A perfect gift for any nature lover, this beautiful laminated collection of 5 visual field guides are a great educational resource for you, your family and friends as you explore and enjoy the wonders of  Newfoundland and Labrador.  Keep a set in your trailer, in your car, in your backpack for hiking, or on your coffee table for quick reference.

These visual field guides are a project of the Kelligrews Ecological Enhancement Program (KEEP) and have been distibuted to schools throughout our province.  To order yours ($20 per set), please email kelligrewseep@yahoo.ca or call Pauline at 709-834-8508.

Photo: flickr.com/m.crosbie

All are welcome to attend the 2012 Annual General Meeting of the NLEN.

When: Thursday, November 15, 2012

4:00 pm – 5:30 pm — Business Meeting including election of Steering Committee members

6:00 pm – 9:00 pm – Social and dinner with introductory remarks from Environment and Conservation Minister Tom Hedderson, and keynote address from Craig Pollet (Executive Director, Municipalities NL) on the important role of environmental groups within municipalities

Where: The Rocket Room, Rocket Bakery, 272 Water St., St. John’s, NL (http://rocketfood.ca/rocket-room/)

This event is a great opportunity to connect with environmental organisations active across the province. We hope that you will be able to attend!

If you are interested in joining the NLEN Steering Committee, please contact us. New members are welcome!

Please RSVP by emailing Chris Hogan at nlen.ed@gmail.com or calling 709-753-7898.

Photo: Flickr.com/tom cochrane

The Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides, Newfoundland and Labrador (CAP-NL) is alerting the general public to the risk of exposure to toxic pesticide being used to remove vegetation along roadsides throughout the province. The Pesticides Control Section of the Department of the Environment and Conservation, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, has announced extensive roadside spraying of the herbicide Tordon 101 which has the chemical 2, 4-D as an active ingredient. The manufacturer of this product has issued warnings and precautions pertaining to this pesticide as follows:

Cautions:

MAY CAUSE SKIN AND EYE IRRITATION

HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED

MAY BE HARMFUL IF ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN

DO NOT GET IN EYES

AVOID CONTACT WITH EYES, SKIN AND CLOTHING

AVOID BREATHING SPRAY MIST

DO NOT INHALE FUMES

Precautions:

KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN

MAY CAUSE SKIN AND EYE IRRITATION

HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED

MAY BE HARMFUL IF ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN

DO NOT GET IN EYES

AVOID CONTACT WITH EYES, SKIN AND CLOTHING

AVOID BREATHING SPRAY MIST

DO NOT INHALE FUMES

The provincial government in July of this year announced “that 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid),will no longer be permitted for application on lawns.”

Dr . Ian Simpson, Co-Chair of CAP-NL says that his organization is pleased that the provincial government announced the banning of pesticides with the active ingredient 2,4-D for use on lawns. However he is alarmed at the contradictory increase in the use of the 2, 4-D pesticide, Tordon 101 along our roadways. Dr. Simpson references that on June 19, 2012 the Ontario College of Family Physicians (OCFP) strongly recommended that the public reduce their exposure to pesticides wherever possible, based on the findings of its second comprehensive review of research on the effects of pesticides on human health. The review showed associations between pesticide exposure and various neurological and respiratory diseases, as well as reproductive problems. Covering 142 studies, the review also demonstrates that children are particularly vulnerable to pesticide exposures that occur during pregnancy.

The Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides (CAP-NL) is a provincial coalition of health and environmental organizations and citizens who are concerned about the risks posed by the use of pesticides to the health of children, adults, animals, and the environment. The Coalition is advising the general public to keep their windows closed when driving in areas where toxic pesticides are being used along our roadways and not to engage in any recreational activities in these areas such as berry picking, fishing and camping where there is danger of exposure to the pesticides.

A pesticide is anything that is used to control or destroy a pest. Pesticides used to kill insects are known as insecticides, those used to kill weeds are called herbicides, those used to kill rodents are called rodenticides, and those used to kill fungi are called fungicides.

