Cayugabirders,
The public comment period for the proposed Amherst Island Wind Farm is now
open. The message below was posted to the Kingston Field Naturalists Facebook
page last night.
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Birders and Naturalists:
Opposition to wind turbines on Amherst Island has entered the next phase and we
need your help. This is a plea to join Jean Iron, Ron Pittaway, Dr. Roberta
Bondar, and birders worldwide to oppose wind turbines on the Island and in
particular adjacent to Owl Woods, world famous as a birding destination and a
favourite for life owls.
The Ontario Ministry of the Environment has invited public comments on a
Renewable Energy Approval application by Windlectric/Algonquin Power to build
up to 36 industrial wind turbines on Amherst Island. Comments must be received
by March 8, 2014.
The posting is here on the Environmental Registry (or visit www.ebr.gov.on.ca
and enter the number 012-0774 in the search line.)
You are asked to send one email to oppose the industrialization of Amherst
Island by writing to Susanne Edwards, Ontario Ministry of the Environment (with
EBR 012-0774 in the subject line) by March 8, 2014.
To: susanne.edwa...@ontario.ca, with copies to prem...@ontario.ca,
minister@ontario.ca, ian.parr...@ontario.ca and protec...@kos.net
Please tell the Ministry in your words why it is important to preserve Amherst
Island. Some of the key messages you may wish to address include:
• All of Amherst Island is an Important Bird Area of Global Significance on the
Atlantic Migratory flyway and is home to 34 species at risk including
Blanding’s Turtle. Habitat will be fragmented and lost.
• The Island is internationally recognized for concentrations of wintering
hawks and owls, with birders travelling from around the world to visit Owl
Woods, where it is possible to see up to 11 species of owls.
• Amherst Island was ranked second in biodiversity significance (Lake Ontario
Islands –
Northeast), and includes 400 hectares of Provincially Significant Coastal
Wetland.
• Amherst Island is one of Nature’s jewels in Lake Ontario — of similar
significance to
Point Pelee for migratory birds
Named one of the Top Ten Endangered Places in Canada by the Heritage Canada
Foundation (now known as Heritage Canada The National Trust) due to the threat
of wind turbines on its rich cultural and natural heritage, Amherst Island is
simply the wrong place for wind turbines.
You can learn more about Amherst Island at: Facebook:
www.facebook.com/ProtectAmherstIsland .
Web: protectamherstisland.com
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Cayugabirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm
ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds
3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html
Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/
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