Manitou Falls and High Falls Hydro Project

Project Information and Consultation Plan

January 2010

Purpose of this Meeting• Introduce the proponent (Pic River First Nation)• Outline the environmental screening process (provincially

under the Ontario Waterpower Association’s Class EA for Waterpower Projects, federally under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act; and integrate the requirements of MNR’s Water Management Planning Guidelines for Waterpower)

• Present the conceptual design for the project• Present/discuss the Consultation Plan • Provide opportunity for Chief and Council to supply any

pertinent information about the project area and/or discuss environmental/social interactions.

Introduction• Pic River First Nation is proposing to construct a

hydroelectric facility at Manitou Falls and at High Falls, located on the Pic River approximately 70 and 85 km upstream from Lake Superior.

• Sites were awarded to PRFN by the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) as part of the Competitive Site Release process. PRFN received Applicant of Record Status on April 28, 2009.

• Project is located on provincial Crown land within the traditional use areas of the Pic River, Ginoogaming, Long Lake No. 58 and Pic Mobert First Nation communities.

• Once constructed, the project will:– Generate environmentally sustainable hydroelectric

power on a consistent reliable basis;– Connect to and utilize existing transmission to deliver

power generated by the project to the grid; and – Produce electricity to be sold under contract to the

Ontario Power Authority (OPA), in turn, deriving financial benefits for PRFN.

Environmental Assessment Process

Notice of Commencement

Consult with Aboriginal Communities, Public and Agencies to identify Issues and Concerns with Conceptual Project Design

Undertake Field Investigations and Establish Information on the Existing

Environment

Continue Consultation with Aboriginal Communities, Public and Agencies to

Identify Issues and Concerns with Proposed Project Design

Assess Potential Effects of the Project and Develop Mitigation Measures

Prepare Draft Environmental Assessment Report

Agencies Review Draft Environmental Assessment Report

Publication of Notice of Completion and Commence 30 Day Public and Aboriginal

Review of Final EA Report

Resolution of Any Outstanding Issues and Finalization of Report

Submit Statement of Completion to MOE

Publication of Notice of Inspection and Commence 30 Day Public and Aboriginal

Review of Draft EA Report

Project May Proceed Subject to Receipt of All Other Required Permits and

Authorizations

One integrated environmental screening (EA) report will be prepared to satisfy the requirements of all applicable screening processes (OWA Class EA, CEAA screening, and MNR WMP process).

Project Description• Project consists of two separate facilities. Manitou Falls

generating capacity will be 2.8 MW, while High Falls generating capacity will be 3.2 MW, for a total capacity of 6 MW

• Manitou Falls would consist of an overflow weir with an intake canal leading to the powerhouse on the east side of the river at the base of the falls

• High Falls would consist of a short overflow weir with two sluices and an adjacent intake structure at the top of the falls, with a penstock leading to the powerhouse at the base of the falls.

• The facilities will connect to the existing 48-kV distribution line from Twin Falls GS to Manitouwadge TS

• Project will be operated as run-of-river (no change in Pic River flow regime). Flows in excess of station capacity directed over the weir/falls

• Simplified water management plan (WMP) will be prepared for the facilities

Project Location

Manitou Falls – LayoutAccess to site via Caramat Industrial Rd

Powerhouse on east side of river

Tailrace channel (95 m long) with training wall on west side to separate tailrace and river flows

Manitou Falls - Layout

Overflow weir/wall (90 m long) across top of falls to direct flow to intake canal and powerhouse

No sluice gates required

Manitou Falls - Profile

Gross head of 14.3 m (13.2 m at falls and 1.1 m upstream water level increase)

Intake canal conveys flow to close-coupled powerhouse with 2 vertical axis turbines

High Falls - Layout

Two access options:

A – from north via Kagiano Rd with new bridge over Pic River

B – from south via Northbrook Rd and bridge on Michal Rd

High Falls - Layout

Powerhouse on west side

Overflow weir (25 m long) at crest of falls with underwater sluice

Penstock to connect intake to power house and tailrace canal

High Falls - ProfileGross head of 35.9 m (34.9 m at falls and 1 m upstream water level increase)

Powerhouse with 2 horizontal Francis units

Upper section of penstock buried

Excavated tailrace canal

Transmission Connection

Facilities will connect to existing 48 kV distribution line from Twin Falls GS to Manitouwadge TS

Other potential transmission line options being explored

2010 Field Investigations

• Water Quality – Spring, summer and fall

• Fisheries Surveys – Spring community, spawning and habitats– Summer habitat and community– Fall spawning

• Mercury in Fish Flesh • Terrestrial Vegetation and Wildlife Surveys • Archaeological Assessments • Engineering Studies

Consultation Activities

• Notice of Commencement – September 2009• Initial Chief and Council Meetings – January 2010• Community Open House Presentations – April 2010• Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge Session(s)* – June

2010 • Second Community Open House Presentations –

February 2011• Notice of Inspection (30 day opportunity to review the

draft environmental screening report) – May 2011• Notice of Completion (30 day opportunity to review the

final environmental screening report) – August 2011

*Subject to the agreement and participation of Chief and Council

Consultation PlanFirst Nation Consultation Framework

Consultation Plan: Next Steps

• Determine whether the communities have pertinent information about the project area.

• Confirm next consultation opportunities• Discuss participation in Aboriginal Traditional

Knowledge Session at PRFN• Project website (www.picriverhydro.com) is an

important source of up-to-date project information and provides opportunity to submit comments

Closing

• Thank you for taking time to meet with us to discuss the project and our consultation plan