CAP-NL is urging the provincial government to be consistent in their pesticides policy and alternatively use more environmentally sustainable and less health threatening means of vegetation management along roadways. The Coalition suggests establishing more environmentally sustainable vegetation bordering roadways that requires less maintenance by manual physical treatment.

For further information please contact:

Dr. Ian Simpson, Co- Chair CAP-NL (Contact Information)

Link to petition “Please stop poisoning our province”:

http://sprayadvisory.blogspot.ca/2012/07/persistent-toxic-pesticides-to-be.html

Appendix:

PUBLIC NOTICE

#1

Please be advised that weather permitting Newfoundland and Labrador Vegetation Control will commence an Herbicide Spray Program for WST starting August 2, 2012

Route 1 TCH

Adeytown – Clarenville,

Bonavista underpass to Port Blandford Route 210

TCH at Goobies to North Hr. Intersection.

The products that will be used in this spray program are Tordon 101 Reg# 9007.

Any questions or concerns please contact NLVC Office @  (709) 673-5898, 8 am – 5 pm Monday to Friday, or Fax us @  (709) 673-5899, or Pesticide Control Section @ 1 800 563-6181.

#2

Please be advised that weather permitting Newfoundland and Labrador Vegetation Control will commence an Herbicide Spray Program for WST, starting July 30, 2012.

Botwood Highway Route 350

Bay D’Espoir Highway Route360

Route 1 TCH GrandfallsWindsor – Badger

Botwood Airport and Road

The products that will be used in this spray program are Tordon 101 Reg# 9007.

Any questions or concerns please contact NLVC Office @ (709) 673-5898, 8am – 5 pm Monday to Friday, or Fax us @ (709) 673-5899, or Pesticide Control Section @ 1-800 563-6181.

#3

Please be advised that weather permitting, Newfoundland and Labrador Vegetation Control will commence a Herbicide Spray Program for WST, starting July 30, 2012.

Route 1 TCH

Birchy Narrows to McIsaacs Brook

North Branch River – McDougall Brook

Burgeo Road Intersection to Route 490 Intersection

Route 490 Intersection to 461 Intersection

Route 401 towards Howley , off TCH

Route 420 Clam Pond Road to Taylors Brook Road

St. Andrews Airstrip

The products that will be used in this spray program are Tordon 101 Reg # 9007.

Any questions or concerns please contact: NLVC Office @  (709) 673-5898, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, or Fax us @  (709) 673-5899, or Pesticide Control Section @ 1 800 563-6181.

#4

Please be advised that weather permitting Newfoundland and Labrador Vegetation Control will commence an Herbicide Spray Program starting July 9,2012.

Route 100 Argentia Access Rd. at TCH to approx. 300m West of Route 101 to Long Harbour.

Route 92 at North Hr. Interection to Branch

Route 100 South of Pointe Verde to South of Ship Cove

The products that will be used in this spray program are Tordon 101 Reg# 9007, Garlon XRT, PCP # 28945.

Any questions or concerns please contact NLVC Office @ (709) 673-5898, 8am – 5 pm Monday to Friday, or Fax us @ (709) 673-5899, or Pesticide Control Section @ 1 800 563-6181 .

#5

Please be advised that weather permitting Newfoundland and Labrador Vegetation Control will commence an Herbicide Spray Program for WST starting July 30, 2012

Route 1 TCH Foxtrap, Paddy’s Pond to Butterpot Park

Route75 Veteran’s Memorial Highway from TCH to North River

Route10 Southern Shore Highway from CapeBroyle to Renews – Cappahayden

Route 63 Avondale Access Rd. from TCH towardsRoute 60

Route 13 Witless Bay Line from km 13 to TCH

Route 101 – Long Hr. Road from Route 100 intersection to Route 202 Intersection

The products that will be used in this spray program are Tordon 101 Reg# 9007.

Any questions or concerns please contact NLVC Office@  (709) 673-5898, 8am – 5 pm Monday to Friday, or Fax us @ (709) 673-5899, or Pesticide Control Section @ 1-800 563-6181.

