BAMBOOZLING THE BOBOLINK (and the public too?)

The government passed a regulation to the Endangered Species Act in 2008 showing the Bobolink is a species threatened species.

(The Act and Regulation are these thinks:
http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_07e06_e.htm
http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/regs/english/elaws_regs_080230_e.htm )

Must have gotten them some HUGE pats on the backs from environmental groups and alot of free PR, because by doing this it showed they are very concerned about the environment and eco system in which we live.

Except of course for that little back door clause 17(1) that states:
The Minister may issue a permit to a person that, with respect to a species specified in the permit that is listed on the Species at Risk in Ontario List as an extirpated, endangered or threatened species, authorizes the person to engage in an activity specified in the permit that would otherwise be prohibited by section 9 or 10

Blah, blah...what does that mean?  Well if the Minister (meaning the government) decides there is a MORE important reason not to protect any of the species listed on the regulations he just provides a permit that says go ahead, do what you want.

The Environmental Bill Registry (EBR) shows that Grand Valley Wind Farms Inc. has applied for an overall benefit permit under clause 17 (2) (c) of the Endangered Species Act, 2007 with respect to Bobolink in order to construct and operate nine wind turbines in the Town of Grand Valley.

An overall benefit permit?  I will be the overall benefit is NOT going to benefit the bobolink.

So don't think for a minute that any species listed on the Endangered species regulation that may be found in the area that Highlands wants to mine will be safe. 

IF the government of the day decides this needs to go ahead, they can just set aside the requirement to protect it with a simple permit.

You can write or email with your comments.  Do NOT phone as phone calls are not a permanent record.  Keep a record of what you have submitted.

Gail Jackson
Senior Permits & Agreements Specialist
Ministry of Natural Resources
Policy Division
Species at Risk Branch
Permits and Agreements Section
300 Water Street Floor 2
Peterborough Ontario K9J8M5
gail.jackson@ontario.ca

Here is Grand Valley Windfarm's application on the EBR:
http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/displaynoticecontent.do?noticeId=MTE0MjAz&statusId=MTcxMDkx&language=en


DEVELOPER

BOBOLINK