On last hearing day, developer alleges bias and asks Tribunal panel to step down. Then the MOECC demands new criteria be used for the decision
January 16, 2016
The multi-year saga of the appeal of a wind power project approval at Ostrander Point on the South Shore of Prince Edward County continued yesterday in Toronto, at what was supposed to be a hearing of final oral submissions.
The day began slowly with the usual formalities.
Appellant lawyer Eric Gillespie said at the outset of the day that the purpose of the hearing was to review the proposed remedy to avoid killing endangered turtles. The developer needed to prove that the remedies will work, Gillespie said, and they have not.
Lawyer Chris Paliare said that the wind power project at Ostrander Point will be a costly experiment, with wildlife suffering as a result.
Then, counsel for the power developer Doug Hamilton stunned the audience and panel with his assertion that the panel was biased and should recuse itself. While both lawyers for the appellant and Intervenor objected, Chris Paliare said that this was the result of a “sinister plot” by the developer who saw that “things aren’t going their way.” It was preposterous to bring up such an unfounded and serious motion at this stage of the proceedings, Mr Paliare asserted.
Even more amazing was the introduction of the concept of “public interest” into the decision process, by Ministry of Environment and Climate Change lawyer Sylvia Davis. “It’s OK to kill turtles,” Ms Davis told the panel, if it’s for wind power because the project will reduce greenhouse gases and that is in the public interest.
“Are you saying that ‘public interest’ trumps everything?” asked panel chair Robert Wright.
“I’m not saying that,” Ms Davis answered, then said she didn’t have any further information.
Eric Gillespie said that in light of the issues now raised by the MOECC, he would be asking for an adjournment of the Amherst Island, White Pines, and Settlers Landing appeals until the issues were resolved.
Lawyers were directed by the panel to file final submissions by Wednesday January 20th.
Here is a report from the appellant, Prince Edward County Field Naturalists.
The drama continues
by Cheryl Anderson, Prince Edward County Field Naturalists
On Friday Jan 15 Heather Gibbs and Robert Wright of the Environmental Review Tribunal (ERT) panel, convened yet another day of hearings into the Prince Edward County Field Naturalists’ (PECFN) appeal of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) Renewable Energy Approval (REA) of the Gilead Power Industrial Wind turbine project at Ostrander Point Crown Land Block.
This hearing was held to hear final oral submissions from Eric Gillespie, representing PECFN, Chris Paliare representing the South Shore Conservancy or SSC (intervenors supporting PECFN), Douglas Hamilton, representing Gilead Power and Sylvia Davis, representing MOECC.
This so-called re-hearing was brought about by the Court of Appeal decision last year which confirmed the original ERT decision, but sent the matter back to the ERT for consideration of Gilead’s proposed remedy to serious and irreversible harm to the Blanding’s Turtle — that is, to install gates on the turbine access roads. Arguments about this issue were heard throughout the late summer and fall and were remarkable for the admission from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) Blanding’s Turtle expert, Joe Crowley, admission that he had recommended against the project when it was first proposed due to the danger it would cause to the population of Blanding’s Turtles at the site.
The final submissions of the Gilead Power legal team included two issues that began the hearing. One was the assertion that the time for making any decision about the remedy to the project had expired. The other was that the panel, specifically Mr. Wright was biased and that as a result the panel should recuse itself. This assertion was based on the fact that after giving the decision on Ostrander, Mr Wright was on the panel for another appeal where the ruling quoted from the Ostrander decision. On that panel with him was the ERT vice chair Jerry DeMarco, spouse of Anne Bell, Ontario Nature’s director of Conservation and Education.
In contrast to the usual, Ms. Davis did not agree with Mr. Hamilton in these two matters. Eric Gillespie and Chris Paliare spoke, also disagreeing with Mr. Hamilton. The panel reserved their decision (they will let us know later what they have decided).
We then came to the main arguments for the day which were oral presentations which essentially set out again all the reasons that PECFN (Eric Gillespie) and SSC (Chris Paliare) had for denying the remedy. This evidence relied on and reiterated the information given by Dr. Fred Beaudry and Ms. Kari Gunson at the hearings in the fall. Arguments were presented against the position of the approval holder (Gilead) and the MOECC that gates on the roads would save the turtles from serious and irreversible harm.
