Archived - Waterpower Generating Station, Wabagishik Rapids, Vermilion River, Township of Foster

Wabagishik Lake (ON)

Reasons for a Federal Assessment
Project Description
Final Decision

Reference Numbers

Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry: 11-01-62573
Fisheries and Oceans Canada: 10‑HCAA‑CA4‑02502

Environmental Assessment Type

Screening

Other Assessment Process

Government of Ontario

Responsible or Regulated Authorities

Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Transport Canada

Reasons for a Federal Assessment

On June 29, 2011, it was determined that an environmental assessment was required in relation to the project because Fisheries and Oceans Canada considered taking action in relation to section 32 of the Fisheries Act and subsections 22(1), 22(3) and 35(2) of the Fisheries Act and because Transport Canada considered taking action in relation to section 5 of the Navigable Waters Protection Act.

Project Description (as posted in the Notice of Commencement)

Xeneca Power Development Inc. is proposing to construct and operate a hydroelectric generating station on the Vermilion River at Wabagishik Rapids, located approximately 600 m downstream of Wabagishik Lake in the Township of Foster, west of the City of Sudbury. The proposed development would be operated as a run-of-river facility with some daily flow modifications and will have a generating capacity of 3.4 MW. The project would involve the construction of a 132 m long dam, including a 43 m long concrete control spillway. A conveyance system consisting of a 40 m long open approach channel and a 130 m long open tailrace channel would be required to divert flows from the Vermilion River to the powerhouse. The facility would capture 6.1 m of surveyed gross head and would result in the flooding of approximately 1.6 ha of riparian lands up to 1 km upstream of the dam. The extent of area downstream of the facility influenced by changing water flows associated with operation is yet to be determined, pending results of hydrologic modeling. The proposed project would connect to the electrical grid via a new 44 kV power line, supported by wooden poles, approximately 10.4 km in length. The required right-of-way for the power line corridor would extend to 10m and one pad mount transformer would be required. Access to the proposed site would require upgrading 7.3 km of existing road and construction of 1 km of new road on the south side of the river.

The scope of the project has been identified as: all physical works and activities associated with the construction and operation of the proposed hydroelectric generating facility, including a new dam and spillway, conveyance system, powerhouse and tailrace, storage sites, working areas, platforms, new transmission line and associated structures, new access roads, upgrades to existing access roads and any other works or undertakings directly associated with the hydroelectric project, including those that are temporary.

Final Decision

On July 6, 2012, the new Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 came into force which replaced the former Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. As a result, there is no longer a requirement to complete the environmental assessment of this project.