Thunder Bay’s natural beauty is not for sale

THUNDER BAY, ON  ---  October 14, 20101  -----   Members of the Nor’Wester Mountain Escarpment Protection Committee, (NMEPC)  wish to publicly thank those councillors (Linda Rydholm, Aldo Ruberto, Joe Virdiramo, Mark Bentz and Frank Pullia) who supported the goals and mission of the group to protect citizens of Thunder Bay and the Nor’Wester Mountain Range. Last night's vote was 7 to 5, with much information still needed so that Council and the people of Thunder Bay understand the true nature of the whole project. We still don’t know the full number of turbines, all their locations, the road access, and what the mountain will look like (i.e. the viewshed) and if any or all of these aspects were taken into consideration.  read more......>

 Wilkinson Backsdown of Eco Tax

THUNDER BAY, ON   ----   October  12, 2010   ----In a prepared statement Environment John Wilkinson said, "On July 1st, a new program run by Stewardship Ontario took effect to divert household hazardous waste from landfills. Ontarians quickly recognized that the program that started July 1 was flawed because it applied to some products that made little sense to consumers -- and forced consumers to pay fees, in some cases inconsistently, on some routine household purchases.

Programs that existed prior to July 1, 2010, which currently divert, recycle and dispose of electronics, tires and household hazardous wastes such as paint and single-use batteries, will continue. To help ensure these programs are fair and transparent, and that money is used solely to keep hazardous waste out of landfills,   read more......>

 PUBLIC CONSULTATION REPORT RELEASED Nor'Wester Wind Turbines

THUNDER BAY, ON  -------   October  5, 2010   ---- The Nor’wester Mountain Escarpment Protection Committee today released its own Public Consultation Report which outlines their events, news items, meetings and programs held to date regarding the proposed industrial wind farm on the Nor’Wester Mountains.

The original report is being sent to Doris Dumais, Director of the Environmental Assessment and Approvals Branch for the Ministry of the Environment. The MOE requires all wind energy project proponents to conduct proper public consultation to satisfy their Renewable Energy Application.    read more.....>

 Wind turbines in Lake Superior?

THUNDER BAY, ON   ----  October 1, 2010  ----  Seven wind turbine installations involving 900 turbines are being planned for the Algoma region of Lake Superior.  Off-shore installations are planned for Mica Bay and Alona Bay on Lake Superior. These installations will provide a precedent for further installations in the water and along the coast.

Wind turbines in Lake Superior? And the deadline to object is Monday, October 4th.  Aren’t wind turbines in Lake Superior like throwing acid in the face of Mona Lisa? A defilement? A sacrilege?

Catherine Bayne talks to one of the many individuals who stop at the Ontario Government’s lookout at Alona Bay. If the Ontario government’s “green” energy plan has its way, a major installation of wind turbines will stand astride in the cobalt water behind her like flailing Goliaths.   read more......>

Mapleward Renewable Generating Station Inaugurated

Thunder Bay, ON – September 8, 2010  ----  Thunder Bay Hydro Renewable Power Incorporated has inaugurated the first project under its’ SEED Initiative (Sustainable Electricity Energy Development)  – a 3.2-megawatt electricity generating station that will take harmful methane gas that has been removed from the local landfill and will produce enough electricity to power approximately 3,000 homes annually.

The Mapleward Renewable Generating Station was presented to invited guests and the media in a ribbon cutting ceremony today.  Free tours for the general public will be available at three times during this afternoon.  read more......>

 Tournament Anglers Battle Invasive Species

Brooklyn Center, MN - August 25, 2010 --- Wildlife Forever granted $80,000 in funding this past spring to seven Great Lake states for media outreach alerting sportsmen and vacationers to Clean - Drain - Dry their boats to help Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!

Fifty highway billboards along major travel routes show what can happen if invasive species go unchecked; contaminating boats and fishing gear, in some cases, a big ticket. Advertisements in popular outdoor publications and angler websites depict images of dead and rotting fish when foreign fish viruses are introduced.  read more......> 

EcoTax on Hold

 THUNDER BAY, ON ----   July 20, 2010  ---   This morning, Dalton McGuinty's Liberals announced they are scrapping their recently announced eco-tax,imposed while Ontario families were celebrating Canada Day.

Tim Hudak and the Ontario PC Party were first to pledge to scrap this unnecessary tax grab, which had absolutely nothing to do with protecting the environment.