After lunch Mr. Hamilton and Ms. Davis had their turns to respond to the arguments presented by PECFN and SSC. This was, as expected, a reiteration of the written material which was sent before Christmas. Both commented that by installing gates serious and irreversible harm to the Blanding’s Turtle will be reduced to merely ‘universal’ harm and therefore the project should be approved.
However, in her written submission Ms. Davis had introduced a new issue which she now emphasized. That is, the MOECC is asserting that it was acting in the public interest by approving the Gilead power project because it involves renewable energy. There ensued a “discussion” between Mr. Wright and Ms. Davis regarding the MOECC’s Statement of Environmental Values (SEV). Mr. Wright has required Ms. Davis (and all other legal representatives) to submit to the Tribunal by Wednesday January 20 the arguments she is using to support her contention that approving the Ostrander Point project satisfies (or doesn’t) the Statement of Environmental Values of the MOECC.
Eventually the Tribunal will issue a decision on the issue of timing and bias. The final decision on the remedy issue will follow.
For more information and for a link to help out with fundraising in this important legal action, please go to: http://savethesouthshore.org/overview-of-issues/#sthash.b2k6ItFm.dpbs
38 Comments
Pat Cusack
Not only no respect for endangered species but also humans as well and we are becoming endangered by ruthless politicians.
Roy Merkley
Ms Davis statement that “Its O.K. to kill turtles if its for wind power because the project will reduce green house gasses” should be challenged as there is no definitive proof that that is true. That hypothesis is based on scientific speculation and there are those who have legitimate doubts as to its certainty. I suggest the participants in this issue especially the lawyers, read the book titled ‘Hubris’ by Michael Hart from Carleton University to inject some common sense and perspective in this process.
It should be required reading by everyone at the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.
Sommer
Roy, I absolutely agree with you!
I’ve spent hundreds of hours pouring through scientific discussion on this matter and I am convinced that the rationale used for this imposition on our lives in rural Ontario is not based on solid science. Ultimately any judge presiding over this sort of case must be made aware that the science is not settled and that the alarmism used to convince Canadians that we had to accept industrial wind turbines and their damage must be seriously scrutinized.
Wind Concerns Ontario
The report from the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers which states the GHGs will INCREASE with wind power, was mentioned.
Avoter
So let me get this straight,( Barb, I may need your help on this.) The director is being asked to step down by the OMECC lawyer due to association to the concerned citizen’s group (at some point along this insane ERT process),but that thought would also apply to the MoECC lawyers and all other government of Ontario public service personal since they are part of the OPSEU which is a PART OWNER IN THIS PROJECT http://ontario-wind-resistance.org/2013/07/03/who-knew-ndp-caucus-opseu-part-owners-in-ostrander-point-wind-project/ !!!!!!!!!!!??????
Wind Concerns Ontario
This is not correct: the wind power developers via their lawyer, have asked the Environmental Review Tribunal, particularly one member, to recuse, on the basis of bias. The MOECC lawyer did not participate in that motion. She did, however, put forward the idea that the “public interest” should be seen as an important factor in the decision, i.e., renewables are important therefore more important than turtles. It is worth noting that exactly two years ago, the same lawyer said in court, “So a few turtles die, so a few people get headaches…wind power is important public infrastructure.” Mr Gillespie is asking now that all other appeals be adjourned because of the MOECC new stipulation—which was not founded by any reference to appropriate statutes. Does this clarify?
Barbara
Isn’t this “public good” issue outside the scope of this ERT? This ERT was supposed to be about mitigation measures for Blanding’s turtles as was ordered by the court.
Pat Cusack
How dare anyone say common sense should be involved in any of these decisions. There is only one way to insure the public gets a say, start a class ACTION SUIT WITH ALLL THE OBJECTIONS AND PARTIES INVOLVED Bernie Cusack.
Barbara
Tort Law Update: Elements Of The Tort Of Abuse Of Authority/Misfeasance In Public Office, June, 2005
P. 17, Conclusion: Other Legal Actions that are available besides Misfeasance.
Judicial Review
Regulatory Liability
General Negligence
http://redengine.lawsociety.sk.ca/inmagicgenie/documentfolder/ac4467.pdf
There is more than one way to deal with situations. Class actions take quite a long time to prepare.
