March 31, 2014Chris Ortenburger's Update
A reminder that there is a Rally today on Monday at 12:10PM, at Room 207, Murphy Community Centre, Charlottetown to protest the end of the Health Accord and call for a New Health Accord. Speakers, open mike, tea and coffee. The Rally is sponsored by the PEI Health Coalition.
I have mentioned before what a gem the monthly magazine Rural Delivery
is (it's found at feed stores and stores with a good selection of good magazines)
published by DvL Publishing in Liverpool, NS. (It published Jack MacAndrew's
article on fracking recently.) It's about "Farm, Country and
Community....Since 1976." http://www.rurallife.ca/ March 30, 2014Chris Ortenburger's Update
Here
is a look at a recent letter to the editor. There is a lot of information
in it, and I took the liberty of adding a few definitions, some bold and
italic, and spacing, to make it easier (I hope) to read. The headline
from the paper is rather silly. Bubbling springs weak to zero - The Guardian Letter to the Editor
Published on March 25, 2014
A bit more about changes to Canada Post. (More than a bit more.) March 29, 2014Chris Ortenburger's Update
A
few changes/additions to the events listed yesterday:
Mr. Brian Hurley, Local Area Manager – PEI Canada Post 200 Maple Hills Avenue Charlottetown,
PEI C1C 0S9 The new rates are:  Well, sorry to end on a grouchy note! March 28, 2014Chris Ortenburger's Update
What a busy, but also quiet, couple of days. Hats off to,
among others, the guys working for Island Coastal on the plows and loaders who
are trying to clear out the roads around many small communities.  I am not sure if they are going to extend this exhibit due to things being shut down for part of this week. I hope so. Very thought-provoking images. Women's Network article Seniors College Art Exhibit, curated by Marion Copleston and others Opening Wednesday, April 2nd, 7-9PM, Arts Guild The show will run from April 2nd to April 12th. The Gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday from noon to 5PM with extra hours during East Coast Music Week April 2-6 Facebook page and next weekend: Vinland Society Lecture, Sunday, April 6th, 7:30PM, Irish Cultural Centre (BIS Hall) "A New Vinland Voyage", lecture by Geoff Ralling, about his planned replication of Viking voyages to you-know-where. Facebook page March 27, 2014Chris Ortenburger's UpdateNot sure if the Standing
Committee on Agriculture, Environment, Energy and Forestry meeting scheduled
for noon will be held today -- once the Legislature starts sitting (next week),
MLAs don't have as much time for meetings. High capacity wells issue goes much deeper - The Guardian Commentary by Peter Bevan-Baker
Published on March 26, 2014
We have other options: choices which promise not only to reverse the ills of
the current model but which will forge a future for P.E.I. which is safe,
prosperous and sustainable.
- Peter Bevan-Baker is leader of the Green Party of P.E.I. March 26, 2014Chris Ortenburger's Update
Many
different bits of news for a snow day; the good, bad, ugly and interesting.   New PEI Road Atlas and closeup  And, finally, (and this is really interesting, especially for its transparency and invitation for public participation): Nova Scota struck an expert panel to review all aspects of fracking recently. They are planning to produce a series of papers on many topics. The primer has just come out. Cape Breton University Independent Panel on Hydraulic Fracturing home page The primer is available for download at the top of the page, and the address to write to be put on the list for additional sections is towards the bottom of the page. I think any of us qualifies as a interested out-of-province person. From the website: Register as a Stakeholder (bold mine) For anyone interested on keeping up to date on the review process you can:
March 25, 2014Chris Ortenburger's Update
The
Guardian's best
editorials are from wise Islanders writing in: David MacCallum's thoughtful letter here: More remediation needed on streams - The Guardian Letter to the Editor
Published on March 24, 2014 We know now the resulting restriction of water flow seriously affects the ecology of river systems, and that very expensive remedial work had to be done to those causeways years later to improve the flushing action. What Mr. Crockett didnʼt mention, though, was that there were many other causeways and bridges with narrow spans built across the Island years ago with the same results. One can only conclude the reasons for installing these structures were mainly political and economic, with little regard for scientific research into the possible environmental consequences. Many of those bridges/causeways have since been remediated to improve water flow (at great cost to the tax payer) — e.g., Vernon Bridge Causeway, South Pinette Causeway and the Cardigan Bridge, to name a few. No doubt there are many more that need to be fixed in the same manner. Of course, there are other major factors contributing to the deterioration of our rivers and streams such as siltation from heavy rains and runoff from agricultural fertilizer and pesticides. Like Mr. Crockett, I remember going fishing as a boy in my own community of St. Peterʼs Bay. You didnʼt have to go very far back then to find a good spot to cast your line and come home with a nice “gad” of trout. Now, those streams and rivers have either been choked off with weeds and overgrowth, dried up, and/or become anoxic from agricultural runoff and other contaminants. I guess the lesson here is that when you mess with Mother Nature you had better be prepared for the consequences.
David MacCallum,
Charlottetown A Leadnow local information meeting (Connect Meeting) will be held (tonight!!) at 7 pm, on Tuesday, March 25th, at the Haviland Club in Charlottetown. "Leadnow is a national
social activist organization that brings generations of Canadians together for
progress through democracy. Leadnow was founded in 2010 by a group of young
people who care about a wide range of issues and wanted to create a new way for
people to participate effectively in our democracy.....Through local gatherings
and online surveys, the Leadnow.ca community has decided to focus its long-term
efforts on strengthening Canada's democracy, doing its part to stop runaway
climate change, and building a fair economy that reverses the trend of growing
inequality. For more information go to www.leadnow.ca or call 626-4364." Thursday, March 27th, 12noon to 5PM, Standing
Committee on Agriculture, Environment, Energy and Forestry, Coles Building,
next to Province House. In addition to some other agriculture-related
business, there will be several presentations related to the high capacity well
issues, including from the Atlantic Chapter of the Sierra Club, and from the
PEI Potato Board, Ag Minister George Webster, and Cavendish Farms. Next Tuesday, April 1st is a talk at the NaturePEI (Natural History Society of PEI) by aquatic biologist Mike van den Heuvel. The effects of unsustainable land use on our streams, estuaries and coastal environment is the topic for a presentation at the April meeting of Nature PEI. It takes place on Tuesday, April 1st, 7:30 pm at Beaconsfield, the Carriage House, corner of West and Kent Streets. Admission to the presentation is free and all are welcome. Mike van den Heuvel is the Canada Research Chair in Watershed Ecological Integrity at UPEI.Have a great pre-storm day! March 24, 2014Chris Ortenburger's Update
It
has been 25 years today since the Exxon Valdez tanker struck a reef in
Alaska. It spilled at least 11 million gallons of crude oil in Prince
William Sound. Crews Try to Contain Oil Spill in Galveston Bay - Associated Press article by Christopher ShermanMarch 22, 2014 McALLEN, Texas (AP) - A barge carrying nearly a million gallons of especially thick, sticky oil collided with a ship in Galveston Bay on Saturday, leaking an unknown amount of the fuel into the popular bird habitat as the peak of the migratory shorebird season was approaching. Booms were brought in to try to contain the spill, which the Coast Guard said was reported at around 12:30 p.m. by the captain of the 585-foot ship, Summer Wind. Coast Guard Lt. j.g. Kristopher Kidd said the spill hadn't been contained as of 10 p.m., and that the collision was still being investigated. The ship collided with a barge carrying 924,000 gallons of marine fuel oil, also known as special bunker, that was being towed by the vessel Miss Susan, the Coast Guard said. It didn't give an estimate of how much fuel had spilled into the bay, but there was a visible sheen of oil at the scene. Officials believe only one of the barge's tanks was breached, but that tank had a capacity of 168,000 gallons. "A large amount of that has been discharged," Kidd said. He said a plan was being developed to remove the remaining oil from the barge, but the removal had not begun. The barge was resting on the bottom of the channel, with part of it submerged. He said boom was being set up in the water to protect environmentally-sensitive areas and that people would be working through the night with infrared cameras to locate and skim the oil. The barge was being towed from Texas City to Bolivar at the time. The Coast Guard said that Kirby Inland Marine, which owns the tow vessel and barge, was working with it and the Texas General Land Office at the scene. The Coast Guard said six crew members from the tow vessel were in stable condition, but it offered no details about their injuries. Jim Suydam, spokesman for the General Land Office, described the type of oil the barge was carrying as "sticky, gooey, thick, tarry stuff." "That stuff is terrible to have to clean up," he said. Mild weather and calm water seemed to help containment efforts, but stormy weather was forecast for the area on Sunday. Suydam said almost every private cleanup outfit in the area was out there helping out under the coordination of the Coast Guard and General Land Office. Bruce Clawson, the director of the Texas City Homeland Security, told The Daily News in Galveston that the barge sank, but that there is no danger to the community, which is about 40 miles southeast of downtown Houston. Suydam said he could not confirm whether the barge sank. Tara Kilgore, an operations coordinator with Kirby Inland Marine, declined to comment Saturday. On its Facebook page, Texas City Emergency Management said the dike and all parks on the water are closed until further notice. And the Coast Guard said that part of the Houston ship channel was closed to traffic. Richard Gibbons, the conservation director of the Houston Audubon Society, said there is very important shorebird habitat on both sides of the Houston ship channel. Audubon has the internationally-recognized Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary just to the east, which Gibbons said attracts 50,000 to 70,000 shorebirds to shallow mud flats that are perfect foraging habitat. He did not know how much oil had been spilled, but said authorities were aware of the sanctuaries and had practiced using containment booms in the past. "The timing really couldn't be much worse since we're approaching the peak shorebird migration season," Gibbons said. He added that tens of thousands of wintering birds remain in the area. Monday marks the 25th anniversary of the Exxon Valdez spill off the coast of Alaska. Suydam said that spill spurred the creation of the General Land Office's Oil Spill and Prevention Division, which is funded by a tax on imported oil that the state legislature passed after the Valdez spill. The division does extensive response planning including pre-positioned equipment along the Texas coast. March 23, 2014Chris Ortenburger's Update
A
usual (long) Sunday mixture: Echoes of Walkerton in Environment Canada cuts - The Star Guest Opinion by Thomas DuckHealth and safety of Canadians is at risk with latest slashing of Environment Canada budget. Albert Einstein’s well-known definition of insanity as “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results” is unsettlingly relevant to a new round of federal government cuts. The latest slashing of Environment Canada, which by 2016 will have half the budget it had in 2007, calls to mind a series of deep cuts to environmental protections in Ontario in the late 1990s. Some of the players are even the same, so they cannot reasonably claim to be ignorant of the tragic consequences. In May 2000, the water system of Walkerton, Ont., suffered an E. coli outbreak that left nearly half the community’s 4,800 people ill. Seven died. In the uproar that followed, a commission of inquiry was struck by the government of Ontario to determine what happened. The resulting report, written by Justice Dennis O’Connor, makes for interesting reading. The Walkerton Public Utilities Commission was blamed for improper operating practices and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment was blamed for providing insufficient oversight. Underlying the failures of the Walkerton PUC and the MOE, however, were government of Ontario cutbacks. How deep were the cuts? In the years leading up to the Walkerton tragedy, the MOE’s budget was reduced by 68 per cent and its staffing by 40 per cent. These numbers are comparable to what Environment Canada is experiencing today. Consider, for example, that Environment Canada’s climate change and clean air program is having its budget reduced by an astonishing 77 per cent. The cuts are so deep that they appear designed to break Environment Canada once and for all. O’Connor’s report on the Walkerton tragedy is scathing in its assessment of the provincial government’s role: “Before the decision was made to significantly reduce the MOE’s budget in 1996, senior government officials, ministers and the cabinet received numerous warnings that the impacts could result in increased risks to the environment and human health . . . The decision to proceed with the budget reductions was taken without either an assessment of the risks or the preparation of a risk management plan.” It is the same with the current cuts to Environment Canada. Since the cuts began in earnest in 2011, scientists have been sounding the alarm. Their warnings have fallen on deaf ears. And, as was the case in Ontario, it appears that the federal government has not assessed the risks. Kevin Page, the former parliamentary budget officer, famously sued the federal government in 2012 in an attempt to obtain information on how cuts to government departments would affect programs — including environmental protection. Canadians are still waiting for answers. In the meantime, evidence has emerged that Environment Canada’s capacity to crack down on polluters has been compromised. It is interesting to note that three members of that Ontario government have played key roles in Stephen Harper’s federal cabinet: Jim Flaherty (the outgoing minister of finance), John Baird (minister of foreign affairs), and Tony Clement (president of the Treasury Board). Flaherty, Baird and Clement were there when Ontario’s cuts were made and witnessed the result. Surely they must see the parallels now. So why haven’t they spoken out about the dismantling of Environment Canada? Protecting the health and safety of Canadians is a key responsibility of the federal government. Investment in environmental protection — Environment Canada’s job — is only prudent. University of Ottawa professor Scott Findlay likens the collection of evidence by federal departments such as Environment Canada to an insurance policy: a comparatively inexpensive yet effective way to ensure others will not have to shoulder the burden of undesired and unanticipated consequences of avoidable mistakes. Cancelling that insurance is quite simply irresponsible. The cost of the Walkerton tragedy was estimated at the commission to be between $64.5 million and $155 million. It remains to be seen what the cuts to Environment Canada will ultimately cost us — both financially and in human terms. Thomas J. Duck is an associate professor in the Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science at Dalhousie University.
Small Island canʼt risk wells- The Guardian Letter to the Editor
Published on March 21, 2014 If the deep water wells come to pass it could cause irreparable damage to groundwater, do we want to risk it? All the streams that get contaminated every year, and this is ground water, with runoff is sufficient to contend with. Once again, do we want to risk it?
Ralph MacDonald,
Borden-Carleton And Saturday's, a Carl Mathis moment, reminding us that smiling is good for us in such absurd times: A longer fry really the key - The Guardian Letter to the Editor
Published on March 22, 2014 The solution, without any deep wells, is to get the Food Technology Centre to come up with potato glue, so they can glue fries together to make the longest fry. Whatever the serving size at McDonald's, that would be one long fry. Super size that, and it would be one longer fry. Really biggie that, and build the longest fry. People would be called back to work as fry gluers. They could work in teams, several people to a fry. The plants could be expanded, adding very long, narrow rooms to have the spaces to glue up these longest fries. New long fryers would be needed in every fast food restaurant, and they would need new packaging, giving us another industry. The county fairs would have long fry eating contests, announcing how many yards of fries the winner ate.
Share a fry with your sweetie. You start at opposite ends and eat until you
meet at the middle. Mmmmmm.
Carl Mathis, Charlottetown
A
second Connect Meeting (nationwide groups with local branches working on
electoral reform): Leadnow is launching its 2014-15 Plan and we’re inviting Fair Vote members and other interested parties to join us in the planning process for the leadup to the next federal election. Our current focus is electoral reform. Hear about Leadnow’s current campaigns and how you can help. For more information go to www.leadnow.ca or call 626-4364." Great to see groups with similar interests working together!! Have
a good Sunday,
March 22, 2014Chris Ortenburger's UpdateApparently, the "ad-as-news-story" deal is still on at The Guardian, as evidenced by this story on A4 of Friday's print edition; it was the lead story on-line for most of the day. The story has a "graphic supplied by the P.E.I. Potato Board" graphic, now nicely colourized from their print ad last week and a huge quarter-page in the print edition: Link: Guardian heralds Potato Board
P.E.I.
Potato Board heralds environmental record -The Guardian article
 image copyright PEI Potato Board (There is no by-line for this story, but presumably it was a staff writer....at the Potato Board....) The P.E.I. Potato Board says itʼs time for the public to move past the history and look at what todayʼs potato growers are doing to protect the environment. Gary Linkletter, chairman of the P.E.I. Potato Board, emphasizes that “potato farmers of today have learned a lot from past challenges and are making tangible changes in production practices in order to farm in a more environmentally sustainable fashion.” In a news release, Linkletter says P.E.I. farmers have the highest level of enhanced environmental farm planning in Canada and also farm under the most stringent environmental legislation in Canada. “This means P.E.I. potato growers meet and often exceed both voluntarily developed and regulated standards that are higher than any other farmers in the country,” said Linkletter.
Through collaborative effort between potato growers and the P.E.I. Department
of Agriculture, construction of soil conservation structures has resulted in
1.1 million feet of terraces, 2.1 million feet of grassed waterways and 270,000
feet of farmable berms. The approaches include use of buffer zones and set aside of sensitive land, nutrient management, strip cropping, crop rotation and residue-tillage equipment, new and lower input potato varieties and integrated pest management. Another initiative, Farming 4R Island, partners with other industry players to foster beneficial management practices that protect soil quality and reduce nitrate levels. “Todayʼs grower is looking to be more efficient, more effective and be more environmental responsible. Thatʼs why weʼre interested in supplemental irrigation. The Department of the Environment has indicated that agricultural irrigation accounts for only one per cent of total water usage,” said Linkletter, as he and the potato board continue lobbying for deep-water wells in the province.
“Some preliminary studies performed as part of the nitrate pilot project with
the Kensington North Watershed Group in 2013 showed an 11.5 per cent increase
in income per acre with supplemental irrigation due to increased marketable
yields, while another test from the same study showed a reduction in average
residual nitrate levels by 31.4 per cent. Thatʼs very encouraging information
for people interested in having a viable potato industry while trying to be
even more environmentally responsible.”
And
the pilot project being done mentioned in the last paragraph? So, can
that study be released for others to review it? In the letters section were two letters on high capacity wells, and one on pesticides. I'll reprint the other well one tomorrow. True impact of wells remains to be done - The Guardian Letter to the Editor
Published on March 21, 2014 In the Guardian editorial of March 12, the editor claims that if irrigation is needed, deep-water wells are the most efficient option. Since opposition to deep-water wells is pervasive and well reasoned, I believe that we need to give serious consideration to other ways of solving the problem such as improving the health of the soil. In the same editorial, the editor refers to “other provinces or states where opposition to deep water wells is limited.” The reason opposition to deep-water wells may be limited in other places is that P.E.I. faces unique water supply challenges. Because of our soil structure and our dependence on groundwater as the sole supplier of drinking water, our water supply is uniquely fragile. We need to take great caution. And we need to find in our unique challenges incentive to work to improve the health of the soil so that there is an increase in its water-holding capacity. The editor also says that “the standing committee and government have difficult
tasks ahead as they must decide if compromise is possible to protect our water
resource even if science supports additional deep-water wells . . .” This seems
to imply that “science” supports additional deep-water wells while in fact many
believe that credible scientific data come from peer-reviewed studies. Such
studies regarding the true impact of deep-water wells on aquatic ecosystems
have yet to be done. Bethany Doyle,
Charlottetown Protection from pesticides? Afraid not - The Guardian Commentary by Joan Diamond
Published on March 21, 2014
As a rural inhabitant of P.E.I., I have always been concerned about the rampant
use of pesticides here. So when I recently heard that potatoes would be planted
this year in the field 25 feet from my doorway, I decided to do some research
about what kind of protection is provided for home owners in a situation like
mine. Apparently, absolutely zero is the answer. A quick look at the P.E.I.
Department of Environment Frequently Asked Questions, gave this concise
information on the subject. source: http://www.gov.pe.ca/environment
/index.php3?number=1040762&lang=E Joan Diamond is a rural Islander who lives in Fairview ---------- The Department of Environment webpage cited is here and a screenshot is below:
 Farmers' Markets are open today.And tonight is a showing of Island Green, 7:30PM in Bonshaw, at the community centre up a bit on the left after you get on Green Road off our infamous Plan B highway. (Gasland II is at 2PM at Duffy Science Building at UPEI, as is an introduction to gardening workshop at 2:30PM at the Farm Centre.)
March 21, 2014Chris Ortenburger's UpdateA bit of a list of some of
the many events going on in the next Causeways back then, deep-water wells now - The Guardian A Reader's View by Bob Crockett
Published on February 14, 2014 It brought to mind a raging debate, of years gone by, over the provincial governmentʼs (of that day) decision to replace bridges and build causeways over the North and West rivers. Avid fishers, hunters and others (my grandfather among them), voiced their strong opposition to the move, citing their great concern that such a move would kill the headwaters of these two important river systems, doing irreparable harm to the ecology of these two watershed areas. The opposition voiced that the causeways would critically interfere with the tidal flushing of the rivers, flushings that were critical to keeping the headwaters alive and healthy, and by extension fish life and wild life alive and healthy. The engineers and scientists, of the day, defended the governments move and voiced their ʻstudiedʼ opinions that no such harm would befall these two rivers headwaters, as the designed openings would be sufficient to allow the necessary flushing actions up the rivers. Decades later it was determined that these headwaters were dead or dying, and something must be done to improve the flushing actions of the tides.
As a result the government of that day, acted to widen the spillway of the
North River at Cornwall, and added a second bridge to the West River causeway,
allowing greater volumes of water to flow with the tidal actions What I have learned from all of this is that we are limited in our knowledge of things and there is much we (scientists included) have yet to learn and understand about all things. And, contrary to many expert opinions on this matter, nothing is absolute. The opening statement, to me, is profound, and I say ʻnoʼ to lifting the ban on deep-water wells.
Bob Crockett,
Charlottetown March 20, 2014Chris Ortenburger's Update
A letter on the high capacity well issue, from last week: http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/Opinion/Letter-to-editor/2014-03-10/article-3643218/Watershed-groups-call-for-extension/1 Watershed groups call for extension - The Guardian Letter to the Editor
Published on March 10, 2014 We must pragmatically examine the threats and develop safeguards, including monitoring protocols. Assessment, prevention, response, and recovery are four key elements we must consider in responsible public protection and watershed management. Additionally, a clear mechanism for compensation and liability when harm is done is a duty of law. Let us create a formal dialog that centres on independent, unbiased, factual information that results in fair, safe, and environmentally sound provincial policy and law. We must make certain that long-term public/environmental welfare will not be sacrificed for short-term, commercial-scale profits arising from unsustainable groundwater extraction.
Karen Rank, Another
letter, short and observant: Irony abounds in toilet flow - The Guardian Letter to the Editor
Published on March 17, 2014 According to Steve Townsend of the P.E.I. Department of Environment: “We live in an age where water is very important to us, water quality is very important to us and we are using water at an ever-growing rate so we have to be careful with our precious resource.” I have no argument with that. Apparently Janice Sherry and her department are not in the same game, though, as they defer to the big potato industry and their ever-growing need for more water to produce more potatoes. How can P.E.I. even remotely consider deep-water wells when our precious water is being over used right now?
Katie McInnis,
Stratford Financial Times, March 19, 2014 Chicago confronts dirty bonanza of Canadian tar sand boom - Financial Times article by Neil MunshiBy Neil Munshi in Chicago Published on March 19, 2014 A bulldozer rumbles over a mountain of fine black powder amid the abandoned shells of long-shuttered steel mills in a poor neighbourhood on the far southeast side of Chicago. The powdery substance – familiar to locals as the black dust coating their houses, cars and, many say, lungs – is petroleum coke, or “petcoke”, a byproduct of the Canadian tar sands boom. It is stored at two terminals owned by KCBX on the banks of the Calumet River. A dust storm last autumn spurred the community to action. “You couldn’t see across the street, it was so black,” says Carol Harris, who lives two blocks from a KCBX site. “I thought it was a tornado.” Community activism has brought the substance to the attention of local, state and federal officials, who have initiated a flurry of legislative action, litigation and regulatory scrutiny. The recent furore has pit regulators and a poor community against Charles and David Koch, the billionaires who own KCBX. The brothers are behind Koch Industries and countless conservative causes, including groups that question the science behind climate change and challenge environmental regulations. Petcoke is piling up from Texas to Toledo as the increase in oil production from Canada’s tar sands drives expansion at refineries throughout the country. Last year, Detroit fought for the removal of its own three-storey-high, blocks-long piles of petcoke at another terminal owned by Koch, the product of a nearby Marathon plant that has ramped up processing of heavy Canadian crude. The tar sands boom, along with the shale revolution, has buoyed hopes of North American energy independence and bolstered support for the controversial Keystone XL pipeline, which, if approved, will carry oil from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. But the high carbon oil has come under fire from environmentalists because of its quantities of heavy metals and toxic chemicals. Chicago’s petcoke piles originate just over the Illinois state border, at BP’s sprawling 1,400-acre refinery in Whiting, Indiana. In December, BP brought on stream a new coker, the result of a $4bn modernisation effort designed to allow it to handle more tar sands. The coker allowed BP to increase its heavy Canadian refining capacity from 20 per cent to 80 per cent of its total 400,000 barrel a day crude capacity. Petcoke production, which results from all oil refining, will triple, from 730,000 tonnes a year to 2.19m tonnes, making the Whiting facility one of the largest petcoke producers in the world. Petcoke is most often sold as a cheap fuel in emerging markets, which have looser emissions standards. Earlier this month, Mayor Rahm Emanuel proposed an ordinance that would ban new petcoke facilities in Chicago and prevent expansion of existing operations. Illinois governor Pat Quinn has called for statewide rules, similar to an earlier proposal from Mr Emanuel, that would require the full enclosure of all petcoke piles. The US Environmental Protection Agency has also launched an inquiry. The mayor’s proposal came days after the state attorney-general filed a second lawsuit against KCBX, alleging water pollution violations caused by runoff. A lawsuit last autumn alleged air pollution violations. Since last autumn, KCBX has spent $30m on environmental monitoring, improvements and a “dust suppression system” – an industrial sprinkler system designed to dampen the coke so it does not blow away, says Jake Reint, spokesman for Koch. The company was “disappointed by the state’s decision to file a lawsuit on a matter that we believe can be resolved outside of court”, Mr Reint says. In a letter to residents, KCBX said it would consider building an enclosure. Scott Dean, spokesman for BP, says KCBX was responsible for complying with regulatory requirements. But, he says: “We support implementation of regulations that result in the desired effect of reducing dust emissions without imposing unreasonable regulatory burdens on industry.” “As long as [KCBX] continue to comply with their permit and regulations, we don’t foresee a change,” Mr Dean adds. That does not sit well with locals. At a community meeting at the East Side United Methodist Church this month, residents complained about blackened windows and houses, never being able to picnic outside and keeping children indoors when the wind picked up off the Calumet River. The attorney-general’s office has asked locals to keep logs – and take pictures and video – documenting the uncovered trucks hauling petcoke, swirling black dust storms and other violations which are common complaints and would provide evidence for its lawsuit. For the better part of the 20th century, the southeast side of Chicago was home to some of the most polluting industries in the Midwest. But the steel mills and manufacturing plants that employed hundreds of thousands of locals shut down decades ago. The fact that KCBX has been storing petcoke for decades, as the company frequently notes, or that the southeast side has long dealt with pollution, is not relevant, says Kate Koval, who lives two blocks from one of the sites. “I think it was an unwritten social contract – people were willing to put up with pollution because that pollution provided a steady job and a house and college for your kids,” says Kate Koval, a community activist leading efforts to ban petcoke. “But that’s not the case any more.” Regarding the Lands Protection Act review, I was going to tackle part of the "Red Tape" section and the role of IRAC, but after reading that IRAC reports to the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, I figured I needed a little more time to sort it all out some more. :-) March 19, 2014Chris Ortenburger's Update
News and letters: Province needs water management plan - The Guardian A Reader's View by Fiep de Bie
Published on March 18, 2014 Conservation practices such as longer crop rotations that include forages, better residue management and strip cropping increase the moisture holding capacity of the soil. The presence of organic matter enhances the soilʼs structure, thermal, and nutritional regimes; and decreases wind and water erosion. Healthy soils hold moisture better than those with low organic material. In other words, soils with high organic matter need less water for healthy plant growth. Withdrawing water from existing ground water supplies at times of the year when those water levels are at their lowest and at a time when 100 per cent of the surface water flow is from groundwater (springs) will further reduce the volume of ground water flowing into springs, streams, rivers and estuaries. Reduced water flow coupled with high levels of nutrients currently found in the very potato-rich watersheds to be irrigated in central P.E.I., will lead to increased over-nutrification of water systems and then to an increase in anoxic events. Wildlife in all parts of waterways will be affected by less water and by the associated issues such as eutrophication and anoxia. Extracting more groundwater from P.E.I. is about so much more than simply water volume issues. The permanent loss of high volumes of water in an already fragile aquifer at a very sensitive time of year will have negative impacts on aquatic animals and plants, including those harvested by humans. Human health is important, and the high nitrate level found in groundwater in many wells in high potato production areas is a serious concern to the health of Islanders. However, wildlife and natural areas often take a back seat to human needs and health issues. In many jurisdictions fish and wildlife management agencies sit on the sidelines of important water management decisions. On behalf of the health of our natural systems, including springs, streams, rivers, their riparian zones and estuaries we strongly encourage the P.E.I. Government to adopt a provincial water management plan to effectively integrate water quantity, quality and wildlife management and to maintain the existing moratorium on high-capacity deep water well construction.