NLVC will be in the following areas The week of July 30,2012 to August 11,2012……

NL Power Gander to GFW (136 L – 102 L)

Tordon 101 reg# 9007

Sylgard

5ha for test plot (Dupont Navius Herbicide)

WST Roadside Spray

Avalon Route 1 TCH Fox Paddy’s Pond to Butterpot Park

Avalon Route75 Veteran’s Memorial Highway from TCH to North River

Avalon Route 10 Southern Shore Highway from Cape Broyle to Renews Cappahayden

Avalon Route 101 Long Harbour Rd. from Route 100 Int. to Route 202 Int.

Avalon Route 63 Avondale Acess Road from TCH interchange toward R60

Avalon Route 13 Witless Bay Line from km 13.4 from TCH interchange to Route 10 Int.

Eastern route 1 TCH from 1.7 km East of Adeytown to Clarenville

Eastern Route 1 Bonavista Peninsula Underpass to first Intersection to Port Blandford

Eastern Route 210 TCH at Goobies to North Harbour Intersection

Central Route 350 Botwood Highway km 12 – km 19

Central Route 360 Bay D’Espoir Highway km 49 – km 60

Central Route 360 Bay D’Espoir Highway km 80 – km 84

Central Route 360 Bay D’Espoir Highway km 113 – km 125.4

Kayaking in Bonne Bay, Gros Morne National Park. CPAWS’ report points to threat of offshore oil and gas development in Gros Morne National Park.  Photo: Flickr.com/David Ooms

Ottawa–  In the run-up to Canada Parks Day on the 3^rd Saturday in July, the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) released a sobering report  about the growing threats our parks are facing. The report highlights the dangers to our parks due to funding cuts; the loss of science and ecological monitoring capacity; and the growth of inappropriate developments within and adjacent to many current and proposed parks.

“In Newfoundland and Labrador, this discouraging trend is in strong evidence. We have lost valuable staff in both our national and provincial parks, and hours are currently being reduced” expressed Co-Executive Director Suzanne Dooley, CPAWS NL.

“Across the country, the trend is extremely discouraging this year. Parks Canada has been hit hard by funding cuts, leading to the elimination of 638 positions across the country. In turn this means that nearly 30% of the scientists and technicians restoring and monitoring the ecological health of our parks have been fired or reassigned.  The cuts also mean many parks are cutting their seasons shorter, opening the door to inappropriate use of them with no supervision,” says CPAWS National Executive Director Eric Hebert-Daly.

“Not only are our parks facing growing threats to their ecological health from the funding cuts, the tourism community and nearby communities are also facing economic harm.  The government’s own research shows that for every $1 spent on parks, $5 is contributed toCanada’s gross domestic product. Why isn’t the government recognizing the important benefits that result from investing in our parks?” adds Hebert-Daly.

Challenges facing Newfoundland and Labrador’s parks

“In Newfoundland and Labrador , we are very concerned cutbacks and layoffs to staff will have a huge impact on the ecological integrity of the parks as well as the effects that it will have for the visitor experience and local communities,” says Dooley.

CPAWS has been issuing an annual report on the state ofCanada’s parks since 2008. The first report lauded the rate of new parks creation by the federal government that year. Subsequent reports noted the slowdown in parks creation, the need to increase the number of marine protected areas, and some inappropriate developments that were starting to be noted.

-30-

Download Report: The State of Canada’s Parks – 2012 Report (CPAWS)

For interviews, contact:

Suzanne Dooley, (709)726-5800 or sdooley@cpaws.org or

Tanya Edwards tedwards@cpaws.org

 CPAWS NL website: www.cpawsnl.org

CPAWS is Canada’s voice for wilderness. Since 1963 we’ve led in creating over two-thirds of Canada’s protected areas. That amounts to about half a million square kilometres – an area bigger than the entire Yukon Territory! Our vision is that Canada will protect at least half of our public land and water. As a national charity with 13 chapters, 55,000 supporters and hundreds of volunteers, CPAWS works collaboratively with governments, local communities, industry and indigenous peoples to protect our country’s amazing natural places.

flickr.com/dragonwoman

Ray Johnson of the citizens group Community Linkages and Fred Winsor of the grass roots organization Sierra Club of Canada, today called upon the United Nations General Assembly and the Food and Agriculture Organization to request that Canada adhere to the precautionary approach, the protection and rebuilding of ocean biodiversity, and sustainable fisheries principles it signed under the November 2006 United Nations Sustainable Fisheries Resolution.

