STUDY BACKGROUND

The intent of this document is to provide further information on the current status of the above mentioned project and provide clarification regarding some of the common concerns expressed by stakeholders on the Public Information Centre (PIC) material. For general information regarding the project and the environmental assessment process, please refer to the project website at www.4lanehighway17kenora.ca.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: SECTION 3 BETWEEN RUSH BAY ROAD AND KENORA

1. What is the purpose of the Planning and Preliminary Design phase?

The Planning and Preliminary Design phase will establish the location of the four-lane divided highway corridor, considering stakeholder feedback, engineering standards, area community and businesses and the natural environment. The purpose of the study for Section 3 is to identify and protect a preferred corridor for a four-lane divided highway between Rush Bay Road and Kenora. Route planning and preliminary design has begun with the development of corridor alternatives for Section 3.

2. What is the current status of the Section 3 Planning Study?

Prior to the PIC sessions held in May 2010, the project team carried out an evaluation on the long-list corridor alternatives to determine which to carry forward for further analysis. The evaluation process considered the advantages and disadvantages of each corridor alternative against a range of evaluation factors (Socio-economic environment, natural environment, cultural environment and transportation). On this basis, a number of alternatives were carried forward for further consideration and others were not. No decision has been made on which alternative should be selected overall.

3. How can I provide input on the project if I was unable to attend the PIC sessions held in May?

In response to wide public interest, an additional PIC session will be held on Saturday July 24, 2010, in order to ensure that seasonal property owners, businesses and residents within the study area have a further opportunity to review corridor alternatives locally and provide input. Further information on the PIC location and format are provided in the attached notification. The material available at the PIC will be similar to what was presented at the previous sessions. If you are unable to attend the PIC and wish to review PIC display material or provide comments regarding the project, please visit our project website. Project information is also available at the MTO Offices in Kenora during office hours (808 Robertson St., Kenora).

4. Why are you considering twinning on the south side of the highway?

It is a common practice to consider all potentially feasible route alternatives as part of the Environmental Assessment process. A component of this process is to assess and evaluate potential alternative methods of carrying out the project (i.e. different Highway 17 four-laning route alternatives). Due to the complexity of constraints within the Clearwater Bay area, a number of potential corridor alternatives are being considered, including corridors north and south of the existing highway. This could include retaining the existing highway as the eastbound or westbound lanes in the future scenario. A decision on which alternative will be selected has not been made and is subject to analysis and consideration as part of the corridor evaluation process. The intent of this evaluation process is to determine a recommended alternative based on a range of factor areas and varying stakeholder perspectives.

5. Will twinning on the north side of the highway have less natural environmental impact on the Lake of the Woods area than twinning on the south side?

All of the corridor alternatives will have some environmental impact within the Clearwater Bay area, although the degree and type of impact will vary. The north-most corridor alternatives (SW-1, NW-1 and NE-2) were screened out partially due to high potential impacts to undisturbed forest, wildlife habitat and a poor crossing of Deception Creek. It is recognized that there are other environmental impacts associated with twinning to the south and this will be taken into consideration in the assessment and evaluation process for these lternatives. A decision on which alternative will be selected has not been made and is subject to analysis and consideration as part of the corridor evaluation process. The intent of this evaluation process is to determine a recommended alternative based on a range of factor areas and varying stakeholder perspectives.

6. What is the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) “Clearwater Bay Restricted Area Order”?

The MNR Clearwater Restricted Area Order (‘the Order”) is a development restriction policy subject to Section 13 (Restricted Areas) of the Public Lands Act. The Order was put in place in 1991 to ensure that additional development on private lands within the Restricted Area will not negatively impact water quality and lake trout habitat. The Order was put in place by MNR as a result of the conclusions from water quality studies conducted between 1984 and 1987.

7. What impact will the MNR “Clearwater Bay Restricted Area Order” have during the selection of alignment alternatives and preferred alignment?

