Finally- A Blow Against a Local Wind Project

Last week’s Environmental Review Tribunal decision concluded that the Settlers Landing Wind Turbine Project will Cause Irreversible Harm. The Ministry of Attorney General office released the decision of the Environmental Review Tribunal (ERT) on the appeal of the Settlers Ridge Wind development project. The ERT found that engaging in the Project will cause serious and irreversible harm to plant life, animal life or the natural environment as defined by the Environmental Protection Act (EPA.)

ERT decision designed to protect block of mixed forest on the Oak Ridges Moraine outside Pontypool. Photo: Stuart Williams.

ERT decision designed to protect block of mixed forest on the Oak Ridges Moraine outside Pontypool. Photo: Stuart Williams.

Specifically, the Tribunal finds that construction and decommissioning of two of the turbines and the access roads to three of the five turbines will cause harm to a significant woodland identified as Woodland 11, including the habitat it represents. The Hearing was held in Pontypool, Ontario on the Oak Ridges Moraine this fall.

Save The Oak Ridges Moraine (STORM) grassroots base made it clear to its Board of Directors that they are concerned that the increasing number of industrial scale green-energy projects proposed and being approved on the Oak Ridges Moraine signifies a retreat away from the spirit and intent of the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan (ORMCP). These concerns prompted STORM to participate in five Environmental Review Tribunal Hearings dealing with industrial scale energy projects on the Oak Ridges Moraine, – Settlers Landing, Illumination Solar, Sumac Ridge, Ganaraska and currently Snowy Ridge.

“STORM is delighted to learn that the Environmental Review Tribunal (ERT) recognizes the importance of this significant woodland and habitat. We applaud the Tribunal on their decision that will ensure significant woodlands and habitat on the Oak Ridges Moraine will remain preserved,” said STORM Chair, Cindy Sutch.

“STORM favours the adoption of green measures including the development of scale appropriate green energy” added Debbe Crandall, Director-Policy. “At the same time, we are deeply concerned by the loss of natural habitat and the increasing encroachment that would result if these industrial scale developments proceed, especially in the context of provincially protected landscapes and countryside areas in southern Ontario.”

The Ontario government’s own words, they have a vision for the Oak Ridges Moraine is that of “a continuous band of green rolling hills that provides form and structure to south-central Ontario, while protecting the ecological and hydrological features and functions that support the health and well-being of the region’s residents and ecosystems.”

Save The Oak Ridges Moraine (STORM) is an advocacy group that supports citizens across the Moraine that was established in 1989 to raise awareness of the sensitivity of the moraine’s ecology to impacts from urban development and other land uses such as forest destruction, aggregate extraction and infrastructure projects (roads and pipes) and to secure better planning and management governance for the Oak Ridges Moraine. Together with its well-developed network of local and regional contacts, they were critical to the success of the legislation that established the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act to protect the ecological and hydrological integrity of the Oak Ridges Moraine

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