Proposal
Guidance for Preparing the Water Assessment and Water Body Reports required under O.Reg.359/09
Regulation Number(s):
O.Reg. 359/09
Instrument Type:
Proposal
Bill or Act:
Green Energy and Economy Act, 2009
Summary of Proposal:
As part of its mandate to protect the quality and quantity of surface water and groundwater, the Ministry of the Environment proposes to provide further clarity and transparency with respect to Renewable Energy Approvals (REAs) through guidance to assist proponents of renewable energy projects in preparing water assessment studies and water body reports to be submitted as part of a REA application as required by O. Reg. 359/09.
This guidance document covers all Renewable Energy Generation Facilities (REGF) that require a Renewable Energy Approval (REA), except Class 2 and 5 wind facilities. Class 2 wind facilities require a REA but do not require a water assessment.
This guidance document is consistent with the amendments to O. Reg. 359/09 which came in effect on January 1, 2011.
Given the potential links between the water and natural heritage assessment study requirements of the REA regulation, interested parties may also refer to the Ministry of Natural Resource’s draft Natural Heritage Assessment Guide proposal which was posted on December 8, 2010. The following is a link to the policy proposal notice where the draft Natural Heritage Assessment Guide may be found: http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/displaynoticecontent.do?noticeId=MTExNTY2&statusId=MTY3MzYy&language=en
This guidance document covers all Renewable Energy Generation Facilities (REGF) that require a Renewable Energy Approval (REA), except Class 2 and 5 wind facilities. Class 2 wind facilities require a REA but do not require a water assessment.
This guidance document is consistent with the amendments to O. Reg. 359/09 which came in effect on January 1, 2011.
Given the potential links between the water and natural heritage assessment study requirements of the REA regulation, interested parties may also refer to the Ministry of Natural Resource’s draft Natural Heritage Assessment Guide proposal which was posted on December 8, 2010. The following is a link to the policy proposal notice where the draft Natural Heritage Assessment Guide may be found: http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/displaynoticecontent.do?noticeId=MTExNTY2&statusId=MTY3MzYy&language=en
Further Information:
Link to Environmental Registry
Proposal Number:
11-MOE007
Posting Date:
January 31, 2011
Comments Due Date:
March 14, 2011