Barbara
Competition Bureau Complaints might also apply in this situation.
Patti Kellar
You just can’t make this stuff up! This from a government who touts ‘Everyone Matters’. How much more insane can it get????
Sommer
I agree Patti. Every time I hear that line repeated- that ‘everyone matters’- and I think about what I am experiencing directly and what I know others are experiencing directly because of these turbines and I think about how ineffective this government has been in making the necessary changes after victims have made such efforts to communicate their distress, I hit the limit of my ability to cope with the sheer hypocrisy.
Grant
What’s next after sacrificing endangered turtles? Will they want to sacrifice children on the global warming alter?
Barbara
Host IWT land owners with children may already be sacrificing their children?
Sommer
All of the children who are living too close to industrial wind turbines and are/have been directly or indirectly impacted are/have been sacrificed and this has been justified by our government because they are ‘saving the planet’.
We need to network and figure out how many people have been or are still being made to experience the distress, annoyance of noise a s well as the long list of physical symptoms from infrasound radiation in this province.
Theresa
“Some of us have to give for the benefit of others.” This was said to me a few years ago, after the turbines were built in Clear Creek, by an environmentalist.
I have be forced into a situation that has severly hurt my child, lead to the death of my dog, has negatively impacted my health causing me pain every day, damaged my relationships with my family and friends, forced me from my home, has made me too ill to teach. What next? What do I have left to give? For what? How should I feel about this?
I am not to be angry, hurt, sad, or devastated. Im to shut up, go away, and die; and in time it will all be forgotten.
CEO Mike Crawley of Aim Powergen won’t help me, Dalton McGuinty wouldn’t help me, Kathleen Wynne ignores the harm being caused to people of rural Ontario. Will someone please help me and ask Justin Trudea to provide respite for me and others who had to leave their homes here in Ontario?
Mike Crawley came to Clear Creek in 2009 to meet with a handful of residents to hear about our concerns since his turbines were built. This is how it was:
David Tim pulled in, driving a black shiny SUV. He maker a phone call and then got out of his vehicle with his brief case and introduced himself.
Shortly after, another shiny black SUV pulled in. Mike Crawley got out; well groomed, hair nicely coiffed, wearing designer clothes, pressed blue jeans, polished leather shoes, nice briefcase and took a seat at the table.
Mike and David stayed for about an hour. Mike took notes. Before he left he said we would hear from him in the near future.
He went hack to Toronto or where ever it was he came from and was never heard from again. (just like the song says!)
Thanks Mike for ruining my life. Looking forward to a day we can meet again.
Sommer
Theresa, you did not deserve this. You, like so many rural people in this province are innocent victims. You did not consent to being the subject of this experiment, Having people’s homes sited within industrial wind power stations was never proven safe.
The ‘moral coma’ that this government is in will be fully exposed.
There is a growing team of people working hard to expose all who were/are complicit in this violation.
It becomes very damaging for people who are experiencing health impacts to be further violated and abused through ignorance and invalidation from the only people who could and should make the necessary changes.
The grief experienced when one loses the sense of safety and security of their home is very real.
The forthcoming of compassion from people in this province who are not direct victims is long overdue. You deserve to be the recipient of an outpouring of support and acknowledgement for what you have endured. You have a right to be angry.
Lynda
It seems to me that Sylvia Davis is working against the MOECC by saying it’s ok to kill an endangered species like the Blandings turtle. Isn’t their mantra to protect the environment and everything connected to it? MOECC is paying a lawyer who is sabotaging the very bain of their existence! If public interest trumps the environment, why have an MOECC at all? Fire them all and dismantle the organization! The province could save the taxpayers millions! If public interest trumps everything else, it is in our public interest for her to move to a country where they don’t care about the environment. With reference to her statement about ‘a few people getting headaches’, she is nothing short of inhuman. Obviously she has never endured migraines and tinnitus while having to go about her daily routine. She is shockingly lacking in compassion for her fellow man . Obviously she has never considered children and babies who can’t complain about headaches they are suffering! Obviously she has never considered those suffering from autism who can FEEL noise that she can’t! She is vile.
