Nature conservation should be central to Canada’s recovery from Covid-19 – Joint

By Linda Heron on Monday, July 13th, 2020

Posted in Government, Joint, Recovery Strategies

As we all work to emerge from this unprecedented disruption, our 235 organizations and millions of supporters want to emphasize that investments in nature and biodiversity on our lands and in our ocean can create jobs and be an essential part of an economic recovery and a sustainable future. Canada is in a particularly strong position to lead global efforts in this regard. We support your commitments to increase protection of lands, freshwater, and ocean, embrace nature-based climate solutions, and urge you to invest in achieving these outcomes.

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ERO-019-1749, Developing GRSs for nine Species at risk under the Endangered Species Act, 2007

By Linda Heron on Sunday, June 28th, 2020

Posted in Endangered Species Act, Environmental Registry, ORA Submissions, Recovery Strategies, Regulatory

This ERO proposal describes the GRSs as providing “stringent protections for species at risk and their habitats under the Endangered Species Act”, but how stringent are these protections when the legislation can be so easily set aside? This means that protection and recovery under the ESA is uncertain for all species at risk.

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ERO-019-1620 – Proposed amendment to a regulation under Endangered Species Act, 2007 relating to Forest Operations in Crown Forests

By Linda Heron on Thursday, June 18th, 2020

Posted in Endangered Species Act, Environmental Registry, Forest Management, ORA Submissions, Recovery Strategies, Regulatory

The wording in this Environmental Registry posting is very misleading when it claims that “Ontario is committed to providing strong protections for species at risk and improving outcomes by modernizing and improving the effectiveness of the Endangered Species Act, as committed to in our Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan”. This proposal is not improving the effectiveness of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), it is even doubtful it will increase the profits of private corporations. It will however be to the detriment of species at risk.

Please note that the Ontario government decision is to continue with the forestry industry exemption of the Endangered Species Act when logging in Crown forests: “A decision for this proposal has been published as a Bulletin under ERO 019-1995 on June 29, 2020.”

“Ontario has extended the temporary approach for forest operations conducted in Crown forests under the Endangered Species Act for an additional year. This will help avoid additional regulatory burden and economic strain on the forestry sector while a long-term approach is being considered.”

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Mattagami River – Little Long Dam Safety Project

By Linda Heron on Monday, April 27th, 2020

Posted in Dams, Energy, Fisheries, Hydroelectric, Industry, Lake Sturgeon, Little Long GS, Mattagami River, Mitigation, ORA Submissions, Recovery Strategies, River Concerns, Rivers at Risk, Species at Risk, Turbines

The effects of dams and hydroelectric facilities on fish populations and fisheries have been well documented over the past century and include the loss or serious decline of many iconic fish species, which are resources of importance to Ontario’s economy, biodiversity, and natural and cultural heritage.

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The Community Fisheries and Wildlife Involvement Program – Joint

By Linda Heron on Tuesday, April 23rd, 2019

Posted in Fisheries, ORA Submissions, Recovery Strategies, Rehabilitation, River Concerns

In 1982, the Bill Davis government implemented the Community Fisheries Involvement Program (CFIP) and Community Wildlife Involvement Program (CWIP) to support community members and volunteers in efforts to initiate environmental projects that benefitted fisheries and wildlife in Ontario. In the first year alone, 3000 volunteer work days were donated to 22 projects across the province. Due to the success of the program, the Mike Harris government increased the funding to these programs to $1,000,000.00, which according to the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) lead to 35,000 anglers, hunters, conservationists and outdoor enthusiasts donating 200,000 hours to 600 on the ground projects in the program’s final year.

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EBR-013-1476 – Draft Government Response Statement for the Recovery of the American Eel

By Linda Heron on Sunday, December 17th, 2017

Posted in American Eel, Dam Impacts, Dam Removal, Dams, Endangered Species, Endangered Species Act, Energy, Environmental Registry, Fish/Eel Mitigation & Recovery, Government, Hydroelectric, Joint, ORA Submissions, Recovery Strategies, Regulatory Submissions, Species at Risk, Studies & Reports

The American Eel Needs Your Help! You have an opportunity to support the recovery of a species that has declined by 99% of its original population, has been completely extirpated from extensive areas of its native Ontario range, and is in steep decline where it still exists. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has prepared a Draft Government Response Station for the Recovery of the American Eel in Ontario, and you have until January 11th to sign the Petition below. More information can be found here. To add your own comments just click on the letter and type. Thank you for your help! Continue reading →

Help save the American Eel by completing Survey

By Linda Heron on Monday, March 7th, 2016

Posted in American Eel, Dams, Endangered Species Act, Energy, Fisheries, Government, ORA Submissions, Recovery Strategies, Regulatory, River Concerns, Species at Risk

Help Save the American Eel

The American Eel of eastern Canada was recently designated as a threatened species by COSEWIC because of a dramatic decline in the species’ abundance over a substantial portion of its range, and as a result of ongoing threats that constrain recovery. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans is conducting a Survey to ask for your comments and suggestions regarding the possible ecological, cultural, and economic impacts of listing or not listing this species under SARA.

Please help save the American Eel by completing the Survey located here before the deadline of 18 March 2016.

ORA has recommended: Continue reading →

Recommended Phosphorus Reduction Targets for Lake Erie

By Linda Heron on Thursday, September 10th, 2015

Posted in Algae, Government, Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, ORA Submissions, Recovery Strategies, Technical Bulletins, Water Quality

Toxic and nuisance algal bloom occurrences in Lake Erie have increased over the past decade. The blooms threaten drinking water quality, increase costs associated with treatment needs, and occasionally force closures of treatment plants. They clog industrial water intake systems, adversely impact commercial and recreational fishing activities and other recreational pursuits, and degrade fish and wildlife habitat and populations.

Environment Canada solicited input on the draft target recommendations of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA) Nutrients Annex Subcommittee from June 30 to August 31, 2015. Following consideration of input received, Environment Canada and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will finalize targets by February 2016. Development of binational phosphorus reduction strategies and domestic action plans to meet the objectives for phosphorus concentrations and loading targets in Lake Erie will be developed by 2018.

For more information about the GLWQA please visit Binational.Net(External link).

Submissions:

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