BRWP Submission to MNR

Post date: Jan 17, 2014 8:56:32 PM

The BRWP has made a submission to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources regarding proposed policy changes to implement Bill 55 of the Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act to “create a more modern, streamlined and financially sustainable planning and review process that effectively balances social, environmental and economic objectives associated with the construction and operation of dams in the province”. However, the BRWP is concerned that the proposed changes would decrease transparency, prioritize waterpower generation over other interests including environmental and shoreline protection and leave community engagement at the discretion of waterpower producers. In drafting its submission, the BRWP had the benefit of input from Round Lake shoreline property owners and the Property Owners’ Association and the Ontario Rivers Alliance (see http://ontarioriversalliance.ca/lakes-rivers-improvement-act-technical-bulletins-ebr-012-0562-ora-submission/). The BRWP is also aware of submissions made by the chair of the water levels committee of the Golden Lake Property Owners Association (see http://goldenlake.co under the Water Levels tab/water-level-management/), by the Ottawa Riverkeeper and Lake Ontario Waterkeeper jointly as well as by Conservation Ontario, the umbrella organization for conservation authorities in Ontario. Please contact them directly if you as interested in their submissions.

View the BWRP’s submission here.

The MNR policy proposal notice can be found here.