Wind turbine project Road Users Agreement to be discussed

UPDATE: Council unanimously agreed to defer the amended RUA due to incomplete information.

Mayor Robert Quaiff has called a special Committee of the Whole Meeting for Tuesday, Sept. 19 to discuss an amended Road Users Agreement for the wpd White Pines industrial turbine project.

The Environmental Review Tribunal reduced the wpd White Pines Wind Energy Project to nine turbines (originally from 29) all located north of Royal Road. Staff and solicitors for both wpd and the County were involved in preparing the agreement.

The County had entered into an agreement in April 2016 for the original project but now seeks admendments related to the reduced project.

The document covers a performance guarantee, provisions of notice to the County; removal of mention of seasonal roads not required due to unapproved turbine sites. Only Maypul Layn remains, approved by the Ontario Energy Board for the hydro interconnection transmission line; reduction of the amount of financial security consistent with the reduced scope of work; traffic management and road use reports and revised drawings for the reduced electrical distribution and transmission line network.

The road damage security of $2,775,115 to be posted to ensure fulfilment of the terms of the RUA – including repair of any road damage arising from the project – has been reduced to $1,716,841 in relation to the reduced project. The amending agreement also provides for preconstruction work such as site clearing at a $100,000 security level.

In a deputation, Cheryl Anderson, of the Prince Edward County Field Naturalists, is to address council on the topic of road use by wpd Canada.

“I am concerned about the changes that wpd plans to make to intersections specifically Lighthall Road and Royal Road. I am also concerned about traffic on Bond Road, Maypul Layn and Royal Road,” said Anderson in her submission to council.

She explains overwintering areas for Blanding’s turtles and two areas of spring foraging cross Maypul Layn Road and reach toward turbines eight, nine and 10 from the area of turbines five and six.

“Plans should be put in place to regulate road construction based on Blanding’s turtle sightings on an annual basis. That is when the first reports of Blanding’s turtles come in, road construction should stop. As long as turtles continue to be documented in the fall, no road construction should be allowed.”

She recommends severely limiting traffic and construction activity on Maypul Layn Road and to negotiate a better way to use the Lighthall Road and Royal Road intersection to avoid providing a convenient and dangerous nesting area for the turtles.

“Blanding’s turtles are globally endangered. We are lucky to have a small population in the southern part of Prince Edward County and it is our responsibility to protect them.”

The special meeting is to be held in the council chambers at Shire Hall, Picton, beginning at 7p.m.