News
OWA commissions feasibility study for waterpower projects

Feb. 26, 2015, Toronto – The Ontario Waterpower Association has awarded a contract to member companies 4DM and Senes Consultants to
complete a feasibility study for the proposed Waterpower Reference
Centre.

Feb. 26, 2015, Toronto – The Ontario Waterpower Association has awarded a contract to member companies 4DM and Senes Consultants to
complete a feasibility study for the proposed Waterpower Reference
Centre.

This project is being undertaken through a partnership with the
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and is intended to
leverage the investment being made by the waterpower
industry in the collection of data and information related to
hydroelectric projects.

“At
present, an estimated $150 to 200 million is being invested in
waterpower development and redevelopment to support environmental
assessments and approvals across the province” said Paul Norris, OWA president, in a news release. “If this data and information could be captured centrally it
could help inform adaptive management, effectiveness monitoring and
answer some of the broader science questions.”

“We
are pleased to be working in collaboration with the industry and the
Ministry on this important project,” said Steven McArdle, president of
4DM. “We see this as a unique opportunity to significantly advance our
collective knowledge base for, and sustainability of, waterpower in
Ontario.”

To help guide future
resource management decisions, the OWA said it is proposing to design
and develop a central location for environmental reports, supporting
data/information, and best management practices. A first step is
completing this feasibility study to better understand existing systems,
holdings, and available products.