Fiep de Bie, Impact of shale gas development on groundwater to be studied New Brunswick Energy Institute investing $500K in two-year study, set to begin in April
but then I received this comment from Bradley Walters in New Brunswick, who
finds and sends out news about the fracking issue in New Brunswick with another
article (blue is his, bold is mine): Testing Energy institute to
spend $500,000 over two years to develop water quality baselines in four areas
in southern New Brunswick that are earmarked for possible shale gas development - Telegraph-Journal article by John Chilibeck
Published on March 18, 2014 FREDERICTON – The New Brunswick Energy Institute plans on spending more than $500,000 on research looking at well water quality in areas where industry wants to develop shale gas. The institute, under fire for being funded by a pro-development Tory provincial government, said Monday the research would go toward establishing a proper baseline before any more wells are drilled. It will take place in four areas of southern New Brunswick where exploration or development of the controversial industry is underway: Sussex-Petitcodiac, St. Antoine-Shediac, Harcourt-Richibucto and Boisetown-Upper Blackville. Kerry MacQuarrie, a civil engineering professor at the University of New Brunswick, was selected as the project lead for the two-year study on about 500 private wells.He said it was important to find out the water quality before any further development takes place because sometimes people don’t realize there’s naturally occurring pollution with no human cause. “This will be totally voluntary and it will be up to the homeowners that we contact whether they want to be involved”MacQuarrie said in an interview. “I would assume that people would be interested to know what the quality is for their drinking water, but there won’t be any obligation for anyone to take part.” MacQuarrie is well aware of the controversy surrounding the industry and the institute itself. Between opinion polls and the province’s two major political parties, New Brunswick society appears to be split on the merits of shale gas development, which relies on hydraulic fracturing. The long-term consequences of fracking are still not completely understood,with critics,such as the Liberal opposition, saying a moratorium should be in place until more studies can be carried out, whereas the Tory government and other shale gas supporters argue that development, with certain safeguards, should go ahead to create more jobs and wealth. “This is a research study, and it’s not really linked to any particular interest group or industry group,” MacQuarrie said. “I have no links with the shale gas industry or anything like that. I’ve been doing ground water research in the province for over 20 years and I publish that in peer-reviewed scientific formats. People probably will take issue that it’s related to the shale gas issue, but I think it’s something worthwhile to do because it seems a lot of the concerns that have been raised are related to ground water quality and the potential impacts on that.” Stephanie Merrill,freshwater program director with the Conservation Council of New Brunswick, works for the environmental organization that has campaigned heavily to stop shale gas development. She welcomed the idea of further study Monday, though she qualified her support by saying she would have to first see a detailed work plan and explanation of the research methods. She agreed that baseline studies were important, all the more reason, she said, for a moratorium on exploration and development. “There should be a decision made right now to halt the further work of companies’ with exploration leases and licences while this kind of work is undertaken. That would go a long way in providing an increased level of trust with the public, so they can put aside the question of whether the work is supporting the industry versus having information for providing good solid information for whether the industry should go ahead” MacQuarrie acknowledged the researchers would have a bit of trouble with their baseline data if the industry continues to develop over the next two years. “I have no idea to predict what the industry might do in the next couple of years,but I’m guessing it would only be a handful of wells, perhaps, that might be drilled. But again, I have no inside information or any clue about that.” The team, which will consist of MacQuarrie and as many as eight research students, will send mail-outs or hold meetings to pick about 500 private well owners in the select areas. To ensure their results are not contaminated, they want to establish their baseline using wells that are at least one to two kilometres away from any existing oil or gas wells or seismic tests that have already been conducted. Natural gas is currently extracted at the McCully fields near Sussex and dozens and dozens of different hydrocarbon wells have been drilled since the 19th century,most of them now abandoned. The researchers want to look at newer private water wells built within the last 20 years when provincial regulations became stricter and data was collected on the wells. They also want sites that are nicely spaced apart with different geology so that they get a better variety and breadth of data. The study will run from April 2014 to April 2016, when a final technical report will be submitted. The project will be the first large-scale examination of natural methane gas occurrences in private water wells in the province, with the objective to collect and report baseline domestic water quality data. The focus is on groundwater quality parameters that are most relevant to the potential impact on shallow groundwater from unconventional shale gas production. Early results from the project will be provided in an interim progress report on the institute’s website. It is intended on being the beginning of a series of water studies that the institute will be funding relating to energy development. MacQuarrie described the work as labour intensive and requiring a good deal of expertise to properly obtain and analyze samples.He said they’d probably work in concert with researchers at Université de Moncton, who have already begun work on collecting data on wells that might be contaminated by radioactive materials caused by deposits such as uranium. The institute plans on spending $532,000 overall on the study. ---------- And an event I forgot to mention:
more
details: https://www.facebook.com/events/765235563487949/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming March 18, 2014Chris Ortenburger's UpdateLots going on this week! March 17, 2014Chris Ortenburger's UpdateSome meaningful letters
addressing the high capacity well issue -- these were printed on just one day,
and was "balanced" by the editorial the next day and the Potato Board
ad the next..... Mother Earth in danger from deep-water wells - The Guardian Letter to the Editor
Published on March 12, 2014 There is enough damage caused by the use of poison pesticides and herbicides used by the large corporations to grow potatoes. It saddens me to see and hear about thousands of fish floating dead in our streams and rivers after a heavy rainfall. This has been happening year after year for too many years. If these chemicals can kill our fish, then how safe are they for the human population? We hear of illness and death caused by these chemicals in our human population, among our brothers and sisters, in the animal kingdom and among birds of prey that depend on these fish to live. Water is one of the most sacred elements of the Miʼkmaq People. The water, air and Mother Earth are all sacred elements, without anyone of these all life on Mother will die. All of these sacred elements are so interconnected that whatever we do to the water will affect the land and will affect the air. I, along with many others, am against the drilling of deep wells for irrigation of the potato crops, as I believe it will only add to the problem of more water from the potato fields flowing into our once pristine rivers and streams and seeping down into our water table. As keptin of the Miʼkmaq Grand Council for the District of Epekwitk, I strongly recommend that the moratorium on high- capacity deep wells for potato field irrigation not be lifted until we are sure these deep-water wells will not harm the quality of fresh water in this province. To date, there is no evidence that we can be sure. We have no idea what happens to our underground water, which flows under the surface. We have no idea how much of that water is available to us and what could happen to it if more deep wells were dug for the purposes of those who appear to place profit over the needs of the greater population and future generations of Islanders. The present model of industrial agriculture cannot be working for P..E.I and it is time we faced this and built the alternatives needed now and in the future. We need to realize that corporate and industrial agriculture has had its day and that trying to rescue it will inflict great damage on Mother Earth. She is already too wounded by this model of agriculture, which has resulted in destruction of land, water, trees, human and animal life. Organic farmers are not asking for deep wells. They donʼt need them because they have environmentally friendly agricultural methods, which are building up the soil, treating water responsibly and enhancing human and animal health. As Prince Edward Islanders we have to come together and demand that the government of P.E.I. maintain the moratorium on high capacity deep water wells. Set up monitoring systems on the wells that are now operating, and create legislation with teeth, so that these wells can be shut down if they are endangering our water table, our clean water supply, or causing harm to our soil.
Dr. John Joe Sark LLD is keptin of the Miʼkmaq Grand Council for the
District Of Epekwitk (P.E.I.).
Potato danger all-consuming - The Guardian Letter to the Editor
Published on March 12, 2014 Without proper tests to assess the quality and quantity of the available water on P.E.I., this request should be turned over to an independent committee to ensure the proper research and studies are completed. When the data is available, an informed decision can be made. Careful consideration is required to determine potential damage to our drinking water and environment. Secondly, my research indicates health-care scientists are studying the health problems associated with eating foods that spike our blood sugars. More and more people are becoming insulin-sensitive and developing diabetes, cancer and heart problems with the spike in insulin created from eating foods like potatoes. How much longer will people consume potatoes? French fries are even worse considering they are fried in canola oil. The misinformation regarding the P.E.I. potato industry contributing $1 billion to our micro- economy is not accurate. The majority of the money ends up off-Island and does very little to grow our economy or create a tax base to pay for the health-care problems it creates. Nor does this industry compensate adequately our education requirements. Finally, I would like to leave food for thought: “Mankind will not destroy Mother Earth, man can only destroy our ability to live on Mother Earth.” Mother Earth is a living cathedral, with real feelings and needs. She must have harmony and balance, she can shake mankind off her back like a dog shaking ticks off their back. She has many ways to do this, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tsunamis and tidal waves. Think about it.
Wayne MacKinnon,
Marshfield Potato processors bargain through blackmail - The Guardian Letter to the Editor
Published on March 12, 2014 Showing “candid” photos of hard-working farm families is a bit like a defence lawyer pointing to a murder suspect and saying to the jury does this person look like a murderer. Again this is not a good debating point for or against deep-well drilling. We all know and respect that farmers only want to make a living and do not want to harm the environment. The trouble is past farming practices have not been good and perhaps growing potatoes for the french fry factories is not good, sustainable farming practice. When I first moved to P.E.I., my late husband and I rented out cottages for the summer. Our property backed onto a potato field. Late one fall, the field was plowed. We thought it was rather late to be plowing and then planting a cover crop. One night we had a terrible windstorm. The next day our lawns, cottages, in fact, the entire property was covered in red dust. So were the properties across the road, there was even soil in the cottages. We called the farmer, talked to him. He said he was putting in potatoes the next year, and because the growing season for this type of potato on P.E.I. was too short they had to plow in the fall. He also stated that usually the ground froze over and there was snow cover so it did not matter. At the time I thought why are they growing a type of potato that requires a longer growing season than they naturally have. Of course these potatoes were for french fries. It seemed to me t was neither scientific or good farming practice that one should hope the ground froze before the winds came. It was a terrible mess to clean up in the spring and I wondered whether the farmer was hoping the wind would blow the soil back onto his field. In Australia, which is a continent not an island, they have been irrigating for years, especially for the wine industry. Now their rivers are drying up. So please no pictures or threats, a proper debate is needed.
Carol Capper,
Summerside Three things spark our pride - The Guardian Letter to the Editor
Published on March 12, 2014 Prince Edward Island has seen a disintegration of our health care and our fresh water supply. With wait times increasing and residents having to incur expensive trips or even hitchhike to Halifax for health services itʼs hard to believe we live in Canada. Our health-care system is falling fast as well. The download of health- care costs from the feds to the provinces makes it hard for any health care to function. Itʼs made even worse by a provincial government that doesnʼt seem to understand spending wisely versus spending foolishly. When thinking of fresh water, many will remember another summer of water problems for the city of Charlottetown as well as continuous river closures due to runoff in the summer and fall over the last few years. Itʼs hard to believe P.E.I. with all its fresh water faces these problems. Recent calls for deep-water wells set a dangerous precedent as it opens up the already fragile Island water table to more pressure. Itʼs time we as Islanders take a stand against this and work to protect and preserve our Island water for future generations. Problems in Charlottetown over the last two summers with the Winter River Watershed should serve as a wake-up call and remind us that without proper care and protection of our water resources — we will run out. There was a time when I was growing up that buying bottled water was unheard of but nowadays this has become the norm. I love P.E.I. with all my heart but itʼs becoming hard to live here. Itʼs time for accountability and transparency, wise spending not wasteful spending and care for the citizens of the province. Perhaps then even our politicians will be worthy of a gold.
Melvin Reeves,
Kensington
And the website for the Coalition for the Protection of PEI Water: LAND GRABBING - The Carver Commission report (pages 30-32)
The term ‘land grabbing’ refers to the contentious issue of large-scale land
acquisitions, primarily the buying or leasing of large pieces of land in
developing countries, by domestic and transnational companies, governments, and
individuals. While used broadly throughout history, land grabbing as used today
primarily refers to large-scale land acquisitions following the 2007-2008 world
food price crisis. March 16, 2014Chris Ortenburger's Update
Another
installment of "Let the Potato Board Educate Islanders on the Deep Well
Issue":  This is the The Education Plan -- take what the Department of Environment officials said ("We have the capacity for Dozens and dozens and dozens of wells.") and basically ignore scientists, watershed people, and volunteers who have looked at most of the same data and more and most certainly don't come to that conclusion. They are attempting to reassure a public which does cares about the health and fate of these farmers, but is growing increasingly uncomfortable with how this sector does business with its effects on land and health, and with ever-increasing demands to "level the playing field." -- This educational installment, point by point (any errors of interpretation are my own): First the point being made by the Potato Board, and then what presenters have said at the Standing Committee meetings: "The Science" Point #1: "Prince Edward Island has one of the highest groundwater recharge rates in Canada, with recharge rates double of those in other agricultural parts of the Maritime provinces." Actually: A lot of rain (remember how many swimming pools per square inch or kilometer?) does not mean that the rain gets to groundwater. This has been mentioned by several presenters at the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Environment, Energy and Forestry. The Science Point#2: Supplemental irrigation uses a very small fraction of our water supply. Actually: this is likely true, but only a very small fraction of our water supply is actually available for our use. Do we know all the factors to choose that this commodity is more worthy than any other needs for our water? The Science Point#3: Supplemental Irrigation will have negligible impact on the available groundwater supply, as water will be drawn -- at most -- a few weeks per year, and not at all in some years. Actually: These high capacity wells pull up about 800 gallons per minute, I think I have read. And they can run non-stop to get to all the fields. That's about a million gallons a day, multiplied by 18-27 days per year (Innovative Farms Groups information) -- at the driest time of year, when the streams are running on mostly basewater (groundwater input) -- that's about 34 million gallons of water from one well, which services about 200 acres, I think they said. Most people would not call that negligible. The Science Point#4: New wells would be regulated so that wells would not be approved that are beyond the capacity of the local watershed. Actually: At least three different presenters have said that the assessment of capacity to allow the draw off water is completely wrong in the provincial 2013 water extraction policy; and that the department chose to ignore or "cherry-pick" the analysis and recommendations from the Canadian Rivers Institute (CRI) and other sources, namely that the water could be drawn off until stream base flow (levels only from groundwater) hit 35%. The CRI cautioned never to let irrigation happen when the baseflow is all there is -- only extracting water when there is at least a certain percent of streamflow (from rain) in local streams. Now these assessments are my inferences from listening to every presenter to the committee after the Environment Minister and her entourage. Last spring, Horace Carver was criss-crosing the Island, listening to Islanders,reading every previous commission, every roundtable, every task force and action committee, and after very long and hard thought, came to his conclusions that increasing potato acreage is not going to improve soil or the bottom line. From his report The Gift of Jurisdiction: Our Island Province: The Commission does not doubt, as they claim, that many potato producers are doing a good job when it comes to protecting against soil erosion and maintaining an acceptable level of soil organic matter content. However, the following facts cannot be ignored: 1. Potato yield is related to soil quality; 2. A significant number of potato producers do not comply with the Agricultural Crop Rotation Act; 3. The precise number of acres not in compliance is unknown since the Department of Agriculture and Forestry does not verify compliance through field checks; 4. There have been no successful prosecutions since the Agricultural Crop Rotation Act was proclaimed in 2002; and 5. Soil organic matter, a principle indicator of soil quality, continues to decline. Therefore: The Commission recommends: 3. That the aggregate land holding limits of 1,000 acres of land for an individual and 3,000 acres of land for a corporation apply only to ‘arable land’ – a term to be defined in the revised Lands Protection Act – and that the maximum amount of non-arable land holdings be set at 400 acres for individuals and 1,200 acres for corporations. The Commission Recommends: 4. That before any future increase to the arable aggregate land holding limits is considered, government and the agriculture sector must commit to actions and report satisfactory progress to
But, as the hollow instrument that it is now, the Agriculture Crop Rotation Act lacks force and will never be effective until the agricultural community itself takes ownership of the problem and required solutions. To do nothing is not an option. As a further comment on the subject of aggregate land holding limits, the Commission realizes there are some who believe the decision on “How much land is enough?” should be left to those who currently own and control the most land. History teaches us that the Lands Protection Act was brought in for the express purpose of providing all Islanders, through their elected representatives, with a say in the matter. In this regard, the Commission believes nothing has changed. Amazingly clear analysis and strong words. March 15, 2014Chris Ortenburger's Update
Quite
the list of
presenters at the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Environment, Energy and
Forestry yesterday in the Coles Building. It ended up going from 10AM to
about 3PM, with a short lunch break. But it was completely interesting.
Location of transcripts of these Committee meetings (not yesterday's, yet)
from the Legistlative Assembly site: March 14, 2014Chris Ortenburger's Update
March
14 (besides being "Pi Day" -- 3.14) marks an unpleasant one year
anniversary. One year ago, we had two warm days and a good amount of
rain.   Hemlock grove/Crawford's stream 
The Fairyland culvert is still there, but now the bumpy Plan B goes over
about 50 feet of shale.
The last meeting before the Legislature opens for spring will be in two weeks, Thursday, March 27th, when the Committee will have a last few presentations (PEI Potato Board, Sierra Club, others) and deal with other agricultural news. The Committee will present a report on their meetings to the Legislature in April. There have been some excellent letters in this week's papers, and I will have a "bulletin board" of these in the next few days. ---------- The National Farmers' Union district convention is today at the Dutch Inn, all welcome, and there will be presentations/discussions about high capacity wells, bill C-18 about farmers' ability to save seeds, and CETA. And switching gears entirely to the CETA agreement (Comprehensive Economic Trade/Canada-European Union) is a well-crafted, "it's clear as a bell -- run in the opposite direction of CETA" letter in yesterday's Guardian by Marie Burge: http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/Opinion/Letter-to-editor/2014-03-13/article-3646555/CETA%3A-Yet-another-threat-to-democracy/1 CETA: Yet another threat to democracy - The Guardian Commentary by Marie Burge
Published on March 13, 2014 There is a growing awareness in our community that democracy is being undermined at every turn. Many people point to governments as the big offenders. It is a cause for widespread cynicism that the very institutions which citizens entrust with the duty of guarding democracy, namely governments, are the culprits selling out our democratic collective freedoms. CETA is one of those sell-outs, with major negative consequences for the democratic future of Canada. The most obvious sign of the lack of democracy in CETA is the negotiations are carried out in total secrecy, with a few gratuitous leaks. In many meetings behind closed doors, unelected, professional negotiators are creating a plan for the future of our country. This is a “... binding international treaty — negotiated in secret, with its exact terms still concealed from the public — to be agreed to without any opportunity for debate, reflection or independent analysis” (Scott Sinclair, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives). Earlier this year the Prime Minister arrived home from a European trip to announce that he had an “agreement in principle”. Supporters of CETA say “it will improve our economy.” This is worrisome because our predominant economic system itself is undemocratic. We need to ask the question, “improving the economy for whom?” It is clear that CETA aims to “improve the economy” for the top one per cent, not the economy as it relates to the large segment of the population deprived of reliable, livable income. We already have an economy geared towards the rich and powerful. Canadians should challenge government representatives or politicians every time they present a platform of the “economy,” and ask, who controls this economy and who benefits from it? The Canadian Government should be shamed for its efforts to win over the voting population by claiming that CETA could create 80,000 Canadian jobs. This ploy has been used before. It is based on a naive belief that the corporate sectorʼs gains will result in investments in new jobs. In fact, the opposite is found to be true. The authorities say, “Trade is necessary.” We, who oppose CETA, are not against trade. In fact, we support trade among nations, but we propose fair trade, in which we mutually benefit from the trade of goods and services of equal value and similar genre. For many years we have listened to the rhetoric of "free trade" such as that of NAFTA enthusiasts. The only thing that was freed by that agreement was the movement of capital from one country into another. It provided freedom for the transnational corporations to ignore sovereign borders and to plant their investments wherever they would produce the biggest profits. The authorities imply CETA is just another trade deal. Others say it is merely NAFTA on steroids, which is scary enough, but not true. CETA is in a totally different framework. CETA would grant to transnational monopolies a power and control over our country never before experienced. At the same time, it will limit the capacity of democratically elected governments to create independent public policy. Under CETA, and other agreements which are in the works, elected politicians around the world will lose the power to enact legislation or programs to protect their citizens and the environment in the face of economic disaster or the devastation of climate change. Similar to NAFTA, the proposed CETA will give corporations the right to demand compensation from any government action that "interferes" with a corporationʼs goals, investments, and contracting interests. The Investor State Dispute Settlement, a mechanism of CETA, allows for an investor, a private corporation, to make claims against Canada, a sovereign nation, for any perceived “loss or damages.” All Canadians, including Islanders, should consider some possible impacts of CETA: it could interfere with “buy local” policies for food or any other goods and services; it could give EU monopolies full access to municipal or provincial contracts related to drinking water, sanitation and other municipal services. Many coalitions, both in the EU and in Canada (including P.E.I.), aware that CETA is not yet signed, are taking action to influence the outcome. The first step is to demand that the contents of CETA be revealed. “There needs to be informed public debate, based on full disclosure of the treaty text. This should happen before Canadian governments, at all levels, make a final decision” (Scott Sinclair). The coalitions are creating awareness of the negative aspects of the proposed agreement, and creating forums for public debate, at the same time encouraging municipal and provincial governments to protect their communities. There is still time for concerned citizens to mount firm and effective opposition to the CETA. Citizens with a united voice can stop this deal which has the capacity to decrease Canadaʼs democratic powers as well as those of provinces and territories, and municipalities.
Marie Burge,
Cooper Institute New coalition in Prince Edward Island concerned over Canada- Europe trade deal - The Guardian article by Teresa Wright
Published on March 06, 2014 The coalition of 23 local groups held a news conference in Charlottetown this week, calling the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) the most intrusive that Canada has ever signed. Lori MacKay, president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) for P.E.I., says one key concern is around local procurement policies. “Thereʼs not too many things that are more significant to the private sector in Prince Edward Island than access to local government contracts, but the European demands would make it impossible for provinces and municipalities to use government spending as a job creator or a local economic development tool,” she said. “This would mean that when awarding contracts, a local government would not be able to put provisions on a contract, like minimum Canadian or local content...or even buy-local campaigns.” Other areas cited as potentially threatened by CETA are the provinceʼs agricultural industry and health-care system. The coalition also believes the deal will limit or remove the governmentʼs ability to create jobs, support local businesses and negotiate benefits for Islanders from companies investing in the provinceʼs resources. Speakers at the news conference addressed topics such CETAʼs negative effects on the dairy industry, supply management, the cost of drugs and the fishing industry. The coalition emphasized it was not against trade but expressed concerns over the nature of free trade agreements such as CETA and NAFTA. Coalition members stated their belief that these agreements are mainly about expanding the rights of multinational companies, while reducing the ability of provincial and municipal governments to pursue policies that benefit local communities and everyday citizens. Thatʼs why they have written to the premier, asking him to champion the idea of a review of this agreement. They would like a standing committee to examine the CETA and engage in public consultations across the province. They also would like to see the Canada-European trade deal debated in the provincial legislature. Theyʼve asked the provincial government to outline what exemptions, or reservations as theyʼre called in CETA, P.E.I. has designated to protect important policies from the effects of the agreement. “This network of groups came together about concern about the secrecy, concern for the erosion of democracy, concern about our government having itʼs hands tied and not being able to govern as we want it to,” said Cindy Richards of the Citizenʼs Alliance of P.E.I.
“Islanders deserve to know what is in the deal and in particular need to
know what reservations that Ghiz government has taken to protect important
policies such as renewable energy, owner/operator and fleet separation and
public transit.” March 13, 2014Chris Ortenburger's Update
Yesterday
it was discovered that if you buy two ads in a local paper, you get an opinion
piece printed like a news story. But, wait, there's more: the special
really is: Potato processors enter water debate as stakes increase - The Guardian Lead Editorial
Published on March 12, 2014 in The Guardian
Outside of the agricultural sector, there is almost universal opposition to
lifting a 10-year moratorium on deep-water wells. Even inside the farming
community, the NFU is opposed to any changes. Other farmers, including some
potato growers, are either opposed or neutral on the issue.
P.E.I. potato growers suggest the industry would be in jeopardy without some
relief from deep-water wells, with catastrophic economic results for farmers,
rural communities and the province in general. Irrigation will provide an
important tool to help sustain family farms for the next generation and beyond.
