November 13, 2019 SUBJECT:…

November 13, 2019
SUBJECT: ERO 019-0545 Waterpower Exemption from Permits To Take Water
I am writing to express my strong support for the proposed exemption of waterpower facilities from duplicative requirement of a Permit to Take Water (PTTW) under the Ontario Water Resources Act.
Our company Namewaminikan Hydro inc. (NHI), operating two waterpower facilities in the Greenstone area has been involved in the burdensome and costly process of obtaining and implementing Permits to Take Water. The proposed movement to a “one window” approach, through the provisions of the Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act will maintain regulatory effectiveness and increase efficiency.
Since the commissioning of the facilities, NHI has been reporting it’s monitoring results in many ways and to many Agencies. As a concrete example, flows are reported yearly through the Water Taking Reporting System (WTRS), to MECP through the Flows and Levels Report required by the PTTW, and finally to MNRF as required by the Dam Operating Plan.
I encourage the province to move forward with this important burden reduction initiative as proposed.
Sincerely,
Namewaminikan Hydro inc.