Environment
A project with rigorously documented impacts
Onimiki Renewable Energy wants to develop a project that takes into account all environmental, social and economic concerns.
All environmental aspects will be well documented in order to draw up the environmental impact study. This data will ensure that all impacts are known, and that mitigation measures are proposed where necessary.
Several themes will be addressed in the impact study.
Project development must be consistent with the practice of traditional activities and First Nations' ancestral rights, all local activities (tourism, recreation, sports, etc.) and the maintenance of the territory's biodiversity.
Some examples of topics to be studied:
- Water quality
- Fauna
- Flora
- Greenhouse gas emissions
- Human environment
- Impacts of climate change
The main watercourses affected by the project
Gordon Creek
The hydroelectric potential of Gordon Creek has been exploited in the past. The upstream watercourse is made up of several lakes (du Moulin, Tee, Jadot, aux Brochets). The Onimiki project foresees no change in flow levels from the Kipawa dam (approximately 13 cubic metres per second) to the Lumsden dam in Témiscaming. The project will have no impact on water quality.
Downstream of Lumsden dam, the level would be modified to supply the Onimiki South power station. The flow rate will be documented in the impact study. Discussions are to be held with the Town of Témiscaming regarding the flow rate to be maintained.
Lake Kipawa
Lake Kipawa will continue to be managed according to current management agreements. The lake’s water level will therefore remain the same as it is now.
Agreements exist with the Direction générale des barrages (formerly Centre d’expertise hydrique du Québec) to lower the normal level of Lake Kipawa by 40 cm during the lake trout spawning period. This agreement is designed to promote egg survival during the winter tide.
The Direction générale des barrages remains responsible for spill flows to maintain the reservoir management plan, and remains the master of the agreements in force. Onimiki Renewable Energy will comply.
Onimiki Renewable Energy will respect all existing agreements.
Kipawa River
An instream flow would be maintained in the river, to be defined according to the ecological, aesthetic and territorial needs. This will be defined in consultation with the community. Onimiki Renewable Energy will also document the different flows of the Grande Chute.
The average annual flow of the Kipawa River is 82 cubic metres per second, varying greatly depending on the time of year (average monthly flow ranging from 28 cubic metres per second to 143 cubic metres).
The Direction générale des barrages of the Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs (MELCCP) aims to maintain a flow of 15 cubic metres per second in the Kipawa River. This is the assumption on which our assessments of the ecological flow to be maintained are based.
The effects of the proposed change will be clearly stated in the impact study.
Thiriot and Nadeau lakes
The development of the Onimiki North power plant calls for Nadeau and Thiriot lakes to be linked together to convey water. Some areas will be partially exposed. The project will not result in any major flooding. Small streams also flow through the area, and instream flows will be defined for the affected watercourses. Environmental inventories were conducted to gather reliable data on which to develop the project.
Parc national d'Opémican
Onimiki Renewable Energy and its partners are aware of the importance of Parc national d'Opémican to the environment and the community, and take into account the park’s integrity at every stage of the project’s development.
The proposed infrastructure is located outside of the park’s boundaries.
The project’s potential effects to the park’s natural environment and recreational potential will be detailed in the impact study in accordance with current legislation (Loi sur la qualité de l’environnement, Loi sur les Parcs).
