The base case situation consists of a scenic flow of 6 m3/s over the unaltered crest of
Umbata Falls during daylight hours between May 15 and September 15 annually. This
flow regime will be in place during the first five years of project operation (to 2013) as
per the agreement with regulatory agencies. The adjacent photo shows the specified
flow at the falls.
The decision-making process that arrived at this flow regime considered a broad group
of factors, including:
- the scenic character of the falls presently and at the proposed flow regime
- the wilderness character of the local area prior to project initiation
- the average number of visitors (187) to the site on an annual basis
- the quantity of scenic flow provided at other developed waterfalls in the local area
(i.e. Kakabeka Falls – 4.25 to 8.5 m3/s; Aubrey Falls – 8.5 m3/s; Magpie Falls –
7.1 m3/s) and its distribution and/or depth over the width of the crest of the falls
- the anticipated revenue from the project and the social benefits that would accrue
to the Ojibways of the Pic River First Nation as a result of the project, and
- the Ontario government’s policies pertaining to renewable resource development
and the potential to offset GHG emissions from fossil fuel generators
The project development agreement notes that the Pic River community will be majority
owners of the project upon completion (51% ownership) and will derive revenue based
on this ownership percentage. Based on the current forecast of project economics
(taking into account debt repayment, project expenses and income sharing between
project partners), the project will provide full or partial funding for a number of Pic River
community programs including educational enhancements (elementary school support,
special education programs, post secondary funding and/or day care programs for
returning adults), infrastructure enhancements (water treatment plant), housing
(renovations to existing units and/or construction of new units), and other community
development programs (small business support, arts and crafts collective, etc).
Prioritization of community and social programs and allocation of funds will take place
by the community based on the expected revenue for the upcoming year.
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