The beautiful Blanding’s Turtle is an Endangered Species that happens to still have a wonderfully safe, natural home at Ostrander Point on the south shore of Prince Edward County. However, their home and mere survival are now at serious risk.

 They need your help to protect them from a permit to KILL, HARM and HARASS them and to DESTROY their habitat and it’s free!

 Just click on the web address and follow the very simple instructions.  It’s easy as 1,2,3! Please support this important cause.                                               
                                                  
DEADLINE is Sunday Feb 19 2012!

Scientist  and Executive Director of  Long Point Waterfowl, Dr. Scott Petrie, says that after years of trying to encourage the corporate wind power development industry to do the right thing to protect important bird habitats in Ontario, the companies are now not only refusing to cooperate, they’re not even returning his calls.

Dr. Petrie was particularly involved with AIM PowerGen prior to the Green Energy Act, providing advice on industrial wind turbine (IWT) placement at the company’s project at Long Point. “At first, they were very cooperative,” he says, “even moving some turbine locations when they heard my concerns. But then along came the Green Energy Act, the associated competition for business, and the completely inadequate guidelines to protect birds and bats. We have a completely different situation today.”

Scientist, university professor says: “some of the worst possible places for wind projects”

The situation, Petrie says, is that some areas where turbine developments are being constructed and planned are, as he says, “the worst possible places to put a wind power project.” He says that avian and bat mortality rates at improperly placed wind farms are unacceptable. He also says that wind turbine developers and the government have ignored the fact that there will be cumulative ecological impacts associated with placing thousands of wind turbines on the landscape and in the lakes. As a Waterfowl Ecologist, Petrie is particularly concerned that wind turbines are being placed within critically important habitats and on migratory routes with no regard for avian displacement. “When you place a turbine in or very close to critical habitats, and birds subsequently avoid those areas, it is tantamount to habitat loss, and we have already lost 85 per cent of our Great Lake’s coastal wetlands.”   

GDF Gulf Suez’s planned East St Clair project on agricultural land near the wetlands at Mud Creek is a case in point. Dr. Petrie says the turbines will be less than 800 meters from a Bald Eagle nest and less than 100 meters from waterfowl staging wetlands that are important to the whole of North America.  

“We have an international obligation to protect those wetlands and the wildlife that use them,” says Dr. Petrie. “Many turbines will be placed in agricultural fields that have been used for centuries by tremendous populations of field-feeding ducks, geese and swans. You would not be permitted to build an office tower in and adjacent to these critically important habitats,” Petrie says, “so why can wind developers blanket these areas with hundreds of wind turbines?”    

“As a scientist, I shouldn’t have to prove that wind turbines adversely impact birds. The onus and associated costs should not be imposed upon the people of Ontario–it should be up to wind developers to pay for and prove that there will be no risks associated with these developments.”

Dr. Petrie is also dismayed that the Green Energy Act is an omnibus act that provides inadequate protection for critical habitats. Even worse, he says, is the fact that the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources has established totally inadequate recommendations for the placement of wind turbines in the province.  Many non-government wildlife agencies (e.g., Ducks Unlimited, the American Bird Conservancy, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters), over 80 municipal governments,  and now, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, have requested that a moratorium be placed on all further wind turbine developments. 

 “It should be obvious to the provincial government that the citizens ofOntarioare extremely concerned that the wanton construction of thousands of industrial wind turbines will adversely impact wildlife, human health, property values, and the economy,” says Dr. Petrie.   

Dr. Scott Petrie is also an Adjunct Professor in Biology at the University of Western Ontario.

http://longpointwaterfowl.org

·         NO, wind turbines should NOT be part of PEC

·         MAYBE, with research on health, location and long-term issues.

·         YES, wind turbines should BE part of PEC

The poll is located on the right-hand side of the webpage.

Given the timing of the poll we can be sure that Gilead Power Corporation’s Wind Energy Project at Ostrander Point is the motivating factor for it.  We can’t afford to ignore this opportunity to send out a definitive message that Prince Edward County’s south shore Important Bird Area is a no-go zone for industrial wind turbines.   Please vote and send emails to others asking them to vote.   We do not know how long this poll will be open so please vote now while you still can.

 We encourage all of our members to attend, if at all possible, and to invite family members, friends and co-workers to attend as well.  This is an opportunity to indicate solidarity in regards to our opposition to wind turbines in the south shore IBA.  We would appreciate your letting us know if you are planning to attend and to let us know how many will be accompanying you if you are able to do so.    

 The New Year is upon us and has brought with it new challenges and new opportunities as well to show our solidarity in regards to protecting the south shore IBA. Later this week we will be sending out some helpful information to you on how to comment on the Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR) posting for the Ostrander Point Wind Energy Project.

