[All] Fw: Birds on Canada's Amherst Island in Lake Ontario Under Threat - Immediate Action is Required

[Louisette Lanteigne]

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Neil E Taylor <neiletaylor at sympatico.ca>
To: all at gren.ca 
Sent: Wednesday, July 31, 2013 8:39:30 AM
Subject: [All] Birds on Canada's Amherst Island in Lake Ontario Under Threat	- Immediate Action is Required
 


 
Canada 's Amherst  Island in Lake Ontario 
is in need of all "friends of birds"....from all around the
world....and we need the help of Kitchener-Waterloo Field Naturalists!!!
 
Under the Province  of Ontario ' s Green Energy Act Fit 1 program, Algonquin
Power/Windlectric Inc. is proceeding with plans to install an industrial wind
project consisting of 36, 50-storey tall wind turbines - each with a blade
sweep area of over 2 acres - stretching from one end of the island to the
other.
 
The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) has
invited public comments by August 9, 2013 on an application by Windlectric /
Algonquin Power for an
“overall benefit” permit to kill, harm and harass, and
destroy and fragment habitat, of three species at risk on Amherst Island :  Bobolink, Eastern
Meadowlark,
and Whip-poor-will.  
 
MNR has completely ignored the impact of the construction
of turbines on migratory birds and other species at risk even though the
definition of habitat in the Endangered Species Act requires their consideration. 
 
Click here <http://bit.ly/17kxnA0>
to see the Environmental Registry posting.
 
Please voice your opposition to the kill / harm / harass /
destroy / fragment permit by writing to Kathleen Pitt, Species at Risk
Biologist, MNR with EBR 011-9446 in the subject line by Friday, August 9,
2013.  To: kathleen.pitt at ontario.ca,
with copies to premier at ontario.ca,
minister.mnr at ontario.ca, david.o'toole at ontario.ca and protectai at kos.net
 
And PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD !!!!!
 
Some of the key messages you may wish to address include:
 
 - All of AmherstIslandis an Important Bird Area
of Global Significance on the Atlantic Migratory flyway and is home to 34
species at riskincluding
Blanding’s Turtle.
- The Island is
internationally recognized for concentrations of wintering hawks and owls, with
birders travelling from around the world to visit Owl Woods (http://kingstonfieldnaturalists.org/projects/property.html ),
where it is possible to see up to 10 species of owls.
- Amherst Island was ranked second in biodiversity significance
( Lake Ontario Islands 
– Northeast), and includes 400 hectares of Provincially Significant Coastal
Wetland.
- The Ministry must not limit its consideration to three
ground-nesting birds but must consider a holistic approach to the impact of
turbines on all species at risk including migratory birds and their habitat on
the Island .
 
Jean Iron and Ron Pittaway said this to Ontario ' s
Premier:
 
* Ontario birders know
about or have visited Amherst Island in eastern Lake  Ontario near Kingston , Ontario .
It ' s world famous for raptors and
includes
the "Owl Woods" where many birders have seen
their life owls of several species. During years when meadow vole numbers peak
it supports hundreds
of wintering hawks and owls. It is proposed that 36
massively tall wind turbines be constructed on the island, four of which will
be close to the
Owl Woods. According to the Toronto Star newspaper
adjacent Wolfe Island 
has the second highest bird mortality in North America 
caused by wind
turbines.
 
Amherstis a
quiet and serene rural island, and is one of the treasures of the birding
world. Are we about to alter greatly, both ecologically and
esthetically, one of the most important birding areas in North America ?"
 
You can learn more about the situation on Amherst Island at:
 
   - Facebook:  www.facebook.com/ProtectAmherstIsland
   - Web: http://protectamherst.yolasite.com
 
 
Thank you for your help,
 
kind regards,
 
Andrea Cross
on behalf of the Association to Protect Amherst  Island
_______________________________________________
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http://mail.gren.ca/mailman/listinfo/all_gren.ca
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