The Order provides guidelines intended to set out minimum dimensions of lots, the minimum setback from any lakeshore, and other factors governing development in the Clearwater Bay area. Although MTO transportation facilities are not subject to the Order, they are subject to the requirements of the Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Transportation Facilities (2000). For more information on this process please see the project website. The importance of the lakeshore is recognized by MTO and through the assessment and evaluation of highway route alternatives, the project team will work to respect the intent of the Order by minimizing potential impacts to Lake of the Woods water quality. A decision on which corridor alternative should be selected has not yet been made.

8. Why did you post a sign on my entrance?

Public Notice signs were posted at entrances along Highway 17 throughout the study area. The purpose of this exercise was to gather information regarding the use of existing accesses and to inform property owners and entrance users of the study.

9. Will you be closing my entrance?

In order to improve highway safety and operations, it is necessary to review the existing accesses as part of the proposed highway improvements and determine if the number of entrances can be reduced. This will be accomplished by consolidating some accesses, and by closing redundant and/or unused entrances. Access to all properties in the study area will still be provided, although some existing accesses may be combined with adjacent accesses. As the study progresses, the project team will review the need to close or consolidate accesses on an individual basis. If you are currently using one or more entrance road(s) within the study area it is important that you communicate this to the Ministry of Transportation Kenora District Office – Corridor Management (Phone: 807-468-2762).

10. What will happen to my entrance?

Existing accesses may be consolidated with other access and/or relocated to tie in to the improved highway alignment. After initial construction, accesses will be configured as either right-in/right-out intersections, or intersections with a median crossover. Intersections with a median crossover will provide access to both east- and westbound Highway 17. Right-in/right-out intersections will provide access to and from one direction only, with U-turn movements permitted at median crossovers. Intersection type and location will be determined by a number of factors, including safety, traffic operations, geometric design requirements, topography, land use and other constraints.

11. Will I have direct access to the highway?

As described above, highway improvements will include a reduction of the number of accesses in order to improve highway safety and operations. Thus, some existing direct accesses from the highway will be combined with other accesses and/or relocated; unused or redundant accesses may be closed. Access treatments will be determined on an individual basis as the study progresses.

12. Will the section of old highway alignment along Deception Creek be impacted by the project?

As the project progresses, the project team will be considering design refinements to reduce potential impacts to a section of abandoned highway along Deception Creek, which although is not a designated trail, is frequently used by property owners in the area.

13. Will future Public Information Centres be held during the cottaging season?

If not, how will seasonal property owners be provided opportunity to review and comment on project progress? As noted under ‘next steps’ below, there are a number of steps for the project team to undertake prior to selecting a preferred route and presenting it at the next PIC. The current project schedule has the next PIC tentatively scheduled for early October. We recognize that this may not be ideal for seasonal residents and will work to ensure advanced notice is provided and all of the material is available on the project website. Ministry and consultant staff are available at any time to discuss project details. Please see the attached notification for key project contact information (Mr. Neil Ahmed, MRC and Mr. Dan Preley, MTO). Comments can also be submitted through the project website at www.4lanehighway17kenora.ca.

14. Are there opportunities for members of the community to be involved in the decision making process?

The project team welcomes input from stakeholders throughout the process. We encourage you to inform others who may have an interest in the study to contact us or review information on the project website. In addition to holding PICs to solicit stakeholder input, comments can be received through the project website and key project contacts for the duration of the study.

15. When will the final preferred four-lane highway alignment be selected?

The project team is in the process of obtaining further background information and conducting further field investigations before the short-list assessment and evaluation process can be completed. As additional background information regarding the study area is collected, route alternatives within the short-list corridor alternatives will be developed and refined. The purpose of this process is to ensure that the constraints and challenges associated with each of the short-list corridor alternatives are known prior to the evaluation of route alternatives and selection of a preferred route. It is anticipated that the process of selecting a preferred route will be completed in the fall of 2010.

16. How will stakeholder comments influence the selection of the preferred four-lane highway alignment?

As discussed previously, the evaluation process considers the advantages and disadvantages of each corridor / route alternative against a range of evaluation factors (Socio-economic environment, natural environment, cultural environment and transportation). Local knowledge and feedback from stakeholders on project elements provides supporting information that is used in the assessment and evaluation process. The objective of this evaluation process is to find a balance between all factors under consideration.

