| MNR ponders dam's future |
| By Allison Kennedy |
| Enterprise-Bulletin Special (Fri,
January 5, 2000) |
| Thornbury residents officially have until today to
submit written comments to the Ministry of Natural Resources on the
various proposals for the future of the Thornbury Dam. |
| The ministry of Natural Resources, who owns the dam,
held an open house in late December to give residents a change to
gather information about the six options being considered. |
| Since then, the MNR has been
welcoming written comment on these six options. |
| Options range from leaving the dam as is, to removing
it, to a complete upgrade including installation of either a new
fish passage or a revamped fish lock. |
| While the MNR is far from reaching a decision about
the fate o the dam, the public notice period is almost over. |
| The Blue Mountains council has requested that a town
meeting be held in addition to accepting the written comments. |
| "We haven't decided whether there will be a
public meeting yet because the public notice period is not over
until Jan. 5," said Kathie Woeller, district planner for the
Midhurst Office of the MNR. "We have to see how many
people responded to the notice and what there concerns were." |
| Woeller also said today's deadline is the official
deadline but that there would be a grace period for late letters. |
| "People should try to get them in by Friday, but
what comes in next week would certainly be considered," said
Woeller. "We understand people are dealing with the post
and the Christmas holidays." |
| Gary Bochna, a concerned Thornbury resident, doesn't
want to see the dam go out. |
| "Renovations of the dam would be helpful, but
the historical significance of the dam is important," said
Bochna. "it is a great tourist attraction and many
business people are concerned about the loss." |
| Bochna said the installation of a passive fish
ladder, which is one of the options under consideration, may be the
best solution. |
| "Sure it costs money, but what's Thornbury
without the dam?" said Bochna. |
| On the other side of the issue, many people believe
that removing the dam is the best option, allowing fish to migrate
freely and allowing recreational use of the Beaver River. |
| Bochna is one of the local residents who is calling
for the public to voice their opinion on the fate of the dam.
If you have further questions about this issue, you can call Bochna
at 599-1136. |
| To receive a copy of the MNR's questionnaire, call
Linda at 599-3344. |
|
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