New Transmission Line to Pickle Lake
Project information about this environmental assessment.
Current status
On June 9, 2019, the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks approved the environmental assessment for this project.
Project summary
Wataynikaneyap Power (Watay) is proposing the construction, operation and maintenance, and retirement of an overhead 300 kilometre, 230 kilovolt electricity transmission line from Dinowic (east of Dryden) to Pickle Lake in Northwestern Ontario. The purpose is to provide transmission expansion and reliability to Pickle Lake, and meet one of the priority projects identified in Ontario’s Long-Term Energy Plan (November 23, 2010).
Other project components include:
- a 40 metre wide cleared right-of-way for the transmission line’s utility poles and wires
- a 2 kilometre wide corridor for the cleared right-of-way and construction activities
- a connection facility in the Dinorwic area
- a transformer station in the Township of Pickle Lake
Additional space for the 40 metre cleared area may be required for major water crossings and heavy corners.
Structures needed for construction include camps, access roads and trails, laydown areas, watercourse crossings and waste management. Some access roads, trails and other structures will be permanent.
This project, referred to as Phase 1, will enable construction of Watay’s Phase 2 class environmental assessment project. Phase 2 is a proposal to connect remote First Nation communities currently serviced by diesel generators.
Learn more on the Wataynikaneyap transmission project website.
Proponent
Wataynikaneyap Power L.P.
Location
Northwestern Ontario (Dinorwic to Pickle Lake)
Type
Electricity transmission
Reference
13025
Contact
Sasha McLeod, Environmental Approvals Branch
Project history
Environmental assessment: approved
Date submitted: November 3, 2017
Expiry of public comment period: December 22, 2017
Expiry of public comment period for ministry review: October 5, 2018
Decision date: June 9, 2019
Terms of reference: approved
Date submitted: May 13, 2013
Expiry of public comment period: June 11, 2013
Decision date: February 20, 2015
Environmental assessment
On August 8, 2018, Wataynikaneyap Power submitted an amended environmental assessment for the proposed new transmission line to Pickle Lake project. This assessment looks at how the transmission line and any associated infrastructure could impact the environment.
Originally submitted on November 3, 2017, the environmental assessment was amended by the proponent to:
- add technical information and commitments to address comments received during the initial comment period
- document minor changes to the location of the transformer station
- and provide an updated record of engagement with Indigenous communities and stakeholders
On June 9, 2019, the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, with Cabinet concurrence, granted approval to proceed with the project with conditions as described in the amended environmental assessment.
Read the Order in Council and notice of approval.
Read the amended environmental assessment.
Notice of completion of ministry review
An invitation to comment on the amended environmental assessment for the proposed New Transmission Line to Pickle Lake project.
An amended environmental assessment has been submitted to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks by Wataynikaneyap Power L.P. for the undertaking, which consists of the construction, operation & maintenance, and retirement of an overhead 300 km, 230 kV electricity transmission line and associated project components from Dinorwic to Pickle Lake in northwestern Ontario.
The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks has prepared a review of the amended environmental assessment for public and agency comment.
The review of the amended environmental assessment does not make a decision about the undertaking. That decision is made by the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks after the comment period is over and consideration of all submissions.
You can submit comments on the undertaking, the amended environmental assessment, and the ministry review. You may also request a hearing by the Environmental Review Tribunal. If you request a hearing, you must state in your submission whether you are requesting a hearing on the whole application or on only specified matters related to the application.
How to get the information you need
You can inspect the amended environmental assessment and the ministry review during normal business hours at the following locations:
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
Environmental Assessment and Permissions Branch
135 St. Clair Avenue West, 1st floor
Toronto, Ontario M4V 1P5
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
Thunder Bay District Office
435 James Street South, 3rd Floor Suite 331B
Thunder Bay, Ontario
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
Kenora Area Office
808 Robertson Street, P.O. Box 5150
Kenora, Ontario
Opiikapawiin Services L.P.
300 Anemki Place, Suite C
Fort William First Nation, Ontario
www.wataypower.ca
Dryden Municipal Office
30 Van Horne Avenue
Dryden, Ontario
Pickle Lake Municipal Office
2 Anne Street
Pickle Lake, Ontario
Sioux Lookout Library
21 5th Avenue
Sioux Lookout, Ontario
Please ensure your written comments are received by 5:00 p.m. on October 5, 2018.
Send written comments to:
Director
Environmental Assessment and Permissions Branch
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
135 St. Clair Avenue West, 1st floor
Toronto, Ontario M4V 1P5
Attention: Sasha McLeod, Special Project Officer
sasha.mcleod@ontario.ca
Tel: 416-314-8221 Toll-free: 1-800-461-6290 Fax: 416-314-8452
Be sure to express your views
If you make a submission or request a hearing before the above date, you will be notified of any decisions about this amended environmental assessment. Otherwise, the undertaking may proceed without further notice to you.
If no submissions or requests for a hearing are received, the undertaking may be approved with no further public notice. This will allow the undertaking to proceed.
Under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the Environmental Assessment Act, unless otherwise stated in the submission, any personal information such as name, address, telephone number and property location included in all submissions become part of the public record files for this matter and can be released, if requested, to any person.
Terms of reference
On February 20, 2015, the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change approved the terms of reference for this undertaking.