Due to the drastic decline…

Due to the drastic decline of American eels in Ontario as documented at the ladder at Moses Saunders dam, an immediate action is needed to ensure that they are not lost from Ontario. The government response statement outlines a good path forward for research and planning, but it fails to call for sufficient short-term actions. The response statement should be revised as follows:

  • Revise Action 7 to require specific and immediate reductions in the mortality of adult eels as they migrate through hydropower facilities. This should be included as an immediate action and not delayed.

 • Revise Action 8 to require immediate provision of upstream passage (e.g., eel ladders) for juvenile eels at barriers in the lower reaches of rivers in Ontario, especially the Ottawa River including the Carillon Generating Facility at the base of the Ottawa River. The ladder could be placed in the Ontario owned part of the dam for now and if future studies suggest  a better location for a ladder, it could be added in the future. There are 2 ladders on each side of the St. Lawrence River at the Moses Saunders dam. There is no time to wait for more studies of the best location to put a ladder at Carillon or the eels will be extinct. Studies have shown that there are many eels trying to get around the Carillon dam. Since a ladder has recently been placed at the next facility up the Ottawa River at Chaudiere dam, it only makes sense to provide a ladder at Carillon as soon as possible.

 • Under Action 9, commit to reviewing hydropower mitigation plans for American Eel, and requiring revisions or revoking exemptions when hydropower producers fail to take reasonable steps to reduce the adverse effects of hydropower facilities on the species.

[Original Comment ID: 211897]