17. What are the next steps for the Section 3 Planning Study?

Based on the current project schedule, the next steps include:

• Holding an additional PIC session on July 24, 2010, with notification in the Kenora Daily Miner and News, Lake of the Woods Enterprise, Sioux Lookout Wawatay News and the Winnipeg Free Press.
• Considering input received and refining routes accordingly.
• Undertaking further data collection and field investigations and refining routes accordingly.
• Confirming locations of route alternatives and determining access treatments.
• Identifying a preferred route.
• Holding a Public Information Centre in the fall of 2010.
• Identifying long-term highway improvements and property requirements.
• Completing Preliminary Design of the preferred route.
• Holding a Public Information Centre in mid-2011.
• Completing Transportation Environmental Study Report(s) and filing for public review in the fall of 2011.

18. When will the MTO construct a four-lane divided highway between Rush Bay Road and Kenora?

There is no current funding or scheduling commitment to proceed with design and construction of Section 3.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: SECTIONS 1 AND 2 BETWEEN THE MANITOBA / ONTARIO BORDER AND RUSH BAY ROAD

19. When will the design be completed for the four-laning between the Manitoba/Ontario border and Rush Bay Road?

It is anticipated that the design will be completed during 2010. Information regarding the detail design study is available on the project website at www.4lanehighway17kenora.ca.

20. When will the MTO construct a four-lane divided highway between the Manitoba/Ontario border and Rush Bay Road?

Construction will commence during 2010 conditional upon obtaining environmental approvals.

21. What will be constructed along this section of highway?

A four-lane divided highway with at-grade intersections.

JUNE 30 – In response to widespread public interest and pressure, MTO has agreed to an additional information session to present various corridor alternatives for the study area to concerned property owners.

Location: McKenzie Clearwater Fire Hall

Time: 10 am to 4pm

Date: Saturday, July 24, 2010

A brief presentation providing a study overview will take place at: 10am, 11am, 1pm and 3pm.

If you are unable to attend this session or wish to review PIC#2 display material, please visit the project website at www.4lanehighway17kenora.ca for details.

Twinned Highway 17 brings good news and cause for concern

Dear LOWDPOA Member:

We can all agree the time has come to twin Highway 17 from the Manitoba border through to Kenora. Safety will be improved for both seasonal traffic heading to and from the lake region, and for those travelling coast to coast on our national highway.

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) recently held two public information sessions, one in Kenora and one at the McKenzie Portage Clearwater Bay Firehall and it was clear that suggested routes for the new highway raised grave concerns from those in the built up areas close to the existing highway.

Because these sessions were held during the week, many affected property owners were unable to attend and share their views. As part of the Association’s role to ensure our members are informed of issues related to us, we feel it is critical you are made aware of impending changes and given the opportunity to share your concerns with the MTO.

To that end, we suggest you go to www.4lanehighway17kenora.ca for project details along with contact information for you to send your comments. We have also included contact information below. As is often the case, many voices can have a great impact so it is important you share your concerns before final decisions are made in the planning process.

Please be aware that LOWDPOA has formally requested a third information session to be held on a weekend to allow for a broader review by affected property owners, but no decision has been forthcoming. We have also proposed strongly that the highway, ‘go north’, away from the built up areas and away from the lake due to the impact to property owners and the environment as a result of construction and effects of major transportation routes.

We will continue to keep you informed as the project progresses.

Susan McLeod, LOWDPOA Executive Director
807-548-4337
susan.mcleod@lowdpoa.com

Consultant Project Manager
Mr. Neil Ahmed, McCormick Ranking Corp.
2655 N. Sheridan Way
Mississauga, ON L5K 2P8
nahmed@mrc.ca

Ministry of Transportation Ontario
Mr. Dan Preley, Senior Project Engineer
615 James St. South
Thunder Bay, ON P7E 6P6
Dan.Preley@ontario.ca

• HWY Expansion »
• LOWDPOA letter of concern »

Section 3 – Short List of Corridor Alternatives and

Section 3 – Segment B Conceptual Route Alignments ( 2 plans) are now available at the Kenora Ministry of Transportation office.

