a lot more of us
in the future, and me in particular, over the next several
Itonths;' said Geneau Who added, "Sometimes when you are
..corking through everything and working through the steps,
the excitement doesn't come through, but We are very happy
to receive the approval. We have been working with some of
our landowners since 2008 and this is a very long -terra expe-
rience for thein as well. We are all thrilled."
Geneau said the next steps for the project include working
through the conditions stipulated in their approval, including
their natural heritage commitments.
'Ihose conditions were as a result of the comments received
from the municipalities and local residents, said Kate Jordan,
media contact for the Ministry of the Environment.
While the Ministry aims to issue approvals within six
months of their completion date, this one did take longer
because of a backlog of applications, said Jordan.
"We do aim for a six-month turnaround, but we need to
ensure that the standards of the application are upheld and
that there is sufficient time to review and solicit public input
during the approval," she said.
'Ihe conditions do vary from project to project depending
on size and location, but Jordan said some, like the road user
agreement and sound studies are seen with every project.
Geneau said the items listed as conditions are "fairly stand-
ard" and have been seen in some of Next Era's other approv-
als. Construction of the project must also be completed
within three years.
"We're not surprised by the conditions. Several of the con-
ditions were items we had been working on anyway," she
said.
Me conditions stipulate that Next Era needs to carry out an
acoustic emission audit of the sound levels produced by the
operation of the equipment, must implement the pre and
It's (Almost) Time to Grow!
Grand Bend Organic Community Garden
Gardeners' Meeting
Saturday, May llth 10:00 a.m.
Kiondyke Soccer Field Pavilion
Conic and hear about plans for 2013 and reserve your
plot. Bring a shovel and rake. (Plots are limited. Each
gardener is asked to contribute $20 to common expenses)
It' you can't make the meeting but would like to know
more, contact Pat Morden at pat@morcom.on.ca
post construction Natural 1leritage monitoring program,
which includes bird and bat monitoring and must notify the
Ministry of complaints received about adverse effects caused
from construction, installation, operation or retirement of the
facility.
They are also not to construct or install any facility compo-
nents in areas that support Bobolink habitat until a permit is
issued and must prepare a traffic management plan and
enter into a road users agreement with the local
municipalities.
Both Bluewater and Ilium East have sent over draft road
user agreements, said Geneau, who added they are in the
process of negotiating the terms of those agreements.
Two types of inspections can be completed by the Ministry
to enforce the conditions, including proactive inspections
and inspections because of complaints, said Jordan.
In terms of the Leave to Construct with the OEB for the
transmission line, Geneau said, "It's a lengthy process, but it's
been very interactive:' She hopes the process will wrap up by
the middle to end of May. Although Bluewater requested an
oral hearing, the process was completed through written
correspondence.
Since the transmission lines cannot be co -located on
1lydro One's poles, Next Era is still in the process of negotiat-
ing some of the details of the transmission lines.
"(Jur discussions are still ongoing. It's one of the things we
are working on. Still as the proponent of the project, We need
to work closely with Hydro One on a number of things"
"it's been a long process and we hope to continue a good
working relationship with Hydro One," she added.
While one of the next steps in the construction of the
project would be applying for a building permit fee with the
municipality of Bluewater, Next Era is in the process of
appealing their bylaw, which set fees at $434,000.
it's a bit complicated," said Geneau of the process, adding
she can't discuss the details of the appeal to quash the fee.
"Irn terms of construction, our schedule has not changed.
We are still on track for that," she said.
She said Next Era is still working with the municipality to
make something work, but sht' reiterated they are disap-
pointed that "the situation has got to where it is. We're still
talking and continue to try to negotiate a deal that works for
everyone"
But work on the ground will start without the building per-
mit, which is only needed for the foundation and building of
the tower.
Next Era can still go ahead with starting entrance roads or
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preparing the sites for construction. 'Fhe public can also
anticipate seeing a transportation plan for the route's used for
the delivery and haul of the construction materials as well as
an announcement of the location of the operations centre.
"We'll continue our survey work in terms of the environ-
mental reports and we still have a little archeology to (1o," she
saki.
"We're getting our ducks in a row and documenting every
tree, everything in the project area and are' working with local
authorities to work out a detailed emergency plan.'
Another condition of the approval is to start a community
liaison committee, which Geneau said is a great opportunity
for people that are curious to participate in the process. 'ihe
minimum number of meetings for the community is two per
year, for two years.
Next Era's other project proposed for Mue'wate'r and South
! luron, is expected to be approved 111 a few weeks. 'that pro-
posal includes 63 turbines for 102 megawatts of generation.
In 1 luron County, Jordan said the Ministry of the Environ-
ment has three wind energy projects that have received
approval, two applications have been deemed complete and
three are in the technical review stage.
1luron East (:AO Brad Knight said a preliminary road user
agreement with Next Era has been discussed at the munici-
pality's administrative committee and will need to he adopted
by bylaw by the full council.
"There's not a whole lot Next Era should find issue with and
we're still getting legal opinion about sorra' of it," he said,
adding that the road user agreement has been sent to Next
Era.
Knight said the final location of transmission lines still have
to be pinned down in a specific way and agreements still have
to be reached about how many trees need to be removed and
how they will be replaced.
GRAND BEND
F ROG WATC H
Grand Bend's Frogwatch Monitoring Program
Learn how you can become part of the Frogwatch Ontario
monitoring program for the Grand Bend area
Please join us:
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
at the Old Ausable Channel - Origin in Grand Bend
Parking available at River Road or Alberta Street
Please pre -register by calling Angela at:
Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ARCA)
Phone: 519-235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610
Or e-mail avanniekerk@abca.on.ca by May 13, 2013
Frogwatch event highlights include:
• Interesting facts about frogs
• An introduction to the Frogwatch Ontario program
• Participation in a frog count
• Information presented by Ausable Bayfield Conservation
• Posters from the Toronto Zoo
AUSARI F RAY►Irl r�
CONSERVATION