Theresa
Thanks for your words of encouragement Sommer and I know and appreciate very much the support of those who are working hard each day to help us. I am truly grateful.
Toronto is the hub of Ontario. The majority of city folk lack compassion. There are many highly educated people in Toronto. They are products of the system. Stick these people in the country and see how they manage and cope to survive. With a sense of entitlement, lack of work ethic and human compassion, an existence would be very difficult for many.
The scenario I provided in my previous post of Mike Crawley coming to rural Ontario is sickening. To see Kathleen Wynne sit on a tractor in her red designer boots is a joke.
The day Dalton McGuinty came to town…I don’t know if I should lmao or throw up, maybe both!
I was one of a handful of protesters present. It was very low key. Dalton’s visit had not been announced to the public. The media and OPP were present; undercover officers as well – who directed us to stand on the shoulder of busy highway #3.
“The Godfather” arrived with his entourage-all in their shiny black SUVs. Dalton’s driver was a big fellow who looked like “Mr. T”, gold bling and all. He opened the door for HRH. Out of the back crawled Dalton accompanied by a pretty blonde. I wonder if thus was the same woman he sent flowers to on her birthday?! They scurried inti the building. It was nor long before they scurried back out to their ride and left as quietly as they came.
Later in the day I watched the broadcast on London news: Dalton visiting the new Seimens plant in Tillsonburg where turbine blades were being built; another joke-the plant was not yet in production. However, the coverage presented a staged environment featuring Dalton and the dignitaries in their white lab coats and protective gear.
This is Ontario folks!
I must clarify my words, when I refer to Toronto people, I say “most”, meaning not all. They are very great people, who hold their values high; one being Eric Gillespie – working hard to help us and to return Ontario to the great place I once knew. My son, Carmen Krogh, Dr. McMurtry, Beth Harrington, Stephana Johnston, and the nice young man – his name will come to me after U complete this post – he travelled around sw Ontario for six weeks with my son in an suv providing public awareness sessions to communities about the impacts of iwts.. to name a few.
There was also David Colling I believe was his name; not to be forgotten: he died in an odd accident here in sw Ontario. He was electrocuted when carrying out his work, checking voltage on a dairy farm. Other people whose names stand out in my mind are Dr. Nina Pierpont, Calvin Luther Martin (again my memory is not at par and my apologies if I did not get this correct). Richard James, acoustician from Ohio will be the last I will mention although there are many more I know who are still working in an effort to stop this madness.
My being is a daily existence living with the ongoing pain, the scarring and lesions of shingles on my face; the pain and damage associated with tmj, ear ache, hearing impairment, tinnitus, dizziness, nausea, chronic fatigue and depression.
People of Ontario in general, don’t believe the illness that is associated with exposure to infrasound, and/or they think they are invincible; that they will be one of the majority whose health is not negatively impacted.
At this time I have little hope. I will die or must move again, away from IWT development.
My “friend” Justin “sunny” Trudeau would like a complete reform in Ontario, a solid Liberal government..forever and ever amen. The Syrian refugees will be his following. I recently read about 300 of them still living in motels. It was “hard to keep the kids busy, crowded; and all one woman wanted was her own little house.” they were waiting for their cheque to arrive so this could be done properly. These people, just as anyone else, deserve to be safe. But dammit Sunny, you do not care about people like myself, citizens of Ontario, whose tax dollars support the refugee movement and who themselves need help.
It appears you have joined the ranks of people like Kathleen Wynn. You are a mere puppet of the Liberals. Women see you as a Pilf, you take selfies with the public, appear on the cover of Vogue magazine. You are to be a politician first, not a celebrity. You are currently waiting on multimillion dollar renos to be completely to your future home. How much of this is aesthetic? Your Christmas vacation at the posh resort, how much did we pay for that? The expense, your security is a part of the position you accepted. Suck it up. This is minuscule, but as a teacher, I can only travel to the sunny south at Christmas or in March, during peak rates. We pay our own expenses; no financial break given here! Oh, oh, have I forgotten..teachers make a lot of money. We can afford this!
For those of you who aren’t familiar with a teacher’s income, our net income is far from our gross income. We are in a high tax bracket, as well, my last payment to Ontario’s Teachers Insurance plan was ~ $750 for a two week period. (Multiply this by 24 pay periods a year, for 20 years-we’re not talking chump change here); my net pay is substantially less than my gross.
