Ontario’s Endangered Species Act, which came into effect in 2008, makes the province a North American leader in the protection and recovery of species at risk and their habitats. Learn how Ontario is protecting species at risk and their habitat.
Proposed Authorization Summary
| Proponent: | McLean’s Mountain Wind G.P. Inc. (also Northland Power) |
|---|---|
| Project: | McLean's Mountain Wind Farm |
| Location: | Manitoulin Island See location on Google Maps  |
| Species: |
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| Sector: | Renewable energy |
| Environmental Registry Number: | 011-6555 |
| Permit Proposal Status: | Permit issued |
| Authorization Type: | 17(2)(c) - Overall Benefit Permit The Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA) provides for the protection of endangered, threatened (and in some cases extirpated) species on the Species at Risk in Ontario (SARO) List. The ESA also addresses the protection of habitat for species at risk. |
Environmental Registry Posting:
A range of options being considered is included in the Environmental Registry Notice; please go to http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca and enter the Environmental Registry number (above) in the search bar.
Proposed Permit Details:
Northland Power Inc. is proposing the construction and operation of a 60 MW/ 24 turbine wind farm in the Town of Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands. Both Bobolink and Eastern Meadowlark are listed as threatened on the Species at Risk in Ontario (SARO) List, in O. Reg. 230/08 of the ESA, and both species have been observed in part of the project area. Approximately 6 hectares of Bobolink and Eastern Meadowlark habitat, protected under ESA s. 10(1), would be damaged by the proposed activity. Reasonable alternatives, including alternatives that would not adversely affect the species, have been explored. The best alternative has been chosen to allow work to continue and avoid some impacts to Bobolink and Eastern Meadowlark and their habitat. Reasonable alternatives have been considered, including alternatives that would not adversely affect the two species: - Northland Power Incorporated has adjusted its original proposal by reducing the number of wind turbines in Bobolink and Eastern Meadowlark habitat from 25 to 6; - The timing of certain construction activities has been adjusted to avoid disturbance to Bobolink and Eastern Meadowlark during their breeding season; and - Construction activities will be carried out in a manner that minimizes impacts to Bobolink and Eastern Meadowlark habitats. There will be reasonable steps to minimize adverse effects on individual members of the species as required by conditions of the permit: - Scheduling works to avoid or minimize impacts to individuals during the season when Bobolink and Eastern Meadowlark are present; - Educating project staff about Bobolink and Eastern Meadowlark identification and life-cycle; and - Habitat rehabilitation activities on-site upon closure of the facility to re-establish Bobolink and Eastern Meadowlark habitat. Overall benefit to the species will be achieved within a reasonable time through requirements imposed by conditions of the permit. Northland Power Inc. proposes to: - Demonstrate that 15 ha of pasture land will be managed to maintain high quality habitat for Bobolink and Eastern Meadowlark via a landowner agreement, for the lifetime of the project; - Conduct a survey program to monitor habitat use by Bobolink and Eastern Meadowlark on both the wind farm site and the overall benefit lands, and to monitor mortality caused by wind farm operations. If overall benefit is not being met, then the benefit lands may be modified to further enhance habitat or additional land may be secured for compensation habitat; and - Submit regular reports to the Ministry of Natural Resources for review.
Decision:
On October 15, 2012, a decision was made to issue a permit to McLean’s Mountain Wind G.P. Inc. under Section 17(2)(c) of the Endangered Species Act. To view the details of the decision, please visit the Environmental Registry at http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca and enter the Environmental Registry number (above) in the search bar.
Comment On This Project
To view and comment on this proposed permit, please visit the Environmental Registry and enter the Registry number (011-6555 ) in the search bar.
If you have questions or comments specific to this permit application after the Environmental Registry period is over, please click here McLean's Mountain Wind Farm (ER number: 011-6555 ) .
Please Note: All comments and submissions received become part of the public record. You will not receive a formal response to your comment, however, relevant comments received as part of the public participation process for this proposal will be considered in the decision making process for the authorization.