The Pellatt United Firefighters (PUFF) was established in 1984 and provides fire protection and emergency medical first response services to the unincorporated townships of Pellatt, Gidley, Umbach and Pelican. It also provides mutual aid to adjoining fire departments. PUFF is a charitable corporation run as a not for profit organization by an elected Board of Directors. It provides the services through a dedicated team of unpaid volunteer fire fighters and community members who sit on the board. The fire team practices every Tuesday year round.

Our Problem

• Voluntary contributions, revenue earned by the fire team and fund-raising activities currently finance our operations.
• An estimated 1000 properties are protected and mailed a request for a contribution annually. Approximately 30-40% of these property owners are currently contributing.
• Fund-raising activities take up a considerable amount of volunteer fire fighter and board time. This time could be better spent on the fire department’s operational issues.

Solution

We must generate funds in an equitable manner from all those who benefit to ensure the survival of the Pellatt United Firefighters.

Mechanism

A Local Services Board would provide the mechanism to collect the funds required to maintain and upgrade fire protection services. The financial burden would be shared by all property owners who benefit from the services. The formation of a Local Services Board would also provide a mechanism to apply for government grants to offset operating costs and assist with capital improvements.

Important Dates

Public Information Meetings: Notice of Meetings »

• Wednesday, June 16, Pellatt Community Centre, 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, July 17, Pellatt Community Centre, 7:00 p.m.

Vote: Saturday, August 14, Pellatt Community Centre, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
If you support fire fighting in our four townships, please come out and vote “YES” to form a Local Services Board.

The revisions to the RAO improve fairness and options to affected property owners, while continuing to protect the waters of Clearwater Bay.
See the attached document to review the revised guidelines in their entirety.

In June 2009 LOWDPOA declared it’s Vision:To preserve one of the most beautiful places on earth as a high quality environment for future generations to enjoy. Less than one year later, we are proud to present this practical guide as a means for each member to embrace our purpose and make the right choices as they enjoy their time at the lake.

Fewer people have a better opportunity to observe the effects of human activities and pollution than cottagers, many of whom return each year to the same location and whose knowledge of the local area may have been passed down for generations. With over half a million cottages in Canada,we can have quite a positive, or negative, impact on the environment.

We hope you find this new publication to be interesting,informative, and filled with practical ideas you can put into action today. Share it with your family and guests – let them know how much you care about your little piece of heaven.

Let’s take the first step and Live Green at the Lake.

http://www.invadingspecies.com/indexen.cfm

Summer Student Outreach PDF

Dear LOWDPOA Member:

As part of our continuing efforts to inform LOWDPOA members of issues potentially impacting their properties and overall ‘lake life’, please find attached further information regarding the proposed commercial expansion of Northern Harbour Marina in Pine Portage Bay.  Please note that this information was received directly from Northern Harbour and is being forwarded to you in its entirety. We’d also appreciate you sharing this email with friends and neighbours as we don’t have contacts for everyone in the area and appreciate your help.

LOWDPOA has been keeping abreast of the project and informing concerned property owners as information becomes available.  Because many of you are no longer at your cottages this time of year, we (the Association) felt it was important to share the details through our email channels directly to those members in the area.

If you download the Northern Harbour Development Comment Sheet ,you will find one of the pages is a request for comments.  If you choose to respond, please ensure you cc both Susan McLeod and Abby Anderson at the Kenora District Office of the Ministry of Natural Resources – Abby Anderson directly if you have any questions or concerns.

