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Arborist refuses to cut trees for Bala Falls hydro project

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In Energy
Dec 8th, 2014
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y Matthew Sitler 103.3 Moose FM

A local tree service company employee is taking a stand against Swift River Energy Ltd’s plans at Bala Falls. The company’s District Manager for Muskoka North Kyle Vincent says Swift River approached the company recently about getting an arborist report and tree removal services at the location. Bala Falls is where Swift River is expected to build a new hydro plant.

Vincent says he has roots going back in Milford Bay some ways and the last thing he wants to do is take part in any project that will affect Muskoka Lakes and the history around the Bala Falls because “it’s going to change it forever. “

Vincent says he backed away from the request and let the company know he “wasn’t interested in having anything to do with tarnishing our history here in Muskoka.”  Swift River’s Bala Falls Project Manager Karen McGhee, who was not the person who approached Vincent tells Moose FM Swift River is committed to hiring locally where possible, and that it’s disappointing to hear a local contractor would pass up local work in this economy, but that this is their prerogative.

McGhee says the company needs to remove some trees to complete its project and that was outlined in the company’s 2009 Environmental Screening Report and their 2012 Addendum. Currently Swift River is only looking at removing trees along the property lines to facilitate installing a fence to secure the site so they can complete some additional investigations and site preparation work.  As to the exact status of this tree service contract, Swift River has been in discussions with several firms. It’s the company’s intention to award the work – if it hasn’t been done already – within a matter of days. McGhee says the timing of the work will be based on the availability of the contractor and the weather.

Vincent is adamant about not getting involved.  “They’re talking about clear-cutting this whole rock to put in this Bala Falls project and I don’t want anything to do with it,” he said.

Huntsville resident staging protest at Bala Falls

By Brent Cooper Gravenhurst Banner

BALA – A Huntsville woman is presently staging a one-person protest at the site designated to become the Bala Falls hydro-electric plant.

Peggy Peterson said she is camping on the site for the present time, with “the blessing and acknowledgement,” of the Williams Treaties First Nations, adding she will stay at the site until First Nations officials arrive.

“They are in the process of looking at this because there is no knowledge of consultations with Williams Treaty (First Nations).”

The Williams Treaties First Nations, which consists of the Georgina Island First Nation, the Beausoleil First Nation, the Rama First Nation, the Mississaugas’ of Alderville First Nation, the Curve Lake First Nation, the Hiawatha First Nation and the Scugog Island First Nation, say it has an outstanding claim against Canada and Ontario concerning the signing of the treaties.

According to federal government’s Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada website, the Williams Treaties is a series of agreements that designated large parcels of land in southern and central Ontario acquired by the Government of Canada in 1923.

Swift River Energy Limited identifies the parcel of land where the plant is expected to be built as Crown Land.

The land was the site last Thursday of a protest by the Wahta Mohawks, who said the property is a historic portage and that they had not been properly consulted by the various levels of government about the hydro project.

“This (land) is not Wahta land or Wahta authority, but of course we do have their support,” Peterson said, adding that she really didn’t know much about the Williams Treaties. “I know nothing except than I am speaking for this land and protecting it until the Williams Treaty people get here.”

When asked when they are coming, Peterson said, “I have no idea. That would be up to their protocol. Becky Big Canoe (of the Georgina Island First Nation) has take the issue to her elders and chief.”

Peterson, who bills herself as the Muskoka Lorax, said that she is also on the property to protect the trees.

“There will be no trees being cut down by anybody on this land. Not only has there not been any contact with the Williams Treaty people, there hasn’t been a duty to consult, and the Supreme Court will tell us that the duty to consult with First Nations, especially energy resource stuff going on, on their land, there needs to be a consultation … and I’m going to stay here until it gets sorted.”

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