Once Tim Hudak shone a light on the eco-tax, other glaring issues came to light: partisan Liberal insiders again leading "arms-length" agencies that took money from Ontario families; A tax implemented so badly that even sophisticated retailers couldn't figure it out; and a minister who simply could not and would not explain why this tax was necessary, or where the money was going.  read more.....>

LRCA NSSA Enhance Fish Habitat on McIntyre River

THUNDER BAY, ON ------   July 20, 2010  ----  North Shore Steelhead Association Partners with Conservation Authority to Enhance Fish Habitat on McIntyre River.

An erosion control project, about to get underway on the McIntyre River, will include an innovative habitat enhancement component.

The McIntyre River, near Central Avenue and Riverside Drive, suffered significant erosion following a major storm in June, 2008.  The on-going erosion will eventually threaten the stability of Riverside Drive; therefore, measures to slow the deterioration of the riverbank are being undertaken by the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority (LRCA).    read more ......>

Giant Hogweed Spreading Across Ontario Wisconsin

THUNDER BAY, ON -----   July 11, 2010  ---  Giant hogweed  weed that can grow six metres tall, sprout massive leaves and produce toxic, blindness inducing sap is creeping across Ontario and Wisconsin, however at this time no reports in Minnesota . and parts of British Columbia. The sap can result in severe burns to the affected areas of the skin resulting in severe blistering and painful dermatitisThe leaves on the weed fan out as much as 1.5 metres in diameter.  read more.....>

Marathon PGM Tailings Management Scenario

MARATHON, ON --- July 9, 2010 ---  Members of Citizens for a Mine appreciate and are pleased with Marathon PGM’s decision to abort the option.
At the public information meeting on May 27th, Teri Burgess, a member of Citizens for a Responsible Mine, asked the Marathon PGM representatives and consultants if they would consider removing the North/Bamoos option from their formal environmental assessment submission. The response at the meeting was ‘no’, MarathonPGM would not withdraw the option. The recent decision to abort the Bamoos Lake option indicates that Marathon PGM is wisely responding to expanding public input regarding the development of the mine.    read more......>

Micro-FIT solar energy system Nipigon Red Rock

NIPIGON, ON   ----   June 16, 2010 ----   Gary Lange of the Nipigon - Red Rock area turned on the first micro-FIT solar energy system in Northwestern Ontario connected with Hydro-One today. The system installation is located at Gary’s residence, making him a local pioneer for green energy installations. 

A true local entrepreneur, Gary is not only the owner operator of Bowman Island Charters, but as an alternative energy enthusiast, he has been selling off grid solar energy systems for 25 years. The Feed in Tariff program has been in the works for some time, and Gary has been anticipating the program launch, which finally took place in October of 2009. He is first in line to install a system, saying, “It was a no brainier because of the return on investment.” Gary is leading the way to greener energy in Northwestern Ontario   read more.....>

Peregrine Falcon Survey Underway

THUNDER BAY, ON ----  July 17, 2010  ----  According to the Thunder Bay Field Naturalists website, prior to the 1960's, the Peregrine Falcon, Falco peregrinus anatum, was a summer breeding resident of Lake Superior's north shore. This continental subspecies vanished from their rocky eyries, primarily as the result of man's use of agricultural pesticides (DDT and its metabolites) in the environment.

In 1973, the Canadian Wildlife Service and the University of Saskatchewan initiated the Peregrine Falcon Recovery Program. In 1989, the Thunder Bay Field Naturalists, with support from the Ministry of Natural Resources, launched Project Peregrine in an attempt to reintroduce this species to the Superior north shore.   read more....>

Desperate Bear with plastic pail on its head

THUNDER BAY, ON  ----   July 21, 2010 -----  Residents of a Summer Cottage community just east of Thunder Bay are very upset  about the MNR being unable to rescue a young bear with  a  plastic jar lodged on the head.

Last week the bear was spotted  on highway 11 17 about 30 km east of Thunder Bay.  Workmen doing highway construction work  tried to remove the jar from the bear head unsuccessfully.  When residents on this past  Monday contacted Bear Wise they were told that they had received a   number of calls about the bear.   read more....>

City Engaging Expert  to Review Big Thunder Wind Park Project 

THUNDER BAY, ON  ----  September 21, 2010 – Following an update Monday on legal and property matters related to the proposed Big Thunder Wind Park, the City is engaging an external expert to review information requested on the project in order to bring a report for a decision by City Council in open session on Oct. 4, 2010.

City Council has authorized Administration to engage an expert to review information previously requested on the project, particularly with respect to financial data on each turbine and view sheds that illustrate their locations.

The Big Thunder Wind Farm development is proposed for lands owned by the City and has been the subject of a number of Council meetings over the past six months.

“The City is being thorough in its due diligence and it is important that we deal with this project in a timely way,” said Tim Commisso, City Manager.   read more.....>