This Area may soon Disappear, if not for Your Help!


If this place looks familiar … Read on
A proposed HydroElectric development will drastically change High Falls on the Grassy River. The scenic beauty of these rapids and waterfall, only 23 km from downtown Timmins, will be lost forever as the river flow is forced into a large pipe to feed the turbine and generator. The falls, as we now know it, will cease to exist. The preliminary work has already started as an environmental screening process is now happening. Public input will be sought probably in early Spring 2008 or 2009 or 2010 or 2011 or 2012 - Who knows ?

If you want to do something about it or want more information please Email: GrassyRiver@gmail.com

High Falls Background Information Link



Google Map/Panoramio Showing Area of the Proposed Dam

Click for Google MAP


Send Us Your pictures and they will be included on the blog
Email pics to: GrassyRiver@gmail.com



Mar 31, 2008

Another Dam Project - Save the Ashlu River!

!!! WARNING !!!
!! THE FOLLOWING VIDEOS MAY BE VERY UPSETTING TO ALL VIEWERS !!

In British Columbia the Ashlu River joins the Squamish River

It's sad to see what they've done to this river

All about money - those involved should be ashamed

Youtube condensed version of the video - 4 minutes long



Here's a link to the full length version about 30min long and 60megs to download
Ashlu River Dam

Another great video by Save Our Rivers



Regards
Markus

Mar 28, 2008

Today's Timmins Daily Press "Nuclear project dwarfs Northern river power"

Article in today's Timmins Daily Press' Editorial Section by Grant Tunnicliffe
 
 

Nuclear project dwarfs Northern river power

Ontario has to decide if it favours nuclear power generation or not.

The headline announcement of a 3,500 Megawatt nuclear generating station for Ontario (The Toronto Star, March 14, 2008) makes a farce of destroying hundreds of waterfalls in Northern Ontario for the sake of meeting the province's increasing demand for electricity.

Why destroy all these beautiful natural resources when the province is set on nuclear energy?

Timmins is a good example of this dilemma.

It is slated to lose High Falls on the Grassy River, one of the most beautiful natural resources to be found within the city boundaries of any city or town in Ontario.

It is to be turned into to a small, private four-megawatt hydro generating station.

Both the 3,500-MW nuclear plant and the four-MW High Falls facility will feed power into the Ontario electrical grid system.

Are we going to destroy an awesome natural scenic waterfall with tremendous potential for both ecotourism and outdoor recreation opportunities in return for so little comparative power?

The harnessing of small waterfalls in Northern Ontario was proposed by the Ontario government four years ago, as a clean, environmentally-friendly method of collecting power from renewable energy sources and to replace our coal-fired generators.

Almost all of the 190 water sites identified are in Northern Ontario and are less than 10 Megawatts in size.

Wilderness canoeing organizations across the province are dismayed at the plan; particularly now that a nuclear giant is in the works that will dwarf all of the new waterfall projects.

I feel the loss of High Falls on the Grassy River in Timmins will be the most heartbreaking loss of all.

It is within the city boundaries and only 23 kilometres from downtown Timmins.

It should be preserved for future generations and made into a conservation area with good access for all to enjoy.

All concerned citizens in the Timmins area should plan to attend a public meeting to be announced this spring.

The meeting is a requirement of the environmental screening process now in effect.

When the date is announced, come out and express your opinions about keeping High Falls in its natural environment.

For more information visit our website: www.savehighfalls.com.

Grant Tunnicliffe, on behalf of

Friends of High Falls

Article ID# 961188

Mar 27, 2008

More on the "Upper Pitt River" Hydroelectric Project

Perhaps "Friend of High Falls" should start changing tactics

For more info please visit OurRivers.Ca

We visit the heated meeting in Pitt Meadows that had to be shut down by the fire marshall and police. And another emotionally-charged affair in downtown Vancouver as hundreds marched to SFU's Work Centre for Dialogue--where private power promoters were meeting inside--to send a message that BC is a public power province.


