Photo: Wikicommons
Two area residents are asking Petawawa council to take action now to protect the Petawawa River from future hydropower development.
Alan Hepburn and Byron Ostrom have written to council asking the town to change its Official Plan. They want hydropower excluded from the list of alternative and renewable energy systems supported in the municipality.
The Pemrboke Observer reports the request comes after Ontario’s energy minister directed the Independent Electricity System Operator to seek 200 to 250 megawatts of new hydro projects on Ontario rivers.
Hepburn and Ostrom say that raises concerns about a possible return of ideas similar to a 2010-11 proposal by Xeneca Power Development. That plan included two small run-of-the-river hydro stations on the Petawawa River, including one at the Big Eddy rapids in Petawawa.
The pair say that earlier proposal was opposed by the former Black Bay Ratepayers Association and by the Department of National Defence.
Hepburn and Ostrom say small dams may only produce full power for a short time during spring runoff. They say water could then be held back and released during peak demand, causing sudden downstream flow changes.
They say that could create safety risks for river users, while also causing erosion, sedimentation and lower water quality.
The residents say the river is important for kayaking, tourism and recreation, including the Come Hell or High Water event.
They are asking council to declare hydropower development on the Petawawa River not in the town’s best interest.
