Forest Management Districts 10, 11, 12 and 13, Five-Year Operating Plan (2011-2015)

Proponent: Department of Natural Resources                    (Reg.1550)

The passing of Bill 75 resulted in the expropriation and return to crown, timber lands associated with Forest Management Districts (FMDs) 10, 11, 12 and 13 previously vested to Abitibi-Bowater.  With the return of these timber lands to the crown, it was the Department of Natural Resources position that the management of these lands would be consistent with the strategies and philosophies in effect in all other crown managed districts in the province.  This plan which covers the period January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2015 reflects these changes and will replace the 2008-2012 plan previously prepared by Abitibi-Bowater for this area.  Planning Zone Five encompasses FMDs 10, 11, 12 and 13.

It is located in central Newfoundland and extends from Victoria Lake in the west to the Bay D’Espoir highway in the east and from Island Pond in the south to North and South Twin Lakes in the north.  Major towns located within the zone are Bishop’s Falls, Grand Falls-Windsor, Badger,

Millertown and Buchans.   Approximately 20,200 hectares with 2.45

million cubic metres of timber are scheduled to be harvested.

Harvesting activities will include pulpwood, sawlog, and fuelwood using chainsaws and mechanical harvesters.  Skidders may be used for some slope harvesting and chainsaws for domestic harvesting.  Approximately

193 kilometres of primary forest access roads will be constructed over the 5 year operating plan.

The undertaking was registered on January 4, 2011; public comments are due by February 11, 2011; and the minister’s decision is due by February 18, 2011.

Deadline for submissions: Feb 4, 2011

As part of its strategy for protecting wildlife species at risk, the Government of Canada proclaimed the Species at Risk Act (SARA) on June 5, 2003. Attached to the Act is Schedule 1, the list of the species that receive protection under SARA, also called the List of Wildlife Species at Risk. COSEWIC (the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada) has recommended the addition of 18 terrestrial species to Schedule 1, and a change in risk status for seven terrestrial species already on the list.

Of the terrestrial species proposed for addition or risk status change on the legal list, two are known to occur in Newfoundland and Labrador:

Vole Ears (Lichen)

• Addition: Endangered

Bobolink (Bird)

• Addition: Threatened

For further information and a copy of the registration documents visit http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/document/default_e.cfm?documentID=2106.

We’re writing to let you know about an exciting new endeavour Green Teacher is launching next year. Starting in February, we will be hosting a series of one hour webinars (online seminars) on various environmental education topics. These webinars are offered free of charge to Green Teacher subscribers. The focus of these webinars will be on effective teaching strategies for various areas of environmental education, at different age/grade levels, both within and outside the classroom (for both formal and non-formal educators). Featuring guest experts, the webinars will be held on weekday evenings, starting at 7:30 p.m. EST from February to May and again in October-November.

We are seeking your suggestions—and those of any colleagues or acquaintances who may be interested—as to which webinar topics are of the greatest interest. To that end, we have created a short online survey, which takes about 5 minutes to complete. To get everyone thinking, the survey suggests a number of general topic areas, but anyone can suggest other topics, and indicate at which age/grade levels their favourite topic(s) should be addressed in a webinar.

The survey can be accessed at the following URL: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/76KDMXX

We thank you in advance for any input you may have. The deadline for completing the survey is January 20th. If you wish, you may enter your email address on the survey, and we will send you updated lists of topics and dates throughout the coming year.

For further info visit http://www.greenteacher.com or contact info@greenteacher.com.

Food Secure Canada is having a National Good Food Hero Comic Contest. They’re calling for students from across Canada to create their own comic and enter it in the contest. This is your chance to get creative and create awareness about food in Canada. Winners will receive awesome prizes, and the top 10 entries from each age group will be featured in the Good Food Hero Comic Book, to be printed and distributed across the country in a 32-page colour booklet! Want more details? Find then here: http://foodsecurecanada.org/good-food-hero-comic-contest

The National Framework for the MPA network has been posted on the DFO web site for a 60 day period of public review that ends 3 February. For more information check out: http://www.isdm-gdsi.gc.ca/oceans/publications/dmpaf-eczpm/form-eng.asp or Francais: http://www.isdm-gdsi.gc.ca/oceans/publications/dmpaf-eczpm/form-fra.asp.

