Burlington'sTrumpeter Swans

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Trumpeter Swans were extirpated in Ontario with the last recorded Trumpeter Swan being shot at Long Point in 1886. A restoration effort began in 1982 bringing the population back to approximately 800 to1000 swans.

Approximately 25% of the provincial flock has chosen LaSalle Park in Burlington as their wintering habitat.

• Swans require open water to feed, bathe and rest, they also require minimum radius of 100 meters for take-offs and landings.

• LaSalle Park Marina is currently working on a plan to expand the marina to 340 permanent boat slips with a fixed wave break in their current wintering habitat. This could result in a negative impact, devastating to this fragile population. The development could reduce their feeding and wintering site, resulting in overcrowding and increasing the potential for disease.

 

What Can You Do? Take Action!

 

• Contact Burlington's  Mayor & City Councillors to share your viewpoint

 

• Encourage your friends, family & others in your neighbourhood to become involved to speak up on this issue.

 

• You can learn more about this important issue below and you can add your viewpoint in the comments section at the bottom of this article. You can meet Beverly  at our March 20 Eco-Film Festival - learn more HERE.

 

From: The Ontario Trumpeter Swan Restoration Group

November 29 2012

One quarter of Ontario's rare Trumpeter Swans are being threatened by a proposed marina expansion at LaSalle Park in Burlington, Ontario.

Trumpeter swans were hunted out of existence in the Province with the last one being shot at Long Point in 1886. Almost 100 years later, in 1982, they were reintroduced in the Province by retired Ministry of Natural Resources Biologist Harry Lumsden who gathered a dedicated team of volunteers to raise Trumpeter Swan cygnets from eggs flown in from B.C. and Alaska.

"It would be a tragedy if these majestic birds were to disappear again," says Beverly Kingdon, a volunteer with the Ontario Trumpeter Swan Restoration Group (OTSRG) who has been tagging and collecting data on the swans, who overwinter at LaSalle Park, since 1993.

She notes that it has taken 30 years of dedicated work by a handful of volunteers to achieve a self-sustaining population of 1,000 Trumpeter Swans in the Province. To have the 200 plus swans who have selected LaSalle Park as their ideal winter home put in jeopardy, for the benefit of boaters who could avail themselves of many other marina options, doesn't sit well with her.

"What has been proposed will make it impossible for the swans to over-winter there," she says and with so much development around the lake, there are few other options for them.

"The most serious threat to our fragile population of Trumpeter Swans in this Province is the loss of wintering habitat to expanding human populations," notes Kingdon. Urban expansion, rural residential development and recreation often preferentially occur in and adjacent to environments preferred by swans; namely large, clean, calm and productive water bodies. The LaSalle Marina project is a perfect example how habitat loss can impact a threatened species.

Development plans that concern the OTSRG include:

Construction Schedule —Trumpeter swans arrive in LaSalle in late October/earlyNovember and leave in March. Currently, construction has been scheduled for September to December.

A wavebreak — Without the movement of waves the water in LaSalle harbour will freeze, making it impossible for the swans to feed. Mechanical aerators have been proposed to keep the water open but they have a history of failure.

A permanent wavebreak and longer dock — this will confine the swans in a smaller area and not allow them the space they need to land and take-off. Trumpeter swans require a large open radius of 100 meters for running take-offs and landings as they are a 747-sizedbird with an 8-foot wing span. As well, the undisturbed open water area must be adequate to allow the swans to feed, rest and bathe during the day and have night resting space. As the largest swan in the world they do not huddle like ducks and have personal, territorial space needs.

Any change to water level — Trumpeter Swans tip their heads to gather food, they arenot divers so they need open shallow water of a feeding depth no deeper that 3 ½ feet. 

Including berths for personal watercraft — the use of seadoos and the like is not compatible with swans. These noisy machines will cause more disturbance than the swans can bear, plus PWC riders are active for a much longer season than sailboaters,riding in October and November and March and April when the swans are still in the area.

 Increased traffic on the beach area — The swans also require sufficient day time land resting area and currently use the entire beach area adjacent to the boardwalk.

The OTSRG has brought their concerns to the attention of Burlington's Council, City staff, the consultants for the marina project and the Burlington Waterfront Committee but so far, they have not seen any substantive changes to the plan that would protect this critical Trumpeter Swan habitat.

The loss of this flock would also be a great loss to research into Trumpeter Swans. "The concentration of winter swans at LaSalle Park is not available anywhere else in Canada," says Kingdon.