“Despite 20 years of a groundfish moratorium, Canada’s policy towards its oceans and commercial fisheries has failed to change its fisheries management practices and implement a recovery strategy. None of our traditional fisheries have recovered”, stated Chairman Johnson.

“As a consequence of the 1992 Cod Moratorium, the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador witnessed an emptying of its coastal communities. Over 60,000 people were forced to resettle to seek employment. Other provinces such as Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, and British Columbia also witnessed extensive outmigration’s from their coastal communities because of industrial overfishing combined with completely inadequate management practices”, said Fred Winsor.

Winsor cites, ”International organizations such as the World Economic Forum have rated Canada’s fisheries and oceans management policies as one of the worst in the world. Canada continues to use unsustainable management practices as more species under its control are either decimated or destroyed”.

“Newfoundland and Labrador is now witnessing the same impacts on other fish species. Meanwhile, other countries continue to fish and use no-take or no-fishing zones to restore the ocean’s natural systems. They enjoy the benefits of sustainable management as the ocean areas under their care recovers and their traditional commercial stocks rebuild. We can do the same here. Let us build a fishery that can be sustainable for the next 500 years”, stated Johnson.

“Unfortunately, efforts to rebuild ocean biodiversity have been met with political and bureaucratic indifference and interference as the public participation has been disbanded and the Ocean’s Act remains mainly unused”, noted Winsor.

“Canada has lost its way when it comes to renewable resources, which can provide food needed to support our human population for generations to come. Canada has the capacity to foster long-term sustainability by making adjustments and following agreements it has signed to support and promote long-term sustainability of our oceans and fish stocks”, stated Winsor.

“We believe that the people of our coastal communities are central to finding solutions to develop a responsible, sustainable future for our fishing industry. Rural communities bring detailed knowledge of local marine environments, fishing practices, political structures, and social motivation. For instance, the Fogo Island Coop is the greatest example of how community and fishery stakeholders can cooperate to successfully manage and operate a fishery”, noted Johnson.

Both groups are encouraging coastal communities around the globe to join them as they move forward to pursue the goal of making inshore commercial fisheries and coastal communities sustainable again. They indicate they are in this for the long haul, for present and future generations, that together people can make a real difference and be the change they desire.

“Write a letter and make our case. By so doing the least we can say is that when democracy returns to the halls of power our case will be on file, and when the current regime comes to an end, our pleas might be seen as deserving of careful consideration”, stated Bud Davidge, a Newfoundland and Labrador Music Artist.

Documents: 

Letter to United Nations General Assembly, June 25, 2012

Report in Brief: The Royal Society of Canada Expert Panel — Sustaining Canada’s Marine Biodiversity: Responding to the Challenges Posed by Climate Change, Fisheries, and Aquaculture (February 2012)

For more information, contact:

Ray Johnson, Chairman Community Linkages, fisheriescouncil@communitylinkages.ca, 709-584-3624, 709-237-7722

Fred Winsor, Conservation Chair, Sierra Club Canada, 709-738-3781

The Newfoundland and Labrador Environment Network is marking Environment Week (June 3-9) with publication of its Year in Review 2011. This publication celebrates some of the tremendous work being carried out by community-based environmental organisations in Newfoundland and Labrador. These groups are working on a host of different issues: environmental education, reducing our exposure to toxic chemicals, protecting biodiversity, encouraging local food production, undertaking community clean-ups, waste reduction, and much more. Have a look!