Farmers said all the right things to the committee. “We live in rural P.E.I.
with our children, our families, our friends and neighbours, in and around the
farms that we would be irrigating. Thus we are very committed to managing this
resource to be as gentle on our environment and as beneficial to our
environment as possible. Better plant growth from irrigation means less
fertilizer and fewer pesticides due to less stress on the plant.” A short conference entitled “My Island, My Heart” will take place March 4, 1:00-3:00 pm, at UPEI’s Chaplaincy Centre. The conference, led by UPEI arts student Faith Robinson, focuses on three themes: island fragility, island sustainability, and island community. Special guest speakers include: Deirdre Kessler, writer and UPEI professor; Laurie Brinklow, accomplished poet and UPEI professor; and Millefiore Clarkes, filmmaker to name a few. A short docu-film Island Green, about organic farming on PEI, will also be featured as part of the conference. Today, it is more important than ever to realize the limitations and magnificence of our environment, so keenly felt by Islanders worldwide. It is crucial that we not forget the roots from which we ourselves grow, to envision a better future. For more information on the conference, contact Faith Robinson at frobinson@upei.ca. Admission is free, and snacks and beverages will be provided. All are welcome to attend. The Healthy Eating Alliance newsletter, with lots of local food events and information, is here: http://peifoodsecurity.wordpress.com/newsletters/ It is the second download link -- March 2014 And nothing about the Lands Protection Act, except as I delve into them, my admiration for the amount of research and rumination that went into these recommendations. March 12, 2014Chris Ortenburger's UpdateHere was a little article
in Monday's Guardian, page A3. Perhaps the paper has a deal
that if your organization buys two half-page ads you get an opinion piece
published as if it were a news article? The red arrows for extra special
clients, maybe?  Tomorrow, Thursday, is the next meeting of the Standing Committee on Ag/Env/Energy and Forestry, at 1PM in the Coles Building. **If weather cancels the meeting, it will be rescheduled, I am told, to Friday morning at 10AM.** There is some other business first (from the Hog Board), then: ECOPEI Atlantic Salmon Federation (Todd Dupuis) PEI Federation of Agriculture Cooper Institute Council of Canadians Daryl Guignion NDP PEI Mi'kmaq Confederacy of PEI PEIS Shellfish Association and the Committee has to consider a request from Cavendish Farms Woo, what a line-up!! Of course, do consider attending if you can. This page has the listing and link to the agenda. As soon as I hear anything about the meeting being postponed, I will pass it on. http://www.assembly.pe.ca/meetings/index.php?shownumber=332 For an archive of letters and posts about this issue, including footage from Maude Barlow's talk at the water forum last month, go to: http://peiwater.wordpress.com/ Besides the land limits, the Commission on the Lands Protection Act also explored the concern about "double-counting", where farmland "leased out" (rented to someone else to farm) is counted and so is the same land "leased in" (somebody rents it). The Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission, but pretty much no one else, liked the system. So: The Commission recommends: 2. That the provincial government amend subsection 1(3) of the Lands Protection Act to remove the double-counting provision so that only land leased in is counted as part of the aggregate land holding; that the amendment include a sunset clause that would expire in six years, unless specifically extended before the expiration of the six-year time limit; and that a cap be instituted to limit the amount of land an individual or a corporation can lease out to 50% of arable acres owned. March 11, 2014Chris Ortenburger's UpdateMany different topics: Province commits up to $212,000 to bring company to Prince Edward Island - The Guardian article by Teresa WrightPublished on March 10, 2014 A Scottish company with technology that can find underground minerals and energy resources has decided to make Prince Edward Island its Canadian home.
Adrok uses electromagnetic beams to penetrate rock, seawater and earth in order
to survey for natural resources. On Monday, Adrok announced it has chosen P.E.I. as its Canadian base of operations. “We were in Alberta last week and there were a lot of eyebrows raised when we said we were based in P.E.I. because they all thought theyʼve got the oil so we should be there, but actually the province of P.E.I. has got everything we need to grow as a company,” said Alan Goodwin, vice-president of operations for Adrok. “Weʼve had lots of support, the people here have been fantastic in terms of setting up our economic plans and our financial plans, so thatʼs been very supportive,” said managing director and co-founder Gordon Stove. The provincial government has committed $11,000 as part of a rental incentive together with a labour rebate that could reach $201,000 if the company reaches its target of hiring six Island employees by the end of 2015. Innovation Minister Allen Roach said the province is excited by the work that Adrok performs and was only too happy to help the company set up shop in Charlottetown.
“We see that thereʼs great opportunity for that type of business here in North
America,” Roach said. Adrok will provide a base to service existing clients in the region as well as developing business within Canadaʼs booming mineral exploration industry. The new base will create six jobs for geophysics (sic) and field technicians who will gather and analyze data on site before sending it back to the companyʼs Edinburgh headquarters for further analysis. There will also be a sales and marketing function in order to build a client base in the region. Stove said his companyʼs low-power multi-frequency radio wave technology allows it to probe subsurface areas offers prospective developers the ability to identify lucrative underground or underwater resources in more environmentally sensitive way. It also costs significantly less than normal drilling costs for test wells. Adrokʼs decision to base its headquarters in the province was not necessarily linked to a desire for oil or gas surveying in Prince Edward Island. But Stove did say the company would be willing to do some exploratory work here. “We plan to develop our offshore capability here in the Maritimes. In the east coast of Canada thereʼs great opportunities to find more sources of energy,” Stove said. “I think certainly that Minister Sheridan will be interested in what this company has to offer, and if we do look for things in P.E.I. then we have the company here,” Roach added.
Adrok conducted its first commercial exploration in 2007 in Morocco and has
since used its patented technology to assist energy and mineral exploration in
the North Sea, Europe, North America, Australia and Asia. March 10, 2014Chris Ortenburger's Update
During
the Plan B opposition, so many caring, brilliant people on this Island made the
time to speak out on something so wrong. That's what is happening now. Will common sense trump misleading scientific claims on deep-water wells? - The Guardian Guest Opinion by Kevin J. Arsenault
Published on March 06, 2014 The abstract for that article states: “Intensification of potato farming has contaminated groundwater with nitrate in many cases in Prince Edward Island, Canada, which raises concerns for drinking water quality and associated ecosystem protection . . . while it would take several years to reduce the nitrate-N in the shallow portion of the aquifer, it would take several decades or even longer to restore water quality in the deeper portions of the aquifer.
“Elevated nitrate-N concentrations in base flow are positively correlated with
potato cropping intensity and significant reductions in nitrate-N loading are
required if the nitrate level of surface water is to recover to the standard in
the Canadian Water Quality Guidelines.” Kevin J. Arsenault of Charlottetown obtained his doctorate from McGill University in social ethics. He has served as a former executive director of the National Farmers Union, and has worked as an agricultural consultant for more than 20 years. He was also a presenter to the standing committee investigating whether P.E.I. should become a GM-free zone in 2005. ---------
More about those Environmental Exemptions tomorrow. March 9, 2014Chris Ortenburger's Update
Here
are two upcoming social events, each with a primary concern: democratic
reform and environmental issues: "The
core idea is simple: if we work together, we can help hold this government
accountable at the ballot box by mobilizing thousands of people to get out and
vote for action on democracy, climate, and inequality in key ridings across the
country." (I sometimes get LeadNow and FairVote Canada mixed up.) ----------
So I think you can drink whatever color drink you like. ---------- This is from American cable company MSNBC. I honestly don't know much
about "The Ed Show" but this video clip is about 15 minutes of a very
loud American guy (Ed Schultz) who at the beginning shows even louder
conservatives shouting about needing the Keystone pipeline. Then he tells
you he used to be in favour of the pipeline, but *has changed his mind and
why*. It's actually very interesting, especially to see how the Canadian
government and business leaders look from the American perspective. Letters regarding the high capacity well issue This one raises an issue about radon, but has anyone actually heard about his concern? Perhaps we all need to start asking about it. http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/Opinion/Letter-to-editor/2014-03-06/article-3639414/Deep-water-wells-will-spray-radon-into-air/1 Deep-water wells will spray radon into air - The Guardian Letter to the Editor
Published on March 06, 2014 If you irrigate with P.E.I. groundwater by spraying, in the flight of the water droplets through the air, radon will evaporate out of the water droplet, effectively what is called an air stripper; now a radon stripper. Some radon evaporates (stripped out), some doesnʼt. The radon stripper effect will form a radioactive radon gas cloud, a radon plumb. The radioactive half-life of 86Rn222 is 3.8 days, and a significant concentration of radon may occur near the spraying source in light winds as well as down wind. When radon decays it emits an alpha particle of 5.5 million electron volts, very energetic. Electrons are stripped off diatomic oxygen and nitrogen molecules in the air and it takes about 30 electron volts to create one ion pair. This is referred to as ionization or ionizing radiation. Do the math: divide 5.5 million by 30 and you get ~183,000 ion pairs from one alpha particle. There is a background level of ionization in the atmosphere caused by cosmic rays and background radiation. Airborne irrigation will add to this considerably; so much so that the resistance of the earth atmosphere is decreased, the electrical field of the earth arcs over, and you have thunder and lightning.
Last summer I heard thunder over Hunter River or Cavendish and there wasnʼt
talk of any electrical disturbances on the newscast nor were the clouds
thunderheads. I believe now this thunder most likely was caused by the
deep-water wells spraying radon in the air in Prince and Queens counties of
P.E.I. Friends say: “I heard that too.” As a public health matter, it will also prove useful to know the MPC of radon for groundwater, as municipal wells are also involved, at least indirectly.
Tony Lloyd,
Mount Stewart March 7, 2014Chris Ortenburger's Update
The
Standing Committee On Agriculture and Environment meeting yesterday regarding
high capacity wells meeting was full, which as you know makes an impression.
The last echoes how effectively Horace Carver visited and listened to Islanders (and about whose work I am skipping discussing today). MLA Buck Watts mentioned he thought these meetings were a form of public consultation, and I hope by the answers he understands yes, but there needs to be more to really say the Legislators consulted with the public. (MLA Kathleen was quite focused on how many members are in the NFU. When not given a specific number, she persisted and even asked other presenters if they knew.) Compass, lead storyhttp://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Canada/PEI/ID/2440628638/ Some events coming up (not complete in the least): Events: Tuesday, March 11, 7PM Pesticide Free PEI Meeting, Sobey's in Stratford https://www.facebook.com/events/514006368719528/ Thursday, March 13th, 1-5PM High Capacity Wells presentation, Standing Committee on Agriculture, Environment, Energy and Forestry, Coles Building Presenters (I think) include Todd Dupois of the Atlantic Salmon Federation, the Council of Canadians, The Cooper Institute, and the NDP-PEI. Also, on Thursday: PEI ADAPT Council AGM/Conference "Celebrating the International Year of the Family Farm" AGM 9AM, Conference: 10:30AM Farm Centre, 420 University Avenue Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island 10:30 Conference Welcome: Elmer MacDonald, Chair, PEI ADAPT Council Presentations from Family Farmers Matt Dykerman, Rose and Dave Viaene, Don and Christine MacDonald, Alexander Beattie Questions and Audience Discussion ADAPT Project Leader Presentations Farm Centre - Future of the Farm Centre & 2014 Legacy Garden Project International Sustainable Communities - Roster of Skills Organic Beet Production and Mkt Opportunities Potato Marketing by Usage & Wireworm Control , PEI Potato Board Questions and Audience Discussion Report on PEI Agriculture Trade Mission to Taiwan - Issues and Opportunities Phil Ferraro, Executive Director PEI ADAPT, PEI Agr. Trade Team Member Project Trade Show and Nutrition Break • GEC - DON Wheat and Future Mkt Opportunities • Sea Spray Coop - Pickling/Fermentation, • Fed of Agr/CMEG - Temporary Foreign Workers, • Hort Assn. - Ethnic Veg Mkts., Club Root Resistance in Broccoli Varieties, • Hometown Pork - Pork Value Chain, • Soil Foodweb - Compost Tea as Fungicide, Storecast, Biochar Field Trails, • Soil and Crop Improvement Assn. - Sea Lettuce Compost, • Island Forest Foods - Diversified Permaculture Orchard, • PEI Dairy Farmers - Bovine Leucosis and Johnnies Disease, • PEI Brewing Company - Malt Barley Value Chain, • PEI Cranberry Growers - Powder Cranberry Marketing, • Omega Holdings - Safe Quality Food Planning, • Certified Organic Producers Coop - Organic Products Field Trials, • PEI Sheep Breeders - Genetic Enhancement, Lunch with Keynote Speaker (12:30 - 1:30 pm.) Reg Porter, ‘Historical Perspectives of Island Family Farming’ Project Trade Show 1:30 - 2PM CONFERENCE REGISTRATION IS FREE and open to anyone with an interest in the future of agriculture and agri-food production on Prince Edward Island. Pre-registration is necessary as space is limited. To register call: 368-2005 or email: phil@peiadapt.com Friday, March 14th A short conference entitled “My Island, My Heart” will take place March 14, 1:00-3:00 pm, at UPEI’s Chaplaincy Centre. The conference, led by UPEI arts student Faith Robinson, focuses on three themes—island fragility, island sustainability, and island community. Special guest speakers include: Deirdre Kessler, writer and UPEI professor; Laurie Brinklow, accomplished poet and UPEI professor; and Millefiore Clarkes, filmmaker to name a few. A short docu-film Island Green, about organic farming on PEI, will also be featured as part of the conference. Today, it is more important than ever to realize the limitations and magnificence of our environment, so keenly felt by Islanders worldwide. It is crucial that we not forget the roots from which we ourselves grow, to envision a better future. For more information on the conference, contact Faith Robinson at frobinson@upei.ca. Admission is free, and snacks and beverages will be provided. All are welcome to attend. (Also note that) Saturday, March 22nd, Island Green screening, 7:30PM, Bonshaw March 6, 2014Chris Ortenburger's UpdateA few dates to keep in
mind: March 5, 2014Chris Ortenburger's UpdateA Standing Committee
meeting tomorrow, starting at 1PM, at the Coles Building next to
Province House, with presentations (I think) from the National Farmers' Union,
The PEI Watershed Alliance, Central Queen's Wildlife Federation/West River, The
Innovative Farms Group, and the Green Party PEI. If you can drop by for a
little bit, that will support (most of) these groups and show the politicians
that people are interested in this issue. Unique approach to selling wells - The Guardian Letter to the Editor
Published on March 04, 2014
Too bad they did not come forward sooner with this approach. Their perspective
that this is a lot of storm about a very small issue, that it will not take
much water, and letʼs just trust them and the government to do the right thing
is a little hard to take.
Carol Capper, Summerside March 4, 2014Chris Ortenburger's UpdateMost letters to the editor
published in The Guardian get posted on their website, but occasionally
one or two don't make it. Often an e-mail from a reader will point it out to
them. Sometimes it takes a few reminders. Get this right the first time - The Guardian Letter to the Editor
Published on February 21, 2014 It appears as if the potential lifting of the moratorium on high capacity wells for irrigation of potato fields may be — excuse the pun — a watershed issue on P.E.I. The crux of Minister Sherry and the potato boardʼs shared position is that “the science” supports a lifting of the ban. But science is not a package of carefully filtered information presented as a final, incontestable truth; it is a dynamic, continuously unfolding process. Science is the ongoing clash of differing ideas from which the light of truth temporarily shines, until newer and better information illuminates the issue further. When it comes to ground water on P.E.I., we know so very little. As the saying goes, itʼs not that we donʼt know all the answers, we donʼt even know the right questions to ask. The complexity of Island hydrology, and the importance of water in our lives insists that we proceed with extreme caution. Many informed experts have already expressed grave concern about lifting the moratorium, and most “ordinary” Islanders with generations of accumulated knowledge seem to be saying that the lifting of this ban represents a line in our red soil that we must not cross. Unlike some other issues, when it comes to our water, there is no Plan B. We must get this right first time. Islanders have an important decision to make; we need farming — indeed I believe that our provinceʼs economic future will depend perhaps more than ever before on farming. But it must be a type of farming that will rebuild our soil, not denude it, will protect our water, not threaten it. I am not anti-farming — quite the opposite — but I am anti-screwing up our water.
Peter Bevan-Baker, Back to the Land: CETA News: March 3, 2014Chris Ortenburger's UpdateThis Thursday afternoon,
the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Environment, Energy and Forestry
continues its meetings to hear from groups concerned about the high capacity
well issue. The meeting starts at 1PM and will go as late as 5PM if
needed. Consider dropping in for any amount of time if you can, since
interest from the the public on issues is certainly noted, plus it is important
to hear what these groups are saying when they say it, since the media only has
so much time to report it, and the Hansard (transcript) takes some time to get
completed. March 2, 2014Chris Ortenburger's Update
In
yesterday's Guardian were two letters regarding our groundwater, the
first by this thoughtful Islander: Listen to people, not big business - The Guardian Letter to the Editor
Published on March 01, 2014 Wednesday night I sat in a room with a few hundred other people concerned, as I am, with what is happening to this Island. I listened to John Joe Sark speak of how sacred the four elements are to the Miʼkmaq; I heard Reg Phelan discuss farming practices; Maude Barlow talked about the global water situation and Daryl Guignon explained how simple it would be to change and, in fact, reverse what is happening to our valuable resource — water. Each of these people was able to explain in clear simple terms what needs to happen to improve our farming practices, halt anoxic events, prevent erosion and reduce the need for deep water wells. How is it that I understood and yet our politicians canʼt? Apparently there are stacks of studies that have been completed by qualified people explaining all this and more. Studies that are sitting on shelves being ignored. It is about time that our government listened to its people as opposed to the large corporations. When the streams dry up, the fishing industry dies, the soil is depleted and P.E.I. is a desert, the potato giants will have moved on to “greener pastures” and we, the people, will be left to sweep up the sand.
Martha Howatt,
Augustine Cove West Prince facing danger - The Guardian Letter to the Editor
Published on March 01, 2014 A federal study confirms that after years of dumping oilsands tailings into holding ponds in Alberta, there are tailings leaching into groundwater and seeping into the Athabasca River, a source of drinking water. They estimate each pondʼs seepage at 6.5 million litres a day. What about our Waste Watch containment area in West Prince? Are heavy metals being leached into ground water? The potato industry has a problem with wireworm. Some producers want to fumigate (sterilize) the soil with Vapam (metam sodium), which is a carcinogenic or cancer-causing compound. The strawberry industry also has a disease virus transported by an aphid. A contract between our P.E.I. government and Environment Canada has supposedly been signed and Westeck will fumigate strawberry runner fields in West Prince this summer. Wayne MacKinnon, a government spokesman, claims this is only a pilot research program for experimental purpose to see how much leaches into the groundwater. Nitrates leached into our drinking water. Then what? West Prince is about to become guinea pigs for the federal Conservative and P.E.I. Liberal governments. Chloropicrin, a carcinogenic, will be applied. This pesticide is highly toxic, may be fatal if inhaled, can harm the heart, kidneys, liver, lungs and eyes. If ingested it can cause colic and death. It is toxic to fish.
Fumigants are inherently dangerous pesticides. Each year groups of us travel to
West Prince strawberry fields and spend hundreds of dollars harvesting their
fruits. Personally I will not be picking and purchasing strawberries from West
Prince anymore.
Gary A. O. MacKay,
Birch Hill He sketches the history of land ownership since European settlement, of the absentee landowners and the money from Confederation in part being used to buy back part of Island land from the absentee landowners in England, and of various forms of some sort of LPA, always trying to figure out who wanted land and for what, and keeping some control in the matter, whether the rules were enforced or not. Carver also outlined shared values he determined and felt all parties, whether for increases in land holding or not, would agree with: from http://www.gov.pe.ca/lpa/ page 16 and 17 (quoted in blue) At several public meetings, the Commissioner expressed the hope that farmers and the farm organizations that represent them could agree on many of the issues that led to the current review of the Lands Protection Act.
A list of ‘shared values’ what could also be described as the
founding elements of a balanced approach was presented to the
annual meeting of the National Farmers Union on April 11, just as the
Commission neared the end of its public meetings. The ten shared values were
drawn primarily from what the Commissioner perceived to be
It is simply not possible to achieve consensus on all issues that fall within
the Commission’s mandate. The positions of the two general farm organizations
are diametrically opposed on the issue of aggregate land holding limits.
However, there is broad agreement in the agriculture community on the shared
values outlined below.
1. The land is a public trust and, because of this, all Islanders have
an interest in its stewardship; March 1, 2014Chris Ortenburger's UpdateFrom the very impressive
front page article in yesterday's Guardian:  And the articulate Rob MacLean, son of former Premier Angus MacLean, closes the front section in Friday's Guardian: http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/Opinion/Letter-to-editor/2014-02-28/article-3629901/Government-must-build-trust-on-deep-water-well-issue/1 Government must build trust on deep-water well issue - The Guardian Letter to the DayRecord on complying with regulation is not good if one considers the Crop Rotation ActBefore we discuss deep-water wells, we need to face our record on the Crop Rotation Act. Thatʼs the 2002 law which mandates a three-year crop rotation in potatoes. This is our history, itʼs where promises meet performance and the record is not good. About a quarter of potato operations are in violation of the act. This is a big reason people donʼt trust government to regulate the industry. It didnʼt have to be this way. Imagine what the public atmosphere would be like if, instead of only 75 per cent of potato operations complying with the act, we were close to 100 per cent compliance. What if, instead of our soil organic matter getting worse province-wide, it was holding steady or even improving? What if the potato industry could point to those accomplishments? What if the government could say, “You can trust us to regulate wells because of how well weʼve regulated crop rotations?” If that was the situation, people would still be cautious, they would still want to proceed slowly, if at all, but they would also appreciate farmersʼ efforts to take care of the soil and they would be more inclined to believe governmentʼs assurances. As it is, the two camps on this question have very little basis for trust. Comprehensive science is only part of the solution. There was a time when science told us there were plenty of cod in the sea and plenty of big trees on the land. The scientists were right, but we mismanaged those stocks and now theyʼre gone. Regardless of how much water is under our feet, it will be possible to ruin that resource too. Whatever policy we arrive at regarding deep-water wells will have impressive language around regulation, but those words will be empty if we canʼt trust the regulator to enforce them. Itʼs up to government to build trust, and what they need to do is take strong action on the Crop Rotation Act. Until they do, the old saying applies, “fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” Rob MacLean, Lewes Happy March! I have been meaning to dig up and go through Horace Carver's Report of the Commission on the Lands Protection Act, especially since at the end of March, Mr. Carver is speaking to the March 27th Thursday meeting of the very same Standing Committee of Agriculture, Environment, Energy and Forestry; and I think there may be legislation in the spring sitting of the Legislature, which begins in April. There are 29 recommendations, so with some background and perhaps a day off for reader-fatigue, let's march ahead. To recap (and my errors are my own), Horace Carver is a Charlottetown lawyer, background here: http://www.peildo.ca/fedora/repository/leg:27472 who was a Conservative MLA from 1978 to 1986, during which time Alex Campbell, Bennett Campbell, Angus MacLean, and James Lea were Premier. He represented PEI in the Constitutional talks in 1981. He fought for the right for PEI not to be guided under property rights guaranteed at the federal level and have the right to a provincial Lands Protection Act, and worked drafting the first LPA in the 1980s. Carver was appointed in November 2012, when Plan B was just getting cleared and bulldozed, and in early 2013 started consultations. He set the bar high as far as reaching out, appearing in the media often and having several public events, and then basically doing a whistle-stop tour of the Island (if we wistfully still had trains), making sure to reschedule meetings due to bad weather, and have lots of info on the website. The sessions, as you may remember, were long and he pretty much let people talk. Then he scooped up all his papers in May and his small staff and wrote his report, submitting it a day before the deadline in late June. It languished a bit (out of his hands) and was finally released in late Fall. OK, more tomorrow on it. February 28, 2014Chris Ortenburger's UpdateWhat an interesting 24
hours it has been! From Friday's Guardian (article below): Activists raise raise
concern over deep-well irrigation to P.E.I. MLAs - The Guardian article by Teresa Wright
Guardian on-line on February 27, print edition Feb 28th, 2014
A coalition made up of 16 groups and over 200 individuals from across P.E.I. urged MLAs Thursday to keep the current moratorium on deep-well irrigation in place. The newly formed Coalition for the Protection of P.E.I. Water made an impassioned presentation Thursday to a provincial standing committee currently holding hearings on the issue of deep-water wells. Coalition spokeswoman Catherine OʼBrien told the MLAs on the committee more extensive public consultation and review must take place Protection of P.E.I. Water make a case against before any move is made to allow more of lifing the moratorium on deep-well irrigation to these wells to be drilled.
“It is imperative that respect for protecting fresh water be at the forefront
of these discussions,” OʼBrien said. Over 50 supporters and members of the coalition packed into the normally empty public gallery of the committee chamber to show their support. The issue has sparked a heated public debate over water use in Prince Edward Island, and whether the province has enough groundwater to support industrial irrigation of potato crops. The P.E.I. Potato Board and Cavendish Farms argue some Island farmers need access to more water in order to keep pace with competitors in the mid-western United States. They also point to data compiled by the provincial Department of Environment showing P.E.I. has a high annual recharge rate and that increasing the use of groundwater for irrigation of crops would use only a fraction of available groundwater resources. But the Coalition for the Protection of P.E.I. Water says this data is incomplete and should be peer-reviewed by scientists, experts and the public to ensure all relevant information has been included. This was one of five recommendations presented to the standing committee Thursday. The coalition also wants a comprehensive water policy developed for Prince Edward Island, suggesting perhaps a commission could be struck for this purpose. It further wants government to determine and publish the full environmental, agricultural and environmental costs of lifting the deep-well ban. “This is a time when we should be exercising particular care about the use and protection of our water,” OʼBrien said. “We canʼt afford the risk of being wrong.” Miʼkmaq Keptin John Joe Sark also shared his concerns over the effects the wells could have on P.E.I.ʼs water resources.
He said he would be the first to launch a court action should P.E.I.ʼs water be
contaminated as a result of the wells.
