Responses to Ostrander Point – from the experts

The deadline for responses to the Ostrander Point project has passed. While the decision now rests with the Ministry of the Environment, we can be assured that our MPP Todd Smith will be making a lot of noise in the legislature when it resumes sitting Tuesday.
Here we provide links to the responses to this ill-thought out project from local, provincial, national and international environmental organizations.

Ontario Nature and Nature Canada sent a combined response to the Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR) office:
“Nature Canada and Ontario Nature respectfully request the Ontario Ministry of the Environment to reject the application by Gilead Power Inc. for a Renewable Energy Approval Permit for a proposed wind energy project at Ostrander Point Crown Land Block (EBR 011-5239). Ostrander Point is in the heart of the globally-significant Prince Edward County South Shore Important Bird Area, and is well-known for its significance to migrating and breeding birds. A wind energy plant at this location poses a high and permanent risk to plant life, animal life and the natural environment. This project would damage the reputation of the Green Energy Act, and undermine the most important non-governmental site-based collaborative conservation program for birds on earth.” Read more

The National Audubon Society in the United States responded:
“The Ostrander Point project fails to meet the standard of being properly sited, imposing unnecessary risks to many species of birds and degrading one of the most important bird areas in the world. As a result, we are strongly opposed to the development of this specific project and ask that the Ministry turn down the application at this site.” Read the whole response here

From the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds:
“On the evidence provided there is little doubt in my mind that such a development would be refused in a Scottish context.”
The whole report is available here

Prince Edward County Field Naturalists and Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory submitted a joint comment:
“Prince Edward County Field Naturalists and Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory object to the approval of the Gilead Power wind project at Ostrander Point as well as the Permit to kill, harm, harass and destroy habitat of Blanding’s Turtle and Whip-Poor-Will.” Read the whole comment
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The Toxic and the Invasive In Our Midst: Terry Sprague, 7pm Tues. Feb 28 Bloomfield Town Hall on Invasive & Toxic Plants. Do you know how to recognize poison ivy – giant hogweed – baneberry? Do you know why common buckthorn, purple loosestrife, and dog strangling vine are considered “invasive”? What about the knotweed, goutweed and periwinkle in your garden? Learn about these invasive and sometimes toxic plants that we have around us here in Prince Edward County.

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The Prince Edward County Field Naturalists, founded in 1997, is an affiliate of Ontario Nature. It provides an educational forum dedicated to the study, promotion, appreciation and conservation of the flora and fauna within Prince Edward County. The public is welcome at the meetings held on the last Tuesday of the month from September to May, except December, at Bloomfield Town Hall. Guest speakers introduce a variety of nature related topics. All members are encouraged to participate at meetings by sharing their experiences and observations. Regularly scheduled field trips in the vicinity offer members the opportunity to experience various habitats. Membership in PECFN is open to all. Contact: Prince Edward County Field Naturalists, P.O. Box 477, Bloomfield, Ontario K0K 1G0 Or Cheryl Anderson 613-471-1096