Amendments to management direction for Sandbar Lake, East English River, St. Raphael, Pipestone River and Otoskwin-Attawapiskat River provincial parks

Description of policy

A new electrical transmission line is proposed to reinforce service to the community of Pickle Lake and provide new service to 17 Indigenous communities. This project is divided into two phases; one phase linking the communities of Dinorwic or Ignance to Pickle Lake with a 230-kilovolt (kV) transmission line to reinforce the supply, and the second phase to link remote Indigenous communities to Pickle Lake and Red Lake via 115kV and 44kV transmission lines. The project is proposed to provide 17 Indigenous communities, where diesel fuel is currently the only source of electricity, connection to the electrical grid. Ontario has identified both phases of this project as priorities in its Long Term Energy Plan (2013).

Specific corridor locations are still under review by the proponent, which includes identification of alternative locations, however several provincial parks may be affected by corridor routing. Phase one may impact Sandbar Lake, East English River and St. Raphael, whereas phase two may affect Otoskwin-Attawapiskat River and Pipestone River provincial parks.

The proponent, Wataynikaneyap Power, is currently carrying out an Environmental Assessment to determine the most appropriate route for the line and minimize environmental impacts. Where possible, the proposed route will avoid provincial parks. A Draft Environmental Assessment Report (which is available for review on the Wataynikaneyap Power website) identifies the preferred and alternate preferred route for phase one of the transmission project. Management direction for Sandbar Lake, East English River, St. Raphael, Pipestone River, and Otoskwin-Attawapiskat River provincial parks may need to be amended to accommodate the transmission line, depending on the outcome of the environmental assessment, public and stakeholder consultation, and routing refinements. All of these parks have existing utility and/or transportation corridors.

The Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006 (PPCRA), states that utility corridors are permitted in provincial parks, subject to the policies of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF), and the approval of the Minister. Tenure is required for this type of use.

Ontario Parks is proposing to amend the management direction for these provincial parks to allow tenure to be considered for utility corridors associated with the new Wataynikaneyap transmission line.

Ontario Parks proposes to add the following direction to the management direction for Sandbar Lake, East English River, St. Raphael, Pipestone River, and Otoskwin-Attawapiskat River provincial parks:

"MNRF may provide tenure for a utility corridor to accommodate the development of the new Wataynikaneyap electrical transmission line, and reinforce existing lines to Pickle Lake subject to completion of an Environmental Assessment, approval by the Minister, and any conditions necessary to protect park values.

New land disposition for commercial use may be considered in the form of land use permit or lease, provided that the proposed commercial use is consistent with conditions of the PPCRA and the project has been approved through an Environmental Assessment process."

Purpose of policy

To amend management direction for five provincial parks to provide direction regarding the issuance of tenure for utility corridors associated with the Wataynikaneyap transmission project.

Other information

The following web links provide additional (or supporting) information.

• Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006
• Provincial park management direction
• Wataynikaneyap Power project information

Public consultation

This proposal was posted for a 45 day public review and comment period starting July 10, 2017. Comments were to be received by August 24, 2017.

All comments received during the comment period are being considered as part of the decision-making process by the Ministry.

Please Note: All comments and submissions received have become part of the public record.

Other public consultation opportunities

Direct notices will be mailed to local stakeholder and mandatory contact mailing lists.