Development and Application of a Water Quality Model for Lakes in the City of Greater Sudbury – Hutchinson Report

Excerpt:

The Vermilion River Stewardship (VRS) wish to express our concerns regarding the recent report entitled, “Development and Application of a Water Quality Model for Lakes in the City of Greater Sudbury” (Report), by Hutchinson Environmental Sciences Inc. We understand that this report was initiated in late 2011 for the development of a watershed-based water quality model for the City of Greater Sudbury using the Lakeshore Capacity Model.

We have had an opportunity to review this Report in detail, and feel that it falls far short of its purpose, which is to provide technical guidance for the development and redevelopment of unserviced shoreline lots in support of Official Plan policies that are protective of water quality, technically sound, defensible, and which meet the intent of the Provincial Water Quality Objectives (PWQO) and Provincial Policy Statement. Our areas of concern are as follows:  Read more

Proposed Wabaghishik Rapids Generating Station – ORA & VRS Part II Order Request

Wabagishik Rapids, Vermilion River

Wabagishik Rapids, Vermilion River

Excerpt:

“This proposed Wabagishik Rapids GS ER as written does not meet the criteria of “Sustainable Development”, or contribute to “the betterment of the people of the whole or any part of Ontario by providing for the protection, conservation and wise management in Ontario of the environment.”   For all the reasons noted above, this project could compromise ecosystems for decades into the future as well as the ability of our future generations to meet their own needs.
Clean water is essential to life.

In all the years that Part II Order requests have been available to the public as a way to initiate a more rigorous Independent Environmental Assessment, there has never been one granted for a waterpower project. VRS and ORA submit that because of all the serious potential environmental impacts, the lack of attention to crucial components of the proposal, and the seeming inability of Xeneca to step up to the plate and do its due diligence for the environment and the people of Ontario, if ever there was an instance where an elevation is warranted – this would be it.” Read more

Save Wabagishik Rapids – Vermilion River

Wabagishik Rapids is a beautiful 1 km stretch of rapids on the Vermilion River, about 1/2 hour west of Sudbury, Ontario. A developer is proposing to build a modified run of river hydroelectric dam that would produce enough power to supply about 1,600 homes. These types of dams have numerous negative impacts associated with them, and are very harmful to the riverine ecosystem. Check out this film to find out more.

Full length film:

Short preview of the full version:

Find out how you can help by going to our Membership page.

Capreol’s Potential Hydro Generation Project

A company named WaterPower Group held a public meeting, in October of 2012, for members of the Capreol Business Association, Capreol Community Action Network, and members of the Town at the Millenium Centre.  This proponent proposes to build a hydroelectric dam on the Vermilion River at Cedar Rapids.

To read an article, go to page 15 of  The Capreol Press – October 1, 2012 – No. 87.

The photos below are of the area that is proposed to be dammed – Cedar Rapids on the Vermilion River.