Dams and hydropower facilities harm the environment and, when headponds or reservoirs are flooded, can produce carbon dioxide and methane for the life of the dam. Ontario is about to embark on a whole new era of dam building. Ontario has 224 operating hydropower plants and only 3 with fish passage.
By the way, Ontario Power Generation has been selling Clean Energy Credits for hydroelectric since 2013.
NO MORE NEW HYDROELECTRIC DAMS IN ONTARIO!!
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Photo by Linda Heron
Category Archives: ORA Reports
Is it Renewable Energy if it Degrades the Environment?
Is it really renewable energy when it degrades the environment and impacts on communities in a negative way?
There are 241 hydroelectric dams in Ontario, and only 3 facilities have provided any form of fish passage.
The effects of dams and waterpower facilities on 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.
ORA Celebrates 10 years of Service to Ontario Rivers
Media Release: Wastewater Treatment Plant Spells Doom for West Credit Brook Trout – Request for a federal review under the Impact Assessment Act
The Coalition for the West Credit River is calling on Johnathan Wilkinson, (Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada) for a federal review of the Environmental Study Report (ESR) for the Erin Wastewater Treatment Plant (Erin WWTP), under the Impact Assessment Act.
The Erin Wastewater Treatment Plant (Erin WWTP) will discharge over 7 million litres of effluent daily, releasing a toxic plume of chloride, ammonia and decreased oxygen into the West Credit River, directly upstream of native Brook Trout spawning nursery and habitat, and endangered Redside Dace.
Please sign the Cut the Crap, Keep the Credit petition.
Congratulations to Aleta Karstad and Dr. Frederick Schueler – Recipients of the Glen Davis Conservation Leadership Prize
Painting by Aleta Karstad The Chute, Ivanhoe River
The Ontario Rivers Alliance (ORA) is pleased to report that the WWF-Canada and CPAWS have awarded the Glen Davis Conservation Leadership Prize to Dr. Frederick Schueler and Aleta Karstad for their outstanding conservation efforts and accomplishments!! They truly are very deserving of this incredible Prize!!
A BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO Fred and Aleta!!!
We at ORA were eager to nominate Fred and Aleta for this important recognition of the significant sacrifice and contribution they have both made to science, conservation and the protection of freshwater ecosystems and land all across Canada. They have also been long-time partners and contributors of the ORA.
Read the Press Release: Continue reading
Time to clean the swimming pool but where to drain the water?
MEDIA RELEASE: For Immediate Release – 14 May 2020
Time to clean the swimming pool but where to drain the water?
It’s that time of year when you are likely thinking about getting the pool or hot tub ready for the summer season. It’s a good idea to prepare by first checking with your local town or city to find out what you should do with the water when you drain the pool. “Beware, that releasing pool or hot tub water containing chlorine or salt directly into the street or a storm drain could bring a very heavy fine. That’s because those chemicals would then flow untreated into a local stream, river or lake and could result in a fish die-off or be very harmful to aquatic life”, said Linda Heron, Chair of the Ontario Rivers Alliance (ORA). Continue reading
Please complete ORA’s Strategic Planning Survey
Photo by Mark Clement
UPDATE: The winner of the $50 gift card in the Survey draw is John Larmer of Sudbury, Ontario!! Congratulations John!
A BIG thank you to everyone who participated in our survey and helped ORA plan for our next 5 years!!!
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The Ontario Rivers Alliance is in the process of reviewing and updating our 5-year Strategic Plan and is requesting your help. The Survey results will have a direct impact on our strategic direction going forward, and your response is very important to ORA.
When you complete this survey, your name will be entered into a draw for a $50 Mountain Equipment Coop gift certificate. Survey is now closed.
ORA Speaks to the Legislature, Re: Omnibus Bill 132
With the warming temperatures and extreme rain and drought events that climate change is predicted to bring with increasing frequency and intensity as time passes, decision makers and legislators bear a responsibility to strengthen freshwater protection and resiliency – not weaken it. If this proposal moves forward it will be a precipitous turning point for our future with freshwater in Ontario and beyond.
You will find ORA’s submissions regarding Bill 132 here.
Check out ORA’s speech to the Standing Committee on General Government: Continue reading
Dam Removal, by Jeff Graham, P. Eng., GSS Engineering Consultants Ltd.
Congratulations to Jane Litchfield, winner of the Autumn Cascades print!
A Big congratulations to Jane Litchfield, of Guelph – the winner of this beautiful Autumn Cascades print, by Mary-Dawn Roberts!!
Jane won this lovely print when her name was entered into a draw after making a donation to the Hanlon Creek Weir Removal project. The print is a limited edition giclee on a 20″x40″ canvas, printed with archival inks, coated with ultraviolet varnish and enhanced with a float frame to a value of $750.00.
ORA would also like to extend our sincere thanks to Mary-Dawn for donating this amazing print in support of our crowdfunding campaign. You helped make Hanlon Creek a healthier home for local Guelph Brook Trout. Thank you!
MaryDawnRoberts.ca
Garden House Gallery
1953 Victoria Road S
Guelph, Ontario