The proposed construction of a large powerhouse and dredging of the riverbed will bring no measurable benefit to our town and may cause irreversible environmental and economic damage, including: - increased destruction of the upriver wetland forest at Appleton - a huge and unsightly power house taking up 1/3 of the current river bed across from the Barley Mow in central Almonte; - increased flooding through narrowing of the river channel – the river could flood the post office parking lot and run down Mill Street; - ugly steel fences and large signs in the river and on the banks, which would be required if new turbines are put into the project; - industrial-level noise 24 hours per day, 7 days per week; - restricted access to the river for swimming, fishing and boating; - destruction of the upper-level cascading falls, a central factor in the town’s beauty, through dredging and the building of large weirs; - the noise and inconvenience of hoe-ramming and/or blasting a substantial portion of the riverbed in central Almonte and consequent damage to homes and heritage buildings; - substantial damage to its tourist potential and quality of living.