When I first went off work in a medical leave associated with stress, high blood pressure, brain aneurism, OTIP denied me my application for benefits! I was months with no income. I told OTIP I should have kept my money and invested it. The response I got was “That is what most teachers say!”
I am now under another evaluation by OTIP. They are wanting me back in the classroom!
For those who think teaching is easy, I will enlighten you: I have at least 80 students in my classes in one semester. I provide instruction on a daily basis, accommodating various needs, disabilities and learning styles. I prepare lessons as per the Ontario curriculum states; lessons that are educational, motivating, interesting, relevant to students and fun. I evaluate students progress, attend administrative meetings, professional development sessions, lead extra curricular activities. I have paid for classroom resources and $900 per course to update and keep current with my profession. I report to oarents, prepare report cards, have duties. I will also say that there is much disrespect exhibited by students at school. It is often apparent what their homelife consists of. What does that tell you?
Kids are appreciated of breakfast programs at school. It is very sad for me to think that there is not even a loaf of bread in the house and, if there was, often a kid cannot/will not make themselves something for breakfast. Again this is reality, here in Ontario. Look what we have come to.
I have touched on many issues here. It adds up to one thing: we must be better people; do better for our kids and others. No one can do this alone. All of us need to be responsible and do our part.
I have few resources, little energy and not much hope at this time. Without help Ontario, I either parish, or move away, likely out of province to somewhere away from iwts where I can survive, or lower my values and “play the game.”
Here again, I have spewed my guts all over the Internet. So what, you’re still reading….It is what it is – my life in Ontario. It is pathetic. I have not much left to give or lose. It is a dangerous thing.
Buck up Ontario, that includes you Wynn and Trudeau. Let’s talk face to face Kathleen and Justin. Afterall, each one of us is as important as the other; and isn’t that what you promised and were elected to do…
One of my favorite lines, “Each of us came into this life, with nothing. Each of us will leave this life , the same, with nothing.”
When the time comes, I will leave this world, and be in a good place, knowing I did my best.
The saga continues. Now go do something good for someone else.
Pat Cusack
Never ceases to amaze me how people treat each other! So very sad and depressing to say the least. I have my stories too. Heaven help us all.
Patti Kellar
Thank you Theresa. Well said. You covered a lot of ground and I know it is not easy sharing your personal story for the world. I believe it takes courage born perhaps from desperation. I believe yours and so many others sharing their stories will serve to expose this nightmare forced upon us. I think you will help raise awareness and I intend to cut and paste in the hopes impacting others.
Pat Cusack
Its nice to see all of you venting but getting something going class action or whatever would make more sense. Talking about turtles will resolve nothing, starting some action will get attention and make something happen. Bernie Cusack.
Lynda
Talking about turtles began the appeal for Ostranders and if the system and politicians were honest about the danger to the environment Ostrander wind project and Whitepines would never begin operations. Eric Gillespie has spent a good deal of his working time talking about turtles. Joe Crowley talked about turtles and scored big points for our side with his ‘change of heart’ that came about after his little talk with whomever. The lowly turtle will be a saviour in my humble opinion and I will continue to talk about that particular endangered species every chance I get. Free speech is about the only right we have left in Ontario!
Pat Cusack
Let’s hope that the turtles will save us! I would like to know if anyone in any government apart from Betty Konc, one of our aldermen, is reading any of this. Don’t give up the fight! I certainly am not.
Lynda
“Even more amazing was the introduction of the concept of “public interest” into the decision process, by Ministry of Environment and Climate Change lawyer Sylvia Davis. “It’s OK to kill turtles,” Ms Davis told the panel, if it’s for wind power because THE PROJECT WILL REDUCE GREENHOUSE GASSES and that is in the public interest”
Copied and pasted from the David Suzuki Foundation:
“Meat production is a major contributor to climate change. It is estimated that livestock production accounts for 70 per cent of all agricultural land use and occupies 30 per cent of the land surface of the planet. Because of their sheer numbers, livestock produce a considerable volume of greenhouse gases (such as methane and nitrous oxide) that contribute to climate change. In fact, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has estimated that livestock production is responsible for 18% of greenhouse gases.”