Next week, the National Farmers Union, the PEI Watershed Alliance, the Central
Queens Branch of the P.E.I. Wildlife Federation and Innovative Farms Group will
have their chance at the committee table. Protecting P.E.I.'s groundwater is not debatable - The Guardian Commentary by Alan HickenPublished February 27, 2014  For almost six years, I volunteered on the P.E.I. Environmental Advisory Council (EAC). I always appreciated the many presentations made to the EAC by staff and experts from the Environment Department and other federal and provincial public servants. My final two years on the EAC were as chair. My objectives were to be fair, objective and engage the EAC council to participate objectively in debate on the many issues that concerned the environment on P.E.I. Finally, we respectfully advised the P.E.I. ministers of environment in accordance of the terms of reference for the EAC. When I began volunteering the EAC had just released the report “Upstream Downstream” and unfortunately many of the reportʼs recommendations still have not been dealt with. I believe our greatest work was our foundation document on a Conservation Strategy for P.E.I. Retired judge Ralph Thompsonʼs report, Commission on Land and Local Governance, gave the EAC the direction in his second recommendation to create a Conservation Strategy for P.E.I. Our objective was to develop a discussion paper towards such a strategy. This document was finished just as the Plan B protests began and public meetings on a P.E.I. conservation strategy were stalled. We had begun a broad, open conservation strategy to protect P.E.I.ʼs natural capital, including our groundwater. This must include all the stakeholders which rely on P.E.I.ʼs ground water. Every Islander, scientists, industry representatives and all levels of government need to be at the table. An adequate supply of quality water is our life. The issue of fracking, deep wells and the seriousness of protecting our ground water need to be addressed. Recent public comments on deep wells have caused me, and many others, great concern. “Protecting our ground water is not debatable” was Environment Minister Janice Sherryʼs first comments to me as chair of the EAC. How times have changed after watching the recent CBC interview where Minister Sherry said the “P.E.I. Potato Board will educate Islanders about deep wells.” I am sorry but that is not acceptable for any environment minister to say. If she or any government were concerned then they would make public the data they have on all public wells to show the conservation and quality of the water. Bring the scientists, agronomists and the data forward, let their peers and all Islanders judge what quality of water we want to drink. I have not spoken to any farmer yet who wants to pay for an expensive irrigation system they donʼt need, donʼt want and certainly none want to damage our ground water. I havenʼt heard that producers will get any extra dollars for a hundred weight of potatoes produced with an irrigation system. I also donʼt expect Island taxpayers will want to pay for a subsidy scheme to pay for this equipment to sit in a field for all but one in 10 years. During my six years on the EAC, we had the opportunity to bring in scientists and experts to explain many issues about the P.E.I. environment, including ground water. One particularly graphical presentation was made by a provincial hydrologist, Mr. Yefang. His research showed the levels of nitrates found in test wells deeper into P.E.I. wells over a 20-year period. This data was taken from an area of high irrigation and agricultural production. Surely this data was made available throughout the government. What else are they not telling us? Why wonʼt they release this presentation and other data? The public needs to see all of the science. I encourage all scientists and agronomists to step up to the plate and make your data known. Protecting our environment is about our health, life and prosperity where we live today.
Alan Hicken of South Pinette is the former chairman of the P.E.I.
Environmental Advisory Council. February 27, 2014Chris Ortenburger's Update
It
was a packed room at the Rodd Charlottetown last night to hear Maude Barlow,
Chair of the Council of Canadians, and Reg Phalen, organic farmer and member of
the National Farmers' Union, John Joe Sark, and biologist Daryl Guignion
speak. CBC reported 200 but it was actually closer to 300.  A huge wave of appreciation to Leo Broderick, vice chair of the Council of Canadians, who along with many volunteers made the day's events happen. And what can people do now?:
The Eastern (and West Prince)Graphic editor@peicanada.com The Journal-Pioneernewsroom@journalpioneer.com February 26, 2014Chris Ortenburger's Update
Regarding water issues and especially the high capacity wells, there are three events happening in the next two days that you are most welcome to attend:
And, if you live in the Brackley area, tonight is the public meeting with Minister Vessey about plans to move the "government garage" from Riverside Drive by the Civic Centre and the Wendy's/Tim's to a piece of land that was a 100-acre farm just outside Charlottetown city limits on Route 15. If you want to decide for yourself if this is a good use of government money and farmland, I believe it is at the Brackley Community Centre tonight. Have a great day, and hope you can come out to any or all of these events! Members of the Coalition for the Protection of PEI Water to-date include (and I am sure I am missing some): Citizens’ Alliance of PEI Cooper Institute Council of Canadians Don’t Frack PEI Environmental Coalition of PEI Green Party PEI National Farmers Union, District 1, Region 1 New Democratic Party of PEI PEI Watershed Alliance Pesticide Free PEI Save Our Seas and Shores Sierra Club PEI Winter River – Tracadie Bay Watershed Association individual members And the statement that will be read by Boyd Allen today at the press
conference from the Coalition (with thanks for sharing that): By mid-January, 2014, PEI residents had some time to examine the proposal to lift the moratorium on high capacity irrigation wells brought forward to Government by the processing industry and the PEI Potato Board. This became the catalyst for a groundswell of thoughtful and informed opinions which flooded an array of media across the island. The Citizens' Alliance of PEI sent out invitations island-wide to engage people and organizations to meet and address this issue. From this, and subsequent meetings, The Coalition for the Protection of PEI Water emerged. Our organization is composed of concerned citizens and includes The Citizens' Alliance of PEI, the PEI Watershed Alliance, Pesticide PEI, District 1, Region 1 of the National Farmers Union, Green Party of PEI, Environmental Coalition of PEI, Don’t Frack PEI, Cooper Institute, Several Watershed Groups, Council of Canadians, New Democratic Party of PEI, Sierra Club PEI, Save Our Seas and Shores. Among the coalition members are a number of physical, natural, and social scientists. The aim of this community-based organization is to share resources, skills and time to offer an informed, unified public voice in a process in which this voice traditionally has limited access. The Coalition for the Protection of PEI Water strongly opposes any lifting of the moratorium on new high capacity irrigation wells. We feel that the monitoring and enforcement component attached to the existing high capacity wells is inadequate. We feel that the data compiled to support the lifting of the moratorium is incomplete. We recommend an opportunity for peer review of the water extraction policy, the data and the models used to support it. We recommend the establishment and funding of a transparent, inclusive public consultation process to examine all aspects of this policy. We recommend the establishment of a multi-disciplinary commission to develop a comprehensive, integrated water policy for PEI. The Coalition for the Protection of PEI Water will be presenting our position on maintaining the moratorium on high capacity wells to the standing Committee of Agriculture, Environment, Energy and Forestry 1:30 pm tomorrow, Thursday 26 February at the Coles Building. February 25, 2014Chris Ortenburger's Update
Some
updates: Help save Anticosti Island (It's in French but the content is easy to understand.) Suzuki – Trading water for fuel is fracking crazy "It would be difficult to live without oil and gas. But it would be impossible to live without water. Yet, in our mad rush to extract and sell every drop of gas and oil as quickly as possible, we’re trading precious water for fossil fuels." More here:http://www.davidsuzuki.org/blogs/science-matters/2014/02/trading-water-for-fuel-is-fracking-crazy/ February 24, 2014Chris Ortenburger's UpdateNot at all related to Plan
B, but good words, from one of the most honest, caring elder this Island
claims:
Chan deserves better
treatment -The Guardian Letter to the Editor
Published on February 20, 2014 I think that to win a silver medal at Olympics is a tremendous accomplishment. The pressure thatʼs being put on these athletes by the public is beyond what is reasonable because they put so much pressure on themselves. Patrick Chan has nothing to apologize for. Heʼs a fine athlete, an outstanding skater. I went to his website and sent him an e-mail to tell him not to give up his dream. Heather Moyse did win gold, and she can be very proud of herself for everything sheʼs accomplished, and most important of all, what a great role model she is for young people. I think that photo of Patrick Chan with his silver medal should have been on the front page, not one of him falling. For any athlete to make it to Olympics is an amazing accomplishment, even if they donʼt win a medal.
Janet Gordon Gaudet,
St. Catherines Leave pools out of water debate - The Guardian Letter to the Editor
Published on February 20, 2014 According to Wikipedia, an Olympic-sized swimming pool contains 2.5 million litres of water, with a volume of 88,0000 cubic feet. It is easy to determine that one cubic foot of water would be 144 feet in height on a single square inch of P.E.I. soil. It follows that 88,000 cubic feet would be 2,400 miles high! That is for a single Olympic-sized swimming pool. For 154 pools, this tower of water would reach an amazing 369,600 miles in height, which is 1.5 times further away than the moon. Hmm. That would be one wicked replenishment rate. According to Island information, however, “the average yearly rainfall is 1125.8 mm and the average yearly snowfall is 318.2 mm” on Prince Edward Island. That translates to approximately 1.5 meters (or 5 feet) of precipitation per year. Comparing 369,600 miles to 5 feet, we can determine that the Olympic-sized pool reference is out by a factor in excess of 390 million. Clearly, either Mr. Raymond was misunderstood or he misinterpreted the data. Either way, it seems clear — it would be better to simply disregard any future reference to swimming pools.
Mel Gallant,
Charlottetown February 23, 2014Chris Ortenburger's Update
Odds
and Ends:  from Wikipedia -- good advice: "Skiers (Drivers) absorb the impact of the bumps by bending at the knees and hips. In a good run, shoulders remain parallel to the finish line, turns should be quick and short, and skis (tires) should not leave the snow (road) surface." ---------- If I have sent this around before, it is worth a second read: http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/Opinion/Letter-to-editor/2014-02-07/article-3606162/Processors-benefit-from-more-potatoes/1
Processors
benefit from more potatoes - The Guardian Letter to the Editor
Published on February 07, 2014 As recently as last fall, American production was down six per cent, a reduction the president of the United Potato Growers of America said was needed to balance the market. So, it seems lower production equals higher prices, and higher prices benefit growers. This makes me wonder who stands to benefit from higher production and, presumably, lower prices. The answer would seem to be those who buy potatoes - the processors — rather than those who grow them.
Shannon Mader,
Charlottetown Exxon CEO Joins Lawsuit Against Fracking Project Because It Will Devalue His $5 Million Property - By Rebecca LeberAs ExxonMobil’s CEO, it’s Rex Tillerson’s job to promote the hydraulic fracturing enabling the recent oil and gas boom, and fight regulatory oversight. The oil company is the biggest natural gas producer in the U.S., relying on the controversial drilling technology to extract it. The exception is when Tillerson’s $5 million property value might be harmed. Tillerson has joined a lawsuit that cites fracking’s consequences in order to block the construction of a 160-foot water tower next to his and his wife’s Texas home. The Wall Street Journal reports the tower would supply water to a nearby fracking site, and the plaintiffs argue the project would cause too much noise and traffic from hauling the water from the tower to the drilling site. The water tower, owned by Cross Timbers Water Supply Corporation, “will sell water to oil and gas explorers for fracing [sic] shale formations leading to traffic with heavy trucks on FM 407, creating a noise nuisance and traffic hazards,” the suit says. Though Tillerson’s name is on the lawsuit, a lawyer representing him said his concern is about the devaluation of his property, not fracking specifically. When he is acting as Exxon CEO, not a homeowner, Tillerson has lashed out at fracking critics and proponents of regulation. “This type of dysfunctional regulation is holding back the American economic recovery, growth and global competitiveness,” he said in 2012. Natural gas production “is an old technology just being applied, integrated with some new technologies,” he said in another interview. “So the risks are very manageable.” In shale regions, less wealthy residents have protested fracking development for impacts more consequential than noise, including water contamination and cancer risk. Exxon’s oil and gas operations and the resulting spills not only sinks property values, but the spills have leveled homes and destroyed regions. Exxon, which pays Tillerson a total $40.3 million, is staying out of the legal tangle. A company spokesperson told the Wall Street Journal it “has no involvement in the legal matter.” February 22, 2014Chris Ortenburger's UpdateDespite the imperative
headline given to it (it was different in the peicanada.com website as
"Deep water wells risk turning ocean into salt water desert"), it is
an interesting letter to contemplate: Man should not drill into aquifer - The Guardian Letter to the Editor
Published on February 20, 2014 in The water flow in the confined aquifer is referred to as the ʻdeeper circulationʼ and is on a regional scale and not restricted to watersheds. Once the confined aquifer enters under the ocean it is called the confined submarine groundwater discharge (CSGD) aquifer. This deeper circulation through the CSGD affects directly the productivity of the ocean and has been and is being impacted in P.E.I. by human activities of the surface. The proper jurisdiction of the confined aquifer should be the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. The CSGD aquifer is driven by the deeper circulation of the confined aquifer on land, gravity in the end. Man should not be drilling into the confined aquifer on land and withdrawing its water. Municipal wells are not excluded. The deep water wells that have been drilled are removing water from the deep circulation and are reducing the productivity of the fisheries. We are killing the ocean. Existing deep water wells should be sealed off at where they puncture the confined aquifer. The confined aquifer should be sealed off and truly deep geological exploration wells should have casings to 300 meters at least. We should thank the persons who had the wisdom to place a moratorium on deep water drilling in 2003. We must restore the deeper circulation; otherwise, we run the risk of turning the ocean into a saltwater desert.
Tony Lloyd,
Mount Stewart February 21, 2014Chris Ortenburger's UpdateEvents coming up this week
and beyond, a bit inconsistently reported:
Council of Canadians
chairperson Maude Barlow will be speaking in Charlottetown, Prince
Edward Island on Wednesday February 26 on the future of deep water wells in
that province. Along with Barlow, biologist Darryl Guignon and National
Farmers Union representative Reg Phelan will speak. Keptein John Joe
Sark will give the welcome and the event will be chaired by Catherine
O'Brien of the Coalition for Protecting PEI's Water. It will take
place at the Rodd Charlottetown Hotel on Kent Street starting at 7 pm. February 20, 2014Chris Ortenburger's Update
In
yesterday's Guardian, there was a syndicated article titled "N.B.
seeking Atlantic Accord for unexplored offshore". It's not on the Guardian
website, but I found it in several places on the web: New Brunswick seeks Atlantic Accord of its own for unexplored
offshore - The Canadian Press by Kevin BissettFREDERICTON - The government of New Brunswick is seeking an Atlantic Accord of its own as it looks offshore to reverse its economic decline. The province's Progressive Conservative government has set its sights on natural resources with the hope that oil and gas can pump some revenues into its coffers. While the government has been focused on developing a shale gas industry, it has recently turned its attention to its largely unexplored offshore fields. Premier David Alward told a business audience three weeks ago that talks to draft an offshore accord have begun with the federal government in order to ensure New Brunswick can reap the benefits of any future development. It's not known whether there is a commercially viable reservoir of oil or gas under New Brunswick's 2.3-million hectare offshore. Some seismic exploration work was done from the 1960s into the early 1980s, but that's as far as it went. But that hasn't stifled the provincial government's enthusiasm. "There's potential there," Energy Minister Craig Leonard said in an interview. "When you look around and see what has taken place in the offshores of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Quebec, we're not that far away from those locations that work is being done. So you would think that there might be some potential there." Leonard said new technology will be applied to the existing data in an effort to get a clearer picture on potential petroleum resources. Paul Barnes, Atlantic Canada manager for the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, said New Brunswick has plenty of groundwork ahead before it can arouse industry interest. "More certainly needs to be done and packaged up and marketed to industry before I believe industry would consider doing work there," Barnes said. "That area seems to have some prospectivity to it, but it's at the very early stages as to whether there's enough interest for companies to do any activity." The Atlantic Accord has been pivotal to Newfoundland and Labrador's economic turnaround. The agreement allows that province and Nova Scotia to tax offshore resources as though they are the owner, even though that falls to the federal government. The deal also shelters those provinces from offshore resource revenue clawbacks in equalization, though Newfoundland and Labrador stopped receiving payments from the federal wealth-sharing program in 2008. The agreement has funnelled more than $5 billion to Newfoundland and Labrador and about $1.1 billion to Nova Scotia. "Newfoundland's economy is doing extremely well because of their offshore agreements and Nova Scotia is starting to come into that area as well," Leonard said. Newfoundland and Labrador's offshore industry dwarves Nova Scotia's, boasting the Hibernia, White Rose and Terra Nova offshore oil platforms. The Hebron offshore project is in development and aiming to come online in 2017. But Nova Scotia has seen the Deep Panuke natural gas project come on stream last year and two major exploration projects could be on the horizon. Shell Canada (TSX:SHC) completed 3D seismic imaging off the province's southwestern shore last year and could begin exploratory oil drilling late next year. BP plans to acquire seismic data this year and next about 300 kilometres southeast of Halifax. Wade Locke, a professor of economics at Memorial University in Newfoundland, said an offshore accord is also important because it can remove uncertainty that could block development or cause arguments over ownership and revenue allocation. "Without that, you will lose half of your
money in equalization now and you will also not have the ability to strongly
suggest to people that they should be doing economic development with local New
Brunswick companies," Locke said. February 19, 2014Chris Ortenburger's Update
Some information on yet another issue affecting farming:
when agriculture, emphasis on "culture", is being affected by
agri-business, which sounds so trendy and organized, but is it in the best
interest of people growing food for people? Farmers split on
Agricultural Growth Act National: Farmers
Union opposed to restrictions on seed use - CBC News website article
CBC News Posted: Feb 18, 2014 6:54 AM AT Last Updated: Feb 18, 2014 8:29 AM AT Two major farmers' groups in Canada are split on whether restrictions on seed use in the federal government's Agricultural Growth Act are good or bad for farmers. 'You have to ask the question, who is this benefiting?'- Steven Mackinnon, National Farmers Union Members of the National Farmers Union on P.E.I. are fighting against Bill C-18. They believe part of the bill will take away farmers rights to save, reuse, exchange and sell seeds. "There is a lot of things in it that would either hinder or hamper farmers in the future from saving their own seed. Farmers and people around the world have been saving their own seed for 10,000 years. You have to ask the question, who is this benefiting?" said Steven Mackinnon, district director of the National Farmers Union on P.E.I. "Also, if you leave it in the private, multinational corporations, the government will do a lot less public research on different seed varieties and etc. So there will be less and less varieties probably to choose from." The Canadian Federation of Agriculture, however, takes a different view. It believes the bill will better align Canada with the International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants, and strikes a good balance between ensuring variety developers have the ability to see a return on investment for their plant breeding research efforts, while also preserving the right for farmers to save and condition seed for their own use. Ottawa maintains the bill will encourage investment in plant breeding in Canada and improve accessibility to foreign seed varieties for farmers. It says farmers will have the right to save and clean or treat seed for replanting on their own land. Other areas of the proposed legislative changes would make it easier for farmers and industry to meet government requirements, by reducing red tape and delivering programs more effectively, government representatives say. NFU members on P.E.I. are holding a meeting Wednesday night in Cornwall to develop a strategy to defeat Bill C-18, or at the very least have changes made.
This notice was in the Island Farmer newspaper and on peicanada.com's
website: The International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) is an intergovernmental organization with headquarters in Geneva (Switzerland). UPOV was established by the International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants. The Convention was adopted in Paris in 1961 and it was revised in 1972, 1978 and 1991. UPOV's mission is to provide and promote an effective system of plant variety protection, with the aim of encouraging the development of new varieties of plants, for the benefit of society. Have (another) great snow dayFebruary 18, 2014Chris Ortenburger's UpdateI had reason to be on Plan
B last night while it was flurrying. Of course I am biased, but it was
bad -- poor visibility, very hard to see where you were on the road, lights or
not, snow blowing up from the steep hillside over the road, etc. It
appears difficult to manage resources of salt and snowplowing effectively on
such a wide road bed.  February 17, 2014Chris Ortenburger's UpdateHope you will enjoy the
different pace of things today as some people have an Islander Day vacation
day. CETA trade deal still shrouded in tight secrecy - The Guardian Commentary by Scott Sinclair
Published on February 12, 2014 February 16, 2014Chris Ortenburger's UpdateThere was to be an
interesting illustrated talk about "The Vinland Map" by Dr. Richard
Raiswell at the Irish Cultural Centre tonight, sponsored by The Vinland Society
--**it has been postponed for one week until Sunday, February 23rd, 7PM. More
details later this week. Corridor soars on TSX after deal inked - The Chronicle-Herald article by Brett Bundale, Business ReporterPublished February 14, 2014 Cuts to science affect environmental protection - The Guardian Guest Opinion
Published on February 11, 2014 Seven DFO libraries, including the Eric Marshall Library of the Freshwater Institute at the University of Manitoba and the St. Andrews Biological Station in St. Andrews, New Brunswick, are being closed down.
Burt Ayles, former regional director for freshwater, described the Marshall
library as “world class” and “the best in Canada.”
Gail Shea, Minister of DFO, claims that closing libraries is value for
taxpayers, yet the St. Andrews Station is brand new, and cost several million
taxpayer dollars. The holdings of the shuttered libraries go back decades, and provide baseline data upon which to record and evaluate changes brought about by the introduction of chemicals, invasive species and long term processes, like climate change and the acidification of the oceans. DFO has defunded world-class research laboratories, including the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA), the only whole-lake freshwater lab of its kind in the world; the marine contaminants program, led by Dr. Peter Ross, who revealed PCB contamination of killer whales; and the Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Lab (PEARL), the furthest northern arctic research lab in the world. These programs, said Dr. Ross, allow us to keep “our finger on the pulse of whatʼs happening” in the natural world and enable scientists to advise governments on how to maintain vibrant economies and minimize hazards to human health and to the health of the land, fish and animals. These labs are living libraries, for taking samples, recording and creating data available now and to future generations of scientists from across the world. About the threat to close ELA, Israeli oceanographers and lake scientists said, that the government “is stamping out the ability of the world scientific community to conduct the research required to formulate sound environmental policies.” They are right. Protecting the natural world requires a global, co-operative effort. Canada has the scientists, the labs and a track record of global contributions. Let us continue to fund science and create real value for Canadians.
Peter King, Kenora, ON February 15, 2014Chris Ortenburger's Update
Yesterday's
Guardian story on the Standing Committee meeting with Minister Sherry:
It contains an unfortunate error in that the oft-quoted "154 Olympic
swimming pools of water is the recharge rate" is listed for a square inch,
not kilometre. If it were inch, then perhaps we could support dozens
and dozens and dozens of wells, or be waterlogged like poor Great
Britain. "An
Olympic size pool holds 2,500 cubic meters. The average annual recharge
to groundwater on PEI for a square kilometer is ~385,000 cubic meters
each year. 385,000
/ 2,500 = 154 pools". Thirsty producers always want more - The Guardian Letter to the EditorPublished on February 14, 2014 in
They are selfish. Their own desire for wealth must come first. They are not
satisfied with the rain the good Lord sends. That proves their attitude.
Brendon Flood,
South Melville No decision has been made on deep-well irrigation: Sherry - The Guardian article by Teresa Wright
Published on February 14th, 2014
Environment Minister Janice Sherry says government has made no decisions on
deep-well irrigation and the moratorium will not be lifted unless itʼs proven
it will not diminish the quantity or quality of P.E.I.ʼs groundwater.
This recharge rate is equal to 154 Olympic-sized swimming pools for every
square inch of the Island, he told the committee. government went to the potato board and said, ʻHey you should
ask for this because weʼll probably give it to youʼ,” Myers said.
Agriculture Critic Colin LaVie questioned Sherry on the involvement of the
premierʼs former chief of staff, Chris LeClair, and former Liberal MLA Cynthia
King. The two were hired to help the potato board lobby in favour of deep-water
wells. “I donʼt have a role to play in that, thatʼs totally a private business hiring someone to provide a service for them. Thatʼs got nothing to do with government,” Sherry said. “When you talk about educate, is this process already done?” LaVie asked.
Sherry stressed that nothing has gone before cabinet on this issue and that all
opinions and data are continuing to be assessed. twright@theguardian.pe.ca Twitter.com/GuardianTeresa **I guess the MLAs getting private meetings are the ones who are getting educated?February 14, 2014Chris Ortenburger's Update
Regarding the government's acknowledgement of concerns about
high capacity wells: February 13, 2014Chris Ortenburger's UpdateToday is the first Standing
Committee on Agriculture, Environment, Energy and Forestry regarding
the high capacity well issue. More pressure on environment - The Guardian Letter to the Editor
Published on January 30, 2014
There has not been a comprehensive study done of the hydrogeology of Prince
Edward Island. Researchers from the Universities of Calgary and Guelph have
only recently begun the first such study on P.E.I. February 12, 2014Chris Ortenburger's UpdateMartha Howatt and Peter
Bower, who to me represent all the hard-working volunteers on watershed
associations, made time to write this clear message:
Questions remain on deep-water wells - The Guardian Letter to the Editor
Published on February 11, 2014 These names are among those of the professionals whose expertise we seek when our watershed organizations apply for provincial funding and other grants. These are the names the government wants to see on our applications. They can make the difference between approval and rejection. These are the kinds of professionals who are in the streams and rivers observing water run off and erosion, anoxic events and associated fish kills from excessive nitrates, and estuaries dying from the spread of sea lettuce. We cannot add any information they havenʼt provided from their many years of involvement in these issues near and dear to all of us, but we can add what they have to say is borne out by our years of work on our watersheds. Nevertheless, we do have questions, including how will the noise, smell and sight of massive diesel pumps sitting in fields affect tourism? Will taxpayers again be subsidizing some farmers for drilling and purchasing the necessary equipment because it is doubtful that they will offset these costs by increased potato production? Is there any way to estimate the quantity of water that will be drawn from these wells?
The deep-well promoters and lobbyists maintain the farmers involved are
concerned about the Islandʼs water resources. It is an understatement to point
out we are all concerned, including the NFU which suggests that there may be
alternatives.
South Shore Watershed Association is a cooperative effort of four watersheds,
west of the West River -- Augustine Cove, DeSable, Tryon and Westmoreland. http://www.sswa.ca/  February 11, 2014Chris Ortenburger's Update
Federal
and provincial thoughts: These are open to the public as spectators, as those of you who attended ones in previous years regarding Plan B or fracking know; the public sits off to one side and is expected to be quiet. This committee is not meeting next Thursday, February 20th, but they are on the 27th, when the Citizens' Alliance and the group it help form regarding this issue will have a few minutes before the committee. (The group is called the Coalition for the Protection of PEI Waters, and has representatives from most of the Island groups opposed to the moratorium being lifted.) February 10, 2014Chris Ortenburger's Update
A
few events to note:
Allowing hydraulic fracturing in New Brunswick solves nothing - The Guardian Commentary by David A. McGregor, Stratford
Published on January 23, 2014 Workers at U.S. Steel and Allegheny Energy near McKeesport found that water used to power their plant contained so much salty sediment it was corroding their machinery. An estimated 10,000 fish died on a 33-mile stretch of Dunkard Creek in this area.
Furthermore, in June 2010, Vanity Fair wrote a story about the small town of
Dimock, also in Pennsylvania. It states “Dimock is now known as the place
where, over the past two years, peopleʼs water started turning brown and making
them sick, one womanʼs water well spontaneously combusted, and horses and pets
mysteriously began to lose their hair.
