by Councillor Alex Gillis
A Friendly Warning
This article may seem long, but it covers a complex topic and is based on over 100 pages of reference material regarding the new Enerdu project. I hope that it will provide, at least, a convenient backgrounder with interesting and useful facts, providing some clarity. The article is presented in seven parts; I recommend that you read the entire article!
Introduction
The Enerdu project has been an emotional, confusing and polarizing issue in our community. It has required a lot of my time as a municipal councillor, even though our municipality has no jurisdiction over this project; it is under a provincial mandate. My involvement began in 2013, when Council requested approval for an escalated Part II Order Environmental Assessment. Subsequently, I argued for a development moratorium under the Heritage Conservation District initiative but, later, saw it as unnecessary and counter-productive. In late 2014, I became a Council representative on the Enerdu Design Advisory Committee (DAC) and I have followed the new Enerdu project with the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority’s (MVCA) Board and its Regulations Committee over several years. Consequently, I feel compelled to speak out on the project, beyond my Millstone article of July 2014.
Upon reflection, I think that the new Enerdu project might have been better received with an adequate information plan from its launch in 2012-13. My personal experience has reflected this, since the project became more attractive to me as I learned more about it. So, the main purpose of this article is to add to the public’s information on the project.
There are three very important factors that should warrant, at least, some reconsideration of the project:
- The DAC effort of 2014-15 has revealed that the new powerhouse views should be quite pleasing and improved over the present unsightly powerhouse area. Certainly, it will not look anything like the originally feared ‘blockhouse in the middle of the river’ in the heart of the downtown.
- The MVCA Regulations Committee Hearing on Enerdu, which featured a review of the hydraulic engineering modeling of the river, indicates that the river’s elevations and flow rates will be, generally, lower with completion of the new Enerdu project; simply, flooding and erosion should be less likely.
- Enerdu will have economic and other benefits for the community.
Hopefully, these positive aspects and others will offset ongoing disruption, inconveniences and any sense of loss. The next section highlights and presents these pros and cons more fully.
Pros and Cons
The following are some significant ‘pros’ or advantages of the new Enerdu Project:
- The risk of flooding and erosion in the downtown area, likely, will be less that the current risk. Downstream reach river elevations and flow rates will be less, generally, than the current situation; this also applies to the upstream reach.
- The new modern weir system can implement, readily, revised river water management plans such as that recommended by the Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists, intended to help with the loss of trees in the Appleton Wetland.
- The new weir capability will benefit the Mississippi River Power Company, owned by the Municipality of Mississippi Mills, since it needs such a weir system to increase power generation and to reduce frazil ice.
- The current deteriorated situation in the area needs improvement, since the concrete walls at the intake section, the wild vegetation on the small land spur and the wooden flash boards are, collectively, unsightly and in a state of disrepair; something must be done.
- The powerhouse, upper level, will be a low profile steel and glass structure featuring a water curtain and walkway along the front; it could prove to be quite beautiful, complementing its heritage site and Riverwalk Phase 2 Expansion.
- The new powerhouse could offer interesting opportunities for public benefit, such as: pedestrian access, meeting or restaurant space and an educational display on waterpower in Almonte.
- The new weir system can ensure a minimum show, or flow, of water over the falls, which is not, now, the case.
- There will be economic benefits for the Community; notably, Canadian Hydro Components will provide a substantial turbine blades order.
Here are some of the main negative aspects or disadvantages:
- There will, no doubt, be temporary inconveniences and disruptions to the public and to downtown business, during the construction phase.
- The Riverwalk and the Almonte Old Town Hall (AOTH) area could be impacted temporarily.
- The ongoing excavation of approximately 1,557 cubic meters of bedrock represents a necessary but questioned change to the riverbed; it is noisy and is unpopular.
- There is a fear that safety signage may be unsightly; this remains to be seen.
- The project will provide up to one megawatt of power, but some consider that this is a small amount to warrant such change.
Project Description
The following project description is based on the presentation to the MVCA Regulations Committee Hearing on September 9, 2015 by the Director of Water Resources Engineering at MVCA. It is a simplified summary.
