Tabaret Rears its Ugly Head

The transfer of the Dam to Quebec for the purposes of Tabaret was already mentioned in the Kipawa Dam Operating Manual. The environmental assessment of the dam refurbishment did not even address this point.

Further, the dam is now being transferred in a renovated state: basically a cash transfer from the Taxpayers of CANADA to the province of Quebec.

This happens no where else that I know of.


The refurbished dam creates a more perfect diversion for the Tabaret Project. Note the Opemican Park NOTCH elsewhere on this site.

Once the tap is turned of that's it for the Kipawa, once mighty it becomes a dried out gulch.



For details read below:



No: T-452-06
COUR FÉDÉRALE
ENTRE:

LES AMIS DE LA RIVIÈRE KIPAWA,
incorporated as 1162209036 QUEBEC INC.
Plaintiff
and

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF CANADA and THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND GOVERNMENT SERVICES CANADA, THE MINISTER OF FISHERIES AND OCEANS, THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT, and
DAVID S. LAFLAMME CONSTRUCTION INC.
Defendant



Synopsis

This case involves a federal court application by Les Amis de la Rivière Kipawa for judicial review of a decision by Transport Canada and PWGSC to eliminate historic navigation rights on the Kipawa River at the location of the Laniel flood control dam in Laniel Quebec.


Note to long afterwards we see this:

Minister Fortier Confirms the Intention of the Government of Canada to Transfer Three Dams to the Government of Quebec


CCNMatthews; 8/24/2006




The Honourable Michael M Fortier, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, today announced the decision of the Government of Canada to transfer the management of three dams, located in the Temiscamingue region, to the Government of Quebec. Negotiations between the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec are expected to be finalized by the end of 2006.

"This transfer will allow the Government of Quebec to obtain an asset well-suited to its mandate to manage its own energy and natural resources, while allowing the federal government to focus on our federal priorities," said Minister Fortier, adding, "this is a concrete demonstration of the vision of federalism of the new Government of Canada".

The transfer of these dams is consistent with federal government policy to divest of assets that are not supportive of federal programs. Once the transfer takes place, the province will assume full responsibility for the operation, maintenance and improvements of the three dams.

The transfer of the Kipawa and Des Quinze Dams, along with the agreement to transfer Laniel, may take place in 2007. The Government has agreed to delay the actual transfer of the Laniel Dam to take place only when its reconstruction has been completed. The contract was awarded in November 2005 and the work is underway.

The transfer will include the reconstruction of the Laniel Dam, and a financial compensation from the Government of Canada. This compensation will represent the actual value of the capital costs to repair and operate the dams for a period of 20 years, which will allow the Government of Quebec to continue to operate, maintain and upgrade the three dams.

The three dams were all constructed by the Government of Canada between 1912 and 1914 to control water levels on the Ottawa River.

Ce texte est egalement disponible en francais.

BACKGROUNDER

TRANSFER OF THE LANIEL, KIPAWA AND DES QUINZE DAMS TO THE GOVERNMENT OF QUEBEC

The Government of Canada has confirmed the intention to transfer three dams in Temiscamingue to the Government of Quebec. The transfers of the Kipawa and Des Quinze dams will take place in early 2007, after the Government of Quebec has concluded its approval process. This transfer will include a financial compensation from the Government of Canada to allow the Government of Quebec to continue maintenance and upgrades of the dams. The federal government will complete a reconstruction project at Laniel Dam, currently underway, before the transfer of this dam takes place.

The federal government built the three dams in the early part of the twentieth century, to control the water level of the Ottawa River. They are all landmarks in their local communities and have benefited the local community and attracted tourists.

The Laniel Dam is located across the Kipawa River at the outlet of Kipawa Lake, in the town of Laniel, Quebec. It is a concrete gravity dam with two gates, approximately 31 metres in length. This dam was constructed between 1910 and 1912. Major repairs were undertaken on the deck, piers and abutments in 1988, 1993 and 1996. A contract was announced in November 2005 to rebuild the dam, for health and safety reasons. The contract was awarded to David S. Laflamme Construction Inc., and the work will likely be completed in 2008. The federal Government has agreed to ensure that this work is completed before the dam is transferred to the Government of Quebec.

The Kipawa Dam is across Gordon Creek at the outlet of Kipawa Lake in the town of Kipawa, Quebec. It is a concrete gravity dam with bottom gates and is about 10 meters long. This dam was built between 1910 and 1912. The roadway deck was rebuilt in 1993 and 1994. It has been regularly inspected, maintained and is in good condition.

The Des Quinze Dam is across the Ottawa River at the outlet of Quinze Lake, in the village of Angliers, Quebec. It is a concrete gravity dam complete with 19 gates measuring approximately 143 metres long. There is also a long dike on the north-west side and a secondary dike to the east. This dam was constructed between 1911 and 1914. It was later reconstructed in 1939 and 1940, just downstream of the old dam. The roadway deck was widened in 1990 and part of the operating deck was rebuilt. The remaining part of the operating deck was rebuilt in 1996 and 1997, leaving it in good condition.

All of these transfers will provide the Province a valuable natural resource that will benefit the people of Quebec.

SOURCE: Public Works and Government Services Canada


Office of Minister Fortier
Jean-Luc Benoit
Director of Communications
(819) 997-5421
Public Works and Government Services Canada
Media Relations
(819) 956-2315


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