Editor,
As several weeks have passed since we first notified the Municipality and residents about our geotechnical program, we wanted to take the opportunity to share details about the work we’re doing and its purpose. Regarding our communication approach, we first published a notice about the geotechnical program in The Meaford Independent on June 26 and it was re-published for three consecutive weeks. Additionally, we hand-delivered notices to more than 250 residents along Cedar Avenue and Kiowana Beach Road to ensure local households in close proximity were directly informed.
We are currently conducting a geotechnical program in Georgian Bay – this program is one of many important studies that will be undertaken to ensure the Ontario Pumped Storage Project is designed and delivered to the highest environmental and technical standards. The geotechnical program involves borehole drilling beneath the lakebed to better understand the soil and rock composition. This data is essential for evaluating the feasibility and safety of the inlet and outlet structures that will transfer water between Georgian Bay and the proposed upper reservoir.
Due to the depth of the water, the work is being carried out from a temporary barge platform positioned in Georgian Bay, off the 4th Canadian Division Training Centre lands. Following completion of the program at the end of September, the barge will be removed.
In order to commence this work, we required authorization from both provincial and federal authorities, specifically the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). Additionally, the Department of National Defence and Navigation Canada have also been engaged.
We would like to assure residents that we have prioritized environmental protection as we conduct the geotechnical program. Specifically, we have incorporated a dual-casing system designed to protect the surrounding waters during borehole drilling. A smaller steel pipe, known as the primary casing, is inserted into the lakebed to fully contain the drilling activity and prevent any interaction between drilling fluids and the Bay. Any water that comes into contact with the drilling process is pumped out and removed from the site for proper disposal. Surrounding this is a larger secondary casing, which acts as an additional safeguard. This layered approach ensures that even if there was some leakage outside the primary casing, the secondary casing would still prevent environmental exposure. Further details about our environmental protection measures can be found at www.ontariopumpedstorage.com.
We’re always happy to chat in person to discuss items in more detail and help clarify any concerns. We invite residents to join us for a coffee chat every Thursday at our office on Sykes Street. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions, learn the facts, and speak directly with our team.
Sincerely,
Clark Little on behalf of the Ontario Pumped Storage Project Team
