Comment ID: 210832 I would…

ERO number

013-1043

Comment ID

31418

Commenting on behalf of

Individual

Comment status

Comment approved More about comment statuses

Comment

Comment ID: 210832

I would like to address my concerns with the upcoming Otter Creek Wind Project as I am a rural resident whom is at risk of having my water well effected by the implementation of this project. The Otter Creek Wind Farm project should be suspended until the actual cause of the water well problems of North Kent 1 Wind Farm, Marsh Creek Wind Farm and East Lake St. Clair Wind Farm can be determined and resolved. Should the outcome determine that the wind turbines are causing the problems to the aquifer then I ask that a solution be made that will stop this problem from continuing. If no solution can be found then I ask that you please not allow the Otter Creek Wind Farm project from continuing. The green energy benefits from continuing to proceed with this project are far less of an environmental plus compared to what the negative outcome will be when mine and my neighbors water wells are drastically effected. Should the MOECC allow the project to proceed I ask that bedrock vibration monitoring be regularly conducted. Ground level vibration monitoring does not provide accurate data since the water well intakes are just above bedrock. I ask that base line water testing and evaluation of all water wells in the Otter Creek zone and anyone outside of the zone within 1km of any installation of this project be completed. The testing must also include flow rate determination. All residence receiving the tests should be allowed 4 months to co-ordinate with Otter Creek Wind Farm prior to their start of the project. These test must be completed by an independent P. Geo. And there must be an option for myself and other residents to be able to video record and/or have a witness present during the full testing from the minute they step onto our properties to when they leave. Prior to the commencement of the construction of the project; Otter Creek Wind Farm must submit the water samples to a qualified lab for analysis of chemistry suite of water quality parameters, including but not limited to, the following: alkalinity, ammonia, bacteria, calcium, chloride, colour, conductivity, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), hardness, heavy metals including arsenic, mercury, lead, uranium, molybdenum, iron, magnesium, manganese, nitrite, nitrate, pH, potassium, sodium, and sulphate. In addition there shall be testing of total dissolved solids (TDS), and turbidity thus determining baseline conditions of suspended particulate matter. The evaluation must also include testing for radon and radium. The results of the evaluation must be provided, without restriction, to each property owner. In addition to the water testing listed above prior to construction, water sampling including flow rate, to create a base line is to be performed annually until decommissioning of the project. Should myself or any other residents within the zone have issues with water quality or quantity Otter Creek Wind Farm is to pay for an independent P. geo to perform the same water testing analysis outline above and submit this to a qualified lab for analysis. These results are to be provided to the home owner as well as to the MOECC. The P. Geo is to provide a detailed explanation as to the cause of the water quantity and/or quality issue. If the laboratory results show that there are contaminants known to be associated with Kettle Point shale, then the seismologist will provide all vibration data for days preceding the complaint to the MOECC as well as to the homeowner; without restriction; and provide a detailed explanation of the seismic results. Otter creek is to provide wind speed, wind direction and turbine operation data to the MOECC as well as the homeowner; without restriction. If a well becomes compromised by having a turbidity level higher than the Ontario safe water level of 5 ntu and/or any form of restricted water flow, Otter Creek Wind Farm, at its own expense, is to provide an immediate, usable water supply such as a refillable water storage tank with capabilities of supplying, in all weather conditions. sufficient storage to meet the family's normal needs of consumption, bathing, cleaning, watering of plants and vegetables for multiple days and refill as necessary until the interference is gone completely. Otter Creek Wind Farm is to submit a plan to supply either municipal water, below grade water storage or another solution. This plan must be agreed upon by the homeowner and remain in effect until the water well quality and/or quantity issues are rectified. This cost of this plan shall be borne at Otter Creek Wind Farms expense into perpetuity. Since the proposed turbines are a new product and there isn't any empirical data to work with, other than computer models, there is a risk that noise levels will be above acceptable levels. If a homeowner within 2,000 meters complains of unacceptable noise levels, then Otter Creek Wind Farms shall provide an acoustic evaluation based on similar conditions of the complaint. This data will be provided to the MOECC and to the complainant. If the data shows sound levels to be above acceptable noise levels, then a plan must ne submitted and implemented to reduce the emissions to acceptable levels.