What makes all of the above more of a travesty is that it doesnʼt even help the
U.S. economy in the long run. From the fake news release, they quote "the Premier": "I want to be crystal clear, that we are supportive of shale gas companies, and their potential as an industry to prevent us from drinking our water. To not take advantage of our citizens would be one of the most irresponsible things a government could do,” . Alewife makes
‘crystal clear’ commitment to destroy the environment - The Daily Glove Puppet.com
Premier Duffer Alewife used his annual state of the province speech to reiterate his government’s “crystal clear” commitment to destroying the environment in New Brunswick, regardless of any potential political repercussions. The government is looking to the development of unsustainable resources, such as shale gas, and a new plan for the forestry sector, to be released within days, to grow the share price of foreign energy companies, create temporary, low paying jobs, and create an environmental deficit, Alewife told the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce on Thursday night. Alewife has touted the controversial shale gas industry before, but the speech was his final state of the province address of his career, with the provincial election just eight months away. “I want to be crystal clear, that we are supportive of shale gas companies, and their potential as an industry to prevent us from drinking our water. To not take advantage of our citizens would be one of the most irresponsible things a government could do,” he said. “I’ve had many people ask me why we are doing all these things, slow down, take the easy way out. That may be the most politically prudent approach, but I didn’t sign up for this job to stand still and not cash in on every last drop of dirty energy.” During the 54-page speech, entitled Forgetting the Past, Destroying the Future, Alewife said he believes the province is now poisoned for an excruciating and cancerous future. “Three years of ignoring the facts to push our ecological situation to the brink has set the stage for New Brunswick’s destruction, but only if we choose to exploit the environment before us,” he said. February 9, 2014Chris Ortenburger's UpdateSo much stuff! Here
are two good letters from week before last, and the link to the presentation by
the Department of Environment, Labour and Justice on the water extraction
policy. Minister should not give in to potato lobby - The Guardian Letter of the Day by Roger Gordon
Published on January 30, 2014 Now, Gary Linkletter has started this education remit with a treatise (Guardian, 25 Jan. - Guest Opinion) that attempts to explain the case for allowing corporate farming to access this precious water source by citing in the name of science conclusions from a government report. Is this the same report that the minister said would not be made available to the public, because it “was sent to me?” So, it is hidden science. It is also science that obfuscates rather than clarifies. Mr. Linkletter makes no distinction between the shallower aquifers currently in public use and the deep-water source that would be accessed. We are given no information on the methodology used to form the conclusions. Respected environmental scientist Daryl Guignion believes there is insufficient scientific knowledge about the size and replenishment rate of the deep-water source to warrant lifting the moratorium. I agree.
Mr. Linkletter makes no mention of the quality of the deep water that he and
his group would like to access. And for good reason.
Aside from the fact most of the water will be wasted through evaporation,
irrigation of heavily contaminated fields will speed up the leaching of
agro-chemicals through the soil into our drinking water supply. And we are the
only province in Canada totally dependent on groundwater. What is needed is not
more potatoes, more pesticides, more fertilizers, but fewer potatoes, a more
diversified agro-economy, with less reliance on toxicants. Water is a resource
that belongs to the people of the province, not a sector of it. The minister
should just say no to this irresponsible request. Debate not needed on deep wells issue - The Guardian Letter to the Editor
Published on January 29, 2014 How can our government even consider bargaining away our future for a handful of spuds? I have listened to the rhetoric on both sides and believe strongly in no more deep-water wells. The potato industry would have us believe the science supports them. The only study I am aware of is almost a decade old. We cannot mortgage our future on 10-year-old science. Ten years ago the City of Charlottetown would have told you there was no water problem. We now know differently. Todayʼs science would have a different outcome as well I bet. Please make your opinions known. Please donʼt believe 10-year-old science. Please save our childrenʼs and grandchildrenʼs water. If potato farmers need more water then maybe they should be looking at desalination plants. But they wonʼt. Itʼs too expensive and the government couldnʼt help so much. So maybe there needs to be a dialog about truly treasuring the land and water not just about increasing yields and money.
P.E.I. could be a world leader in farm practices . . . instead we are just
followers of dollars. February 8, 2014Chris Ortenburger's Update
This is an article written by Jack MacAndrew submitted to the Maritime publication Rural Delivery (DvL Publishing) and printed in the January/February 2014 issue, which I just received; and I reprint here, with Jack's permission: TOO FRACK OR NOT TO FRACK: THAT IS THE QUESTION - Rural Delivery magazine by Jack MacAndrew"Fracking" - No , it is not a euphemism for another "F" word not usually employed in polite company, or in a family magazine such as this. It is, in fact , a made-up word - a grammatical invention, so to speak, conjured up as a bit of technospeak to describe a process by which natural gas may be extracted from the depths of planet earth, to the benefit of anyone who cooks their food, drives an automobile and huddles for wintertime warmth; not to exclude shareholders in multi-national energy companies who may get unspeakably rich from this resource belonging to all of us. We have always had this habit of adding the letters "ing" to a noun, so as to turn it into a verb: as in fish-fishing, truck-trucking, helicopter - helicoptering. In the case of fracking, there is no noun. There is no such a thing as a frack; no animal, vegetable or mineral known as a frack. You can't see one, touch one or box one to send off to grandma on her birthday. Fracking, is a total grammatical invention, invented so you don't need to keep saying - " hydraulic fracturing"- which can give you a headache if you say it often enough. There is just - " fracking "; and for many ( for instance,those farmers in Ohio owning those cows whose tails began to drop off), that is fearsome enough. There are a lot of people in Atlantic Canada who don't want big energy companies from away to come fracking down here, no matter what economic puffery and job projections the politicians and proponents offer as bait. Indeed a recent poll tells us that about 70 per cent of Atlantic Canadians are ag'in it. In Nova Scotia , the legislature has placed a similar restriction on fracking activity, at least until an independent committee verifies "...there is no risk to drinking water, human health, the climate or communities". That is a very steep hill for proponents to climb. The committee will report back to government some time in 2014. Newfoundland/Labrador has responded with the same sort of stance; and in Quebec, a moratorium has been in place for some time. There's a ban in place in Massachusetts, and New York State, and in France as well. But not in New Brunswick, as you may have noticed in your newspaper or on television newscasts lately. Nosireebob... not in your New Brunswick. The government of that fair and picturesque province ("The Picture Province", I believe it is nicknamed in tourist advertisements ) has turned over 1.4 million acres of its land mass to the subsidiary of an American owned company (Southwestern Energy) called SWN Resources Canada so it may zip about in large white trucks sinking test drills and using other seismic technology wherever it believes the underearth may secrete pockets of gas in beds of brittle shale rock. " Get to 'er lads...", invited Premier David Aylward, "... fill yer boots !"...all for a promise by the company to spend 47 million dollars in New Brunswick along with the unproven estimate of 1000 jobs and 1.5 billion big ones in economic activity; a price some would argue is merely a contemporary version of selling a birthright for the proverbial bowl of pottage. And never no mind that more than 60 per cent of herrin'chokers of all political stripes said in a poll they did not want fracking in their province. That would include members of the Elisipogtog First Nation, who pointed out to the provincial government that it had no business giving SWN permission to bore test holes on their territory ,for a very simple reason-the provincial government does not own that land and has no right to do so without their consent. The aboriginal people have never ceded it to any government under any treaty. In November, months of peaceful protests ended and the barricades came down with massed and menacing police riot squads facing unarmed women and band elders, and according to one observer" .... shot rubber bullets at the mothers and the grandmothers, at the children". The protests were deemed by pundit Rex Murphy "...a rude dismissal of Canada's generosity ..." The warrior societies sent in their own troops to defend their people on Indian lands. Then the whole shebang went south in a hurry. The Prime Minister of Canada condemned the state use of riot squads to disperse and arrest peaceful protesters in the Ukraine. He was so absorbed watching the massed cops in full riot gear over there, he didn't seem to notice massed cops in riot gear assaulting women and elders protesting on the Elisipogtog Reserve. Police cars were burned in reprisal, and more than 40 Aboriginal and Acadien protesters were arrested. Most have since been released . Some are still facing serious charges. SWN has now packed up its gear and driven away, presumably to some place more receptive to their activity. But opposition to the fracking of New Brunswick has not gone into hibernation . Instead ,core groups are organizing and expanding the coalition of church groups, environmentalists, and other like minded souls to take on Premier David Aylward when he leads his government to the polls on September 14. And in the other three Atlantic Provinces, those independent committees will be holding public meetings and reviewing such scientific literature as exists. Which takes us to an explanation of what hydraulic fracturing (1.e fracking ) is, and what it does, and why it upsets so many people and makes them sick. Here's the recipe for what is admittedly a toxic brew. A slurry of so-called " Slick-water " is mixed up in a giant blender. The recipe calls for 90 per cent water; 5 percent sand ; and 5 percent chemical additives (acids , sodium chloride, polyacrylamide, ethylene glycol, borate salts, sodium/potassium carbonate, glutaraldehyde, guar gum, citric acid, and isopropanol, amongst other nasty stuff. It's that 5 per cent of chemical additives which can cause a lot of misery should it permeate and pollute water drawn from underground aquifers. The acid , by the way , is used to make the rock structure more permeable. That's a special fear on Prince Edward Island. If you kick a rock in New Brunswick, chances are you'll break a toe. If you kick a rock in PEI chances are you'll break the rock. Already permeable sandstone, do you see. Anyhow, having mixed up your mess of slurry, you then dig a hole in the ground that could be as deep as 6000 metres ( 20,000 feet ), dump it into the hole , and then pump it horizontally into shale rock at a pressure high enough to crack the rock.The slurry then moves further into the shale , fracking away as it goes along , releasing any gas trapped in pockets along the way. The slurry and the natural gas then flow back up the borehole to the surface, where the millions of litres of slurry ( now termed " wastewater ") is diverted into plastic lined tanks dug into the earth's surface , and the gas is channeled into holding tanks. A new study says that scientists who theorized that layers of impermeable rock would keep shallower aquifers pure are wrong in their conclusions; and that natural forces and fractures underground will allow chemicals to foul groundwater " ..in just a few years...". Nova Scotia has already had that experience. In 2007 the government issued a permit to Triangle Petroleum, allowing the company to explore the presence of natural gas in Hants County.Triangle drilled five exploration wells , three of which were fracked. The company used and then stored 14 millions of litres of wastewater in artificial , plastic lined ponds. Millions of litres of that highly polluted wastewater remains in those ponds. It contains everything from known carcinogens to radio active material. Nobody knows what to do with the wastewater. Some of it was secretly released into the environment. Some of it has leaked from one of the ponds. Indeed, the wastewater from fracking poses an enormous environmental problem all by itself. A report on that experience, entitled " Out of Control: Nova Scotia's Experience with Fracking for Shale Gas" ,was prepared by the Nova Scotia Fracking Resource and Action Coalition ( NOFRAC)and released in April of 2013. It said : " At this time there is no scientific evidence indicating that any method of disposal of fracking wastewater is environmentally safe ": and that , " Emerging science is exposing unexpected and serious risks". The report posed two choices for government ; press on with a trial-and-error learn as we go approach to shale gas development; or, slow down and look at all the costs and benefits , and especially the reality that if things go wrong , they may be unfixable. The report notes that some of the effects of fracking may only become evident years later ; after the fracking company is long gone, and it's responsibility impossible to prove. The people of Hants County know this better than anyone. NOFRAC recommended either a ten year moratorium, or an outright ban on fracking. During the months to come , both sides of the issue will undoubtedly produce volumes of documentation to prove their case . The anti-frackers will have a rich record to draw on . In Blackpool, England, a fracking company named Cuadrilla Resources admits : " It is highly probable that the hydraulic fracturing ( of a well ) did trigger a number of minor seismic events"- in other words - mini-earthquakes. In Louisiana seventeen cows died after an hour's exposure to spilled fracking fluid; in Pennsylvania, 140 cattle were exposed to fracking wastewater when an impoundment was breached and 70 of them died while the others got sick;in Hickory , Pennsylvania , Darrell Smitsky got rashes on his body from exposure to toluene, acrylonitrite, strontium , barium and manganese;and in Washington County , Stacey Haney's dog and goats died, while her son and daughter suffered stomach and kidney pain along with nausea and mouth ulcers. Glycol and arsenic will do that to you. The incidence of human and livestock ailments after exposure to fracking fluid and/or wastewater is extensive. The case for fracking can only be expressed in vague, ambiguous forecasts, and promises made according to complex economic models. The case becomes a spin doctor's challenge. It's hard to convince people of an economic nirvana, when the other side counters with documented horror stories of individual suffering. Which by itself raises an essential question - on which side does the burden of proof rest - with the frackers ,to guarantee no harm will result to people , their animals or the environment on the road to economic benefit; or the anti-frackers , maintaining there is no safe way to exploit the reserves of shale gas under our feet; and no particular need to do so in any case. And this question emerges - We now know what happens when we send noxious gases skyward. So what does it do to the underearth environment when hundreds or thousands of explosions take place underground in a few hectares of land mass ? We do not know with any certainty , and the penalty we would pay for challenging and changing the very foundations of planet earth evolved over eons of time - could be severe and irreversible. The anti-fracking crowd will document hundreds of cases of visible harm; from benzene in the bathwater to cows without tails in the barnyard. There is that matter of "unintended consequences", should the energy companies frack away to their bankers' joy . And if they come at the expense of farmers and country people, what recourse will there have when the well goes sour and the water is undrinkable for them or their livestock?**The one fact I am not sure of is legislation this spring in the PEI Legislature about fracking, based on Minister Sherry's comments from a couple of weeks ago. I would also mention that Rural Delivery, if you haven't ever read a copy, is a great publication (as are the sister publications Atlantic Forestry, etc.) The website is here, with older stories, but new monthly or bi-monthly issues are available at the feed stores and some bookstores. It's quite a good connection about people interested in living and working in their communities. http://www.rurallife.ca/ And some Farmers' Markets are open today. February 7, 2014
Chris Ortenburger's UpdateFriday
Fun and Games:
Mr. Yeo said, "I was expecting that," when quality problems have already occurred on Plan B. Do we want Mr. Raymond to be saying that in a few years about water quality problems? Ultimately, Islanders know, the responsibility for both of these decisions rests with the Premier. and the Island Successor to Suess, Carl Mathis: http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/Opinion/Letter-to-editor/2014-02-06/article-3605951/Pave-will-wave-so-pave-the-wave/1 Pave will wave so pave the wave - The Guardian Letter to the Editor
Published on February 06, 2014
Carl Mathis,
Charlottetown February 6, 2014Chris Ortenburger's Update
From
the insert in yesterday's Guardian, The PEI Roadbuilders and Heavy
Construction Association annual insert. The publication is devoid of
bragging about Plan B (an outlook report wistfully mentions an additional $10
million from it last year for the "realignment" and describes 2014 as
likely to be a "slim year").  Stantec was hired by the province to produce the
Environmental Impact Assessment for Plan B, and certainly proud of their work.
Call
for lobbyists to testify leads to fiery debate - The Guardian article by Teresa WrightPublished on February 6th, 2014 A fiery meeting of MLAs on the contentious issue of deep-water irrigation wells ended Wednesday with a majority vote against calling two politically connected lobbyists to testify. Opposition MLA Colin LaVie wanted the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Environment, Energy and Forestry to call the premierʼs former chief of staff, Chris LeClair, and former Liberal MLA Cynthia King to appear. The two have been hired by the Potato Board and Cavendish Farms to co-ordinate meetings with as many provincial MLAs as possible to lobby in favour of lifting the current moratorium on irrigation wells. LaVieʼs request led to a heated exchange between government and Opposition MLAs Wednesday, especially when it came to light LeClair did not attend meetings with the Tory caucus or with Independent MLA Olive Crane, but did atend meetings with Liberal MLAs. “They didnʼt see fit to attend our (meeting). Why?” said Opposition MLA James Aylward.
“I think this committee, Islanders in general, deserve to know what these
lobbyists are doing, what their agenda is.” Liberal MLA Pat Murphy accused the Tories of playing politics on the issue of deep-water wells, which he said is a “very important issue to the province.” But Opposition Leader Steven Myers frequently interrupted them. “He was the premierʼs right-hand-man, heʼs lobbying on behalf of the potato industry, letʼs have him here,” he said. “Does having Chris LeClair involved with this give whoever it is thatʼs lobbying for deep water wells... a direct line to the decision maker of this province. Thatʼs the question. “It just screams political interference. I donʼt know why you wouldnʼt want to know if someone is trying to directly influence the premier.” The only Liberal MLA who supported the idea of calling the two to testify was Buck Watts, who said he felt it was the only way they could clarify their roles and not continue to polarize the committee. “After hearing the way this meeting is starting out, I think we should bring Cynthia King and Chris LeClair in to clear their name and find out exactly what they were doing, why they were doing it... who were they hired by, who were they paid by, whatʼs their reason for doing it,” Watts said. “Weʼre going to be into a bloody mess all through if we donʼt get this straightened out off the bat, get this cleaned up, get this off the plate.” But in the end, the request was denied in a vote of 4-3, with Watts voting with LaVie and Aylward. Casey, Murphy, Bush Dumville and Hal Perry defeated the motion. After the meeting, LaVie said he believes the Liberals on the committee were the ones playing politics. “Itʼs another sign theyʼve got something to hide,” he said. “Theyʼre making a political issue out of it, and they said in the meeting they didnʼt want to make it political – then put them at the table. Let us hear it.” The committee did, however agree to LaVieʼs request to call Environment Minister Janice Sherry to appear. The committee will further be delving into the hot-button issue of deep well irrigation for the next two months, with weekly meetings planned until the end of March.
After that, public consultations will be held to ensure all Islanders have the
chance to voice their opinions. Assistant Deputy Minister of Environment, Prince Edward Island Department of Environment, Labour and Justice An opportunity to make a real differenceBased in Charlottetown, working as an Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM) with the Government of Prince Edward Island, you can leverage your leadership skills, influence, and expertise to make a real difference as the province shapes its environmental initiatives for today and future generations. You will have responsibility for a wide range of programs, services and activities related to environmental protection, land development, and inspection services. Position Summary: Your primary responsibilities as the ADM are to provide advice and support to the Minister and Deputy Minister of Environment, Labour and Justice, recommend and implement government policies and plans, provide leadership and guidance to related functional areas through the Director and senior management team, and manage fiscal and human resources. You will find the right solutions for the environment and the people of PEI. And finally, in a sea of well-crafted, heartfelt letters about this high capacity well issue, this evocative one stuck with me: http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/Opinion/Letter-to-editor/2014-02-05/article-3603960/Using-more-water-won%26rsquo%3Bt-help-matters/1
Using more water wonʼt help matters - The Guardian Letter to the Editor
Published on February 05, 2014More water, more potatoes, more environmental degradation. Since the science says P.E.I.ʼs deep- water supply can grow more potatoes, whatʼs the guarantee it will be done more safely to enhance the environment? And why hasnʼt science disproven the theory that what weʼre growing and how weʼre growing it may be connected to P.E.I.ʼs high cancer rate? Weʼve been told for years that growing more potatoes, like catching more lobsters, results in lower prices in the marketplace where we are a mere drop in the bucket, compared to Idaho and Western Canada where soils are rich and deep. Using more water wonʼt change farming methods. Choosing to use more water to mitigate poor farming practices wonʼt work to enhance worn out soil, and improve the environment everyone shares. Letʼs ask some basic questions here of our government or any other party that wants to form one: - How will pumping more water to grow 30,000 more acres of potatoes stop environmental degradation? - How will 30,000 acres more make P.E.I. a better place to be in 2103 when weʼre all gone and weʼve left the mess to families following us? - What ever happened to the Liberal philosophy of Canadaʼs youngest premier in 1966 who said “the faster we go, the more behinder weʼll get”? Alex Campbell was 32 and just last month Premier Robert Ghiz turned 40. I think our premier needs to talk with Alex soon about a vision that hasnʼt become a reality to make P.E.I. stronger, and a better place to live. We must become more than just a province where former Islanders come home to retire and then die, in a dying environment. In this small Island heaven, weʼve got to get our furrows “straighter” before we “drift” any further. Lorne Yeo, Argyle Shore February 5, 2014Chris Ortenburger's UpdateMore about the high capacity wells from yesterday
and Monday: Industry reports of deep-water wells still "opinion, not science." - The Guardian Guest Opinion by Daryl Guignion and Ian MacQuarrie
http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/Opinion/Letter-to-editor/2014-02-04/article-3602164/Industry-reports-on-deep-water-wells-still-%26lsquo%3Bopinion%2C-not-science%26rsquo%3B/1 The industry says its competitors — growers in regions such as Washington and Idaho — produce more potatoes per acre than we can here. They say that yields in the western U.S. are increasing annually, and that irrigation is the key to increasing local yields and making P.E.I. competitive with these regions. The fact is places like Washington and Idaho have many competitive advantages such as longer growing seasons and much deeper topsoil than we have on P.E.I. Irrigation will not change this. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and others have shown that soil quality, especially organic matter, is the key factor in productivity. Because of the land management choices made by P.E.I.ʼs potato industry, our soil quality has gotten worse Island-wide and this decline continues. The industry says science shows that lifting the moratorium and allowing more irrigation would only use a tiny fraction of the groundwater recharge and would not overburden natural groundwater resources. The fact is there is as yet no verified science on this. Industry is quoting unpublished and unreviewed reports from a government department and one hired consultant. This is opinion, not science. Further, it is the opinion of a small group within government. Other government staff — those with expertise in fish, wildlife and wetlands, for example — have not been consulted. Until these reports are released to the public and peer-reviewed by independent experts, they should not be regarded as science. The industry says additional irrigation would not affect residential or commercial use of groundwater. The fact is potato production is already affecting Islandersʼ water and additional irrigation could make this worse. In heavily farmed areas of the province — places such as Albany, Borden-Carleton, Lower Freetown, Middleton and Mount Royal, for example — many private wells have nitrate levels higher than Health Canadaʼs guideline. This nitrate is from chemical fertilizer used by agriculture, and the contamination is getting worse across P.E.I. Additionally, pumping irrigation water from deep underground can pull contaminated water from nearer the surface into the deeper levels. In the short term, homeowners can dig (and pay for) deeper wells. As contamination moves into deeper levels, even that may no longer work. The industry says irrigation will produce healthier potatoes that require less fertilizer and pesticides. It says that potato growers understand the need to be conscientious stewards of the land and are committed to environmental sustainability. The fact is past behaviour predicts future behaviour. Consider the potato industryʼs track record of “conscientious stewardship” and “environmental sustainability:” - Soil erosion rates are more than 10 times higher than those deemed acceptable for agricultural land. More than 60,000 truckloads are lost from P.E.I. farmland into our streams and rivers every year and the situation is not improving. - Nitrate — chemical fertilizer from farmland — contaminates the majority of private wells on P.E.I., with many above the accepted Canadian drinking water guidelines. This contamination worsens each year. - Excessive sea lettuce — caused by nitrates — chokes many bays and estuaries, with direct economic impacts on P.E.I.ʼs shellfish and other industries. The stinking conditions that this situation creates are happening earlier and in more areas each year. - More than 50 fish kills have been reported across P.E.I., including two in the past year. Despite annual Government and industry statements that fish kills are unacceptable, they continue. - Opposition to action that would address these problems. P.E.I.ʼs potato industry has consistently refused to accept responsibility for these issues. It is clear that this denial of responsibility continues: their position paper clearly states that industry seeks increased access to water with no new regulatory restrictions beyond the Agricultural Crop Rotation Act. It has been publically reported that many potato producers do not even comply with this Act at present. We call on government to implement the following before making a decision on industryʼs request: - Open up governmentʼs opinion on water availability to peer review. This would include the water extraction policy and the models used to develop it. - Develop a Water Policy for Prince Edward Island that clearly outlines how clean and high-quality water will be provided for current and future generations. Development of this policy requires public consultation. - Determine and make public the true economic impact of the potato industry on P.E.I. This includes its economic contributions, as well as the clean-up costs currently borne by the public, as well as subsidies and rebates paid to it by taxpayers. - Establish an Action Group to develop a new Agricultural Strategy which focuses on true economic, social and environmental sustainability.
Daryl Guignion and Ian MacQuarrie are award-winning biologists with many
decades of experience in soil, water and ecology.
Deep-water wells in
province's hands - The Guardian article by Steve SharrattPublished on Tuesday, February 4th A recommendation to lift the current moratorium on deep-water wells is headed to government following unanimous support by the P.E.I. Federation of Agriculture. The resolution by the largest agricultural organization in the province was approved in a closed-door session Friday afternoon and will seek the removal of a 10-year-old moratorium on deep-water wells for agricultural irrigation. However, the resolution is two-fold, and insists the moratorium removal is based on quality science and a significant water management program to monitor the resource. “The members gave support to the lifting of the moratorium for supplemental irrigation purposes provided the Department of Environment has the science to back such a step,ʼʼ said P.E.I. Federation of Agriculture executive director John Jamieson. “Our members recognize water is a public resource and we are all concerned about groundwater.” Controversy has spiked over the issue of providing permits to farmers who are seeking supplemental irrigation wells to make up for a lack of summer rainfall. Jamieson said irrigation isnʼt exclusive to potato farms and is sought by those in other horticultural activities from blueberries to flowers. “Letʼs keep in mind that these irrigation wells arenʼt going to be turned on from May until harvest,ʼʼ he said. “The irrigation is only needed for the few dry spots during the growing season.” Last year, a lack of rainfall in the central areas of the province impacted everything from carrots to potatoes and farmers say opportunities to irrigate during those dry spells would have prevented crop loss. The federation annual meeting held Friday heard from provincial watershed manager Bruce Raymond, who said there was ample water supply on P.E.I. and adequate recharge rates as well. However, despite strong water levels, Raymond said all regions of the province could experience different impacts depending on the amount of water extracted. “The federation resolution also insists that a solid water-extraction policy is implemented and controls where wells are dug and how much is taken ...it would have to be resourced managed,ʼʼ said Jamieson.
The resolution, along with others, was approved during a closed-door session
of the meeting. In the past, federation resolutions have always been debated in
an open session during the annual meeting. February 4, 2014Chris Ortenburger's Update
Quotable
Quotes: Rocky "Plan B" road only temporary, province says - The Guardian article by Ryan Ross
Published on February 3rd, 2014 Some drivers on the new, $16-million highway, which opened to traffic along the entire stretch in the fall, have been left wondering why it is so bumpy, considering it is was only recently paved. Steve Yeo, the provinceʼs chief engineer, said when construction is done late in the season there are often what he called "frost differentials" or heaving. “I fully expected that to happen,” he said. Construction on the highway began in 2012 after protests shut it down temporarily and it officially opened in October 2013 from one end of the realignment to the other. Some drivers have since been complaining about how uneven and bumpy the road has become. Yeo said the areas that were paved last were the worst sections near New Haven and in the Bonshaw area. Itʼs because the moisture didnʼt have time to dry and settle so itʼs consistent, Yeo said. “Under the asphalt you get pockets of higher moisture content, which when it freezes raises more.” Yeo said roads typically rise about three inches in the winter when they freeze, but when that happens itʼs usually consistent across the entire road. Another layer of asphalt will be laid on the road this year and Yeo said when people drive on the highway next winter they wonʼt see the bumps that are there now.
