News

Learn More About How You Can Help

Canoe & Kayak Blogger Interviews VNPA on Namakan Dam

Reporter Conor Mihell chatted with Executive Director Cory MacNulty about VNPA’s concerns with Ojibway Power and Energy Group’s (OPEG) proposed project to build a dam at High Falls on the Namakan River in Ontario. Read Mihell’s article, “Canoe Trippers Be Dammed,” a current feature on Canoe & Kayak Magazine Online. In reference to our top concern with the project — the potential effect on the abundant lake sturgeon population in the Namakan basin — Mihell reports:

In Ontario, the species [lake sturgeon] is labeled “threatened”—reason enough for provincial and state biologists on both sides of the border to launch a special study on the Namakan River after the hydroelectric projects were proposed in 2005. According to Cory MacNulty, the executive director of the Minneapolis-based Voyageurs National Park Association, a nongovernmental group that aims to protect environmental and recreational values along the international border, the sturgeon research is clearly demonstrating the waterway’s importance to migrating fish. “We’re just beginning to learn how sturgeon are using this [river] system,” says MacNulty. “At the very minimum we should be postponing any project until we have a better idea of how sturgeon are using the river.”

OPEG recently released the draft Environmental Assessment of the project, and public comments are being accepted until February 26, 2010. VNPA encourages our members and constiuents to submit comments and help preserve a pristine Namakan River and protect lake sturgeon.

Comments should be sent to the following contacts and will be shared with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Full details of the project and how to submit your comments can be found at the OPEG website: http://high.opeg.ca.

Proponent:
Tim Saville, President
Ojibway Power and Energy Group
P.O. Box 248
Aurora, ON L4G 3H4
Canada

Proponent’s Agent:
Dale Gilbert, Environmental Coordinator
Chant Construction Limited
226 Edward Street
Aurora, ON L4G 3S8
Canada

Voyageurs National Park Association will prepare comments for OPEG and follow this issue closely. Read more about our concerns on page 6 of our Winter 2009-2010 print newsletter (PDF).

Read Mihell’s article here: “Canoe Trippers Be Dammed“(1/19/10) at Canoe & Kayak Magazine Online.