ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT DECISION STATEMENT (Archived)

Lower Mattagami Hydroelectric Complex Redevelopment
Ontario (ON)

March 29, 2010 – The Honourable Jim Prentice, Canada’s Environment Minister and Minister responsible for the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, has reviewed the federal environmental assessment of the project to redevelop the Lower Mattagami Hydroelectric Complex by Ontario Power Generation.

Having taken into consideration the comprehensive study report and the results of the public comment period pursuant to section 22 of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (the Act), the Minister is of the opinion that:

• no additional information is necessary. Public concerns have been taken into account and there is no need to address them further through the comprehensive study;
• the project, taking into account the mitigation measures described in the comprehensive study report, is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects; and
• the mitigation measures and follow-up program described in the comprehensive study report are appropriate for the proposed project.

The Minister has referred the project back to the responsible authority, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, for appropriate action under section 37 of the Act.

The Minister notes that the responsible authority will ensure the implementation of the mitigation measures described in the comprehensive study report, and will implement the follow-up program described in the comprehensive study report, in order to determine the effectiveness of the measures taken to mitigate any adverse environmental effects and to verify the accuracy of the environmental assessment of the project.