[All] GREN news

[Gregory C. Michalenko]

I think a correction is in order re the comments Lulu makes about Hidden Valley.  The minister's decision did not "CONFIRM a MULTITUDE of ENDANGERED species in the area" as Lulu claims. It did say that a number of declining species (there is a range of notations that have legal standing, from "common" to "threatened" or "endangered") could be in the larger general area of Waterloo Region, and their possible presence within the project boundaries should be determined.  Once a species is on the composite list of species meriting protection for a general area, most development proposals routinely make reference to the list.  They consider whether or not the species is actually found within the boundaries of the actual development proposal or contiguous areas that could be affected, if the specific area is likely habitat for shelter or foraging, and whether there is actual evidence for the species to occur in migration or breed there. All this depends on evidence, gathered objectively.  For example, the chimney swift is on the list.  It is extremely unlikely that swifts would nest within the specific boundaries of the proposed Hidden Valley road, or even forage there.  But swifts are known in the Region of Waterloo, specifically in the old urban areas.  There once was a magnificent colony nesting in the chimney of the old school on Duke St. in Kitchener. Now the species is in decline everywhere.  I have seen small numbers - just a few birds - in downtown Kitchener, and a tiny colony of no more than 5 birds near where I live in downtown Waterloo (I've never been able to locate their chimney).  I was also surprised to see a few at Langdon Hall.  But I have never seen them in Hidden Valley itself which I have visited many times.  But it's still worth a check.  So let's wait and see the evidence.

Re Twitter.  Those who tweet do it in a public forum.  When you tweet, you have purposefully and voluntarily inserted yourself into the public realm.  Anyone has the right to quote what you have provided.  Personally, I think there is far more concern about how private corporations such as Google, Twitter, Facebook, etc systematically misuse tweets and postings and internet searches, subject them to the voracious digestive crunch of their cyber juggernauts, and sell the record of our usually banal chatter to other commercial interests to generate their enormous profits (most of which get laundered through chains of shell companies in tax havens).  My wife took a vacation in the ancient republic of Georgia on the Black Sea.  She mentioned her trip to friends she communicates with on email or social media. Now she constantly gets pestered with entreaties to go bunk at hotels all over the Caucasus. And clean up you Facebook before you apply for jobs.  Employers have mentioned that what's on your Facebook is often far more important to them than what you have chosen to put on your c.v.

- Greg Michalenko

From: All [all-bounces at gren.ca] on behalf of water.lulu at yahoo.ca [water.lulu at yahoo.ca]
Sent: Friday, July 08, 2016 2:01 PM
To: GREN >
Subject: [All] GREN news

Hi folks!

Lovely summer. Lots happening!


LOCAL NEWS

FOI re: Grand River Oil Spill
I'm doing a Freedom of Info request regarding the Grand River Oil Spill just to review the particulars of the incident report so we can better understand how the situation manifested, what happened when and how we can improve upon ways to prevent similar incidents in the future. I'll let you know when that info arrives.

You Are Being Watched
One of our GREN friends found her twitter comment circulated in a memo at Queens Park. The government calls it media monitoring and in their books if it's printed on Twitter it's public info and they feel it is a good way to "monitor" how the public feels about policies however there are concerns it may breach privacy rights if they are circulating the twitter user names and real names of folks giving those personal comments. The public has not been reasonably notified of the fact our government collects and reprints our comments and the question must be asked, where do we draw the line between a person's personal life and public life?  Either way, if you post online in social media, know for certain, our government is watching and likely recording your views. I am currently working on matters related to this issue. I'll update you on the details later on.

Cow Farts: Serious issue
The Grand River has lots of cows and each day, one cow can emit up to 500 Litres of Methane. New sciences are being used to reduce cow emissions by up to 30%. Here is how
http://www.dsm.com/corporate/science/competences/chemical-sciences/project-clean-cow.html

Vegan/Vegeterian Foods in KW
Now going without beef is also an option of course. Here's a nice food guide to restaurants that serve Vegan/Vegeterian foods in KW:
https://www.happycow.net/north_america/canada/ontario/kitchener_waterloo/


Hidden Valley Update
Area Developer Dan Sack wants to turn two lots around Hidden Valley Drive to 40 townhouse units. City of Kitchener voted no but then changed their mind based on a threat of OMB. The staff are now reviewing plans with the developer to see if they can find a new plan. In the meantime I went to council and gave the Minister's decision on the Part II for the River Road Extension which confirmed a multitude of endangered species in the area. I provided the City of Kitchener with all relevant information telling them that anything that is build here, must have regard for that ruling. I've since contacted a law firm specializing in Environmental issues and I'm seeking a review of the Minister's decision to see if it is sufficient. Will update you on that issue.

