Tag Archives: proposed

Making Regulations under Subsection 36(5.2) of the Fisheries Act – ORA Submission

By Linda Heron on Saturday, March 22nd, 2014
Posted in Fisheries Act, ORA Submissions, Regulatory, Regulatory Submissions, Rivers at Risk

Lake Sturgeon

Excerpt:
“ORA respectfully offer our comments as prescribed in the Canada Gazette as listed above.

The proposed Regulations Establishing Conditions for Making Regulations under Subsection 36(5.2) of the Fisheries Act (Regulation) fundamentally alters the intent and enforceability of one of Canada’s most important federal laws. There has also been no meaningful, transparent and open process, or effort made to consult with the general public and stakeholders. As a result of the Government of Canada’s failure to consult with Canadians and those with expertise on this issue, both the Regulation and the supporting Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement are seriously flawed.

The sweeping changes to the Fisheries Act which were introduced in 2012 have weakened one of Canada’s most important and effective water and fisheries protection laws. This has provided opportunities for government to exempt industrial and resource development from federal rules.

The proposed Regulation lacks clarity and consistency, and amounts to an abdication of its federal responsibly for protecting fish, habitat and waterways in Canada. The contradictory regulatory scheme would make it impossible for any government regulator to fulfill the purpose of the Act, which is to “provide for the sustainability and ongoing productivity of commercial, recreational and Aboriginal fisheries”….. Continue reading →

Proposed Amendments to the Class EA for Waterpower – ORA Requests

By Linda Heron on Sunday, July 21st, 2013
Posted in Class EA for Waterpower, ORA Submissions, Regulatory, Regulatory Submissions, Rivers at Risk, Studies & Reports

Excerpt:

“Concern:

ORA and our members have repeatedly met with resistance and secrecy from developers who are relying on the assurances of a pre-approved environmental assessment process – telephone calls not returned, information not provided, and consistently told by developers that “you can’t stop the project – it is a done deal”.

It is unacceptable that the public has had to deal with such arrogance, resistance, deception, and an overall lack of disclosure of vital aspects of the project until the ER is issued.  Our members have used the formal Freedom of Information process to obtain relevant details, only to be met with an appeal by the proponent when ordered to provide the documentation.

This attitude has created an environment of mistrust which in the end only delays and lengthens the process.”

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Ontario Resurrects Proposed Great Lakes Protection Act As Part Of Larger Great Lakes Strategy

By Linda Heron on Wednesday, March 6th, 2013
Posted in Algae, Articles, Great Lakes Protection Act, Invasive Species, Media, Regulatory

On February 25, 2013, Ontario’s Minister of the Environment, Jim Bradley, re-introduced the Great Lakes Protection Act, the government’s first major step in implementing its Great Lakes Strategy released in December 2012. Given the central role that the Great Lakes play in the lives of the majority of Ontarians, it is expected that the Great Lakes Strategy and proposed Act will play a significant role in the province’s regulatory framework.

Background: Ontario’s Great Lakes Strategy (December 2012)

Amidst growing concerns about the effects of population growth, new chemicals of concern, invasive species, climate change, and other new challenges facing Ontario’s critically-important Great Lakes, the Government of Ontario began pursuing a “Great Lakes Strategy” in 2009 with the release of a discussion paper entitled “Healthy Lakes, Strong Ontario.” In June 2012, Ontario issued a draft version of the Great Lakes Strategy and engaged scientific experts and community stakeholders – including First Nations and Métis communities – in a series of public consultations. This process culminated in the Ontario Great Lakes Strategy report (GLS), released in December 2012.

To read the rest of this article, click here.