The New Enerdu project is to replace and upgrade the existing Enerdu generating facility, including its powerhouse and wooden flash boards. The current generating facility can generate about 300 kilowatts and is located in the basement of the old flour mill. The new powerhouse, measuring about 15 meters wide by 25 meters in length, will have a capacity of one megawatt of power, and will be built adjacent to the old Flour Mill building on the downstream land spur and some of the river bed. The current powerhouse will become an important flow by-pass.
The present weirs consist of three different types of structures: weir A, at the powerhouse intake, weirs B, C and D forming a u-shape across the river and weir E at the Thoburn sluiceway. The new weirs will be refurbished in the existing weir footprint at the same crest elevation (117.2 meters) and will feature Obermeyer pneumatically actuated gates and computerized control. This will provide much better and more flexible control of water operating levels than is the case with the currently used flashboards.
The new modern weir system can accommodate the ongoing operating plan outlined in the Mississippi River Water Management Plan or it can implement revised plans such as that recommended by the Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists, intended to help with the loss of trees in the Appleton Wetland. The new capability will also benefit the Mississippi River Power Company, since it needs such a weir to increase power generation and to reduce frazil ice. Finally, the new system can ensure a minimum flow of water over the falls, which is not the case, now.
Construction will be phased to cover: excavation of the river bed upstream of the railway bridge, demolition and re-construction of weirs A and B, creation of new powerhouse and by-pass intakes, powerhouse in-water works, powerhouse building construction, and demolition and construction of weirs C, D and E. Enerdu has advised that, the work on the south side of the river (weirs C, D, & E) will occur next year and will require access to the river via the Town Hall parking lot.
Notably, MVCA has stated that the conversion of the current small powerhouse into a flow by-pass is critical for flood mitigation and is necessary for project approval. If the upstream water level exceeds 117.7 meters and the actuated weir gates are lowered, the by-pass gate will be opened.
Project Approval Process
The project approval process for the Enerdu Power Systems Ltd. application to alter the channel of the Mississippi River and to redevelop and expand the existing Enerdu Generating Station in Almonte proved to be lengthy and difficult.
In December, 2012, the proponent completed an environmental assessment process, satisfying both the requirements of the Class Environmental Assessment for Waterpower Projects (Class EA) and a federal screening EA under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA). The Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) received many requests, including one from Mississippi Mills to escalate the process from a proponent prepared Class EA to a more rigorous Part 2 Order Environmental Assessment. A letter from the Minister, dated November 18, 2013, concludes that ‘an individual environmental assessment is not required’ but imposes several conditions to be addressed.
While the Town’s request was denied, several important conditions were imposed including requirements for a Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) and for comprehensive hydraulic modeling. Moreover, the HIA was reviewed by the Ministry of Tourism Culture and Sport, which recommended, importantly that a design advisory committee (DAC) be formed.
Two years after my Millstone article of July 17, 2014, the approval process is finished, except for the building permit for the new powerhouse structure. These approvals include the Class EA, the HIA, permits to proceed from MVCA and MNRF (based on the hydraulic modeling) and a ‘permit to take water’. The construction or implementation portion of the project has now begun.
Design Advisory Committee (DAC)
The first DAC meeting was held on December 18, 2014. The committee consisted of Councillors – John Edwards and Alex Gillis, Heritage Advisory Committee Member – Fred Dennis, Town Planner – Stephen Stirling, and Public Member – Stephen Brathwaite along with Enerdu project representatives. The minutes state that “Each member brought forward a combination of concerns about the proposed design of the powerhouse and the overall impact of the project on the Mississippi River and ideas to make the powerhouse fit in better with the landscape.” Specifically, powerhouse location, footprint and height, impact on views, and the river setting were discussed, while conscious that this river area is ‘in the heart of Almonte’. It was accepted that the current Enerdu situation needs improvement, since the concrete walls at the intake section of the existing powerhouse, the wild vegetation on the small land spur and the wooden weir flash boards need repair and are, collectively, unsightly. The discussion was broadened to include interesting possible opportunities for public benefits, including: pedestrian access along the edge of the new powerhouse, a meeting space or restaurant in the powerhouse, interpretation panels about waterpower in Almonte, and a new public space on the island near the Thoburn Mill.
