Comment re: SkyPower Corporation’s proposed Byran Wind Project request for elevation to an individual environmental assessment

SkyPower Corporation has prepared an Environmental Review Report (ERR) for a proposed wind plant in Prince Edward County called the Byran Wind Project (the Project).  The company plans to build up to 43 wind turbines that could each produce up to a maximum of 1.5 MW, for a combined total maximum of 64.5 MW.

RECOMMENDATIONS

In summary, Lake Ontario Waterkeeper submits the following specific recommendations to the Ministry, to be considered in the context of our comments expressed above:

1. The proposed Byran Wind Project requires further review to protect the environment and should be elevated to an Individual Environmental Assessment.

2. Wetlands and water courses in Prince Edward County must be completely avoided during the construction of the Project, including roads built or widened to accommodate construction.

3. Nesting areas should not be disturbed or cleared for the purpose of constructing the Project.

4. The review must be elevated to an Individual EA in order to provide a complete fish habitat survey and assess the impacts of water course and wetland crossings.

5. If a Federal EA is required for the Byran project, no construction should commence, either in preparation for the Project or on the Project itself, before that EA is completed.

6. An Individual EA is required to properly consider the cumulative effects of the multiple projects throughout the assessment, in accordance with the Ministry’s Statement of Environmental Values.

7. In fulfillment of the Director’s obligation to consider elevation requests, and in the interest of transparency, LOW asks that the Director respond to the concerns raised in this elevation request directly, showing how they were considered.

Read the full comment submitted to the Ministry of Environment here.