EBR 011-7696 – Proposed Approaches to the Implementation of the Endangered Species Act – Nottawasaga Steelheaders

By Linda Heron on Tuesday, February 26th, 2013
Posted in Endangered Species Act, Environmental Registry, ORA Submissions, Regulatory Submissions, Species at Risk

February 25th , 2013

Krista Adams
Senior Permits & Agreements Specialist
Ministry of Natural Resources
Policy Division
Species at Risk Branch
Permits and Agreements Section
300 Water Street , Floor 2
Peterborough Ontario  K9J8M5
Phone: (416) 326-1672
Fax: (705) 755-5483

Dear Ms Adams:

Re: EBR-011-7696 Proposed Approaches to the Implementation of the Endangered Species Act

The Nottawasaga Steelheaders is a volunteer group of anglers, conservationists and concerned residents who have been working in concert with The Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority, Ministry of Natural Resources and various communities to improve, rehabilitate and preserve the integrity of the Nottawasaga River watershed over the past twenty years years. Over this time we have committed tens of thousands of man-hours and hundreds of thousands of dollar in many beneficial programs. These have included the removable of numerous barriers to fish migration, undertaken countless garbage pick-ups, tree plantings, stream bank stabilizations, cold water delivery projects, spawning ground improvements and commitments to ensure the survival of wild species in this watershed such wild steelhead. Our organization was the first of its kind to undertake a comprehensive study to make uncover the genetic diversity of migratory rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Eighteen (18) distinct strains were found, each with its own set of co-adaptive gene complexes established over a hundred years. Recent studies including those at the University of Western Ontario have determined that that 35-40% of migratory Chinook salmon are of Nottawasaga River origin! This speaks highly of complex and delicate interdependent biodiversity which has taken hundreds if not thousands of years to establish in this watershed. This biodiversity and its interdependence in this watershed and across Ontario is something we know little about and should not be putting at risk with hasty decisions and without the input of Ontarians. It is OUR province with OUR resources and WE are responsible…not a few. Continue reading →

EBR 011-7696 – Proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act – FRDA to MNR

By Linda Heron on Tuesday, January 22nd, 2013
Posted in Endangered Species Act, Environmental Registry, Regulatory Submissions, Species at Risk

FRENCH RIVER DELTA ASSOCIATION
857 Hartley Bay Road
RR 2 Site 10 Comp 4
Alban, Ontario P0M 1A0

January 18, 2013

Krista Adams
Senior Permits & Agreements Specialist
Ministry of Natural Resources, Policy Division
Species at Risk Branch
Permits and Agreements Section
300 Water Street, Floor 2
Peterborough, Ontario
K9J 8M5

Dear Ms. Adams:

Re: EBR Registry Number: 011-7696, Proposed approaches to the implementation of the Endangered Species Act which could include regulatory amendments to authorize activities to occur subject to conditions set out in regulation consistent with MNR’s Modernization of Approvals

The proposed regulatory changes contained in EBR 011-7696 are vague and will not meet MNR’s responsibility to endangered species and their habitat maintenance and protection.
While the ambiguity of this MNR and provincial cabinet’s proposal will serve MNR’s and cabinet’s partners in the mining, energy, forestry, and aggregate industries, it will not meet the primary purpose of the Endangered Species Act which is to protect endangered and threatened species and their habitats required for survival.

It is intriguing to note that the spring 2012 budget proposed amendments to the Endangered Species Act. These proposed exemptions – circumvention of permitting requirements, and removal of deadlines for recovery planning – faced serious public opposition and the budget amendments to the ESA were dropped. To now reposition the budget amendments as regulatory changes, which require only cabinet approval, is irresponsible, misleading and shows the continuing disrespect that cabinet and the MNR have towards the public, and as importantly, endangered species and their habitats. Continue reading →

Capreol’s Potential Hydro Generation Project

By Linda Heron on Sunday, October 14th, 2012
Posted in Articles, Cedar Rapids, Dams, Media, River Concerns, Rivers at Risk, Vermilion River

This past week a company named WaterPower Group held a presentation for members of the Capreol Business Association, Capreol Community Action Network, and members of the Town at the Millenium Centre.  This group proposes to build a low head turbine dam on the Vermilion River near the rapids. Continue reading →