Neither organization offered specific details this week about a pole replacement project Hydro One is conducting in the corridor.

“In cooperation with the Hamilton Conservation Authority, we have started to lay down matting and other protective materials on the access road owned by the HCA. Weather permitting, the electrical work will begin next week,” Hydro One spokesperson Daffyd Roderick wrote in an email Wednesday afternoon.

Hydro One and conservation authority staff would not specifically comment on what measures were taken to mitigate the impact on wildlife in the area while Hydro crews are working there, or say if other options to access poles on the other side of Spencer Creek were considered.

“Hydro One is working in close cooperation with the Hamilton Conservation Area to ensure that all necessary and appropriate measures were taken. Perhaps you should call the HCA to discuss these questions,” Mr. Daffyd stated in an email.

But Kathy Menyes, HCA director of watershed planning and engineering, was not available for comment this week.

Temporary road A temporary road was constructed using interlocking blocks from Cootes Drive to Spencer Creek last month to allow Hydro One crews access to old hydro poles in that area of the hydro corridor.

To access poles on the other side of the creek, crews cleared an access road through HCA property during the summer. The authority had not approved entry to the property at that time of year, during bird nesting season, nor had they approved the extent of tree and vegetation removal that was done. The project was delayed while Environment Canada investigated. The Federal department issued a warning letter to Hydro One but did not press any charges.