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1 1 W ednesday, Septem ber 7, 2011 O A K V ILLE B EA V ER w w w .in sid eH A LTO N .co m With funding coming from f Hydro One, the Ms Nation o Ontario (MNO) and Conservation Halton will build an upland forest in Oakville. The project will establish 25 hectares of green space in the Glenorchy Conservation Area, as part of Hydro Ones Bruce to Milton Biodiversity Initiative. The project will expand the existing adjacent forest associated with Sixteen Mile Creek and will replicate its natural topography, habitats and ecological functions in order to create a continuous green space for local wildlife. Tree species planted will include Sugar Maple, American Beech and various species of oak, hickory and ash. The trees species were selected for their significant ceremonial and medicinal uses. The Ms commu- nity members and elders will pro- vide direction and advice to ensure those species are important to the broader community. The Biodiversity Initiative is a mitigation approach that works to create and enhance natural habitat in partnership with First Nations and Ms communities and com- munity-based organizations. It is Hydro Ones new approach, away from its traditional compensation of replacing woodlots, area for area, when constructing new high-volt- age transmission lines. "We are very proud of the Biodiversity Initiative and the opportunity it provides us to enhance the natural habitat and give back to communities as we modernize the electricity transmis- sion system," said Laura Formusa, president and CEO, Hydro One Inc., in a press release. "Partnering with the MNO and Conservation Halton means that community val- ues are reflected in the mitigation process, helping to ensure success while making sure Hydro One can deliver the electricity Ontario needs." "Hydro One and MNO have been working closely for the past three years on the Bruce to Milton Project and we are extremely proud of the strong relationship we have devel- oped. Hydro One's unique approach to biodiversity has enabled MNO to partner with Conservation Halton and collaborate on what promises to be a groundbreaking biodiversity initiative. This is the first of its kind for the MNO, and we are very proud to share this success with Hydro One and Conservation Halton," said Gary Lipinski, president of the MNO, in the release. The local project is part of a wider initiative that will see Hydro One provide funding to implement 22 locally-designed biodiversity initiatives, this year. This will restore and enhance about 380 hectares of habitat and ensure a net gain of woodlot and wildlife habitat within four watersheds crossed by a new transmission line. The new line will remove approximately 280 hectares of woodlots. The 180 km double-circuit 500 kV transmission line from Kincardine to Milton will transfer more than 3,000 megawatts of clean and renewable power from the Bruce area to southern Ontario. This is also the largest expansion to Ontarios transmission system in 20 years. The new line is planned for service by the end of 2012. d l bl h fHy ro One, Ms, Conservation Ha ton to esta is orest