Approval of the Highway 69 (Tower Road to Highway 141) Environmental Assessment
The ministry’s approval of the environmental assessment for modifications to Highway 69 in the Muskoka area.
Notice of approval
Proponent: Ministry of Transportation
Environmental assessment file number: TC-NO-02
Take notice that the period for requiring a hearing, provided for in the Notice of Acceptance of the Environmental Assessment for the undertaking, expired on August 25, 1996. I have received no notices requiring a hearing by the Environmental Assessment Board with respect to approval to proceed with the undertaking.
Having considered the purpose of the Act, the Environmental Assessment of the undertaking as accepted and the submissions received, I hereby give approval to proceed with the undertaking subject to the following terms and conditions:
- Except as otherwise provided by these conditions, the undertaking shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Environmental Assessment (EA) as amended and accepted which are hereby incorporated by reference.
- Upon commencement of detailed design, the Ministry of Transportation shall review their
Commitments to Future Work
as contained in the final EA Report. At that time, the Ministry of Transportation shall also conduct studies to reassess the noise impacts and potential for mitigation at all noise sensitive locations along the recommended route with special emphasis given to the Transportation consider carrying out construction activities between November 15 and March 31. - The Ministry of Transportation will participate with the Ministry of Natural Resources in developing policies concerning monitoring and mitigation of impacts to wildlife.
- The Ministry of Transportation will consult with the Ministry of Natural Resources during the development of detailed design to discuss specific mitigation measures for all watercourses affected by this project.
Reasons
My reasons for giving approval are:
- On the basis of the proponent’s Environmental Assessment and the Review, the proponent’s conclusion that, on balance, the advantages of this undertaking outweigh its disadvantages appears to be valid.
- No other more beneficial alternative method of implementing the undertaking was identified.
- On the basis of the proponent’s Environmental Assessment, the review and the conditions of approval, the construction, operation and maintenance of the undertaking will be consistent with the purpose of the Act (section 2A).
Dated the 29th day of October 1996 at Toronto
Original signed by:
Minister of the Environment and Energy
135 St. Clair Avenue West, 12th floor
Toronto, Ontario
M4V 1P5