WHO CAN COMMENT 

Anyone can comment on this project and you are strongly encouraged to do so.  The Ministry of the Environment takes every comment they receive into consideration. 

We ask that you encourage family members, friends and co-workers to submit comments as well and that you support them every way possible.     

 WHAT CAN I SAY TO STOP THIS PROJECT 

Unfortunately the Ministry of the Environment does not provide any direction in this regard.  We can only encourage you to submit a comment, no matter how brief, with regards to Ostrander Point being the wrong place / the worst possible place for industrial wind turbines and giving reasons for taking that position.  The “Notable quotes” section of this website contains some postings that may assist you.  Other organizations’ websites, such as Ontario Nature, Birds Canada and Point-to-Point PEC contain valuable information. 

 As we have seen in the past, large numbers of original responses, no matter how brief, have been most effective.  Numbers count particularly when they are original and not merely carbon copies and form letters. 

 WHEN IS THE COMMENT PERIOD OVER ?

Due to efforts by our MPP Todd Smith,  the Ministry of the Environment has extended the comment period to February 2-2012.  There is talk of a further extension but given that it has not been posted to their website we have to remain skeptical.  Our advice to you is to send your comments as soon as you are able to do so.  As the saying goes, there is no better time than the present.

HOW CAN I SUBMIT A COMMENT ?

You can comment on Gilead Power Corporation’s wind turbine project by email or by letter using Canada Post.  Be sure to address your email or letter to Shannon McNeill at the Ministry of the Environment and include reference number 011-5239.  Contact information for Ms. McNeill and other contact information is provided in the posting  below.   

To submit a comment online click the URL for the Environmental Registry provided in the post that follows this one  and look for the “submit comment” box.” 

We appreciate hearing from you.  Share your comments with us or even consider joining SSC! southshoreconservancy@kos.net

Earlier this week Gilead Power Corporation’s application for a Wind Energy Project at Ostrander Point was deemed complete by the Ministry of the Environment.  The Ostrander Point Project was posted on the Environmental Bill of Rights registry (EBR) on November 30 with an advisory of a 60-day comment period commencing immediately and ending January 29, 2012*. 

* Please note that this date has been changed to Feb 2, 2012 and further lobbying may succeed in having it changed to Feb. 19, but do not assume this until it is confirmed. You should continue to send your comments in sooner rather than later.

Canada Post letters and individual emails create more impact

We encourage you to submit original comments about the Project and to ask like-minded friends to do the same.  However we do have a few words of advice.  You will notice on the EBR posting that the Ministry of the Environment is allowing you to send comments electronically.  This is provided under the pretext of providing convenience to you.  

We have learned from previous experience with the EBR posting for Gilead Power’s application for a permit to kill, harm and harass species at risk at Ostrander Point that your response will have more impact if you write letters or send emails to Shannon McNeill Senior Project Evaluator MOE and to others as well, including Premier McGuinty, the Minister of the Environment, the Minister of Natural Resources, the Minister of Energy, etc. To be even more effective, we encourage you to submit your comment electronically AND by letter or email. This will ensure your comments reach as many people as possible and keep MOE busy.  Contact information is provided at the end of this email.  

Prince Edward County’s internationally-recognized IBA is a “super-highway” for migratory birds and bats: hundreds of thousands of birds pass through this IBA during spring and fall migratory seasons.  The IBA provides a safe haven for birds that arrive in the spring exhausted after a strenuous trip across the lake and provides a feeding ground in the fall so they are able to build up their strength for their journey south.  The IBA is critical in terms of biodiversity: according to Environment Canada 300 species of birds have been recorded at Prince Edward Point, including some on the federal endangered species list.  We have some understanding now of the impact this project will have on certain species at risk such as the Whip-poor-will and Blanding’s Turtle but what of other turtle species, other wildlife. 

The construction of the wind turbines and 5.4 k of permanent access roads to the turbines will disrupt habitat and result in injury and mortality from vehicular collisions. We have learned from other such projects that wildlife will leave the area.   If this Project moves forward we believe that it is only a matter of time before this area of great biodiversity becomes a barren wasteland.  There are many reasons why this Project should not be approved.

Mike Lord at Gilead Power Corporation recently said  “the objective of this project is not to have any impacts to the birds at all.”  It could be said that the objective of Gilead Power Corporation’s studies is to show that this project will not have any impacts to the birds at all. Gilead’s studies are the products of selective reporting:  sweeping generalizations, conclusions based on insufficient data and objective-sounding analyses. When you submit your comments, insist that the Ministry of the Environment undertakes a proper study of bird and bat mortality.         

As you already know the SSC is considering legal action.  The protection of endangered species is embedded in the laws ofOntarioand the damage that has already been done without the requisite permit has not as yet been addressed.  We will update our members on any new developments in this regard.

