Background

The Township of Muskoka Lakes completed an environmental assessment under the Environmental Assessment Act to identify the preferred method of improvement for the Bala Falls Road Bridge. The preferred alternative is replacement. The study area is as shown in the key map.

Study Process

The Class EA Study followed the planning process for Schedule B projects as described in the Municipal Class EA document for Municipal Roads Projects (2000), published by the Municipal Engineers Association and Revised in 2007, 2011, and 2015. The findings of the Class EA process have been documented in the Project File Report.

Online review of the project file report is being offered HERE.

Interested members of the public have an opportunity to view the project file report including associated studies. If you are unable to view the report you may contact the project team to make alternate arrangements to view the file, via the contacts identified below. Interested persons are encouraged to review the report and provide written comments to the Township within the 30-day review period, October 21, 2021 to November 22, 2021, directed to the project contacts below:

Project Contacts

Owner – Township of Muskoka Lakes
1 Bailey Street, P.O. Box 129, Port Carling, ON P0B 1J0
Tim Sopkowe, C.E.T.
Public Works Technician
tsopkowe@muskokalakes.ca | (705) 765-3156 x251

Consultant – Tatham Engineering Limited
8 Barron Drive, Bracebridge, ON P1L 0A1
Emma Wilkinson, H.B.A., B.E.Sc., P.Eng
Project Manager
ewilkinson@tathameng.com | (705) 645-7756 x2101

Requests should specify what kind of order is being requested (request for additional conditions or a request for an individual/comprehensive environmental assessment), how an order may prevent, mitigate or remedy potential adverse impacts on Aboriginal and treaty rights, and any information in support of the statements in the request. This will ensure that the ministry is able to efficiently begin reviewing the request. In addition, a request may be made to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks for an order requiring a higher level of study (i.e. requiring an individual/comprehensive EA approval before being able to proceed), or that conditions be imposed (e.g. require further studies), only on the grounds that the requested order may prevent, mitigate or remedy adverse impacts on constitutionally protected Aboriginal and treaty rights. Requests on other grounds will not be considered. Requests should include the requester contact information and full name.

The request should be sent in writing or by email to both:

Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks
777 Bay Street, 5th Floor
Toronto ON M7A 2J3
minister.mecp@ontario.ca

Director, Environmental Assessment Branch
Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks
135 St. Clair Ave. W, 1st Floor
Toronto ON, M4V 1P5
EABDirector@ontario.ca

Requests should also be sent to the Township of Muskoka Lakes by mail or by e-mail. Please visit the ministry’s website for more information on requests for orders under section 16 of the Environmental Assessment Act at: https://www.ontario.ca/page/class-environmental-assessments-section-16-order. All personal information included in your request – such as name, address, telephone number and property location – is collected, under the authority of section 30 of the Environmental Assessment Act and is collected and maintained for the purpose of creating a record that is available to the general public. As this information is collected for the purpose of a public record, the protection of personal information provided in the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) does not apply (s.37). Personal information you submit will become part of a public record that is available to the general public unless you request that your personal information remain confidential.

This Notice issued October 21, 2021.

Information will be collected in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record.