View: NLEN Year in Review 2011 (4 MB)

Feedback is welcome:

Email: Chris Hogan – nlen.ed@gmail.com

Phone: 709-753-7898

Black Out Speak Out press conference, Harbourside Park, St. John’s

ST. JOHN’S – Representatives of several Newfoundland and Labrador environmental and community organisations, scientists, and individuals are speaking out today as part of the national Black Out Speak Out campaign against the down-grading of an array of environmental protection measures as outlined in the federal Budget Bill C-38, and sweeping cuts to conservation science and programming.

Changes introduced through Bill C-38 will weaken legislation protecting fish habitat and species at risk, narrow the scope of environmental assessment, reduce transparency in government decision making, and down-load responsibility to the provinces. “In continuing its destruction of basic environmental protections this government shows its ignorance of the ecological foundation that sustains our way of life,” stated John D. Jacobs, President, Nature Newfoundland and Labrador.

“Changes to the environmental assessment process as well as the Fisheries Act endanger the air, water, land and oceans we all need for every day life,” echoed Simon Jansen of the Western Environment Centre.

The legislative changes are being introduced through an omnibus budget bill, thereby skirting the normal processes of parliamentary and public debate. “It is bad enough that Stephen Harper, as the unofficial CEO of Corporate Canada, is gutting the Fisheries Act and subverting the environmental protection process. What is most insidious is his attempt to subvert democracy and the right of free speech of citizens,” said Ken Kavanagh, Chair of St. John’s Chapter of Council of Canadians, and the Sandy Pond Alliance. “The vast majority of Canadians value and want to protect the environment but Stephen Harper is engaged in both a frontal and covert attack on those who speak out and demand that protection.”

Significant cuts to federal science programs, including environmental research and monitoring, are also raising alarm. “As the Harper government demolishes options for environmental science, legislation and protection for offshore hydrocarbon production and for a robust science-based approach to resource development throughout Canada, they increase the risks and real costs for all Canadians. It’s time to push back or be pushed under,” said Dr. Bill Montevecchi, University Research Professor, Memorial University.

“Changes to legislation, decimation of environmental science and an associated anti-science approach to resource policy are an attack on the continued health of Canada’s environment. One only need look at our waters; the very well-being of our fisheries resources have been opened to unprecedented damage through the diminution of the protection of fish habitat,” stated Dr. Ian Fleming of Memorial University’s Ocean Sciences Centre. “These changes have occurred without factual discussion nor broad consultation – in an absence of science. There is an apparent emphasis being placed on resource development with little regard for impacts on ecosystems and in essence, the environment that we depend on for our air, water and food. The health of Canadians is under threat.”

The Black Out Speak Out campaign has gained the support of a range of groups around the province and country who will all darken their websites on June 4 and send letters, tweets, and take other actions. “Securing civic space for marginalized voices to be heard is a critical part of Oxfam Canada’s work worldwide. That is why we are supporting our environmental and community allies in the Black Out Speak Out action,” said Bill Hynd, Oxfam Canada. “Bill C-38, with its disregard for protection of the environment at this time of rapidly expanding economic development, can only result in dire consequences for all life, human and non-human,” stated Sister Mary Tee, Coordinator, Mercy Centre for Ecology and Justice.

Launched on May 7, Black Out Speak Out invites organizations, businesses and citizens from across Canada to darken their websites on June 4, and speak out against changes introduced in the federal government’s budget act (C-38). The Black Out Speak Out campaign, coordinated by several of Canada’s largest environmental organisations, has engaged more than 15,000 people and 500 organisations to speak out.

Black Out Speak Out:

Website: http://blackoutspeakout.ca/  Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/BlackOutSpeakOut

Twitter: #BlackOutSpeakOut

– 30 –

CONTACT:

John Jacobs
Nature Newfoundland and Labrador
709-738-3147 / jjacobs@nl.rogers.com

Ken Kavanagh
St. John’s Chapter of Council of Canadians, and the Sandy Pond Alliance
709-691-0991 / kavanagh.ken@gmail.com

Fred Winsor
Sierra Club of Canada – Atlantic Chapter
709-738-3781 / winsorf@nl.rogers.com

Chris Hogan
Newfoundland and Labrador Environment Network
709-753-7898 / nlen.ed@gmail.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ANALYSIS:

What Bill C-38 means for the environment

Prepared by West Coast Environmental Law and Ecojustice, May 2012

The 2012 budget bill (Bill C-38) will weaken Canada’s most important environmental laws and silence Canadians who want to defend them. Instead of using the usual process for sweeping changes, which allows for thorough debate, these changes are being shoehorned into a 452-page budget bill.