“Youʼll see a consistent heave across the whole mat,” he said.
---------- But here is the quote we need:"Fumigation of soil, more high capacity wells, soil erosion, nitrates in ground and surface water, fish kills (better to call them river kills) and multiple, annual anoxic events in our waterways across PEI. We have tied it all together so many times and brought it to our politicians, planners, farmers, industries, road builders and more. We will continue to do so, but we need to keep improving the awareness of the connections. Our wildlife, natural areas and our own health depend on us not making this situation worse. Do what you can to prevent future damage."
-
Jackie Waddell, Island Nature Trust February 3, 2014Chris Ortenburger's UpdateJust a note about Plan B,
as in Bumpity. If you have had no other choice but to drive on Plan B in
the past six weeks or so, you may have noticed increasingly wavy or just plain
bumpy areas, especially at the Bonshaw and the New Haven ends of the
project. At first I thought I was being too critical of a little
frost-heaving, and apparently at Transportation they have said all will be fine
after the second coat of asphalt in the summer. Listening to fairly
unbiased people about road-building, it's not just a little
frost-heaving. We watched the rush in those same areas to get gravel and
asphalt down so Minister Vessey could brag that the road was done before the
end of October. Packs of gravel trucks dumping on the run, and a dozen
asphalt trucks lined up for quite a while behind what appeared to be a broken
paver.
 No amount of asphalt is going to fix problems with the gravel bed over that broken up rocky sandstone -- it's not chocolate butter frosting I can use to even out a lopsided cake -- and it sounds like traffic and hot weather will likely exacerbate the waves. In the meantime, there is still winter and spring; perhaps a "Stop Plan B" bumper sticker can be rustled up for the first photo of a pothole on Plan B. ;-) February 2, 2014
Chris Ortenburger's UpdateSome
random notes, perhaps good for reading with a warm cup of something on a wet
Sunday: The press did not note any Potato Board presentations at the Federation of Agriculture meeting. Government is now doing the Full Sale mode (including a timely little "Environmental Update" tucked into this morning's Guardian). It seems as though they are using the road-tested "Announce and Defend" template, sans Announcement. Sherry has been muzzled as well, with the Premier stepping up to take the helm. The Good News is that both Ghiz and Webster are not optimistic about getting Permits on-stream this season. They both are talking about some form of public consultation. This to me indicates that some Time has been bought." Deep water well issue may go to public consultation - The Guardian article by Steve SharrattPublished on February 1, 2014 He’s not ruling it out but Agriculture Minister George Webster says the lifting of the deep water well moratorium and issuing new permits this year could be a stretch. But that all might depend on the opinion of Islanders. Webster confirmed at the annual meeting of the P.E.I. Federation of Agriculture Friday in Charlottetown that a process is forthcoming to engage the general public and gather opinion on the controversial issue. A moratorium on deep water wells was established 10 years ago and some potato growers are pressing the government to lift the ban and allow some new permits to be acquired this year. There are already 35 deep water wells grandfathered into the regulations, and Webster said there have been no adverse effects recorded from those wells. “We need much more consultation with the public so they are informed,’’ he told The Guardian in an interview. “We will likely be told here today that there is adequate water available, but we want the public to be able to air opinion and hear the science.” Watershed management director Bruce Raymond of the Department of Environment was one of the highlights at the farm meeting when he identified that — while every region is different — P.E.I. is mostly blessed with plenty of water and at a regular recharge rate. “It works out to the equivalent of 154 Olympic size swimming pools for every square kilometre,’’ he told a roomful of farmers at the Confederation Centre of the Arts. “That’s about 70 times more than we currently use across the province.” Raymond wasn’t suggesting there was so much water that irrigation permits should be handed out carte blanche, but he confirmed that the entire province only uses seven per cent (for everything) of the 35 per cent of the current water supply readily available. The $1 billion dollar potato industry is looking to irrigate about 30,000 additional acres and estimates it would only take an additional one per cent of water. Raymond said the “math” hadn’t been finalized, but estimated that was a low ball figure. “We use about seven per cent of the available level (top of the aquifer) so there is still quite a bit of water,’’ he said. Webster said Stratford is currently using almost 90 per cent of its current water supply and irrigation permits would not be entertained from that region, but he confirmed there were certain parts of the province where the water was more than plentiful. The minister said he expects full consultations with the public coming soon and before any decision is made by government. “This year might be a stretch but I’m not ruling it out or saying it’s going to happen. Some could be doable, but not from coast to coast to coast.” Opposition Leader Steven Myers attended the presentations on deep water wells and climate change and insisted public consultation was necessary. “I won’t oppose a decision based on good science,’’ he said. “But there’s no need to rush on making a good decision. I’m asking the government to put everything on the table so we can all decide.” Finally, regarding Canada Post's drastic plans to cut door-to-door mail
delivery and raise postal rates, a commentary this week in The Guardian,
by Herb Dickieson, former NDP MLA in the PEI Legislature. Please keep
writing your opinions, Dr. Dickieson. Canada must keep door-to-door postal delivery - The Guardian Guest Opinion By Herb Dickieson
Published on January 29, 2014 It is of grave concern to Islanders that Stephen Harperʼs government decided to cut Canada Post and eliminate door-to-door delivery without meaningful discussion or consultation with Canadians. Canada Post Corporation — an institution that predates Confederation — was created to provide a high standard of postal service that meets the needs of the people of Canada. It has done so for over 150 years, and has been profitable for most of that time, including the recent 2012 figures, and 16 of the last 17 years. Rather than strengthening our national postal service to help keep it competitive, the Harper government has irresponsibly raised the price of postage stamps by 59 per cent overnight and is busy slashing postal services and jobs to a level unseen anywhere else in the developed world. Once Mr. Harperʼs radical changes are complete, Canada will be the only major industrial country in the world without any door-to-door mail delivery. The Harper government quickly attempted to downplay the massive price increases and service cuts by claiming the changes will only affect “a few wealthy downtowners.” On the contrary, it has been reported that close to four million apartment and condo dwellers whose mail is delivered to their building mailboxes will no longer receive that service, and close to three-quarter million rural residents with individual rural route mailboxes will eventually be moved to community mailboxes, along with an additional two million Canadians who live in smaller towns and use general delivery or post office boxes. While some of these Canadians may be “wealthy downtowners”, the majority are average Canadians including seniors and the disabled who will be forced into using outdoor community mailboxes regardless of their ability to do so. Stephen Harperʼs decision making can only be explained by his governmentʼs recent but hushed announcement that it was ordering Canada Post to delay addressing its unfunded pension liabilities until 2018 — well after the next election. By kicking the pension can down the road for another government to deal with Mr. Harper neatly passes the buck and avoids having to pay for Canada Postʼs $1-billion pension shortfall next year, something that would have sunk his plan to go to the polls in 2015 with a balanced budget. Mr. Harper seems to think it is acceptable to radically cut Canadaʼs postal system solely to improve his election prospects, putting his party ahead of the interests of Canadians. Being fiscally responsible is important, but forcing Canadaʼs seniors and disabled to outdoor community mailboxes subject to theft, vandalism and poor weather, and denying them their door-to-door delivery of important items including medications for the sole benefit of Stephen Harperʼs electoral prospects is not only wrong, itʼs shameful. Canadians have agreed on the services they want . . . and that includes Canada Post and door-to-door delivery. No other developed country in the world is going down this path, and neither should we. Dr. Herb Dickieson is a family physician practising in Prince County and is a former member of the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island. February 1, 2014Chris Ortenburger's Update
The
concerns about lifting a ban on high capacity wells keeps pouring into our
public forums. The papers are full of excellent letters practically each
day. It would seem incredibly un-smart if a government didn't pay
attention to the tenor of public opinion as exemplified in our dear Guardian,
Journal-Pioneer, and Graphics. Unfortunately, as with Plan
B, government appears either not paying attention to this legitimate mode of
public communication**, or purposing downplaying people's opinions. The Guardian The Eastern (and West
Prince) Graphic The Journal-Pioneer On last night's CBC Compass, reporter John Jeffery went to the Federation of Agriculture annual general meeting and summarized it pretty well, with his story about 6:20 into the broadcast.http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Canada/PEI/ID/2434238635/ The membership heard from Bruce Raymond of the Department of the Environment who was on CBC Radio early Thursday, saying The Science says there is plenty of water if we stay within the policy. The Department of the Environment (to their credit) Friday placed what is likely Mr. Raymond's powerpoint presentation on this page. The second choice has the "slides" with additional background information, and the third is the actual policy. (Just a note that a policy is not the same as legislated "Water Act", a related issue.) http://www.gov.pe.ca/environment/water-extraction If you have time to poke around in it this weekend. The Federation did not make any sort of public statement on the issue of high capacity wells. Agriculture Minister George Webster did say, "Don't look at your own farm gate. Look at the Big Picture." A statement most would agree with. From Rob MacLean, blueberry farmer, among other things, of Lewes: http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/Opinion/Letter-to-editor/2014-01-29/article-3595303/No-reason-yet-to-trust-industry/1
No reason yet to trust
industry - The Guardian Letter to the Editor
Published on January 29, 2014 Science is very clear that minimizing erosion by maintaining soil organic matter of at least three percent is what we should do and that a crop rotation of at least three years is the way to do it. We canʼt plead ignorance. For decades, weʼve had commissions, round tables, teaching sessions and grants encouraging this goal. In 2002, we even passed a law mandating crop rotations. The governmentʼs own website says one purpose of the Crop Rotation Act is “to maintain and improve ground and surface water quality . . .” So, how are we doing?
According to the Report of the Commission on the Lands Protection Act
(p.28), from about 2001 to 2008 organic matter dropped Island-wide. At the
start of the period, roughly two-thirds of the samples met the minimum level of
three per cent. By 2008, only half were making the grade. Thatʼs not all. The
same report (page 28 again) says fully one in four potato farms are not in
compliance with the Crop Rotation Act. In other words, theyʼre breaking the
law. Learning the science of the water under our feet is just the beginning of the deep-well conversation. Our history with soil conservation proves that we have a lot to learn about putting environmental knowledge into practice. Until we do, thereʼs no reason to believe the potato industry can be trusted with our water.
Rob MacLean,
Lewes January 31, 2014Chris Ortenburger's Update
The PEI Federation of Agriculture is meeting today for its Annual General
Meeting.
One of items is a presentation on groundwater and high capacity wells from
someone from the Department of Environment, who has said the science supports
the ability of Island groundwater to have "dozens and dozens and
dozens" of high capacity wells (CBC Radio, yesterday morning after
6AM). There is a resolution for government presumably about lifting the
ban on these wells. Why should we support request where resource put further at risk? - The Guardian Guest Opinion by Mike Durant
Published on January 29, 2014 The Central Queens Wildlife Federation feels that all Islanders should understand the facts of this important debate. We have sent this fact sheet to every MLA on future Islandersʼ behalf.
Did you know? The new Water Extraction Permitting Policy allows 100 metres of headwater
streams to dry up entirely during the low-flow time of the year when
groundwater makes up all or most of stream flow. As the flows are reduced, the
pathway for water shrinks in from the banks of the river, further eliminating
the downstream edge habitat that is so critical for young fishes and other
aquatic life. Young fish forced into mid-stream are eaten by larger fish,
reducing and potentially eliminating future generations of the population.
Where will the fish come from to sustain these populations? Did you know? This issue is not just about the quantity of groundwater available to people and nature, it is also about the quality of that water. When wells pump water up to the surface for our use, it creates pressure underground that pulls water toward the well from the surrounding soil and rock. On the Island, that means water from closer to the surface will be pulled down to the depth of deep-water wells. Water closer to the surface has higher concentrations of nitrate —nitrogen. It also contains other fertilizer components like phosphorus and water-soluble forms of pesticides. In the process of extracting water from greater depths, we will further contaminate our deepwater aquifer. What consequences will this have to the water discharging to our estuaries, and the frequency of anoxic events ? Did you know? The guideline for acceptable levels of nitrate-nitrogen in drinking water is a concentration of 10 mg/L, for protection of aquatic life it is 2.9 mg/L. Nitrate concentrations indicating ʻpristineʼ water conditions on the Island are in the range of 0.5 -1.0 mg/L. Average nitrate values for the Wilmot, Dunk and Mill Rivers in 2008/2009 exceeded 7.1, 4.5 and 3.0 mg/L, high enough to produce anoxic events. When drinking water values climb, the only recourse for the well owner to reduce the nitrate concentration is to either install a reverse osmosis filtration system ($1,500) or dig a deeper well ($3,000). There are roughly 30,000 approved cottage lots on the Island. In some locations, they may be faced with two choices: dig a shallow well with high nitrate-nitrogen concentrations or dig a deeper well with saltwater intrusion. If someoneʼs well goes dry or is contaminated, will the potato industry be compensating them? How many Islanders can afford to front these costs themselves? Did you know? While the industry lobby is arguing that supplemental irrigation will improve potato yields and make Island growers and processors more competitive, the main advantages enjoyed by this industry in other regions are superior quality soils and longer growing seasons. Irrigation will not affect either of these factors. Soil quality monitoring by the P.E.I. Department of Agriculture and Forestry has shown that the benchmark three-year crop rotation does not prevent soil organic matter from decreasing year after year. A minimum of a four-year crop rotation with two years in forage is required to maintain organic matter in the soil. Why is organic matter important? Because it holds water! You canʼt retain water at the soil surface for plant uptake if youʼre growing your crop in sand. The potato industry has squandered their topsoil and soil organic matter for decades by operating in a manner that is not sustainable. Supplemental irrigation is not a cure for these harmful practices. If we continue in this fashion, the data shows that our soils will become inert and our groundwater unsuitable for animal or human consumption. How many more years will it really give the industry? Who will benefit in the long run from this initiative — potato producers or just the processors? Yes, the potato industry on the Island has challenges and yes, they need to take a hard look at the long-term sustainability of their practices. But why should the public be asked to support an initiative where the longevity of the benefits to the industry are questionable and where a public resource is further put at risk? The Island is in desperate need of strong policy on land and resource use. While the current government works on a land use policy, there is no indication that this will sufficiently protect our ground and surface waters from over-exploitation. We need a provincial water policy, similar to other provinces, which eliminates the potential for strong lobby groups with deep pockets to override what is in the best interest of Islanders.
Mike Durant is a board member of the Central Queens Wildlife Federation and
West River Watershed Project. The Guardian file photo January 30, 2014Chris Ortenburger's Update
The high capacity wells issue continues: Deep wells, fracking draw heritage farm ire - The Guardian Letter to the Editor
Published on January 29, 2014 In 2013 the shallow, hand-dug well that has supplied the needs of our farm and household for the many years Iʼve been fortunate to live here, that well dried up, with another 150- foot well needed. The farm federation does not speak for this member family. We strongly oppose the granting of permits for deep wells. We also request a permanent moratorium on permits for fracking. An oversized sandbar, surrounded by salt water, that is our Island, our living space. Think on that.
Betty Howatt,
Howattʼs Fruit Farm, Tryon P.E.I. potato industryʼs grab for more water doesnʼt pass smell test - The Guardian Commentary by Todd Depuis
Published on January 29, 2014 Thanks to the potato industry, Charlottetownʼs drinking water nitrate level is three to seven times higher (depending on the government data you use) than what is considered normal background level. Remember the cityʼs water supply is in the countryside amidst potato fields. Many people living near the central and western potato belts would give their eye teeth for Charlottetownʼs drinking water, because their water is that much more contaminated. And while the potato industry is the cause of all these environmental issues, it takes no responsibility for cleaning it up. The industry does not have to consider the cost to the environment in its cost of doing business because it is allowed to freely impact the environment. If the industry were required to put the infrastructure in place to protect the environment, it certainly would not be worth 1 billion dollars. It is no secret that Island soils are degraded from years of industrial potato production. Short rotations and high erosion rates have resulted in shallow topsoil with lower organic matter — not good conditions if you want to hold moisture in the soil. The fact is that our soils are in worse shape today than they were decades ago and there is little indication this trend will change soon. Big industry knows this. The problem is that once it is no longer viable to grow potatoes in the province because of degraded soils, this big industry will move on. Remember — there is plenty of room to grow potatoes in Idaho and Manitoba. I can hear the industryʼs swan song now: “Thanks for your soil and water but we must be moving on. Sorry for your troubles.” I do not blame the individual farmer. Like most Islanders, I have friends and acquaintances that are good farmers who are doing their best to be good stewards of the land. Most of them are independent and making their own decisions but, in many cases, the big corporations run the show. The growing of processing potatoes on P.E.I. can be tricky business for our farmers. It goes something like this: “Sign here please. Oh yeah youʼll need to grow what we tell you. You need to add this much fertilizer and by the way youʼll need to buy it all from us. Do what we tell you or else we donʼt buy your product.” Now big Industry is making a push for more water. A well-orchestrated and well-funded campaign that has come out of the blue is designed to catch Islanders off guard. Thereʼs a new water extraction permitting policy written by a few people in government, seemingly with plenty of industry input. They say they used good science and that P.E.I. has a lot of water. They did not consult with the public though. Iʼve read the new policy and, although Iʼm not a hydrologist, I do have some training in the field and 30 years of experience walking along and trying to protect Island streams and their fish. While the new policy states there is lots of water, I have lots of questions, as do many others in the conservation field. I know governments are under pressure from big industry, but this government should not jump into deep-well irrigation until itʼs sure it has consulted with all Islanders and that their best interest is being protected. This government should ensure it is not leaving a legacy of dried-up rivers and contaminated drinking water. If industry and government are so confident in their water data and new water extraction policy, then the government should set up a standing committee so the public will have time to study the science and provide input. Why not let outside experts take a look at it? Why the rush? Remember — this is a new policy that has the potential to impact all Islanders, a policy that has had zero public input. If the science is as sound as industry contends, then let it stand the test. At the moment though, many in P.E.I. think something stinks. It smells like big industry is in the room.
Todd Dupuis is executive director, regional programs for the Atlantic Salmon
Federation. January 29, 2014Chris Ortenburger's UpdateTonight is a showing of Island
Green, the 30-minute movie that poses the question of an organic PEI. Cathy Grant certainly
spells it out clearly with accurate information: Sherry tips her hand on deep-water wells? - The Guardian Letter to the Editor
Published on January 28, 2014 Oh yes, we have had a lot of ʻpublic educationʼ over the past several years from the government. They have informed us that decisions regarding Plan B and the HST were not popular decisions but they were right decisions according to Premier Robert Ghiz, his caucus, and the business community.
On the matter of deep-well water drilling, Ms. Sherry has previously stated she
has “read all the science.” Well I hope she will come out to share the
science she has read with Islanders and not fob off another environmental
disaster on an Island industry that has much to gain from Ms. Sherryʼs
shrugging off her responsibility to Prince Edward Islanders and its fragile
environment.
Cathy Grant, Meadowbank Ag federation faces decision on deep wells - The Guardian Editorial
Published on January 28, 2014 This weekʼs annual meeting of the P.E.I. Federation of Agriculture will attract more interest than usual because of the contentious issue of deep-water wells for potato irrigation. The federation has wells placed prominently on the agenda with a presentation outlining the P.E.I. Department of Environmentʼs perspective on water quantity and seasonal demands, while outlining the governmentʼs water extraction policy for groundwater and surface water. The federation will also hear an update on the Georgetown Conference and the impact of the harmonized sales tax. The federation strongly supported the HST and said tax rebates on the cost of doing business would position Island farmers on an equal footing with the rest of the region. But the key topic Friday in Charlottetown will be wells. Deep-water wells have drawn a flood of comment because it affects every Islander who has legitimate concerns over a secure supply of drinking water and contamination of the water table with nitrates and pesticides. Itʼs a hot-button topic that leaves government with a very difficult decision. The total economic wealth associated with close to 90,000 acres of spuds is in excess of $1 billion and that money finds its way into every Island home and business. Environment Minister Janice Sherry has received an advisory board recommendation on deep wells but is reluctant to make that public, at least at this time. She had suggested to the P.E.I. Potato Board that since itʼs their idea to lift the moratorium, it should present its arguments in a public forum to allay the concerns of Islanders. The board issued its argument Saturday in the form of a rational, well-crafted opinion piece to The Guardian. Its key argument was science supports a reasonable, supplemental irrigation program because all demands of water in the province today “use less than two per cent of the annual groundwater recharge.” The board isnʼt seeking unfettered approval and notes that applications would be judged by the department while considering local water sources and supply. Already, there is strong reaction to chairman Gary Linkletterʼs opinion piece, all of it negative. The National Farmers Union has made its position known, and as expected, is vehemently against the idea. The NFU is left of centre on most environmental issues and had vigorously opposed changes to the limits on land ownership last year. The federation usually leans right of centre, and had supported the increased acreage limits. The federation is usually more concerned with the bottom line for farmers, with the belief that a farmer losing money is a farmer leaving agriculture. But it does endorse the mantra of farmers being economically viable, environmentally sound and socially responsible. The federation has yet to take a public stance on the well issue. And government is surely waiting for the farm group to signal its support or opposition before going any further. Itʼs likely there will be public hearings but a decision must be made soon to have any impact on this growing season. Potato farmers would have to dig wells, buy expensive irrigation equipment and be ready for any dry weather to assist their valuable crop. It would take months to take advantage of any change to the moratorium. It would be a surprise if the federation doesnʼt support the potato board Friday and pass a resolution recommending the lifting of the moratorium, at least in some regulated form. A release from the board on the annual meeting already signals that position. It states there has been a lot of recent “controversy and misinformation” being circulated surrounding deep-water wells and water quality on P.E.I. The key word here is misinformation. January 28, 2014
Chris Ortenburger's Update
This is a 2 1/2 minute "RSA Animate" about food and good eating
("How Cooking Can Change Your Life"). The script was written
and read by Michael Pollen, author of The Omnivore's Dilemma, and the
poster-writing animation charmingly illustrates the point. About the workshop: To pre-register: Cooper Institute 894-4573 or email cooperinstitute@eastlink.ca with your name. ----------and the article interviewing organic farmers and all-around earth-caretakers James Rodd and Rita Jackson: CSAs a Way to Connect Directly with Local Food Producers - The Guardian article by Mary MacKay
Published on January 26th, 2014 In a world where tomatoes can come from Mexico and carrots from California,
there's an easy, simple way to connect directly to the source of the food you
eat. In fact, some Prince Edward Island farmers like James Rodd and Rita Jackson are
on first name basis with clientele who have signed up for their community
supported agriculture (CSA) program, which is a subscription-based service
where community members support farmers by providing capital investment through
share fees. This seed money allows farmers to invest in producing quality local
food that picked fresh for the consumer, typically on a weekly basis. "For me it's like having a bigger family . . . ," says Jackson, who
along with her husband, James Rodd, will be at the P.E.I. Food Security
Network's free CSA workshop at the Farm Centre in Charlottetown on Wednesday,
Feb. 5 from 4-7 p.m. Each CSA producer has his or her way of presenting the program to the public.
In the case of RJR 100 Acre Farm, it is a 16-week program that begins around
the first week of July and continues on into the fall. That list includes things like beet greens, Swiss chard, kale, lettuce, peas,
beans, broccoli, cucumbers, tomatoes, eggs, apples and a bevy of fall root
crops, squash and more. "Every week our people get an email telling them what is going to be in
their (bag). We also give them suggestions on cooking and recipes because a lot
of people don't know how to use some of the vegetables," Jackson says. CSA farmers can also tailor some of the coming crop to suit the tastes of share
members. "We actually talk to them and ask "What do you like? Is there
something in particular,'" Jackson says. "We've had all kinds of encouragement to grow an herb garden this
year," Rodd adds. "We've had basil and parsley and dill (before) but we're going to gave the
full gamut of herbs this year and devote a full section to that." Many of their clientele take advantage of the open invitation to visit the
farm, often helping with the weeding and harvesting of the very crops that will
be in their weekly CSA delivery. "If the consumer knows the farmer and knows that there is integrity in the
producing of that crop or that livestock then that consumer can get connected
to how that food is produced, and get connected to the land, which a lot of
people aren't. They look at soil as being something dirty when in fact it's a
living organism." The upcoming CSA workshop showcases the benefits of a CSA program. "We see (community supported agriculture) as one viable option to increase
sustainable distribution for farmers, but certainly not the only option. It's
more of a combination that's important, like gardens, markets and CSAs,"
says Hanna Hameline, chair of P.E.I. Food Security Network's sustainable
production and distribution working group. CSAs also help to revival the rural regions by increasing a sense of community. "It definitely increases agro-biodiversity because the farmer isn't going to just grow carrots and sell you only carrots the entire year. So it definitely increases the selection of crops and supports mixed farming," Hameline adds. "It creates a connection between farmers and citizens, which has been lost. It supports the local farmer, which is disappearing on P.E.I. and globally so in that sense it definitely revives the rural community." "We have a relationship and that's an important thing with producing food for the consumer," Rodd adds. "If the consumer knows the farmer and knows that there is integrity in the producing of that crop or that livestock then that consumer can get connected to how that food is produced, and get connected to the land, which a lot of people aren't. They look at soil as being something dirty when in fact it's a living organism." The upcoming CSA workshop showcases the benefits of a CSA program. "We see (community supported agriculture) as one viable option to increase sustainable distribution for farmers, but certainly not the only option. It's more of a combination that's important, like gardens, markets and CSAs," says Hanna Hameline, chair of P.E.I. Food Security Network's sustainable production and distribution working group. CSAs also help to revival the rural regions by increasing a sense of community. "It definitely increases agro-biodiversity because the farmer isn't going to just grow carrots and sell you only carrots the entire year. So it definitely increases the selection of crops and supports mixed farming," Hameline adds.
"It creates a connection between farmers and citizens, which has been
lost. It supports the local farmer, which is disappearing on P.E.I. and
globally so in that sense it definitely revives the rural community." January 27, 2014Chris Ortenburger's Update
Today: A
link to the Facebook event page (there is a map with directions to the vet
college building: About: With aerial footage
from 54 countries, Home is a depiction of how the Earth's problems
are all interlinked, but with only one thing responsible: the human. The story
begins with the evolution of the animal species on Earth including the human,
who starts living peacefully with nature. Until
the accelerating growth of population in the last 250 years and the discovery
of oil changed everything.
