PLANET IN PERIL

Call for Position Statements - Bucko Lake and Metal Mining Effluent Regulations
 Local and national consultations sessions are being planned for amendments to the Metal Mining Effluent Regulations (MMER) in the near future. These would require alterations of our Fisheries Act, too, allowing for harmful substances (toxic mining waste) to be dumped into dammed freshwater lakes, thus turning them into Tailings Impoundment Areas - a euphemism for ruined, former life bearing lakes. Here in Manitoba, Crowflight Minerals Inc. (see photo, below) has applied for a permit to dump their nickel mine waste into Bucko Lake, close to Wabowden, south of Thompson, a portion of the headwaters for the Grass River system, and in woodland caribou territory. Yikes. The application is in the Public Registry and Conservation is accepting comments even though the time period has passed. We asked for that. The faces of the people who would turn Bucko Lake into a toxic dump. It is a subsidy for the mining

By: THE CANADIAN PRESS - 20/10/2009 Minister says food safe.....

Oc 16, 2009 - Manitoba's Mining Tax Regime Excels In Report: Rondeau. Ruttan Lk. Mine. MB Gov't. photo Manitoba has been rated among the most competitive provinces for mining activity in Canada, ranking number two in the country for the competitiveness of its mining tax regime, according to the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) 2009 Canadian mining tax report, Science, Technology Energy and Mines Minister Jim Rondeau said today. "The ranking by PricewaterhouseCoopers is welcome news as it confirms our commitment to support and strengthen the minerals industry in Manitoba," said Rondeau. "The incentives government provides, combined with our rich resources, continue to be a solid economic driver for the province's mining industry." Rondeau noted the province is committed to investing in mineral exploration and mining, and working with industry to boost the economic opportunities the sector offers. He said companies are attrac

Anne-Marie Hickey, University of Saskatchewan - 10/16/2009 Food and water around the world could soon become safer for human...

Oc 14-'09 - World Wildlife Fund - Environmental Flows and Canada's Freshwater Future Canada ranks among the world's top nations in terms of renewable water supply but... The Waterhen, rated by Environment CA in '07 as Manitoba's only "pristine" river! l.p. photo

PARIS (AFP) - – The UN's top climate scientist on Thursday urged a key conference on global warming to set tough mid-term goal...

ScienceDaily (Sep. 29, 2009) Conservationists trying to prevent the extinction of Northern Bald Ibis are distraught that one of the last remaining wild bird...

Canadian embassy in Washington asks agency to alter plan that would force lake freighters to stop burning dirty bunker fuel... Martin Mittelstaedt - Globe and Mail - Oct. 17, 2009

By Bill McKibben , Mother Jones . Posted October 17, 2009. The political method has not worked so well...

Manitoba News Release .......................... October 16, 2009 Artist: Mary Jane Eichler An Environment Act licence to construct and operate a temporary road to allow Tolko Industries to access potential timber harvesting areas north of Grass River Provincial Park will be upheld, Conservation Minister Stan Struthers announced today. In August, the Dickstone Road was granted a licence under the Environment Act but the decision was appealed on the grounds it threatened woodland caribou habitat. The licence was issued following an extensive technical and public review of potential environmental impacts including impacts to woodland caribou herds. Several licence terms and conditions were included to ensure environmental protection including requirements to monitor and protect against impacts to caribou, said Struthers. "We take protection of caribou habitat very seriously," said the minister. "That's why we have placed strict environmental conditions on the licens

Winnipeg Free Press - By: Staff Writer - 16/10/2009 l.p. Photo WINNIPEG - The province announced today that it is implementing new rules for livestock waste, in the wake of heated...