The best Christmas gift for our endangered species     

We know that December is a busy time of year for everyone.  However, when you are writing gift lists, or sending Christmas cards or other holiday greetings, and already have pen, paper and stamps at hand, remember to send your written comments to the parties listed below.  It may be the best Christmas gift you will give or receive this year – hope for our endangered species.

The deadline for your comments is January 29, but please do it now. You may also forward this post to like-minded friends.

URL to Gilead Power Corporation Ostrander Point Wind Energy Project :  

http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/displaynoticecontent.do?noticeId=MTE1MDIx&statusId=MTcyMzgx&language=en

As instructed on the EBR submit your comment to Ms McNeill

Please include reference number 011-5239  

Shannon McNeill

Shannon.McNeill@ontario.ca

Senior Project Evaluator
Ministry of the Environment
Operations Division
Environmental Approvals Branch
2 St. Clair Avenue West
Floor 12A
Toronto Ontario
M4L 1L5                                                                                                   

And CC: Dalton McGuinty, Premier
Legislative Building
Queen’s Park
Toronto, ON
M7A 1A1
dmcguinty.mpp@liberal.ola.org

The Honourable Jim Bradley
Minister of the Environment
77 Wellesley Street West
11th Floor, Ferguson Block
Toronto ON
M7A 2T5                                                                                                                     
jbradley.mpp@liberal.ola.org
minister.moe@ontario.ca   NEW !

The Honourable Michael Gravelle
Minister of Natural Resources
6th Floor, Ste. 6630
Whitney Block
99 Wellesley St. W
Toronto, ON M7A 1W3
minister.mnr@ontario.ca  NEW !  

The Honourable Chris Bentley
Minister of Energy
Hearst Building, 4th Floor
900 Bay St.
Toronto, ON
M7A 2E1        cbentley.mpp@liberal.ola.org

Mansoor Mahmood
Director, Environmental Protection Act
Environmental Assessment and Approvals Branch
2 St. Clair Avenue West
Floor 12A
Toronto Ontario
M4V 1L5    mansoor.mahmood@ontario.ca

Doris Dumais,
Director, Approvals Program
Environmental Assessment and Approval Branch
Ministry of the Environment
2 St. Clair Avenue West, Floor 12A
Toronto, ON M4V 1L5    doris.dumais@ontario.ca

Clinton Randolph
Project Evaluator
Ministry of the Environment
Environment Assessment & Approvals Branch
2 St. Clair Ave W., Floor 12A
Toronto, ON
M4V 1L5        Clinton.Randolph@ontario.ca

Paula Norlock
Agreement Specialist
Ministry of Natural Resources
Policy Division: Species at Risk Branch
Robinson Place South Tower
300 Water Street, 2nd Floor
Peterborough Ontario
K9J 8M5                  paula.norlock@ontario.ca

Eric R. Prevost

Renewable Energy, Planning Ecologist

Ministry of Natural Resources

RobinsonPlaceSouthTower
300 Water Street, Floor 1
Peterborough Ontario
K9J 8M5           eric.prevost@ontario.ca

Karen Bellamy
District Manager
Minister of Natural Resources
Robinson Place South Tower
300 Water St
Peterborough, On
M9J 8M5               karen.bellamy@ontario.ca

Gord Miller
Environmental Commissioner of Ontario
1075 Bay St, Ste 605
Toronto, ON
M5S2B1                          commissioner@eco.on.ca

SSC thanks all of the people who worked hard behind the scenes to make this happen, some of whom are SSC members themselves. Special mention must be made of one of SSC’s board members, Beth Harrington.   

As APPEC Chair Henri Garand has pointed out, although the motion is not binding on the Ontario government, it legitimizes the concerns expressed by APPEC, South Shore Conservancy, Prince Edward County Field Naturalists, Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory, Ontario Nature, and Nature Canada, as well as scores of Ontario citizens.  For the first time a government body has validated our concerns, which have only continued to mount in the face of mindless proliferation of wind turbines in our province.   

 The Senate’s overwhelming show of support could not have come at a better time 

As we go into this comment period we will continue to draw strength from events such as those that occurred today and of course from each other.  

 The posting allows for a 60 day comment period that will end January 29, 2012.

Press release from the office of Senator Bob Runciman

OTTAWA, Nov. 30, 2011 – The Senate of Canada today unanimously backed a motion by Senator Bob Runciman calling on the province of Ontario to institute a moratorium on wind-farm development along eastern Lake Ontario until the impact on birds and bats can be studied.

Senator Runciman (Ontario– Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes) noted that the region from the eastern tip of Wolfe Island to the western end of Prince Edward County is a crucial route for migratory birds and bats. He is concerned about plans for wind energy projects on Amherst Island west of Kingston and at Ostrander Point in Prince Edward County – both of which would be located in internationally recognized Important Bird Areas. Both projects are in the final stages of approval by the Ontario government.

