[All] Fw: Doon Bald Eagles & Need for National Monitoring for Avian Vacuolar Myelinopathy (AVM)

[Louisette Lanteigne]

Hi folks
 
This one is for Bald Eagles in Doon in Kitchener and the key roll they play as indicator species for water quality in the Grand River and in the monitoring of a deadly new disease known as AVM, which experts believe may pose a serious human health risk. 
 
To adequately protect the water, we must maintain our key indicator species. Feel free to share this one with others. 
 
Lulu

--- On Thu, 1/14/10, Louisette Lanteigne <butterflybluelu at rogers.com> wrote:


From: Louisette Lanteigne <butterflybluelu at rogers.com>
Subject: Doon Bald Eagles & Need for National Monitoring for Avian Vacuolar Myelinopathy (AVM)
To: barbara.steiner at kitchener.ca, nliana at region.waterloo.on.ca, dbadzinski at birdscanada.org, art.timmerman at mnr.gov.on.ca, gchris at region.waterloo.on.ca, dcansfield.mpp at liberal.ola.org, Scarpaleggia.F at parl.gc.ca, elizabeth.witmer at pc.ola.org, lpendergast.mpp.co at liberal.ola.org, lminshall at grandriver.ca, Sharon.Bailey at ontario.ca, Prentice.J at parl.gc.ca, "Gord Miller" <commissioner at eco.on.ca>, Aglukkaq.L at parl.gc.ca, tzammit at grandriver.ca, RaittL1 at parl.gc.ca, Henri.Ragetli at dfo-mpo.gc.ca, Shea.G at parl.gc.ca, jmilloy.mpp.co at liberal.ola.org, ccu.moh at ontario.ca
Date: Thursday, January 14, 2010, 2:37 PM







Dear Honourable Ministers, MP's Ministry staff et al.
 
(Ms.Minshall, please forward this to the Lake Erie Source Water Protection Committee.)
 
In the City of Kitchener a pedestrian bridge is currently being proposed in the wintering river habitat of American Bald Eagles. As I was researching this information I came across alarming data regarding a new disease which is quickly spreading across the US South East known as avian vacuolar myelinopathy (AVM), a fatal neurological disease and one that experts believe, may pose a serious human health risk by way of consumption of affected fish and wild fowl. 
 
The disease first showed up in Bald Eagles and American Coots wintering at DeGray Lake in Arkansas in 1994.  Since that time the disease has quickly spread up the US South East and is now confirmed in Texas, Georgia , North and South Carolina. Tests are currently being done in New York State. Prevention programs are already underway in Alaska where 1/3 rd of the world's Bald Eagle population currently resides.  This disease has already killed over 100 American Bald Eagles to date and is affecting several other bird populations including Canada Geese.
 
As a Natural Heritage River, the Grand has been previously identified as the home of over 50% of Canada's native fish species and many people fish and drink from these waters. I believe it is imperative that we establish ongoing monitoring programs for American Bald Eagles along the Great Lakes area and it's tributaries including the Grand River as soon as possible in order to monitor for AVM and prevent risks to human health. The roll of these birds as water quality indicators and indicators of AVM must be given a high priority. The known habitats of these birds should be given full protection from human disturbances.
 
Currently this proposed pedestrian bridge in Doon in Kitchener, created for recreational purposes,  will encroach upon the known habitats of these wintering Bald Eagles and if people use these trails it will drive these birds away. I do not support the establishment of the bridge in this location. It is critical we maintain this population where they can be safely observed by skilled naturalists and scientists. 
 
Please review the attached document regarding the need to protect the American Bald Eagle in Doon in the City of Kitchener and please consider establishing a national monitoring program for these animals in order to assess the risk of AVM in Canada in order to protect human health. 
 
Thank you kindly for your time.
 
Louisette Lanteigne
700 Star Flower Ave.
Waterloo Ontario
N2V 2L2
519-885-7619 
 
 
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