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MNR’s Role in Public Safety Around Dams –An Overview

MNR’s Role in Public Safety Around Dams –An Overview Presentation to the Ontario Waterpower Association April 11, 2011 Biodiversity Branch Policy Division. The Allure of Water. We know that, from an early age, people are drawn to flowing water.

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MNR’s Role in Public Safety Around Dams –An Overview

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  1. MNR’s Role in Public Safety Around Dams –An Overview Presentation to the Ontario Waterpower Association April 11, 2011 Biodiversity Branch Policy Division

  2. The Allure of Water • We know that, from an early age, people are drawn to flowing water. • Further, people undertake challenging “feats”; and, people and their belongings often just get too close to dams.

  3. Public Safety Around Dams • The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) has many roles in ensuring the public’s safety around water control structures: • Regulator • Dam Owner • Resource Manager (e.g., waterpower, fisheries, wetlands, wildlife, riparian access, recreation opportunities). • MNR works with dam owners, other stakeholders and partners to provide stewardship of Ontario’s water resources, in a manner that is safe for the public, our employees and supports our environment, economic and social objectives.

  4. MNR’s Portfolio of Dams • The Ministry of Natural Resources is the largest single dam owner in the Province of Ontario: • Of the approximately 2600 dams in Ontario, MNR currently owns 391 dams or roughly 15% of dams in Ontario; • The next largest single dam owner is Ontario Power Generation with 241 dams or 9% of Ontario dams. • MNR dams are located all across Ontario: • -Southern Region: 216 (or roughly 55%) • -Northeast Region: 109 (or roughly 28%) • -Northwest Region: 66 (or roughly 17%) • Many of MNR’s dams have been • inherited as they were abandoned • on Crown land.

  5. Public Safety Around Dams Measures • MNR is demonstrating leadership as the operator of the largest number of dams in Ontario using: • Warning Signs • All MNR dams in the Southern Region have warning signs in place • Signs posted at highest priority sites in the Northeast and Northwest Regions • Safety Booms • Have been installed at the majority of MNR dams • Highest priority sites addressed first • Remaining low priority sites to be addressed as addition site work is complete • MNR will meet new Transport Canada requirements for yellow coloured booms as they are changed out through ongoing maintenance and repair • Barrel Buoys • Where appropriate barrel buoys are utilized to provided advance warning to boaters of nearby boating dangers

  6. Public Safety Around Dams Measures (cont’d.) • Pedestrian Fencing / Separation • Where necessary, fencing has been installed to restrict access onto the deck of dams, or separate walkways constructed to permit access across the waterway, while controlling access on dam decks. • Construction Standards • Railings and fall prevention measures at dams meet either OHSA (for employee) or Building Code (for public areas). • Dam Safety Guidelines (1999) • Used as “best management practices” for operation and management of dams, including development of Dam Operation, Maintenance and Surveillance Plans (OMS). • Dam Safety Reviews are recommended on a risk basis: • Detailed engineering inspections to review dam design, construction, maintenance and operation and other factors affecting safety; • Completed periodically in addition to routine maintenance and inspection. • Testing of Emergency Preparedness Plans • Staff plan for and undertake regular review/testing of emergency preparedness plans on MNR dams to assess and make improvements where necessary.

  7. Public Safety Around Dams Measures (cont’d.) • Cost of physical PSAD measures such as design and installation of booms is estimated at between $11,000* and $31,000*. • MNR has undertaken training of in excess of 400 staff on dam operator, tiger torch operation and winch maintenance.

  8. Staff Training • Employee Training • Staff receive classroom and field training on dam safety operations to: • Inspect dams and fishways for structural and public safety issues; • Identify issues and problems that may cause structural or safety hazards to the public; • Carry out their required work in a safe manner, consistent with the OHSA; • Undertake initial rescues of co-workers and self-rescue; and, • Conduct table top exercises for MNR dam emergency preparedness plans.

  9. Building Blocks of the Proposed Dam Safety Program Legislative Mandate Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act Provincial Policy LRIA Technical Guidelines Public Safety Infrastructure Design & Construction Infrastructure Management Information Management Program Objectives Public Safety Measures Hazard Classification Operations Compliance Monitoring Program Components Public Safety Assessments Design Criteria Inspection Incident Reporting Emergency Preparedness Construction Standards Maintenance/ Remediation Data Collection/ Maintenance

  10. Public Safety Around Dams Proposed requirements for identifying and restricting access to public safety hazards around dams include: • Public Safety Assessments & Public Safety Measures Plan (Volume 4) • Assess hazards and develop a plan for mitigating or eliminating risks • Public Safety Measures (Volume 4) • Signs, fences and railings, safety booms and buoys • Emergency Preparedness Plans (Volume 3) • Outline notification and other emergency procedures

  11. We’ve Come a Long Way…But There is Still Much Work to Do • Dam owners, MNR, power producers and others have done much to improve safety for the public around dams. These improvements not only reduce the exposure to liability, but more importantly will protect people from unnecessary injuries and or fatalities which is an everlasting loss to the affected families and to society.

  12. Online Resources Building on the excellent work started by Ontario Power Generation, MNR has developed online resources to educate the public about the dangers around dams and related information: • Public Safety Around Dams website http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/Water/index.html • Dam Failure fact sheet • ontario.ca/emeregncymanagement • Landowner’s Guide to Removing Small Dams in Ontario fact sheet • ontario.ca/dams -Lastly the Environmental Registry site for review and commenting on Technical Guidelines and Requirements for Approval under the LRIA (Registry No. 011-1306) http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/Water/2ColumnSubPage/STDPROD_066987.html

  13. Thank You • Jennifer Keyes: jennifer.keyes@ontario.ca • Oliver Pastinak: oliver.pastinak@ontario.ca • Great Lakes & Water Policy Section: mnrwaterpolicy@ontario.ca • Website: ontario.ca/dams • Environmental Registry Posting: Registry No. 011-1306 • http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/Water/2ColumnSubPage/STDPROD_066987.html

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