If Sylvia Davis is so concerned about treenhouse gasses, why not ban beef production and force people to become vegetarians? Wouldn’t that be in the public interest? Greenhouse gasses would be lowered substantially and there would be less red meat induced health problems…..the province would save a bundle in healthcare costs! How about it Ms. Davis…will you and your circle of windy friends promise to stop eating steak and do your part to get rid of greenhouse gas and change the climate?
Barbara
The ERTs have served a good purpose because so many have participated in these and learned a good bit about the legal process.
Once people learn something about the law then they are able to carry on into the other legal issues involving IWTs.
Lynda
I’ve learned something about the law from attending these meetings….I’ve learned the legal process is not always fair and above board. I’ve seen firsthand the bias of the tribunals in favour of IWT developers. If that is a good purpose, I must be blind as well as deaf….probably spent too much time close to the turbines.. IWT’s should never have been allowed to be constructed in the first place until all these health issues by Ontarian’s have been resolved. Ontario does not belong to their RH’nesses no matter what they believe. Libby is supposed to be governing for the benefit of ALL Ontarians. What a joke.
Barbara
But you learned Lynda and so have many others.
Theresa
The wind companies are laughing all the way to the bank while the tribunals are caught up in their arguments concerning the turtles.
Years from now in the history books future generations will be reading about how the people of today focused on saving the turtles.
Negative health impact from exposure to infrasound needs to be the focus.
Question:
What’s the difference between a Syrian refugee and an Ontario resident who is being harmed by radiation exposure?
Answer:
A Syrian refugee will flee to safer grounds.
The Canadian Federal government will care about and provide for the Syrian refugee who has fled to Ontario. An Ontario victim of harm is on their own; might as well find a hole and crawl in it.
I seriously question the sincerity and integrity of Justin Trudeau. What is Justin Trudeau’s connection to Mike Crawley (CEO of big wind company, a former president of Federal Liberal Party)? What interactions, associations, has there been between them?
Why did Kathleen Wynne take that extra step in supporting Justin’s campaign? Why was it imperative that he won the election?
In the grand scheme of things, Justin Trudeau was the perfect Liberal candidate. When the mission is completed, his colleagues may very well throw him under the bus. I really hope this not to be the case.
Yesterday, Justin visited a Mosque in Peterborough. Did he take the time to visit to the Buddhist retreat? We are aware they have real concerns of a different, but serious nature as well.
I would very much welcome a meeting with Justin to discuss the impact IWTs have had on my life. Could someone arrange this for me and let me know if he has accepted or declined my invite?
Lynda
I don’t see it as being focused on saving turtles…I see it as being focused on getting rid of the turbines in ANY way possible. If a turtle sanctuary will get these monstrosities stopped, then the focus should be on turtle habitat. If you think a meeting with Justin will stop this madness, then you should meet with him. Someone else is protesting because of 100 year old maple trees being destroyed .If I thought that eating Ms Wynnes red designer cowboy boots would do it, I’d have them in a pot on the stove in a heartbeat. It’s not fair of you to say “Negative health impact from exposure to infrasound needs to be the focus”. It doesn’t do anyone any good to criticize the way that someone else is trying to fight this thing (I’m not saying you are doing that, but some have). I’m not saying turtles are more important than your cause. I just think we all need to fight in our own way…whatever floats the boat and gets the job done.
Wind Concerns Ontario
It’s not that the turtles are more important than any other factor, it is just that they are pointing out the fallacy in the government’s “green” policy of saving the environment … by killing it. In actual fact, the locations at Amherst Island, Ostrander Point, and Prince Edward County’s South Shore as well as the Algoma region, the Oak Ridges Moraine, the North Shore of Erie, the Blue water area —name someplace!–all have many environmental factors that show the inappropriateness of utility-scale wind power projects.
Theresa
@Lynda
You mean saving the turtles is not important?! Lol, I’m just laughing at the absurdity of it all.
The turtles are the focus of the tribunal. I initially testified at the Ostrander Point tribunal; presenting 8 years of medical records as requested. To shift the focus away from the health issues, it was shifted to the turtles. Success of the tribunal was short lived. The outcome was appealed as we could expect. The next logical course of action would be to take up this victory and continue the process on what looked the most promising at the time, the turtles. We are playing into the governments hand, just as they planned. Their strategy is well thought out. We’re chasing our tail.
