MNR’s Role in Public Safety Around Dams –An OverviewPresentation to the Ontario Waterpower Association

April 11, 2011

Biodiversity BranchPolicy Division

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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.

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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.

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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 beeninherited as they were abandonedon Crown land.

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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

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Public Safety Around Dams Measures (cont’d.)

Pedestrian Fencing / SeparationWhere 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 StandardsRailings 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 PlansStaff plan for and undertake regular review/testing of emergency preparedness plans on MNR dams to assess and make improvements where necessary.

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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.

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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.

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Building Blocks of the Proposed Dam Safety ProgramLakes and Rivers Improvement Act

LRIA Technical Guidelines

Public SafetyInfrastructure

Design & Construction

Emergency Preparedness

Hazard Classification

Design CriteriaPublic Safety Assessments

Public Safety Measures

Maintenance/ Remediation

Data Collection/ Maintenance

Inspection

Compliance Monitoring

Operations

Incident Reporting

Program Components

Program

Objectives

Provincial Policy

Legislative Mandate

Infrastructure Management

Information Management

Construction Standards

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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

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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.

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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 websitehttp://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

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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. 011-1306http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/Water/

2ColumnSubPage/STDPROD_066987.html