Save Upper Pitt Video



Video of public meeting held March 2008



Video Rafe Mair Joins Battle to Save Our Rivers



More to come as this story unfolds

Regards
Markus

The tables are starting to turn :-)

 "Upper Pitt River" hydroelectric

Environment minister pulls plug on hydroelectric plan for Upper ...
BCLocalNews - Victoria,BC,Canada
Run of River's Power Inc.'s plans for producing hydro power in the Upper Pitt River valley just got a lot more expensive, if they proceed at all. ...
See all stories on this topic

Pitt project was bungled from the beginning
Vancouver Province - Vancouver,British Columbia,Canada
I'd just started writing today's column boldly predicting the Gordon Campbell government would pull the plug on the proposed Upper Pitt River power project ...
See all stories on this topic

Mar 26, 2008

Repost of the "Wabun Tribal Council Presentation to Timmins City Council March 10-2008"

The entire presentation and Question/Answers session with Timmins Town Council
Recorded by Timmins Cable - Personna Channel#3 - great job

The video has been divided into 10 sections ranging from 1 to 10 minutes in length total running time is about 27 minutes

01 - Introduction to Wabun Tribal Council's Shawn Batise


02 - Councilor Pat Bamford Q & A


03 - Councilor Kevin Curley Q & A


04 - Councilor Michael JJ Doody Q & A


05 - Councilor Denis Saudino Q & A - Lively discussion towards the end


06 - Councilor Jack Slattery Q & A


07 - Councilor Stephen Adams Q & A


08 - Councilor Billy Gvozdanovic Q & A


09 - Councilor Bamford/Tom Laughren Q & A


10 - Councilor Denis Saudino Q & A

Pic of the Day

Great shot of High Falls

Photo by Paul Brunet

Mar 24, 2008

Pic of the Day

Photo up at the Falls - taken last January

Photo by Lynn

Mar 23, 2008

Pic of the Day

Botom of Falls May 2005

Not much water flowing :-)

Photo by Henry

Mar 22, 2008

Ponder This

Just Say NO !!!!!!!!!

Pic of the Day

Shot taken near Dalton River Bridge on the Grassy - just below the powerline
You can just barely see an opening in the ice

Photo by Dennis P.

Mar 21, 2008

Pic of the Day

Photo up at top of Falls - May 2004

Photo by Markus

Mar 20, 2008

Pic of the Day

Shot near bottom of Falls May 2007

Photo by Markus

Mar 19, 2008

Pic of the Day

View of High Falls from the West side of the River Arpil 2007
Some shots are a little tricky in the winter time

Photo by Markus

Mar 18, 2008

Council should ignore request to remain silent

Today's Timmins Daily Press
 

Council should ignore request to remain silent on dam project

Mar 17, 2008

A Sad Pic of the Day

I know this isn't Grassy High Falls but I just wanted to show you what
a Run of the River Dam looks like

This one is on the Groundhog River and located about 23 km Upstream
from a town called Fauquier(located on highway 11)

The before picture was taken about 25 years ago and the after in the 90's

Run of River Dam Sounds a Heck of a lot nicer then it Looks

Photo by FOG

Letter to the Editors

The following letter to the editor was sent out to Timmins newspapers as well as seven others across Northern Ontario as well as the Toronto Star.


Letter to the Editor:

Ontario must decide where its electrical power will come from.  The headline announcement of a 3,500 Megawatt nuclear generating station for Ontario (The Toronto Star, March 14, 2008) makes a farce of destroying hundreds of waterfalls in Northern Ontario for the sake of meeting the province's increasing demand for electricity.  Why destroy all these beautiful natural resources when the province is set on nuclear energy?

The City of Timmins is a good example of this dilemma.  The City is slated to lose High Falls on the Grassy River, one of the most beautiful natural resources to be found within the city boundaries of any city or town in Ontario.  It is to be turned into to a small, private 4 Megawatt hydro generating station.

Both the 3,500 MW nuclear plant and the 4 MW High Falls facility will feed power into the Ontario electrical grid system.  Why are we going to destroy an awesome natural scenic waterfall with tremendous potential for both ecotourism and outdoor recreation opportunities in return for so little comparative power?

The harnessing of small waterfalls in Northern Ontario was proposed by the Ontario Government four years ago, as a clean, environmentally friendly method of collecting power from renewable energy sources and to replace our coal fired generators.  Almost all of the 190 water sites identified are in Northern Ontario and are less than 10 Megawatts in size.  Wilderness canoeing organizations across the province are dismayed at the plan; particularly now that a nuclear giant is in the works that will dwarf all of the new waterfall projects.

I feel the loss of High Falls on the Grassy River in Timmins will be the most heartbreaking loss of all.  It is within the city boundaries and only 23 km from downtown Timmins.  It should be preserved for future generations and made into a conservation area with good access for all to enjoy.

All concerned citizens in the Timmins area should plan to attend a public meeting to be announced this spring.  The meeting is a requirement of the environmental screening process now in effect.  When the date is announced, come out and express your opinions about keeping High Falls in its natural environment.

