Showing posts with label NIMBY. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NIMBY. Show all posts

Thursday, 21 July 2016

Bala Falls Update #30 And Almonte Dam

The Ontario government was committed to reducing our dependence upon non-renewable energy. A series of wind farms, solar panel farms, and the refurbishment of defunct hydro dams, has been the result. It has drawn many protests. Hydro is in a mess, and this doesn't help things.


Truly, this is update Bala Falls update #29!
It is sad that we cannot reconstruct existing hydro dams without huge political protests. Those against it still claim that the refurbishing of the dam will result in a 'trickle' of water. People from far and wide, with no real interest in it, other than protesting, seem to think they have a vested interest.
From a dam, designed to keep the water levels high enough for steam boats for the tourists, Bala has changed over the years. The exploitation of the water continues. This was a sacred portage for Aboriginal Peoples, but that ship sailed a long time ago. The train brought tourists and money to the town from the city of Toronto. Those with money were happy to spend it on luxurious resorts for the summer. Native Peoples still lived in poverty, some became richer exploiting tourism, logging and the land and water. Read Bartleman, James; As Long as the Rivers Flow, or Raisin Wine to read more about this era.
Bala Falls 1910
Bala Station 1916
Old Burgess Store 1938
Main street in Bala 1940
Bala Wharf
Below the falls 1930


"SAVE THE BALA FALLS", not sure from what!
The Bala Falls Hydro Project began in 2004, and they are still protesting it. Ridiculous.
Motorcycles pollute the air, with two-stroke engines, in their support for 'save the Bala Falls"
Canadian motorcycle group heads to Bala to support saving the falls https://t.co/hVRaW8GLLb pic.twitter.com/42zbQr0ver
— Moose FM 99.5 (@moose995) June 24, 2016

@BalaFallsHydro Is it the ridiculous STBF lawsuit against TML you mention? If so, why would council/legal give it any serious consideration?
— AT (@JacksonBTT) November 19, 2015

Almonte Enerdu Dam

Then there is the Almonte Dam.
Almonte is in the middle of a mess, but their dam has not-so-silent supporters.
As well as protestors.
Some protest on the basis of critters, who couldn't use this habitat until after the dams existed. 
The rapids clubtail dragonflies flit about in the Mississippi River, likely oblivious that they are the final salvo in a small Ontario town’s battle over a proposed hydro dam expansion. 


Many insist on their right to play in the water, despite the dangers.
Almonte Falls from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.
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Sunday, 17 August 2014

Almonte hydro dam protests have made the news!




We lived through these protests in Bala. The whole thing has started up in Almonte. They already have a working hydro dam. This is another, as the water is strong, powerful, and should be harnessed. We are running out of non-renewable resources. The Bala signage turned off tourists and potential summer residents. Here we are, all over again.

I've noticed a couple of proposed developments around here. The latest in the S.E. Ontario region, are those who protest the Enerdu Power Plant at the Old Flour Mill Site in Almonte.

"Save" the Bala falls.
The protests and signage
has scared tourists
Many of these mills were built to harness power back in the early 1800s, when these towns were being built up. I won't say 'settled' as aboriginal communities used these rivers for transportation, using sustainable hunting and fishing strategies, long before we white folks were a gleam in our pioneer landowner father's eyes!


 There is a romantic image of many towns, whereby they must stay the same, eschewing change, while still demanding hydro, the right to pollute land, sea and air, yet something has to give.

 We have exploited the land for far too long, using it for money-making ventures. I think it high time we use this river to harness the power that will make energy sustainable for our grandchildren.

"Hundreds united their voices in Almonte Saturday on behalf of a voiceless part of their community. The river at the heart of the town is up for grabs by Cavanagh Construction Ltd."




Hundreds rally to protect 
river from hydro plant development
Published Saturday, June 28, 2014

They close the streets
for many of these festivals.
The river was a site of terrible flooding in the spring. A quick melt of a lot of snow. Almonte is a pretty town, but it is not the river which draws tourism dollars, it is the stores, the events and the people. Those who live and work in this town surely must begin to understand this. Roads are closed all the time for events.

The highlights of Almonte are its festivals and fairs

Puppets Up!


The Mississippi Riverwatchers

The Mississippi Riverwatchers
Take back the lake, the falls; NIMBYs abound
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Sunday, 2 November 2008

biofuels and renewable energy

wind turbine
We create 75% of Ontario's power from Niagara Falls &Pickering Nuclear Generating Station, according to Ontario's energy Minister, George Smitherman.

They are determined to reduce dependence upon wind turbinecoal-fired generators, which provide about 18% of our power and tons of carbon.

The provincial Liberals campaigned on this principle.

Ontario Power Generation map shows the various stations involved in reducing our dependence on coal-fired energy and moving towards wind turbines and hydro projects, as well as generally reducing our dependence upon electricity by changing our behaviour and attitudes towards energy. One Millions Acts of Green is a good start!

Unfortunately, what is good for the province does not seem to be what locals have in mind. Those living in and around the Scarborough Bluffs are having the same problem with NIMBY as the Dambusters. A Google search brought up over 15,000 postings on the topic! The Toronto Star estimate that the proposed 60 turbines could power 50,000 homes.

John Barber, in the Globe article Not in My Backyard, part 1: Wind farms off the Scarborough Bluffs: Great Lake View. Shame About the Turbines, said, "Aesthetics over infrastructure is always a lousy bet." For our environment's sake, we have made decisions about policy. Those who built the city of Toronto care not a whit about aesthetics. The buildings are huge; they clutter the sky. How on earth does Mr. Barber feel justified making such a complaint?

We are having a similar battle here in our small town along these lines...this must just be the tip of the iceberg! There is a lot of buzz around. This protest has gone long and far! What is amusing is that Bracebridge Council are considering enhancing signage to celebrate their hydro dam and draw tourists while Bala citizens are protesting development.

I have written in my blog 5 times about this project as I tried to come to terms with the issues. There are two Facebook groups around it:
1) Save the Bala Falls & 2) Bala Falls.

The is a major website created by business owners (Savethebalafalls.com) in town. I call them the dambusters, who are hell-bent on not rebuilding the dam. The dam was working until 1957, when it was taken off-line because they thought it too small. In the ways of the current climate, any part helps. The Ontario Ministry is basically outsourcing such projects to bidders. There are medium, small and large private companies, like Swift River Energy, that are keen on getting involved.

Swift River Energy Ltd., who has won the contract through the Ontario Government, is having a hard time getting fair coverage through biased local media. Messages posted on-line by those in favour of the Hydro Project are deleted, and any photos posted are erased.

Things are really heating up around here!

In nearby Gravenhurst, the buildings crowd the shoreline and the beautiful view has been covered up. The new buildings (Grace & Speed; condo developments) obstruct the view. But this, apparently, is progress.

There are many stakeholders in such a process. They must be respected. NIMBMuskoka WharfY only reflect immediate residents and/or business owners. I am shocked with the power (excuse the pun!) such folks seem to hold over the press.
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