CPAWS-NL needs your help! Please vote for the Adopt-A-Beach program in the Pepsi Refresh Project. Follow this link http://www.refresheverything.ca/adoptabeach. Every vote counts, helps get into the top 3! For more information email nlmarine@cpaws.org. The Pepsi Refresh funding program will fund individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations with ideas that will have a positive impact on communities.

Bill C-469, the Canadian Environmental Bill of Rights is currently before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development. Unfortunately, this important bill is being stalled in the Committee by some committee members. Environmental rights are recognized in 170 countries around the world, and are enshrined in legislation in the Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Ontario and Quebec. Environmental rights should be extended to all Canadians equally. If you support environmental rights for all Canadians, please take a few minutes to write to the members of the Committee and let them know that you support bill C-469, the Canadian Environmental Bill of Rights. CHAIR: James Bezan M.P. (bezanj@parl.gc.ca). Members: Stephen Woodworth M.P. (woodws@parl.gc.ca); Mark Warawa M.P. (warawm@parl.gc.ca); Blaine Calkins M.P. (calkib@parl.gc.ca); Steven Blaney M.P. (blanes@parl.gc.ca); Armstrong, Scott M.P. (armsts@parl.gc.ca); Francis Scarpaleggia M.P. (scarpf@parl.gc.ca); Joyce Murray M.P. (murraj@parl.gc.ca); Gerard Kennedy M.P. (kenneg@parl.gc.ca); Christian Ouellet Député (ouellc@parl.gc.ca); Bernard Bigras Député (bigrab@parl.gc.ca); Linda Duncan, M.P. (duncal0@parl.gc.ca); CLERK : Guyanne Desforges (desfog@parl.gc.ca).

If you would like a copy of the bill, please contact Linda Duncan at DuncaL0@parl.gc.ca. About the Bill: The bill requires the federal government to take action to protect Canadians’ right to a healthy environment; It ensures access to environmental information and the right to participate in decisions related to the environment; It expands the right to request investigations of environmental offences and bring environmental issues to the courts; It provides whistleblower protection for employees; It ensures accountability by giving Canadians the right to bring the federal government to court when it fails to enforce environmental laws. Please help. Write to all members of the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development and tell them you want them to pass Bill C-469. You can download a copy of Linda Duncan’s (M.P., Edmonton Strathcona) petition here (http://www.lindaduncan.ndp.ca/node/251).

The Canadian Environmental Network’s Environmental Planning and Assessment Caucus has been requested by the National Energy Board (NEB) to select up to 10 ENGO delegates to participate in a bilateral consultation to seek ENGO input into the Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment (ESA) Section Update to the Filing Manual. The Filing Manual has been developed to provide guidance regarding the information the NEB would typically need when making its decision on a proposed project. This will assist the NEB in fulfilling its responsibilities under the National Energy Board Act and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. The Filing Manual Update will provide an opportunity for all interested parties and the Board to engage in dialogue, improve understanding of environmental and socio-economic assessment review processes currently in place, and generate options for potential improvements to the environmental and socio-economic assessment section of the Filing Manual. The consultation session will happen January 14, 2011 in Calgary, AB (to be confirmed following delegate selection). Delegate Application deadline: Friday, December 10, 2010. For more information or to submit an application click here: http://rcen.ca/public-participation/national-energy-board-consultation-on-environmental-and-socio-economic-assessme

The Global Day of Action on Climate Change is set for December 4th, to coincide with the annual United Nations Climate Talks which are taking place this year (COP16/MOP6) in Cancun, Mexico on November 29th to December 10th 2010. Demonstrations are being planned around the world to call on leaders to take urgent action on climate change. Click here (http://www.globalclimatecampaign.org/) to find out about events happening across Canada and around the world. Why not plan something in your backyard?!