Grant Tunnicliffe

For more information visit our website: www.savehighfalls.com

Mar 16, 2008

Huge Nuclear Plant in Works

The first Nuclear Power Plant to be built in Ontario in more than 20 years

http://www.thestar.com/Business/article/346024

A 3,500-megawatt plant would be one of the largest nuclear projects in the world .........



Pic of the Day

Shot up near top of Falls - Not much water in May-2007

Photo by Markus

Timmins Council Meeting March 10th

Council meeting made it to the Sudbury Star

http://www.thesudburystar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=939036&auth=

Regards
Markus

Mar 12, 2008

Wabun Tribal Council Presentation to Timmins City Council March 10-2008

The entire presentation and Question/Answers session with Timmins Town Council
Recorded by Timmins Cable - Personna Channel#3 - great job

The video has been divided into 10 sections ranging from 1 to 10 minutes in length total running time is about 27 minutes

01 - Introduction to Wabun Tribal Council's Shawn Batise


02 - Councilor Pat Bamford Q & A


03 - Councilor Kevin Curley Q & A


04 - Councilor Michael JJ Doody Q & A


05 - Councilor Denis Saudino Q & A - Lively discussion towards the end


06 - Councilor Jack Slattery Q & A


07 - Councilor Stephen Adams Q & A


08 - Councilor Billy Gvozdanovic Q & A


09 - Councilor Bamford/Tom Laughren Q & A


10 - Councilor Denis Saudino Q & A

CTV Coverage of Wabun Presentation to Timmins City Council March 10-2008

Thanks CTV for the coverage
Friends of High Falls

Newspaper Coverage of the March 10th City of Timmins Council Meeting

Timmins Press
"Wabun asks city to leave hydroelectric projects alone"
http://www.timminspress.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=937856

Timmins Times
"Stay out of our Dam business"
http://specials.bowesonline.com/60/archives/issue1/default.html

Sault Star
"Keep oar out of hydroelectric power, Timmins told; Natives can steer own course:"
http://www.saultstar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=939518

Pic of the Day

High Falls Post 2010 ? Future Generations will be Very Disappointed with US

Photo by Markus

Mar 11, 2008

Pic of the Day

It's all about the MegaWatt$ or are we talking KiloWatt$

May 2007

Photo by Markus

Mar 10, 2008

Wabun Tribal Council Presentation on Grassy River High Falls Project to Timmins City Council

If you live in Timmins, see it on Channel #3 Tonight, March 10 at Approximately 7:00PM

OR BETTER YET - ATTEND THIS PUBLIC MEETING at Timmins City Hall

Key points of presentation
  • Ontario Waterpower Site Release Policy
  • First Nations involvement
  • Wabun Tribal Council's role
  • Partnership with proponent Wood Power Generation ( of Engleheart )
  • Technical data including estimated cost and energy output
  • Timeframe
Regards
Markus


Pic of the Day

High Falls - Feb 2-2008

2 MegaWatts or this beautiful view ? the choice is clear

Photo by Grant

Mar 9, 2008

Pic of the Day

Wild Dog Speaks Out Against Damaging his FAVORITE Canoe Route

JUST SAY NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Photo by Markus

Mar 8, 2008

Pic of they Day

Shot of Peterlong Dam - taken a few years ago

High Falls's Future ? JUST SAY NO !!!!!!!!!!!

Photo by Markus

Friday's missing Pic of the Day

Looks beautiful doesn't it ? let's help keep it this way

Photo by Lynn

Mar 6, 2008

The Blog has a New Address

Hi All,

The grassy river blog has a new and easier address - easier to type and easier to remember
Don't worry the old address will still work fine

The address can be typed in as savehighfalls.com you don't need to include the www.


Regards
Markus

Pic of the Day

Neat ice formations up at the falls

Photo by Paul R.

Mar 5, 2008

Pic of the Day

Photo looking down river from West side during Dec 2006

Photo by Markus

Mar 4, 2008

Pic of the Day

View looking down near bottom of Falls - April 2007
Again not much water = not much MW

Photo by Markus

Mar 3, 2008

Pic of the Day

This picture was taken during the excursion to the Falls on Jan 20th
in -33C weather

How cold was it ????? picture says it all

Photo by Markus

Should I Continue Doing "Pic of the Day" Poll is now closed

Hi All,

I guess  it's unanimous - "Pic of the Day" will continue

Thanks to all who voted

Regards
Markus

Mar 2, 2008

Pic of the Day

View looking down the falls on a very cold day (-33C) this past January

Photo by Lynn

Mar 1, 2008

Pic of the Day

Photos of the Rapids just below the Falls taken April 2007

Photo by Paul R.