Canada Post eliminates P.E.I. postmarks -The Guardian Opinion by Andy Walker
Published on January 10, 2014 January 25, 2014Chris Ortenburger's UpdateSome fantastic opinions in The Guardian worth a "second reading". This is the longest, but a systematic breakdown of the breakdown of faith in fracking: http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/Opinion/Letter-to-editor/2014-01-23/article-3587140/Allowing-hydraulic-fracturing-in-New-Brunswick-solves-nothing/1 Allowing hydraulic fracturing in New Brunswick solves nothing -The Guardian Letter to the Editor
Published on January 23, 2014 Furthermore, in June 2010, Vanity Fair wrote a story about the small town of
Dimock, also in Pennsylvania. It states “Dimock is now known as the place
where, over the past two years, peopleʼs water started turning brown and making
them sick, one womanʼs water well spontaneously combusted, and horses and pets
mysteriously began to lose their hair. Commentary by David A. McGregor, Stratford Bermuda provides lesson on water use - The Guardian Letter to the Editor
Published on January 23, 2014 Bermuda, during its early settlement, had artesian wells as its source of fresh
water, causing the water table to drop, allowing saline to enter the well
water. The consequence -- brackish well water, undrinkable, used only as grey
water for toilets and washing. Drinking water is mostly rainwater collected in
cisterns and water from desalination, at enormous expense, to make up the
shortfall. Weʼve all seen the fish kills due to nitrates and herbicides washing
from fields into our streams. Imagine the results if our groundwater was
similarly affected by the over-watering of agricultural fields. The nitrate
level is already quite high in some wells. We are an island. Our resources are finite. Using deep well groundwater for
irrigation may be todayʼs gain and tomorrowʼs loss, maybe not. But should we
take that chance, whose to decide, and is there enough real science to justify
it? Heather Holmes,
Charlottetown
Innovations needed to aid
transparency - The Guardian Letter to the Editor
Published on January 23, 2014
I want to thank Ken Gillis for his letter to the editor today, especially his
suggestion that in government I would increase the municipal grant thus
enabling increased expenditure on snow removal. It would take an independent
third-party audit to sort out management problems with the public works
department of the City of Charlottetown to address the snow removal problem.
Resourcing of the service should be done with that information in hand. Mike Redmond,
Leader, P.E.I. NDP January 24, 2014Chris Ortenburger's UpdateHere are some events and
deadlines that might be of interest: January 23, 2014Chris Ortenburger's UpdateOn Compass Tuesday night,
nine minutes into the broadcast, Environment Minister Janice Sherry is
interviewed about the PEI Potato Board's demand that the ban on high capacity
wells be lifted: Time for responsible farmers, citizens to step up - The Guardian Guest Opinion by Dale Small
Published on January 21, 2014 Will tourists still visit our fair province? - The Guardian Letter to the Editor
Published on January 22, 2014 Has anyone assessed the health care costs resulting from the by products used with growing potatoes? We are the Cancer Capital of Canada. Irrigating potatoes will only cause these poisons to be returned to our water table in larger quantities and at a faster rate. The annual recharge rate on P.E.I. could not possibly be the same in all areas of the province due to the different types of soils found in all parts of the province. This is an excellent example of how the spin-doctors misrepresent the facts to confuse Islanders on what is true and what is not. Neil Young stepped up to expose the tar sands in Alberta, do we have any credible scientists here who are willing to stand up and present the real facts? Time will tell.
Our body is made up of mostly water, we can live maybe three days without it, but
cancer can take years to kill you. David Suzuki was here a few years ago
talking about how interconnected our water table truly is. He is an independent
scientist without any financial gain in the potato industry here, his opinion
should be objective.
Wayne MacKinnon,
Marshfield
Take care cleaning up today, January 22, 2014Chris Ortenburger's UpdateIt was a fun and
interesting film last night, as Occupy Love chronicled snippets and
images from the Arab Spring to Occupy Wall Street, focusing on positive ideas
and feelings people had instead of being negative or hateful (which is, of
course, easier). It wasn't really prescriptive, and didn't delve into
many other related issues (such as land, farms and food, which truly supports
everything), but was definitely worth seeing. Deep-water well issue more than sufficiency - The Guardian Letter to the Editor
Published on January 21, 2014 January 21, 2014Chris Ortenburger's UpdateTonight the regular
documentary screenings sponsored by Cinema Politica Charlottetown, will co-host
the movie Occupy Love, with the Citizens' Alliance of PEI. "Admission is free, but
donations are accepted at the door and help Cinema Politica to cover its
membership, which includes the rights to show some pretty amazing documentary
films throughout the year."  
All joking aside, the story behind the mask is here: Premier Ghiz has everything in hand - The Guardian Letter to the Editor
Published on January 20, 2014 Recently, at his state of the province address, he informed us he has pulled his head out of the sand to save our failing education system. He moves from one great success to the next, leaping tall buildings in a single bound. The latest and greatest objective is to save the poor potato farmers. They need to drill deep wells to draw more water for their potato crops. In order to do this safely, a wise group of lobbyists have been summoned to the house to assure us there is enough water, even if there isnʼt. The group call themselves Policy Intel and are two unemployed Liberals who silly Islanders failed to vote for in the last election. Iʼm not sure what the Intel part of their name means, might be short for intelligence. They, along with the head of the potato board, will advise the government to allow deep wells. The head of the potato board tells us there is plenty of water so no need for us to worry. Rivers drying up have nothing to do with drilling deep wells. In fact that could be a bonus. Just imagine with no rivers weʼd have no pesticide runoff and no fish kills. Besides, itʼs only a small majority of mean islanders who blame the potato farmers every time there is a fish kill. So folks nothing for us to worry about, our premier has everything in hand. If our shallow wells dry up, the government will provide bottled water for a small fee, plus HST.
F. Ben Rodgers,
Hunter River January 20, 2014Chris Ortenburger's UpdateAnother article in
Saturday's Guardian was the lead story on fracking. (entire print
at end of this e-mail) The industry trade group representative provided
most of the information regarding the process and how "heavily
regulated" it is. The article gave the current status of fracking on
PEI (there are expired leases for exploratory wells, the Standing Committee on
Agriculture, Environment, Energy and Forestry in November 2013, recommended a
moratorium on oil and gas exploration, and is writing the Environment Minister
on this).  Penobsquis, NB, is near Sussex. It's an area with with a long history of potash mining (and subsequent issues) and now gas wells. Here is an article by the well-respected alternative media site, the Halifax Media Co-op: http://halifax.mediacoop.ca/story/penobsquis-%E2%80%9Cnew-brunswicks-dirty-little-secret%E2%80%9D/18559 Two things came to mind: One was a reminder in the article by Andrew Lush of Don't Frack PEI and in previous Guardian letters to the editor about the certainty of the cement casings cracking in the wrong places over time. The second is that in the article the National Energy Board says it will ask companies to release the list of chemicals in fracking fluid 30 days *after* they finish a fracking operation. Chemicals that the industry downplays as being in small quantities (partially true) and "common household items". For many of us, just because a chemical is on the shelf at the store as a common household item doesn't mean we want to drink it or find it in our wells. The fracking debate - The Guardian article by Ryan RossPublished on January 18, 2014 in The GuardianWhen is comes to natural resources nobody would confuse P.E.I. with Alberta. There are no oil wells pumping away or gas wells flowing freely to fuel the economy and help pay to keep the government running. But there are some who worry that could change if the P.E.I. government decides to allow companies to use the exploration technique called hydraulic fracturing, which is otherwise known as fracking. Although the province hasnʼt taken a stance on fracking, in November the members of the legislative standing committee on agriculture, environment, energy and forestry recommended a moratorium on the practice. That recommendation came after the committee heard from groups with concerns about oil and gas exploration, including Donʼt Frack P.E.I. Tyne Valley-Linkletter MLA Paula Biggar, who is the committeeʼs chairwoman, said based on the evidence and information provided to the MLAs there was a consensus to recommend a moratorium. Biggar said evidence that dealt with the injection of chemicals into the ground was one of the big factors in the decision. “Basically environmental concerns in regard to making sure our water is protected,” she said. If the government does decide to impose a moratorium it wonʼt be alone in Canada where Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Quebec have all put temporary freezes on new permits while they study the issue further. Nova Scotia has also commissioned a study to look at the issue. While the committee, which is made up of six Liberal and two PC MLAs, can make a recommendation to government, that recommendation isnʼt binding. Biggar said Environment Minister Janice Sherry hasnʼt sent a written response to the recommendation yet, but the committee will send her department a letter when it meets again in the next few months to get a formal response. In an interview with The Guardian, Sherry said the government is still waiting for the results of studies in other jurisdictions about hydraulic fracturing before it takes a stance on the issue. Sherry also said since she became environment minister in November 2011, no one has given her or her department any indication they had an interest in undertaking fracking in P.E.I. “We believe itʼs a very serious issue and weʼre trying to take in as much scientific information in regards to fracturing as we can,” she said. Hydraulic fracturing involves drilling vertically down into a shale formation, which can be several kilometres below the surface. Once it reaches the required depth the drill changes direction to move horizontally across the shale before a steel casing is inserted and secured with cement to keep the well separated from any ground water supplies. The casing is then perforated to allowing fracturing fluid to flow under high pressure into the nearby rock and create fractures to free up natural gas. That fracturing fluid is made of mostly water and sand with other chemicals mixed in. The sand is used to keep cracks in the rock open enough for natural gas to flow into the well. Natural gas exploration and development is big business in Canada with Canadian Natural Gas Initiative reporting there were more than 172,000 jobs in the sector in 2010. The group predicts that over the next 25 years, B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan will collect $98 billion in royalties from natural gas. Closer to home, Nova Scotia has collected $1.6 billion in royalties from the Sable Island development since 1999, according to Canadian Natural Gas. That P.E.I. doesnʼt benefit from natural resource development isnʼt news to most Islanders who pay some of the highest taxes in the country, thanks in part to a lack of revenues from other sources. But even though oil and gas development hasnʼt led to stuffed provincial coffers, that doesnʼt mean there havenʼt been attempts to find commercially viable sources. Exploration companies have been doing seismic testing dating back to 1942 when dynamite was used to look for oil off P.E.I.ʼs coast. More modern techniques involve vibration equipment, or small explosive charges and devices called geophones, that record data from sound waves as they bounce off underground formations. The data gathered is then used to map the layers below the surface. Since 2002 the province has issued seven on-shore permits for seismic surveys, but none of them have ended in production wells. Corridor Resources and PetroWorth were the last companies to do seismic testing and build exploratory wells. The last wells were built in 2007 and all of the onshore exploration permits have lapsed without any commercial production. Data about P.E.I.ʼs potential gas reserves is also not widely available with neither the provincial government, the National Energy Board nor the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers having any figures on how much gas might be available. While there are opponents to hydraulic fracturing, the industry maintains it is safe. Sheri Somerville, natural gas adviser for the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, said hydraulic fracturing can be done safely and the industry has been doing it for more than 60 years. “Hydraulic fracturing isnʼt actually new,” she said. What is new within the last few decades is horizontal drilling that reduces the surface footprint of a gas well and gives the ability to reach deposits at lower depths more efficiently, Somerville said. “If you did it conventionally, drilling straight down vertically, your surface would probably have many, many, many wells on it. It would look like a Swiss cheese sort of thing as opposed to having one well pad and being able to drill 20 wells from there out on the horizontal.” Somerville said the key to safe hydraulic fracturing is to maintain the integrity of the steel and cement used to encase the well. “Thatʼs whatʼs going to protect your aquifers and what not from any possible leaks or emissions,” she said. Many hydraulic fracturing opponents point to problems in the U.S., such as charges and a $100,000 fine against Exxon Mobile subsidiary XTO Energy for spilling more than 50,000 gallons of wastewater at a natural gas well site in 2010. Somerville said the rules in Canada are different and more strict when it comes to regulating gas exploration through fracking. “Weʼre one of the most heavily regulated sectors in Canada,” she said. That doesnʼt mean there havenʼt been problems in Canada where there have been cases of fracking fluid mishaps, such as in 2011 when groundwater was contaminated near Grand Prairie when the fluids were released at too shallow a depth before anyone realized. Water testing found traces of chemicals from the fluid, including benzene and chloride. Another concern among hydraulic fracturing opponents is what they see as a lack of information about what chemicals go into fracking fluids. Somerville said the industry isnʼt trying to hide what is in its fracking fluids and supports disclosure of the chemicals and additives used in hydraulic fracturing. Thatʼs already happening in B.C. and Alberta where companies use Fracfocus.ca to disclose information on the fluids they use. The National Energy Board announced in November that it will start asking companies to disclose that information 30 days after they finish a hydraulic fracturing operation. Somerville said regulations stipulate how much of the chemicals can be used and in what concentrations. “Many of the chemicals that are used are found in common household items,” she said. Some of those chemicals disclosed for one well in B.C. include ethylbenzene, which is used as a solvent, methanol, which is a form of alcohol, and polyethylene glycol, which is sometimes used in cosmetics. As for the possibility of gas exploration leading to any significant production in P.E.I., like Sherry, Somerville hasnʼt heard of any companies planning to work in the province. “I havenʼt even seen any estimates on what the potential is there.” That lack of interest hasnʼt diminished the concern among fracking opponents, such as the group Donʼt Frack P.E.I., which has been pushing for a ban on hydraulic fracturing for about a year. Leo Broderick is one of Donʼt Frack P.E.I.ʼs members and while the group was glad the committee recommended a moratorium, he said the problem is it just puts off a decision for the long term. “Itʼs a delay tactic and we need more than that,” he said. The biggest concern for fracking opponents is what they see as the potential impact on groundwater supplies. Although fracking is done below groundwater levels, the casings can travel through or near aquifers and opponents worry that problems with those casings could allow toxic chemicals to leak into the water supplies. Andrew Lush, another of Donʼt Frack P.E.I.ʼs members, said some of the well casings will eventually fail and contaminate groundwater supplies because nothing lasts forever. “Itʼs just a matter of time,” he said. And while the industry says many of those chemicals are found in common household products, Lush doesnʼt think that means people would want to have them in their water. “You might find them in small quantities, but you wouldnʼt want to drink them.” Broderick said it comes down to whether Islanders trust elected officials to make what he sees as the right decision and deny any requests for exploration permits, if any companies ask for them. “Unless thereʼs a strong public outcry now I would say that theyʼll make the wrong decision.” January 19, 2014Chris Ortenburger's UpdateThe Seed Expo yesterday at
the warm and inviting Farm Centre was a great chance to get many folks together
to talk about seeds and spring, and new plans for the the Farm Centre with its
Legacy Garden project. It'll be great to see that as an annual event.
Great job to the organizers and volunteers. Deep-well irrigation not well understood, says professor - The Guardian article by Nigel Armstrong
Published on-line January 18, 2014
The Environmental Coalition of P.E.I. held its annual meeting in Charlottetown
this week, then turned to guest presentations, including a talk by Daryl
Guignion about deep-well irrigation for agriculture. Guignion is a
wildlife biologist, researcher, and retired UPEI associate professor of biology
with a special focus on water ecosystems. Creating a model of what might happen with deep-well irrigation is useless if there is insufficient data and science to back up the assumptions and data put into the model, he said. “Modelling is not science,” he warned. The relationship of groundwater to P.E.Iʼs rivers and streams is partially understood.
“One hundred per cent of the water in the summertime in the streams is from
springs, more or less,” said Guignion. Rivers run red with silt that clogs the bottom and nitrate levels in streams are going up without control, he lamented. “I think the poor land stewardship, the degradation is beyond belief,” said Guignion. “From my perspective, in the last 10 years I think we have had a decrease in soil and water conservation practices. It is just appalling. “If we ever get to the point where we can be bullied into giving (deep groundwater) away before we know what we have, this is very, very bad for all Islanders and future Islanders,” he warned.
“We need a water policy for P.E.I. The principal goal has to be an abundance of
good water, high quality and clean.
When water levels go down, young fish that get food and protection from the
shallow edge are forced to the deeper middle of the river where they are eaten
by the big adult fish that lurk there in place all season, for example. A recent study of water levels affecting fish just looked at those grown adult fish and showed no population change, ignoring the death of many young fish, he said. Fish moving upstream to spawn depend on sufficient water levels to get back down, along with the new young fish at just about the time that maximum agriculture irrigation would be expected, said Guignion. A down-stream move of tens of thousands of gaspereau fish in decades past helped sustain the lifecycle of bigger fish and human harvest further along, he said.
“Scientific knowledge of the annual water requirements of aquatic organisms is
needed,” said Guignion. Do not look to examples of deep-well irrigation from other areas like Idaho or Alberta, he said. Those areas have a better climate and better soil for potatoes so P.E.I. canʼt base itʼs decisions on what the U.S. potatoes growers are doing, said Guignion. “If you look at the damage that they are doing to their aquifers and what is happening in the United States, I would say they are going to be looking north very shortly for more water,” he said. “You often get misleading information to suggest that we have all this water that is falling all over P.E.I., there is copious quantities available for use. “Man, there really isnʼt copious quantities available,” said Guignion. “Most of our streams in the last two or three summers have gotten really, really low.” Much of the water landing as precipitation on P.E.I. is not seeping back into soil and thus recharging the groundwater, he warned.
It runs off exposed agriculture land in winter and into streams, into storm
sewers in urban developed areas, and wetlands that once also helped recharge
the water table have been destroyed to a degree that has never been
scientifically quantified on P.E.I., said Guignion. Does potato board have the mandate? - The Guardian letter to the Editor
Published on January 18, 2014 Non-farmers are opposed and it turns out so are some potato farmers. They have some compelling reasons as to why they are opposed. It is more than just about recharge rates. It would appear at this point that only the contract potato growers are the ones that want more deep-water wells for irrigation. I question whether the P.E.I. Potato Board has a mandate from the industry as a whole to advocate for the lifting of the moratorium on more wells. The potato board should have a producer plebiscite to see if this is where the industry wants to go. Until they have done this they should withdraw their support for lifting the moratorium. There is also a lot of talk that the lifting of the moratorium is already a done deal. Some think powerful players want the water and they will take it. Rightly or wrongly there is a huge perception of conflict of interest by having agriculture minister and potato grower George Webster involved in these discussions. It looks bad. Premier Robert Ghiz should recognize this and deal with it.
Ranald MacFarlane,
Fernwood Whatʼs the difference with deep-water wells, or aquifier fracking? - The Guardian EditorialPublished on January 18, 2014
Province should let science decide on answer for thirty potato sector The lobby coming from the potato sector to lift the moratorium on deep-water wells to placate the thirsty industry must be thoroughly examined and decided with all factors considered. A number of years ago, Cavendish Farms wanted to expand its operations in New Annan but also sought to drill more deep wells to get the extra water it needed. The province would love to have the extra jobs and more markets for P.E.I. spuds, but there was a threat to the water table in Kensington, Summerside and surrounding areas. It said no. The cost to dig such wells and then put an irrigation system in place to water thousands of acres of potatoes is exorbitant. Is it really worth the expense when one year out of every five might be unseasonably dry and affect production?
Let science decide the answer. Can our water table sustain such a heavy
demand? Letʼs find out. Conservation and environmental issues for all
Islanders should trump the economic wishes of the potato industry, despite its
vital importance to the Island economy. January 18, 2014Chris Ortenburger's UpdateAs when people wrote about
Plan B, regarding the deep water wells, there have been poignant letters, funny
letters, letters spare and to the point; and then a beautiful one appears that
sends a punch.
Liberals must support water -The Guardian Letter to the Editor
Published on January 17, 2014 If potato growers wish to boost productivity, they can look to the depleted and deadened soil they have created through fungicides, herbicides, and pesticides.
Not only have these high rates of chemicals killed fish, birds, and
pollinators, but the resulting lifeless soil has difficulty holding on to the
rainwater. Organic farmers who care for their soil can show you that once the
soil has been built up and can support living things beyond the planted seed,
productivity per acre increases substantially. These wise farmers will also
tell you that massive mono-cropping is rarely beneficial and should not be
supported. It is life itself and is not to be threatened for a few who stand to benefit monetarily. I challenge even one Liberal MLA to speak up on behalf of the people and the water. If you cannot, then face your children and grandchildren and tell them how you have cared for their legacy. Please show us for once that being good stewards of Mother Earth trumps special interests.
Jane Thomas,
Bonshaw Charlottetown getting Walmart Supercentre - The Guardian article by Dave Stewart
Published on January 16, 2014 Employees at Walmart have been told that the conversion will be complete in time for January 2015, although a spokesperson with Walmart Canada said late Thursday that they canʼt confirm the date. “I can confirm that weʼre planning to convert the Charlottetown store into a supercentre,ʼʼ said Rosalyn Carneiro, manager of public relations, “but I canʼt confirm any dates around when we anticipate construction will start or be completed.ʼʼ
Walmart supercenters tend to offer a full-service supermarket component,
including meat and poultry, baked goods, a deli, frozen foods, dairy products,
garden produce and seafood. January 17, 2014Chris Ortenburger's Update
A
few events coming up:
Short-term
pain, long-term pain? - The Guardian Letter to the Editor
Published on January 16, 2014 I grew up in the Texas Panhandle, which is above a part of the Ogallala Aquifer. This aquifer is one of the largest in the world, at 450,000 square kilometres, an area approximately 80 times the area of P.E.I.. Intense use of this aquifer since about 1950, now providing over 25 per cent of the irrigation water in the U.S, as well as municipal water to 4/5 of the population in the area, has depleted this vast body of water. Wikipedia has maps and charts and this quote from the article: “Certain aquifer zones are now empty; these areas will take over 100,000 years to replenish naturally through rainfall.” Some aquifer zones on the Island are threatened now. Charlottetown is being forced to look for another, as the Winter River is being dried up. More and better spuds are valuable to the Island, but before we deplete the water beneath us, we need to see that the aquifers can replenish themselves rapidly enough to support this activity.
Carl Mathis,
Charlottetown Government has mismanaged the communications on
this file so it is likely they are mishandling In 2013, Prince Edward Islanders saw depletion
of the Winter River watershed, fish kills in Prince opportunity to open public consultations for a real watershed management policy for our province. The Liberals have gone rogue on the environment. It is time to get things back on track,” concluded Redmond.>> January 16, 2014Chris Ortenburger's UpdateMore Politics and Potatoes
Deep-water wells jeopardize supply - The Guardian Letter to the Editor
Published on January 15, 2014
Ian Dohoo,
Flat River  And not to forget our Premier: http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/O pinion/Letter-to-editor/2014-01-14/article-3575894/Defining-difference-in-promise-vs.-lie/1 Defining difference in promise vs. lie - The Guardian Letter to the Editor
Published on January 14, 2014 Now, with help from a computer, these are the definitions of a promise and a lie. A promise is a vow to assure a person or group that something will or will not happen. A lie is a false statement made to a person or group, who knows it is not the whole truth, intentionally. Now, in a court of law, a lie is considered a criminal offence and whoever is convicted of such, can and will receive a fine and/or jail time. Is it ever OK to break a promise? Honouring a promise is high on my list of requirements in being a person of integrity. Basically, whenever a person fails to follow through on a promise, it registers as a betrayal. How do you define “I will not be bringing the HST to P.E. Islanders?”
Bob MacLean, Auburn CETA trade benefits grossly exaggerated - The Guardian Letter to the Editor
Published on January 14, 2014 The assumptions in the model include, among others, full employment, balanced trade and a perfectly functioning market place. If you can find this in the real economy, I would like to know about it. The reality is that Canada has a significant trade deficit ($19 billion in goods and services) with Europe. We import much more than we export. The same joint report also predicts that imports from the EU will be twice as much as we export therefore increasing our trade deficit. Trade deficits usually go together with overall job losses, lower GDP, and a weaker economy. The assessment of realistic gains and losses within CETA needs to be part of the public debate. There is much in this agreement which is of concern. The secrecy in which it has been cloaked is not in keeping with our democratic processes. It must come out from underneath the covers and be subject to a sound analysis and public input.
Lou Richard,
Charlottetown January 15, 2014Chris Ortenburger's UpdateThe guard rail along a part
of Plan B got fixed yesterday afternoon.  Looking east onto Plan B, Bonshaw, near "McManus Road" to old TCH by Bonshaw 500, Tuesday, January 14, 2014. (The road "above" Plan B is for hauling out rocks from one of three storage areas along the Plan B.)  So it's still all about safety, right? In the rush to get the asphalt laid in October of 2013, to be able to crow about Plan B being "on time" (and supposedly on budget), there was *no time or budget" to put little reflectors in the road, as there are along other parts of the TCH. There *are* areas of intense, superbright lighting at intersections, but none of these little gems that really help the traveller at night and when conditions are wet or foggy.   One side of the plastic piece reflects back light in the white ones, two sides in the yellow. These inexpensive reflectors are an example of a way to improve safety as a small cost, and the Department of Transportation has installed them along the TCH and some other roads....except not on Plan B, which may be wide in places but it's very hard to tell shoulders and lanes when it's wet and dark. Perhaps they will be installed when the "finish coat" of asphalt is applied next summer. ** though the original cat's eyes in England are cast iron (no snowploughing) and have two reflective orbs. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat%27s_eye_%28road%29 Tonight: Snow and ice, snow and ice, tonight, Confederation Centre Public Library, 7PM. Jackie Waddell of Island Nature Trust will illustrate this presentation with lots of PEI content on winter wildlife under the shelter of snow. January 14, 2014Chris Ortenburger's Update
(Apologies
for the length!) Deep water wells already an issue? - The Guardian Letter to the Editor
Published on January 09, 2014 I figured it is because we keep more stock and do more things with water than before. I had to put in a new well here at Pleasant Farm. I called for a quote and the well driller from the area said a well in Fernwood would be easy to do. He said he never had to drill beyond 80 feet. When the job got done he ended up drilling 180 feet to hit water. He was most apologetic and couldn't understand what happened. Here in greater metro Fernwood there were already three deep water wells, and all were being used daily - two were for irrigation of potato land and one is in the industrial park. I realize this is not hard scientific evidence that the water table is losing critical mass but I certainly wonder if there is a correlation. I am concerned that if Premier Robert Ghiz lifts the moratorium on deep water wells for irrigation of potato land then more people and industries that need water may not be able to get it. Moreover, if it turns into a drilling competition to secure water, how deep will my next well have to be? The last one nearly broke me. I am opposed to deep-water well irrigation.
Ranald MacFarlane,
Fernwood  From Daryl Guignion's presentation, "Why Fish Need Cool, Clear, Abundant Water":
In the end, a few weeks ago (December 15th), the board of the Watershed Alliance wrote a letter to the Environment Minister (last link on page of presentations' links) with this excerpt: But asking for tighter regulations.