There were three DAC meetings and these had a significant productive impact on the design of the powerhouse. The resultant design was described by +VG (Architects) as follows: ‘— the contemporary design is based on an interplay between solid and glass walls, strict geometry and a limited palette of materials (stone, concrete, glass & wood) that will bring the traditional masonry walls of the grist mill into sharper focus, while also serving as an elegant backdrop for the dynamic flow of water.’ Simply, the powerhouse will be a low profile steel and glass structure featuring a water curtain and walkway along the front; I think that this design could prove to be quite beautiful and complement the current heritage site and the anticipated Riverwalk extension in the railway bridge area. The picture shows a view of the downstream tailrace side of the new powerhouse.
Permits to Proceed
Enerdu’s proposal to MVCA was to alter the channel of the Mississippi River to redevelop and expand the existing Enerdu Generating Station in the Town of Mississippi Mills. It required the approval of MVCA, under Ontario Regulation 153/06 – Development, Interference with Wetlands and Alterations to Shorelines and Watercourses. For a renewable energy project, as defined in section 1 of the Green Energy Act 2009, the Authority (MVCA) shall not refuse permission or impose conditions, unless it is necessary to control flooding, pollution & erosion.
MVCA & Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry (MNRF) actioned this file, together, making use of Enerdu’s hydraulic engineering modeling. Ultimately, permits to proceed were issued by MVCA under Ontario Regulation 153/06 and by MNRF under the Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act (L&RIA.
The MVCA Regulations Committee Hearing for the Enerdu Proposal was held on September 9; it considered a presentation by the MVCA Director of Water Resources Engineering which featured the hydraulic modeling results. I participated in the Hearing as a voting member.
The hydraulic modelling required by the Ministry of Environment & Climate Change (MOECC), is quite demanding technically. For inquisitive readers, the new backwater HEC-RAS Model was developed to analyze impact on the river at various sections. It provides the depth of analysis that MVCA requires to support an application under Ontario Regulation 153/06. Calculations were provided for 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 year flood plain levels.
The calculated results for proposed conditions compared to those for existing conditions are promising. Significantly, downstream reach water levels have generally lower elevations in meters and lower flows in cubic meters per second; simply, the risk of flooding and erosion in the downtown area, likely, will be less that the current risk. Similarly, upstream reach water levels for proposed conditions should be slightly lower than present conditions. Projections have been made, conservatively, and there is a resultant high confidence that flooding, pollution and erosion will not be worse than under current conditions.
The Hearing was advised that the proponent has demonstrated that ‘this project will not adversely affect the control of pollution, flooding and erosion’ and conditional approval of ON Regulation 153/06 Application No. W 14-76 was recommended. The Regulations Committee granted approval for the project with nine conditions. There are three conditions which may be of general interest:
5. The permit does not allow right of ways, for construction access, to be established on property owned by others without prior approval of the landowner. (This includes Municipal lands at the Almonte Old Town Hall.)
8. To confirm that the proposed work has been completed as approved, the proponent will submit as-built drawings for the project to MVCA.
9. Permit will be valid until September 9, 2019
Conclusion
The Enerdu project has been approved and is ongoing. The project has received all necessary permits to proceed, ultimately, negotiating a complex approval process. Significantly, the approvals are subject to many conditions regarding implementation standards and inspections. Conservatively, this project will not adversely affect the control of pollution, flooding and erosion, according to MVCA, and it will be, likely, better for the river
It has been controversial and will prove to be inconvenient and disruptive during its construction, but it offers many advantages which have become clear with the passing of time and the provision of more detailed information. The best outcome for all would be community acceptance and cooperation to ensure the best outcome possible to benefit both the public and Enerdu Power Systems Ltd.