The changes amount to:

• weakened protection for fish and species at risk;

• an entirely new — and less comprehensive — environmental assessment law;

• broad decision making powers for Cabinet and Ministers; and

• less accountability and fewer opportunities for public participation.

What follows is a list of the TOP 10 items of environmental concern in the budget bill.

1. Changes to the Fisheries Act mean that the law may no longer protect all fish and the waters where they live.

The new protection framework could exclude many fish and watercourses. Generally, habitat protection will only include permanent alteration or destruction of “commercial, recreational or aboriginal fisher(ies)” habitat and some activities will be exempt from the law regardless of how much damage they cause. The federal government will also be able to hand over the power to authorize destruction of fish habitat to provincial governments or other entities, which is worrisome.

2. No maximum time limits on permits allowing impacts on species at risk.

This means that there will no longer be any guaranteed review to evaluate ongoing impacts to endangered species. These potential ‘perpetual’ permits could continue even where there is a drastic decline in the population of a species affected by the permitted activity.

3. The National Energy Board (NEB) will be exempted from species at risk protections.

The NEB will no longer have to ensure that measures have been taken to minimize impacts on the critical habitat of at-risk species before the NEB approves a pipeline or other major infrastructure. For example, there is no guarantee that an environmental assessment will consider the impacts of a proposed pipeline project and related oil tanker traffic on the habitat of endangered orca whales before the NEB issues a certificate approving that pipeline.

4. The Canadian Environmental Assessment Act is being replaced with a new Act that will significantly narrow the number of projects that will be assessed for their environmental, social and economic impacts.

Assessments, when they happen, will be less rigorous and subject to time limits that will place further constraints on public and First Nations’ participation. The new Act will apply only to “designated projects,” but we don’t yet know what those will be. The new Act gives the Environment Minister and government officials broad decision-making power: The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency would be able to exempt a  designated project from even going through the assessment process.

5. The federal government is offloading responsibilities to the provinces.

This is troubling because the patchwork of environmental laws and policies at the provincial level leave doubt as to whether they can act as a sufficient or legally defensible substitute for federal oversight. Prime examples of this offloading include shifting responsibility for implementation or enforcement of the Fisheries Act to provinces and eliminating many federal environmental assessments.

6. Cabinet is now granted authority to override a “no” decision of the National Energy Board.

This may allow politics of the day to trump an independent, objective process and undermine the NEB’s expertise.

7. No more joint review panels.

Where a major energy project will be subject to an NEB hearing, a Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency-enabled review panel is prohibited, so there will be no more joint review panels. Thus, the environmental implications of major energy projects will now be evaluated only by the energy regulator.

8. Broad decision-making powers are being shifted from the public realm and given to Cabinet and individual Ministers.

This means decisions related to fish habitat protection and environmental assessments will be allowed to be made behind closed doors with minimal public scrutiny.

9. Significant narrowing of public engagement in resource review panel hearings, particularly for major oil projects, pipelines and mines.

In order to participate, people will have to prove they will be directly affected or have relevant information or expertise. In some cases, their contributions may still be ignored.

10. Repeal of two important environmental laws.

The repeal of the Kyoto Protocol Implementation Act, means no more domestic accountability measures on climate change and the repeal of the National Round Table on Environment and Economy Act will phase out this valuable advisory body completely.

For National Release
June 4, 2012

Fred Winsor
Sierra Club of Canada (Atlantic Chapter)
winsorf@nl.rogers.com
709-738-3781

Chris Hogan
NL Environment Network
nlen.ed@gmail.com
709-753-7898