Posted to Environmental Registry
1. Draft – Bats and Bat Habitats: Guidelines for Windpower Projects -posted to Environmental Registry Deadline is May 21,2010 for this one. The REA regulation describes the requirements for wind power projects related to significant natural features, including significant wild life habitat.Bats are an important part of Ontario’s biodiversity. To provide further clarity and certainty on the renewable energy approval requirements for wind power, MNR has prepared updated draft 2010 Guidelines for application to both Crown and private lands. MNR’s ‘Guideline to Assist in the Review of Wind Power Proposals:Potential Impacts to Bats and Bat Habitats. Developmental (Working DraftAugust,2007)’ no longer applies to windpower projects being reviewed under theREA regulation. As interim direction until final Guidelines are approved,the criteria and procedures identified in this proposed draft 2010 Guidelines will be deemed to be acceptable by MNR for windpower projects being reviewed under the REA regulation. The draft version of *”Bats and Bat Habitats: Guidelines for WindpowerProjects”* is now posted on the Environmental Registry.   Search using number 010-9521. Bat mortality is very high near industrial wind turbines causing lung collapse due to pressure changes and internal hemmoraging. This is an unacceptable risk to biodiversity and key habitat. Affecting micro ecosytems has its effect on the entire ecosystem. For wind companies to do a body count does not assist those that have been impacted and removed from the environment.Body count surveys from wind companies are not in their best interest as well as those bats that may have been removed by predators before the count is done. 2.Required Setbacks for Wind Turbines under O.Reg.359/09 Deadline is May 30, 2010 Search using EBR Registry Number: 010-9235
To provide further clarity and transparency on the Renewable Energy Approval, the ministry has prepared six draft technical bulletins. These bulletins are intended to assist proponents of renewable energy projects in preparing reports for the Renewable Energy Approval submission and in interpreting the regulation. The draft technical bulletins will also assist the public, other interested persons, aboriginal communities, and other regulatory agencies in understanding the approval process and the roles they may have in the new Renewable Energy Approval process. The proposed draft technical bulletins are presented for public comment.They are: Technical Bulletin #1 Guidance for preparing the Project Description Report as part of an application under O.Reg.359/09 Technical Bulletin #2 Guidance for preparing the Design and Operations Report as part of an application under O.Reg.359/09 Technical Bulletin #3 Guidance for preparing the Construction Plan Report as part of an application under O.Reg.359/09 Technical Bulletin #4 Guidance for preparing the Decommissioning Plan Report as part of an application under O.Reg.359/09 Technical Bulletin #5 Guidance for preparing the Consultation Report as part of an application under O.Reg.359/09 Technical Bulletin #6 Required Setbacks for Wind Turbines under O.Reg.359/09 Also,7. Renewable Energy Approval InformationThis link above on the doc page allows exemptions for setbacks if the wind company does a noise study. It also does not address should turbines be added later which increases noise.The tech bulletin 6 is very important to comment on as the recommended setback should be in our opinion two km from a receptor ( residence, etc,) or land that has the potential for a receptor or severence. The least minimum is that non participants in the wind farm project should not have their vacant land used as a buffer affecting future use. The setback should be kept within the fenceline of the land being leased.This also should be two km’s. Please send in your comments on these listings.
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Thank you
Raymond Beaudry
mcsea.ca