As WCO posted, yes, all areas has environmental factors that show inappropriateness of the wind power projects. Erie Shores wind farm is smack dab in the middle of a major North American migratory fly route, which also includes the UNESCO declared world class Long Point Biosphere Reserve. Also, the little hamlet of Clear Creek has designated historical status. All in all, I am sorry to say that I will be very much surprised if in the end, the turtles save the day.
“What ever floats the boat?!” that seems to be the mantra of this entire government fiasco..
Btw, I wouldn’t eat Wynne’s boots for anything.
Barbara
It’s about what has been uncovered in the OP ERTs that may be important.
Incompetent or over-ruled employees or both in this situation? Incorrect studies/information presented to the government to obtain a contract?
Theresa
Yes, it is about what is being uncovered in the ERT’s that is important.
Then what, will it be the circle game, again and again? In the mean time, time will pass and the weasels will be out of the picture. e.g. Dalton McGuinty: he simply prorofued, walked away and is living happily ever after. It will be years, if ever, until he is brought to the courts. I expect no sleep is lost there.
No disrespect intended Barbara.
Barbara
The OP legal proceedings are not over yet and there should be a ruling soon.
Then the questions should begin.
McGuinty still has to deal with the Pickens situation.
Patti Kellar
As I understand it though, McGuinty doesn’t have to pay for the Picken’s mess. The Feds have to defend the suit and the taxpayer is again, stuck with the bill.
Theresa
Yesterday on Easy 101 radio I heard the constrction of a new school for the Kitchener Elementary School Board was put on hold for 5 years. There had been a siting of the Blandings Turtle in the area; as we know the Blandings turtle is a protected species in Ontario.
I am not able to find the article on line…
Also, 2015 Long Point Pricincial Park featured an article of the rare Blandings turtle in the park magazine. Interestingly enough, there is a big new ministry development on the Long Point Causeway (World Class Biosphere Reserve, home of the Blandings turtle. I’d like to see the pre construction environmental assessment on that one. In the past, thexnumbers recorded in turtle road kill studies were bogus-far far from the truth. This justified the turtle culverts built under the road to accommodate the turtle crossings from the marsh to the bay. Cross walks with lights would have had less of an impact on the environment! Future studies will show minimal road kill on rge causeway (because there wasn’t very many in the first place). These “eco passes” did nothing for tgexturtles but will negatively impact the ecosystem of the marsh on the west side of the road and the inner bay on the east side.
The road is now a complete mess. Norfolk county is promoting tourism in the Long Point Biosphere. Human impact on sensitive environment is already evident. What the cottagers really want is a new road built; one that will widen the existing causeway and will have a bicycle path and a pretty man made landscape.
Academics will also have a big beautiful brand new facility to enjoy when they come from the city to “study” the “biosphere”!!!
Perhaps a few turbines can be installed here, 400 meters from the building and a total of 18 within 3 km radius: and subsidies provided could be put towards financing this project! The turbines could be studied as well! My God, what a brilliant idea!
Government hypocrisy..goes on and on and on.
Theresa
Norfolk County has facilitated developments in the county in the past. Closed door meetings, a quick re-zoning… boom dadda bing, like magic, all is in order..on paper!
Dr. Scott Petrie, former wildlife biologist and professor at Western University was involved in the process of siting turbines of the Aim Powergen – Erie Shores wind development just to the west of this area. He has since moved to the States.
There is also another monstrous building development, a multilevel “timeshare/club” type structure in progress on the Long Point Causeway. Initial building permits were problematic. The same project was presented in a different light and approved. There has been a recent hitch regarding parking lot and drainage of this project. It will be interesting to see how Norfolk County facilitates this project. Perhaps this was something that should have been addressed prior to construction; but since it wasn’t and a great deal of money has been invested in the project to date, I’m sure things will be soon straightened out and the project will continue. I would think the project should have to be demolished or downsized at the least. Changing the rules of the game after it has started?!! Come on…..
Moral of the story-just do whatever you want.
I would like to see government abolished,(like..in my dreams); each man for himself. See who is left standing; not the bovines! They will be belly up lol.