Drought in Waterloo Region
GRCA is asking folks to reduce water use by 10%: https://www.grandriver.ca/Modules/News/index.aspx?newsId=77092549-573d-450a-8cfd-086597c76d8e
Open Fire restrictions now in affect: https://www.grandriver.ca/Modules/News/index.aspx?newsId=eb2ade28-e62f-46ad-abfb-2893e1e03e99
Level 2 drought: Please don't fish in Whitemans Creek https://www.grandriver.ca/Modules/News/index.aspx?newsId=a70ad877-ef49-4ede-b973-ec3d14598c5e

City of Guelph: Level 2 Drought:
http://www.guelphmercury.com/news-story/6753453-city-of-guelph-tightens-restrictions-on-outside-water-use/

In the attachments are the weather graphs of the UW Weather station that shows why we had such drought. Rains came fast and furious in the early stage of the month with long stretches of drought in between.


PROVINCIAL NEWS

8 Chemicals Declaired Toxic
The 8 chemicals have been declaired toxic by both Canadian and US officials which means we can now proceed with strategies to reduce use or ban them thanks to the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. They include:
• hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD)
• polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)
• perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
• perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)
• long-chain perfluorinated carboxylic acids (LC-PFCAs)
• mercury
• polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
• short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs)
http://www.cela.ca/newsevents/media-advisory/mr20160601?platform=hootsuite
NOTE: At the GRCA Watershed Forum I remember an expert showing how PBDE converts to DDT when exposed to chloride. With our salt runoff heading to the Grand River it was easy to see why Great Lakes populations of Eagles was slower to return to normal than birds along the Canadian Coastal areas. This is welcome news!

Enviro groups vs. Neonicotinoids in Court:
The lawsuit, filed in Federal Court in Toronto, takes aim at neonicotinoids, which are among the most widely used pesticides in Canada.
The David Suzuki Foundation, Friends of the Earth Canada, Ontario Nature and the Wilderness Committee say in court documents that Canada's federal pesticide regulator has allowed the chemicals to be used despite being uncertain about their risks.
"The (Pest Management Regulatory Agency) does not have reasonable certainty about the risks of these products, which they're required to do," said Charles Hatt, arguing the case. Hatt said the agency has a history with two so-called neonics, clothianidin and thiamethoxam, dating back about a decade.
To read the full story visit here; http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/neonic-lawsuit-ecojustice-1.3667172
NOTE: The article doesn't state this but solicitor Charles Hatt works for Ecojustice. I don't know why CBC didn't mention that.

Enbridge Line 10 is Like Line 3
I'll be submitting my written comments to in regards to Enbridge Line 10 with the National Energy Board. Winona LaDuke in the US flagged the fact that Enbridge Line 3's replacement is actually leaving the old pipe in the ground and simply installing a new one right beside it. This is exactly what Enbridge is doing with Line 10 too. It's not replacement. Technically it is abandonment and installation of a new pipe. Details of Line 3 are here;  http://www.honorearth.org/abandonment and details of Line 10 are right here: http://www.enbridge.com/Line-10-Westover-Segment-Replacement-Project.aspx. This will be in my sworn evidence.


NATIONAL NEWS

Northern Gateway: Policies that Matter
Ecojustice solicitor speaks on Northern Gateway Decision 5 minutes into this radio interview. Very good info to understand the policies that resulted in the quashing of the pipe. http://www.coopradio.org/content/rational-258

Ratings Agencies Oversight
Canadian rating agencies are ignoring climate risks.
http://www.nationualobserver.com/2016/07/04/analysis/willful-blindness-canadian-rating-agencies-ignore-climate-risk<http://www.nationalobserver.com/2016/07/04/analysis/willful-blindness-canadian-rating-agencies-ignore-climate-risk>

U.S. asked to investigate BC Mining
Alaskan Coalition calls on US to investigate 6 BC Mining projects putting their salmon fisheries at risk.
http://www.desmogblog.com/2016/06/29/coalition-calls-u-s-investigate-b-c-mines-alaska-border



INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Air Pollution & Health
UN states Air pollution affects human health more than malaria and HIV/Aids combined.
https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2016/jul/05/how-air-pollution-affects-your-health-infographic?CMP=share_btn_tw

Air Pollution: Human toll
World Economic Forum: Here is where Air Pollution kills the most people
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/07/these-countries-are-affected-most-by-air-pollution?utm_content=buffer70ba2&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer



TAKE ACTION

Quick sign to support implementation of UN Rights of Indigenous People http://romeosaganash.ndp.ca/indigenous-rights-time-for-action


Enjoy the summer folks! Rain is likely coming and when it does, I anticipate we'll get PLENTY. Such are the trends today. Have a good one!

Lulu


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