 I was dismayed when I read that letter, as they seem to give it their blessing,
using the justification *if it's done properly* or somesuch; there was a
well-structured and -documented letter to Minister Sherry from the Central
Queens Branch of the PEI Wildlife Federation (West River Watershed Project)
sent a couple of weeks later:
"The arguments
presented by the potato industry favoring supplemental irrigation are based on
PEI potato yields measured against yields from other potato growing regions of
North America. Their implication was that irrigation will improve yields and
make the Island industry more competitive; however, the main competitive edge
derived by farmers from continental regions like Idaho is not their use of
irrigation, rather it is that their soil quality is superior (class I soils)
and that their growing season is longer than PEI’s. January 13, 2014Chris Ortenburger's Update:
Some rain, some melting; not too much, which is good.
Some mitigations are barely holding up :  And Transportation has let its guard down:   January 12, 2014Chris Ortenburger's UpdateSome rainy day reading on our fossil fuel dependence:Crying "Peak Oil is here!", or not, and the economic ramifications: http://www.thenation.com/article/177859/peak-oil-dead-long-live-peak-oil# Historical and social implications: http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/progressive-economics-forum/2014/01/staple-theory-50-bitumen-staple January 11, 2014
There
is a fundraiser for the family of Ron and Anne Arvidson, who have given so much
time and effort to Stop Plan B and many other causes, to help offset some
medical expenses.  ---------- Here is an event (presumably with tasty local food) that may be of interest if you are in a community supported agriculture group (CSA) or especially if you are curious about it: Community Supported Agriculture Workshop Wednesday,
February 5th,
4:00 to 7:30 p.m. "The workshop will highlight Community Supported Agriculture in Prince Edward Island as one viable option for sustainable production & distribution. It will provide PEI CSA producers an opportunity to share their knowledge and CSA customers/sharers will have a chance to share their experiences. And, it will showcase the individual CSA producers’ offerings and provide sign-up options." The workshop is sponsored by the PEI Food Security Network: Sustainable Production and Distribution Working Group. There is no charge but preregistration is required, before January 24, 2014. To preregister: Cooper Institute 894-4573 or cooperinstitute@eastlink.ca ---------- 14 Food Resolutions for 2014 - by Danielle Nierenberg
As we enter 2014, there are still nearly one billion people suffering from hunger. Simultaneously, 65 percent of the world's population live in countries where obesity kills more people than those who are underweight. But these are problems that we can solve and there's a lot to be done in the new year! 2014 was declared the International Year of Family Farming (IYFF) by the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Food Tank is honored and excited to be collaborating with FAO around highlighting how farmers are more than just food producers--they're teachers, innovators, entrepreneurs, environmental stewards, and change-makers! And negotiations are continuing around the new Sustainable Development Goals that will replace the Millennium Development Goals. It's our hope that the new goals will help not only reduce hunger and poverty, but find ways to improve nutrient density and improve farmers' livelihoods. In addition, the issue of food loss and food waste is gaining ground thanks to the U.N.'s Zero Hunger Challenge, which calls for zero food waste, as well as the good work of many organizations including the Natural Resources Defense Council, Feeding the 5000, the U.N. Environment Programme, and WastedFood.com who are showing eaters, businesses, and policy-makers solutions for ending waste in the food system. And youth are taking the lead in pushing for a more sustainable food system. Young people like Edward Mukiibi, who is helping Slow Food International's 1,000 Garden in Africa's program gain momentum. In addition, the Young Professionals for Agriculture Research and Development (YPARD) is helping connect agronomists, farmers, researchers, and activists around the world. Food Tank will also be announcing some exciting work around mobilizing youth in 2014! Through concrete action, hope and success in the food system is possible. As Nelson Mandela said, “sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great.”
Together we can be that generation and find solutions to nourish both people
and the planet! ---------- January 10, 2014
Chris Ortenburger's Update
Some events taking place in the next little while: http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/episodes/2013-2014/the-silence-of-the-labs January 9, 2014Chris Ortenburger's Update
Back to the land:
Acreage disappears in
farming statistics -The Guardian Letter to the EditorPublished on January 08, 2014
Some clarification is needed on the information provided to the Guardian by the
Department of Agriculture on Jan. 6, (This is the year of the Family Farm). It
stated that in recent decades the number of farms on P.E.I. has dropped from
15,000 to under 1,500. It also stated that the approximate size of the 15,000
farms was 90 acres, and that the average today is around 300 acres. Do the
math. That would mean there were 1,350,000 acres of ʻfarmlandʼ back when, and
only 450,000 today. What happened to the 900,000 acres unaccounted for? Someone
needs to go back to the drawing board. The article also repeated the common shibboleth that, “Todayʼs farms are much
more productive and efficient....” It raises the question as to whether the
loss of 13,500 farm units, and the “decline, if not the decimation of many
rural communities” should be described as efficient. The analysis from this
perch seems rather narrow. Surely in the big picture the transition has been hugely inefficient, and
detrimental to rural P.E.I. And, predictably, there is no mention of the hidden
cost of the degradation of Island soil that is the by-product of industrial
monoculture. At worst, the article was disingenuous. At best, confusing. Having said all that, one can only hope that it represents, policy-wise, some
small turning away from the present model of farming toward one that is more
friendly to both the land and those who farm. David Weale,
Charlottetown
Family farm in spotlight by UN decree - The Guardian EditorialPublished on January 07, 2014
2014 campaign to highlight potential to eradicate hunger, preserve resources Now, the United Nations has declared 2014 as the International Year of Family
Farming. The UN has launched a campaign to highlight the potential of family
farmers to eradicate hunger, preserve natural resources and promote sustainable
development. The designation is tailor-made for P.E.I., probably more so than
any other province in Canada because we have such a high percentage of our land
under cultivation. Itʼs true that many P.E.I. family farms have incorporated
for business and taxation reasons but families still own and operate those
farms which have been passed down from generation to generation. In a recent online survey conducted by the Task Force on Land Use Policy,
Islanders made it abundantly clear they stand shoulder to shoulder with P.E.I.ʼs
family farmers. There was a strong response to the survey indicating a keen
interest in the future of land use in the province. A key finding of the survey
indicated that a majority believe that the best farmland should be kept in
agriculture and not open for any kind of development. They want the family farm
to continue to be the guardian and custodian of the land and to pass it down to
following generations largely intact. January 8, 2014
Chris Ortenburger's Update
This is terribly long, but interesting, if you have a chance to read it. Reinventing Progressive Politics - by Murray Dobbin, rabble.ca
posted on rabble.ca in June of last year We are so accustomed to the connection between political parties and democracy that to question the relationship between the two might seem absurd. But for those who recognize the multiple crises faced by humanity -- the destruction of our environment, climate change, the ravages of unfettered finance capital, the undeniable limits to growth -- the failure of our liberal, multi-party democracies seems increasingly obvious. To many people -- the millions who can't even be bothered to vote -- they are simply irrelevant. Of course for the elites and the corporations that feed off it, the current system is working fine. Deregulation, privatization, high-end tax cuts and the Orwellian security state now being exposed in the U.S. all contribute to wealth and political power of the 1% (actually more like the 10%). While they still have to breathe the same polluted air as the rest of us, the elites believe they can somehow achieve immunity from the global forces now in play. Of course they are wrong. But so long as they believe they are right, the crises will continue to worsen and the rest of us will continue to suffer. The tragic irony in all this is that in most democracies the majority of people actually share values that, if they drove government policy, would begin to address the crises. But there is a persistent disconnect between what people want and what the system can deliver. The multi-party system is designed to be dominated by money and increasingly sophisticated marketing, micro-targeting and data-mining. Disengaged citizens haven't a prayer in dealing with the modern election machine. Left-wing parties try to play this game but inevitably come up short. The "game" has been designed not to represent the needs of people or communities but to manage capitalism in the interests of the elites. As soon as you accept the rules of this game, that is what you end up doing. The electoral contest is inherently corrupting of genuine democracy. Reflective of this decay of democracy is the recent BC election in which a totally bankrupt Liberal government won re-election against an NDP which thought it could stroll to power using the conventional machine approach to elections. But to truly draw upon people's progressive instincts you have to engage them at the community level year round. Just think of the odds against winning in the conventional BC contest: a totally hostile media which effectively operates like the propaganda arm of the Liberal Party, live-steaming neo-liberal ideology into every home every day of every year. Elections as we experience them are themselves apolitical. People are supposed to suddenly become informed citizens -- for one month every four years. There is no substantive dialogue with the citizenry. The parties are like alien entities that suddenly arrive in your living room, not to engage you but to somehow coax you into voting for them. Even working in elections is apolitical -- the NDP insists that its callers and door knockers not talk to people -- because they fear their own members are so ill-informed about its policies that they might say something to harm the campaign. The inevitable result of a progressive party adopting the election tactics and operating principles of its right-wing opponents is that it has to move to the right to be competitive. If you don't trust your support base or even your members to be progressive you have little choice. At the federal level a single policy area fatally reduces the NDP's capacity for progressive positions. The NDP refuses to seriously address the revenue/tax issue. Conservative and Liberal tax cuts have lopped off between $50 and $80 billion a year in revenue without which the NDP can do virtually nothing to reverse the dismantling of the social democratic features of the federal state. To be fair to the NDP the other missing element in national politics are robust, grassroots social and labour movements whose role it is to move the ideological and political goal posts to the left. With the aforementioned media ready and willing to trash any policy or party that steps outside the bounds of what is acceptable to Bay Street, it is not difficult to understand the NDP's reluctance to provide bold leadership on critical issues. Without social movements creating the political space an electoral machine party is vulnerable when it comes to taking bold positions. Two recent examples of the NDP taking advantage of political space created by social movement organizations demonstrate how it should work. Last year the NDP alarmed social activists with statements suggesting broad acceptance of corporate rights ("free trade") deals, including the odious CETA deal with the EU. But recently, both Don Davies the NDP trade critic and Mulcair himself have come out clearly against the investor-state provisions of these deals -- provisions that neutralize government's capacity for legislation by allowing corporations to sue governments directly for laws that affect their profitability. That change followed effective grass roots campaigns against CETA and FIPA, the 31-year deal with China. On the tax front the NDP has taken a strong position on the issue of tax havens. While this is an easy one to lead on (not even the Taxpayers Federation can find a way to defend crooks) the party's position is strongly reinforced by an effective campaign by the group Canadians for Tax Fairness. It remains to be seen if the party will take on tougher tax issues like increasing personal and corporate income taxes and whether the fair tax movement is there to back it up. While these are positive signs for progressive politics they are rearguard actions aimed primarily at stopping things from getting even worse. There is another political world out there that is the elephant in the room -- the need for a steady state, low growth economy, bringing finance capital to heel and dealing with the rapidly unfolding climate crisis. The formal political scene still operates as if it is business as usual, incapable in its current state of seriously addressing the most important issues facing humanity. At some point progressive forces are going to have to come to grips with the need to change the way they do politics both at the party level and the civil society level. Both branches of progressive politics are in desperate need of fundamental change though at this point there is little appreciation of this fact. It will require an enormous effort in both camps which have institutionalized their approaches to politics to such an extent they cannot see the need for change. It is difficult to imagine the NDP suddenly returning to its CCF roots and once again becoming a movement rooted in community. History does not move backwards and there is no grass roots push within the NDP membership for developing a movement/party that actually engages ordinary citizens on a year round basis. Similarly, the remnants of what were once robust and effective social movements are (with some important exceptions) increasingly weak, demoralized and isolated. Small wonder. The context for the creation of these single-issue movements was the early Trudeau era when governments actually listened to citizens' groups while expanding the social and economic role of governments. The efficacy of this kind of civil society organizing has however been in a steady decline since the signing of the FTA with the U.S. What is now needed is a broad social movement which incorporates all of the issues now dealt with by hundreds of disconnected organizations. It all has to do with recovering community and the commons. The destruction of community has been the great success of the right. When Margaret Thatcher stated there was "no such thing as society" she was not describing current reality -- she was describing her goal. It has been largely achieved in English speaking developed countries. If we are to even begin to address our share of the global crises we will have to do it by creating a political culture that reinvents the commons and ends people's isolation from each other. It's a difficult and long-term task -- likely as long as the right has been dominant. There is at least one reason for optimism on this front: the recent coming together of the CAW and CEP unions to launch Unifor billed as a reinvention of unionism, "for the unemployed and self-employed, a union for women and young workers -- a union for everyone." That sounds a lot like a union rooted not just in the workplace but in the community. It will, we can hope, be a challenge to the rest of the labour movement which finds itself in a state of near irrelevance in the struggle for a better world. But, how, in the next five to ten years, can civil society organize in such a way as to reverse the decline of community and transition from "silo" politics? A key to this goal is to be found at the level of civic politics. It is the level of government closest to people in their daily lives and presents a scale of politics with the most potential for community building. There are scattered efforts across the country to elect progressive councils but the left needs to focus serious resources and planning if civic politics is to become the battleground for changing the political culture. The right has already thrown down the gauntlet. Preston Manning's Centre for Building Democracy announced this spring that it is putting major resources into civic politics to help conservative candidates take over city and town councils across the country. It's the last field of battle for the hearts and minds of Canadians. We had better show up. Murray Dobbin is a guest senior contributing editor for rabble.ca, and has been a journalist, broadcaster, author and social activist for 40 years. He writes rabble's bi-weekly State of the Nation column, which is also found at The Tyee. Not an endorsement, but passing on an interesting point of view, from Monday's Guardian: Nuclear power best option for reliable electricity - The Guardian Letter of the Day
Published on January 06, 2014 A consensus among climate scientists indicates the need to quickly reduce burning of fossil fuels, particularly the dirtiest, coal. Many other forms of energy generation have their problems. The one green system that is a known technology with a very high safety record is nuclear power. It is high time for governments to bite the bullet and put in place an ambitious program of nuclear power construction across the country. This technology has been around for a long time, we know how to do it. We have the added advantage of making all these stations thorium powered, with vastly reduced radiation hazards and waste disposal problems. Thorium is abundant in Canada and we have the excellent CANDU reactor. All we need is political will and a rising level of community understanding of the whole picture, including the risks involved. This leads me to my one point of unease. Any system of power generation needs disciplined government oversight of safety standards. Having seen what slack safety standards can do in the Lac Megantic rail disaster leads me to think that nuclear power needs to wait until we get rid of the Harper government. This is a government which has shown a reluctance to apply strict oversight of the activities of corporations in the energy sector, and which has consistently attacked science and community access to its findings. This is serious.
Peter Noakes, Charlottetown January 7, 2014Chris Ortenburger's Update
Here is a round-up of some news items:
Farm Centre Associationʼs
planting seeds of a Legacy Farm - The Guardian article by Mary MacKayPublished on January 06, 2014 in The Guardian
The seeds for a long-lasting legacy will soon be planted by a new Farm Centre
Association initiative. “The whole idea of the Legacy Garden will be in keeping with the theme of 2014
so it will be honouring the past, giving recognition to the present and helping
to create a vision of the future for Island agriculture,” says Phil Ferraro,
general manager of the Farm Centre Association, which received funding from the
P.E.I. 2014 Fund. The association, which has partnered with the Agriculture Canada Research
Branch, the P.E.I. Food Exchange and The Culinary Institute of Canada, has obtained a long-term lease of the land, which is on
Charlottetown Experimental Farm property. "Another partner is the P.E.I. Food Exchange which became fairly well
known this past fall for going out and ʻgleaningʼ fields. After a farm
has been mechanically harvested theyʼll go in to pick food and give it away to
charity. Next year they will be growing food (in the Legacy Garden) as well as
gleaning from other farm fields.” The Culinary Institute will also have a garden plot and they will also be
hosting a series of dinners at the Farm Centre, which will be coupled with
events that all relate to Island agriculture and food security. In addition to Agriculture Canadaʼs extensive field plots where they will
demonstrate various crops that theyʼve developed on P.E.I. over the years,
there will be community gardens and research plots where new and
under-commercialized crops will be introduced to that people can see what
opportunities there may be to growing some of them. “If you look back at past events it used to be a place bus tours came, where
weddings were held, where special events occurred, so we hope to reinvigorate some
of that enthusiasm around the farm by having an area where we will certainly be
hosting events over the course of the year, but then in the future as the
orchard and gardens mature that people will want to utilize the space for their
events.” The half-acre community garden will be established this spring, as will a
half-acre orchard of various fruits and nuts. Shelterbelts will also be planted
to present an esthetically pleasing landscape as well as a productive
landscape. “So there might be an opportunity for tools and techniques for small farmers
and urban gardeners.” “Itʼs a very exciting endeavour. If you look at the original mandate of the
Farm Centre it was to be an event centre and a place to help bring together
urban and rural people . . . Somehow over the years it kind of lost that
vitality and became just an office building. So weʼre hoping to reinvigorate
the mandate of the Farm Centre as well as the heritage of the (experimental)
farm that had always been sort of a destination and celebratory site that was
unique in Canada.” January 6, 2014
Chris Ortenburger's Update
This is a list of environmental and democratic "highs and lows", in the view of Green Party leader Elizabeth May. Of course, some are partisan, but I have put in bold what I felt were most interesting observations: Source URL: http://elizabethmaymp.ca/news/blogs/2013/12/31/that-was-the-year-that-was-2013s-highs-and-lows/ That was the year that was…2013’s highs and lows - Elizabeth May's blog
by Elizabeth May; (posted) by Craig Cantin | December 31, 2013 8:38 pm I have been over the last few days, like most Canadians, getting the deluge of retrospectives on 2013. Rob Ford’s name looms large in these reviews, along with Duffy and Wallin, Senate expenses and shenanigans. This review will not mention those names. The highs and lows of 2013 as I saw them: The “Lows”
A federal document marked “secret” obtained by Postmedia News indicates the closure or destruction of more than half a dozen world famous science libraries has little if anything to do with digitizing books as claimed by the Harper government. In fact, the document, a compendium of cuts to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans that can be read in its entirety at the bottom of this story, mentions only the “culling of materials” as the “main activities” involved as the science libraries are reduced from nine to two. Specifically, it details “culling materials in the closed libraries or shipping them to the two locations and culling materials in the two locations to make room for collections from closed libraries.”In contrast, a government website says the closures are all about digitizing the books and providing greater access to Canadians — a claim federal and retired scientists interviewed by The Tyee say is not true.”
The “Highs”
So Ring in the New Year!! Let’s hope for
more “highs” than “lows” in 2014! Let's hope the freezing rain isn't too bad and the spell of warm temperatures eases the snow load on the trees. January 4, 2014Chris Ortenburger's UpdateThis gem of a piece by Marie Burge was in Monday's Guardian, and it is certainly worth a thoughtful read or re-read. The last paragraphs are in bold because they wrap the issue up so well. http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/Opinion/Letter-to-editor/2013-12-30/article-3560011/Electoral-democracy%2C-salesmanship%2C-or-the-games-people-play/1
Electoral democracy, salesmanship, or the games people play - The Guardian Guest Opinion by Marie BurgePublished on December 30, 2013
Election of politicians, though important, is not a significant measure of how
well democracy is working. In fact, party politics in the current electoral
system is often self-serving and does not engage citizens or communities for
the long run. Democracy, meant to provide wide representation of the people,
would be better served by a carefully designed system of proportional
representation. January 3, 2014Chris Ortenburger's Update
As you have probably already heard, 2014 has been declared by the United Nation
as the year of the family farm Why Ruin a Good Thing - The Guardian Letter to the EditorPublished on Janaury 2, 2014
Recently, it has come to my attention that we as a society are starting to
neglect the obvious importance of our farmland in Canada. Without our farmers,
we would be forced to eat products from foreign countries and would no longer
have the option to go buy fresh products from a local Farmerʼs Market. In Canada, we are fortunate enough to be able to eat from our own land and
produce a huge variety of crops. Why ruin it? Agriculture is part of our heritage. It would be a shame to lose a part of our
history. Today, less than two per cent of the countryʼs employment is in the
agriculture sector. This means that one in 50 working people are responsible
for some sort of food production. These people should be honoured. They are
given almost nothing for their very important contributions. Canada is one of
the largest agricultural producers and exporters in the world. This must, and I
repeat must, be sustained. According to the Huffington Post, North America was
losing two acres a day of farmland due to development. Finally, buy local. I cannot stress enough the importance of farmland. Without
it, Canada would be an entirely different place. We need to stop taking it for
granted and support our farmers. Rosalie OʼHara,
UPEI student January 2, 2014
Chris Ortenburger's UpdateWell, if David Suzuki says we should, then we should: Let's celebrate the gifts of winter - David Suzuki's blogfrom David Suzuki Foundation's blog of December 19, 2013, found here with
working links: We Canadians have a special relationship with snow and ice. We ski in it, skate on it, play in it, shovel it, drive through it, sometimes even bicycle through it and suffer through it for many months of the year - some of us more than others, depending on what part of the country we call home. But how much do we know about it? Do Inuit really have dozens of words for snow and ice? Are snowflakes always six-sided? Can two ever be alike? Why is snow white? Is it a mineral? What makes frozen water so important to us? Some of the answers are more complicated than you might imagine. Even though English-speaking skiers and snowboarders use multiple adjectives to more accurately describe different types of snow, such as powder, corn and champagne, some say the claim of numerous Inuit words for snow and ice is a myth. But is it? According to the Canadian Encyclopedia, "the few basic words used by the Inuit to refer to different types of snow or ice do not translate everything they can say about these two natural elements." In Inuktitut, words consist of a foundational element that provides basic meaning, along with other elements "to clarify and/or modify the basic meaning. New words can therefore easily be created from another term." For example, the word siku refers to ice in general, and sikuaq ("small ice") refers to "the first layer of thin ice that forms on puddles in the fall." Sikuliaq ("made ice") refers to "the new ice appearing on the sea or on rock surfaces." Some words also have broader meanings, depending on the context. The word maujaq, for example, means "soft ground", but when referring to snow, it means "the snow in which one sinks." So, "the total number of terms referring to the various aspects of snow and ice goes far beyond ten or a dozen," allowing Inuit to "draw very subtle distinctions between a very high number of snow or ice types." When it accumulates on the ground, snow appears white because, unlike many natural materials, it reflects most light rather than absorbing it, and visible light is white. And although snowflakes form in near-infinite patterns and shapes depending on temperature, wind, humidity and even pollution, each single crystal is always hexagonal, or six-sided, because of the complex way water molecules bond. When a frozen droplet or crystal falls from a cloud, it grows as it absorbs and freezes water from the air around it, forming a six-sided prism. The almost infinite variables mean it's unlikely, although not impossible, for two snowflakes to be exactly alike. And yes, snow can be classified as a mineral. According to the U.S. National Snow and Ice Data Center, "A mineral is a naturally occurring homogeneous solid, inorganically formed, with a definite chemical composition and an ordered atomic arrangement." Frozen water fits that description. Snow and ice are important to life on Earth for many reasons. Both are part of the cryosphere, which includes "portions of the earth where water is in solid form, including snow cover, floating ice, glaciers, ice caps, ice sheets, seasonally frozen ground and perennially frozen ground (permafrost)," according to the Snow and Ice Data Center. It covers 46 million square kilometres of the planet's surface, mostly in the Northern Hemisphere, and helps regulate the planet's surface temperature. Changes in the cryosphere can affect climate and water availability, with corresponding effects on everything from winter sports to agriculture. By reflecting 80 to 90 per cent of incoming sunlight back into the atmosphere, snow cover cools the Earth. Losing that reflective protection, as is happening in the Arctic, upsets the energy balance and accelerates global warming. Snow also insulates parts of the Earth's surface, holding heat in and keeping moisture from evaporating. When soil freezes, it prevents greenhouse gases like carbon and methane from escaping into the atmosphere. When snow melts, it fills rivers and lakes. Instead of complaining about the dark and cold of winter, we should celebrate snow and ice. The cryosphere is an important piece of the intricate, interconnected puzzle that keeps us alive. So, build a snowperson, play some hockey, get out on the slopes and enjoy the gifts that winter brings. By David Suzuki with contributions from Ian Hanington, Senior Editor I didn't know about the part of the Earth's surface called
the cryosphere (from the Greek word for cold/ice/frozen),
and its affects modulating climate change. More photos of the current
state of the cryosphere are here: January 1, 2014Chris Ortenburger's Update
Happy
New Year, everyone! Task Force interested in Islandersʼ viewpoints - The Guardian Letter of the DayPublished on December 31, 2013
The Land Use Policy Task Force has published its survey results: Why did so few Islanders participate in this exercise? Were we all made aware
of the opportunity? If not, why not? If we were aware and chose not to get
involved, was it because of the perception that government will do what it
wants and our opinions donʼt matter? In recent past that seems to have been the
case. When we are given the opportunity to interface with government we must make use
of it. If not, decisions will be made for us, and will not necessarily reflect
the needs or wishes of all Islanders. Boyd Allen, Catherine OʼBrien, Sorry, but that’s all for 2013 folks - The Eastern Graphic "The view from Here" by Jack MacAndrewPublished December 31, 2013
It is that time of year when many in the journalism racket make up lists about
the best and worst of this or that, or select athletes of the year, and
otherwise write stuff that’s easy to come by when the world (or at least our
miniscule part of it) slows down long enough to reflect a bit about where we’ve
been and what we’re headed for. This was pissing on the leg of the body politic in no uncertain
terms. It was a profligate spending of more than $20 million to build a bit of
highway that will permit large trailer trucks to drive even faster, so as to
cut about 20 seconds off travel time getting their loads of whatever to and
from Charlottetown. You heard the word mitigate being used a lot by Mr Vessey and other government
big shots as the natural beauty of the Bonshaw Hills was gouged away, as in,
not to worry, we have plans to mitigate any environmental damage etc, etc. If you haven’t checked your dictionary lately, what it means is “to make less
harsh, severe or alleviate” any damage caused by said construction/destruction. Indeed, sorry is a sorry apology. The only acceptable apology is action. Shaun Atleo, a little guy with a lot of moxie
and a big title as National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, isn’t a bit
sorry for comparing the treatment of Aboriginal people by the Canadian
government through the years and continuing into the present to that of
Apartheid in South Africa. He was a member of the Canadian delegation to South Africa for the ceremony
occasioned by the death of Nelson Mandela. Oops, sorry. But it’s true. Bureaucrats from the Department
of Indian Affairs met with counterparts from South Africa, and elements of
Canada’s Indian Act were incorporated into apartheid, including the requirement
that black South Africans required a pass to leave their town or village. Happy New Year. That’s the view from here. |
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