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90 years of water over the falls
June 2009
By Norah Fountain
The earliest settlers of Bala in 1869 reveled in the beauty of the Bala Falls and later depended on the power it provided. Today the falls is a central natural tourist attraction and may be redeveloped to include another plant, 92 years after the first one was built. What follows is a timeline of events and dialogue regarding power at the Bala Falls:
1917: Bala Electric Light and Power Company hydro plant built on north falls; Ontario Hydro buys plant in 1929; plant closes in 1957.
1972: Plant demolished; Bala Falls becomes a central tourist destination attracting visitors, swimmers, anglers, boaters, scuba divers and others.
2004: The Ministry of Natural Resources calls for expressions of interest to develop North Bala Dam site; six submissions received, including one from a group of companies as the newly-founded Swift River Energy Limited; potential development announced publicly: Muskoka Ratepayers and Moon River Property Owners’ Association question development.
December 2004: Muskoka River Water Management Plan public advisory committee considers development. Resolves “that any potential development operate in accordance with the operating ranges of Lake Muskoka and Bala Reach as specified in the plan and that any potential facility also consider the need for scenic flows, public access for traditional uses and continuity of business in the local area. Resolution also stated that a committee member be included on the review team for the proposed development.
January 2005: The Ministry of Natural Resources issues competitive requests for proposal for development, including one to a group bid as Swift River Energy Limited; Muskoka Lakes Township supports the public advisory committee resolution; The Ministry of Natural Resources acknowledges resolution; issues requests for proposal for site development.
September 05: Swift River Energy Limited selected as potential project proponent; begins meeting with the Ministry of Natural Resources October 12, 2005.
2006: The Ministry of Natural Resources gives Swift River Energy Limited applicant of record status for site; notice of commencement in Muskoka newspapers.
August 2007: Notice of commencement republished; Swift River Energy Limited presents to Muskoka Lakes council; holds public info session and discusses project at Moon River Property Owners’ Association annual general meeting; environmental screening, feasibility studies and preliminary design process begins.
Fall 2007: Project website launched (www.balafalls.ca); letters sent to residents introducing project, and stating new design will be considered to address concerns expressed to date by public; “Option 2” considered on site of former plant.
Spring/Summer 2008: Swift River Energy Limited meets with residents and township/district representatives to discuss impact of moving plant to east side of Muskoka Road 169; township passes resolution in principle that the district consider the use of district lands for hydro plant, subject to further public input and success completion of the required environmental screening.
August 2008: Save the Bala Falls formed to protest site development; District of Muskoka passes motion to agree “in principle” with Swift River Energy Limited’s proposal to construct project on district lands; second public information session in Bala.
September 2008: Swift River Energy Limited meets with Moon River Property Owners’ Association to discuss new Option 2 during annual general meeting; issues Q&A document in local newspapers.
Sept. 14: Save the Bala Falls demonstration: hundreds wearing red Save the Falls t-shirts gather at the falls to protest and sign petitions; Save the Bala falls website launched (www.savethebalafalls.com).
October 2008: New community group, Bala Community Association, calls for members; Save the Bala Falls incorporates; Muskoka Lakes Chamber of Commerce discusses “Option 2” with Swift River Energy Limited.
October 2008: New “Option 2” project plan presented to district and attending public. District council passes a motion that use of district lands “will be considered by council subject to certain conditions being met, in particular completion of environmental assessment.” Swift River Energy Limited completes flow studies around “Diver’s Point” and rail bridge; township considers petition to designate Bala Falls as a heritage site and subsequently resolves to recommend to the MNR and Swift River Energy Limited that the environmental screening for the project include the heritage value of the falls and any potential impact of construction on Bala’s economy.
Winter 2008/09: Environment screening report sent to government agencies for review and comment; Swift River Energy Limited meets with Muskoka Lakes Association regarding “Option 2.”
February 09: Alice Murphy and Jeff Mole seek support from township council for an alternative “Option 3” that would develop south falls and suggests an assessment be conducted.
Spring 2009: Bala Community Association member Stan Hunter seeks support from township council to consider using municipal property and riparian rights for “Option 3.” MP Tony Clement asks Fisheries Minister Gail Shea to escalate environmental screening report: Jeff Mole, Brad Burgess, Alice Murphy and Mitchell Shnier host town hall meeting to describe the proposed “Option 3” and an additional alternative, “Option 4.” Swift River Energy Limited continues to address regulatory comments to draft report prior to releasing final draft to public for review and comment; Swift River Energy Limited completing fish studies downstream of north falls and preparing photographic record of scenic flows.
Summer 2009: Targeted release of environmental screening report for 30-day public review and comment.
Winter 2010: Target for detailed design, environmental approvals and permitting.
Fall 2010: Target construction date.
Spring 2012: Target power plant start up.
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