“Much of my concern flows from the bird and bat kill rates experienced with the development of the wind farm on Wolfe Island, east of the two proposed projects and also in a designated Important Bird Area,” Runciman said, noting that Nature Canada says Wolfe Island has a kill rate for birds and bats seven times the industry average in Canada primarily because it is located in the wrong spot.

Runciman lauded Nature Canada for its leadership on the issue, but noted that “they’ve been a voice in the wilderness, so to speak. Environmental groups one would expect to assist in protecting bird populations have been shockingly silent, in effect allowing green energy production to trump alarming bird and bat kill rates and even the threat to endangered species.”

Environment Canada describes Ostrander Point as one of the best areas for birds in southern Ontario, Runciman said. “It’s surprising that someone believes it is a good idea to put wind turbines on this spot. Hard as it is to believe, the landlord, the owner of the property, is the province of Ontario.”

“Clean renewable energy should help, not harm, wildlife,” Runciman told fellow senators, but the long-term cumulative effect of the current Ontario policy could pose a grave danger to several species, including species at risk.

 For more information, please contact:

Barry Raison, Office of Senator Bob Runciman

(613) 943-4020 (office) or (613) 297-2069 (cell)

raisob@sen.parl.gc.ca

“Ontario’s Endangered Species Act is a good law that has the potential to make a real difference,” said Gord Miller. “However, the government is not making the tough choices about what it will and will not do to protect species at risk. Rather than taking decisive action, much of what the government is doing has become an empty bureaucratic exercise with little benefit for endangered species.”

The government released its plans to address the recovery of 13 species at risk in November 2010. The Environmental Commissioner’s report found that the government’s commitments in the majority of these plans do the bare legal minimum to address these species. The government is taking a backseat in its own program by offloading key actions, creating a situation in which the on-the-ground recovery of species at risk might only occur if external, voluntary groups step up. Further, the government is not providing stakeholders with the necessary information on how to carry on with business, if appropriate, when species at risk are present.

“Protecting endangered species must first be framed by science, and then political and social choices can be made,” stated the Environmental Commissioner. “Instead, the government has so muddied the process that it is difficult to decipher science from politics. The result for Ontario is that the loss of biodiversity continues unchecked.”

The Environmental Commissioner’s report found the Ministry of Natural Resources is sending mixed messages in its conservation efforts for species at risk:

 The Ministry of Natural Resources allows the hunting and trapping of some species at risk, such as snapping turtles and eastern wolves which are both species of special concern.

 The Ministry of Natural Resources has failed to provide the public with a clear picture of where Ontario’s threatened woodland caribou are and what will be done to actually conserve their habitat

Ontario Senator calls for moratorium along eastern Lake Ontario

 OTTAWA, Nov. 28, 2011 – There is an urgent need for a moratorium on wind energy projects along the shores of eastern Lake Ontario until ways can be found to better protect birds and bats, Senator Bob Runciman told a news conference on Parliament Hill this morning.

Runciman was joined at the event by Ted Cheskey, manager of bird conservation programs for Nature Canada, Rosemary Kent, president, and Cheryl Anderson, vice-president of the Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory. Runciman is introducing a motion in the federal Senate this week calling for a moratorium in the area from the east end of Wolfe Island to the western edge of Prince Edward County– a major migratory route for birds and bats.

“Under current Ontario government policy, green energy trumps everything, including threats to bird and bat populations, their habitat and their migration corridors, the Planning Act and the Environmental Protection Act,” Runciman said. “It is a reckless, damn-the-consequences approach that we don’t want to see happen at Ostrander Point and Amherst Island. It’s time for the government to step back and assess the implications of what they are doing.”

Wind energy projects are planned for both of those locations, although final approval has not yet been granted by the provincial government.

Nature Canada has long argued that industrial wind energy developments should not be located in internationally recognized Important Bird Areas such as Ostrander Point and Amherst Island. Cheskey cited the experience with the Wolfe Island project, which he said is “one of the most destructive for birds and bats in North America.”

 “We believe in good things in good places,” said Cheskey. “To achieve wind energy’s greatest promise – a clean, renewable energy source that helps, not harms wildlife – wind turbines should not be located in Important Bird Areas.”

Kent and Anderson talked about the long-term threat to vulnerable species posed by the project planned for Crown land at Ostrander Point, which has been cited by experts as one of the best places for birds in southern Ontario.

For more information, please contact:

Barry Raison, Office of Senator Bob Runciman

(613) 943-4020 (office) or (613) 297-2069 (cell)

raisob@sen.parl.gc.ca

News release courtesy of the Office of Senator Bob Runciman