Another industrial wind power project proposed for “rugged and wild” forest area

A few weeks ago, residents of South Algonquin, on the eastern edge of national historic site Algonquin Park, learned that an Austrian renewable power developer was proposing a large industrial wind turbine project on the hills around Hay Lake.

The large wind turbines would have been visible — and audible — not only to the people in South Algonquin, but right into Algonquin Park, revered and known around the world as a pristine wilderness site.

Local businesses which focus on tourism would be devastated. As Hay Lake resident and well-known sportsman Phil Morlock put it, “Nobody travels to see wind turbines.”

Despite the fact that ABSOLUTELY NO MEDIA picked up on this threat, backlash was such that the power developer withdrew the project.

Now, residents of the Blind River-Elliott Lake area learn, mostly by accident, that a similar proposal is being put forward for Crown land nearby. We’d show you a map but the one and only map publicly offered by developer First Light is of such poor quality and offers so few details it isn’t worth showing.

The project is called the Pathfinder Wind Project and will be developed by Canadian company FirstLight, which is owned by the Public Sector Pension Investment Board or PSP Investments.

****UPDATE**** PROJECT ON HOLD…FOR NOW

Reaction to the project thus far was described by newspaper SooToday as “mixed.”

According to SooToday, “Robert Fenerty, a local, shared his thoughts: ‘I’ve always been a fan of wind generators and solar energy, to be honest. However, the financial aspect only makes sense if there’s significant taxpayer support. So, I can’t back the idea of funding another wind farm with tax dollars.’ “

And, “In response to a Facebook post discussing the proposal, Fun Butterfly227 expressed strong opposition, stating, ‘I’m definitely not in favour of this. It’s going to damage our beautiful northern region, our jewel of the North. It’ll end up costing taxpayers even more, and we’re already paying enough as it is. They do more harm than good.’ “

As for South Algonquin, the Matinenda area, and Blind River/Elliott Lake is known for its natural beauty and wilderness.

Ontario Parks describes the Matinenda Provincial Park:

“The Matinenda Lake area is a wild and rugged landscape. Two types of landforms dominate, rugged and gently rolling bedrock uplands with lakeshore, island and swamp environments, and gently rolling sandy uplands with extensive lichen barrens. Sheltered conifer forest provides winter habitat for moose and white-tailed deer, and cold clear water provide excellent lake trout habitat. Brook Trout occur in a few of the lakes and in many of the cold water streams draining into the area.”

If you are a resident or property owner near Blind River or Elliott Lake, or a outdoor enthusiast interested in preserving Ontario’s wilderness areas and Nature, especially someone who has enjoyed the Algoma region, you can write to Mayors and Councils.

Wind Concerns Ontario

****FirstLight announced on September 12 that following community feedback, it will be withdrawing its proposal for this round of the IESO LT2-RFP.

“When you have regarded community engagement as simply a box to be checked on the application checklist, not providing proper notice, offering only scant project details, and no community benefits for a huge, negative impact on the environment and local economy, this might be what happens,” says Wind Concerns Ontario President Jane Wilson