Download Northern Harbour Documents:

• NH Development Comment Sheet »
• NH Development Info Sheet »
• NH Development Letter »
• NH Dock Expansion - Feb10 »
• Public Letter » – Posted on Sunday 28th March 2010

Yours from The Lake,

Susan

Susan McLeod, Executive Director

Lake of the Woods District Property Owners Association

T: 807-548-4337
F: 807-548-4347

For approval of a Plan of Subdivision

Clauses 51(19,4)(a) and (20)(a) of the Planning Act

The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing has received Application No. 60-T-09001 for approval of a plan of subdivision in respect of lands described as Lots 8 – 15, Plan 23M-942 and Part of Mining Locatiton K-7 on Hay Island, Lake of the Woods in the Unorganized Area, District of Kenora. The proposed subdivision is approximately 62 hectares in size, and would permit the creation of 11 seasonal residential lots, ranging in size from 1.9 hectares to 12.8 hectares. Private services (individual septic systems and surface water) are proposed. The proposed lots would be accessible by water only.

The proposed plan is a re-subdivision of 8 lots created in 2006 under Ministry File No. 60-T-04001. The proponent is now proposing to re-subdivide the 8 lots into a total of 11 lots, thereby creating 3 additional seasonal residential lots.

The purpose of this notice is to inform the public of the nature of the application, invite public input, advise on how to me comments on the application and advise the public of future notification and appeal rights.

Inquiries and Written Submissions can be made to Ellen Cramm, Planner at 807-473-3025 (Thunder Bay) or 1-800-465-5027, or fax 807-475-1196 or at the address below. Information about the application is also available to the public during regular office hours at the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Northwestern Municipal Services Office, 435 South James St., Ste 223, Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7E 6S7

Appeal of a decision of the Minister in respect of the proposed plan of subdivision may be made by any person or public body not later than 20 days after notice of the decision is given. If you wish to be notified of the decision of the Minister in respect of the proposed Plan of subdivision, you must make a written request to the Minister at the above address.

If a person or public body does not make oral submissions at a public meeting, if one is held, or make written submissions to the Minister in respect of the proposed plan of subdivision before the Ministers or refused to give approval to the draft plan of subdivision, the person or public body is not entitles to appeal the decision of the Minister to the Ontario Municipal board.

If a person or public body does not make oral submissions at a public meeting, if one is held, or make written submissions to the Minister in respect of the proposed plan of subdivision before the Ministers or refuses to give approval to the draft plan of subdivision, the person or public body may not be added as a party to the hearing of an appeal before the Ontario Municipal Board unless, in the opinion of the Board, there are reasonable grounds to do so.

As of January 1^st, 2010, all waters of Lake of the Woods other than the Whitefish Bay and Clearwater Bay areas described below:

• Lake trout season open from January 1^st to September 30^th;
• Lake trout catch and possession limit is zero for both Sport fish Licence and Conservation Licence.

Whitefish Bay consisting of Regina, Snake, Boot, Ghost, Brule, Devils, Atikaminke, Camp, Cloverleaf, Log, Reedy, Willow and Sammons Bays and Knickerbocker, Louis, Cross, Alfred Inlets:

• Lake trout season open from January 1^st to September 30^th;
• Fish or fish parts may not be used as bait from January 1^st to the Friday before the 3^rd Saturday in May;
• Only barbless hooks may be used from January 1^st to the Friday before the 3^rd Saturday in May;
• Sport fish Licence lake trout catch of one per day, possession limit of 2, not more than 1 greater than 65cm (25.6 in); and Conservation Licence catch and possession limit of 1 lake trout any size.

Clearwater Bay consisting of waters of Clearwater Bay, Echo Bay, and Cul de Sac Lake:

• Fish or fish parts may not be used as bait;
• Only barbless hooks may be used and for lake trout only one barbless hook may be used;
• Lake trout season open from 3^rd Saturday in May to September 30^th;
• Lake trout catch and possession limit is zero for both Sport fish Licence and Conservation Licence, except for tag holders;
• Contact Kenora MNR office for details on lake trout tags.

You can also download a PDF document with the latest Fishing Regulations>>

For more information, contact:

• Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
  Kenora District Office
  808 Robertson Street
  Kenora, ON       P9N 3X9
  807 468-2501