TO:                  CALEWT

FROM:           CALEWT Steering Committee

DATE:             August 20, 2010

RE:                  Environmental Registry #011-0907

A new policy proposal from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources dated August 18, 2010 (posted on the Environmental Registry #011-0907) has just been announced.  The link is: http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/displaynoticecontent.do?noticeId=MTEwNjg0&statusId=MTY2MTE0&language=en

 

Essentially, this proposed policy from the MNR is attempting to identify off shore areas in the Great Lakes that would be restricted from Industrial Wind Turbine development.  Pigeon Bay and Lake St. Clair should fall into this category, we hope!! 

 

YOUR INPUT IS ESSENTIAL and extremely important.  We only have 47 days to respond.  We ask all of you to click on the Registry and post your comments.  Your input will help offset any lobby efforts put forth by the wind industry.

 

The Steering Committee feel we are making SLOW but STEADY progress in getting Pigeon Bay designated as “off  limits” to wind turbines.  The proposed policy would establish criteria which would constrain future development on Crown Land (i.e. Great Lakes) such as:

 

• Navigational lanes
• Commercial fishing activity
• Sensitive environmental and ecological areas (Bird, Bat & Butterfly migration)
• Important recreational activities
• Cultural heritage activity
• Areas of Natural gas activity
• Areas of inland lakes not subject to proposed 5 km exclusion zone
• Other inland water lakes (i.e. Lake St. Clair)

 

The above proposal is just that – A PROPOSAL.  In order for this to become an Ontario Government approved Policy, and to ensure Pigeon Bay is excluded, we respectfully ask that you provide your valued input within the 47 day time period.  Please copy CALEWT at CALEWT@gmail.com so we can maintain a complete file for our records.

 

The Steering Committee continues to work on your behalf.  On Tuesday, August 17, 2010, Bruce Crozier arranged for several members of the Steering Committee to meet with the Honourable Linda Jeffrey, Minister of Natural Resources.  Since this is a new portfolio for the Minister, it was extremely beneficial to meet with her and her Special Policy Assistant in order to ensure they are fully aware of our issues/concerns.  The Honourable Minister Jeffrey strongly urged CALEWT to provide input into the proposed MNR policy.  She explained how vitally important the comments are so that everyone’s concerns are given due consideration.

We need your help…  Your comments could make the difference between our failure or success.  Please forward this request to all your “email contacts” and ask them to write too. 

 

We plan to have a general CALEWT meeting sometime in the fall.  In the meantime, please continue to check our website www.lakeeriewindturbines.com for updates. 

 

Further, the Globe and Mail conducted an interview with me on Wednesday, August 18^th and that article should be published in the next few weeks. 

 We hope you have had an enjoyable summer.  Thank you for your continued support.

 

Jim Krushelniski

Chairperson, CALEWT Steering Committee