The information collected by OTSRG over the past 30 years, including data on their movements, productivity and survival totalling more than 50,000 records that is housed in a database at the University of Guelph, has provided invaluable information for scientists.

Kingdon says the Trumpeter Swans have also become a popular attraction on the Burlington lakefront for citizens with many people visiting the area just to enjoy the sight of these majestic birds.

"I think if the public understood what a significant threat this marina project is to the swans, they would protest, but most people I've talked to don't even know about it," says Kingdon.

For more information please contact:

Beverly Kingdon

Ontario Trumpeter Swan Restoration Group

5024 Cenaber Court,

Burlington, Ontario L7L 5G

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

905-637-8032

 

 

Say NO to local tar sands oil....

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What is Enbridge’s Pipeline 9 Project? 

 

Enbridge has applied to the National Energy Board (NEB) to transport tar sands oil from Alberta to Montreal by reversing the direction and increasing the flow rate through an existing pipeline that runs through Ontario’s most populated corridor, including across the Niagara Escarpment in Burlington.

 

Why should you be concerned?

• If there is a leak or spill, there could be devastating impacts on our community’s land and water and potentially the health of citizens.

•           Line 9 is 37 years old and, with the limitations of the NEB’s process, only the minor construction required at the terminals is subject to full environmental assessment, not an assessment of the integrity of this aged pipeline to withstand higher flow rates and tar sands oil.

•      Enbridge needs to be held to the highest standards of safe operation possible to minimize damage when leaks occur on Line 9.

 

•      With the bigger picture in mind, this is just one project where we need to ask everyone to look at alternatives and help accelerate the switch from fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources. This includes slowing down the race to deplete tar sands oil which has been described as the most polluting fossil fuel extraction process on the planet.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS:

May 14 -   Deadline for Information requests to Enbridge by those with NEB-approved Intervenor status.

 

May 28 -   Enbridge to respond to information requests posed by NEB-approved Intervenors. 

 

June 25 - Enbridge to respond to follow up information requests by Intervenors.

 

July 9 -     Participant Letters of Comment due to be considered by the NEB.

 

Aug 26-30 - Final Oral Arguments at the NEB hearing with decision to follow.

CALL TO ACTION - HOW YOU CAN HELP...

 

Please contact our elected officials to share your concerns about this important issue. You can be part of deciding Burlington's next steps to let Enbridge know Ontario's Escarpment is no place for tar sands oil to travel.

You can contact Halton Chair Carr, Mayors & City Councillors and Halton Provincial MPPs along the Line 9 right of way including Flamborough  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  , Halton  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , Burlington  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  , Oakville  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  and Ontario Environment Minister  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  ; and Federal MPs Burlington This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   and Halton  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

BurlingtonGreen has volunteer Eco Teams that focus on a variety of environmental topics like this one. We invite you to get involved. You can learn more HERE. 

 

The Timeline to Date:

April 19 – new deadline for completion of NEB participation application

April 9 - Telephone Town Hall discussion by Environmental Defence - click HERE for details

Also, check out this article:  "New undemocratic rules create barrier to public participation in upcoming pipeline hearings: a consequence of weakened federal environmental laws under Bill C-38" HERE

April 8 -  Burlington City Council to vote on Development &Infrastructure Committee’s recommendations at the regular City Council meeting at Burlington City Hall Council Chambers

April 5 – NEB hearing participation application form released. Click HERE to for a copy of the form.

March 25 – City of Burlington’s Development & Infrastructure Committee accepts all staff recommendations to seek participant status to submit letter of comment on this issue and to continue to collaborate with other engaged municipalities. You can see the City’s staff report HERE and BurlingtonGreen’s delegation HERE.

March 21 – Enbridge presented to Conservation Halton at their public board meeting.  On the basis of a staff report, the Board approved non-participation in the hearing process.  BurlingtonGreen members attended the meeting, submitted a letter prior asking that Conservation Halton help to facilitate participant inquiries where they can, and included a list of questions to ask Enbridge officials.

March 21 - Deadline to comment on the NEB hearing issues. Click HERE to see the issues and HERE to see the additional information the NEB is asking Enbridge to provide as a result of their review of Enbridge’s application and HERE to see the full NEB Hearing Order.

 

February 22, 2013: City of Toronto Council authorized the city’s legal staff to take part in hearings on the proposal.

February 20, 2013: Responses received from only 3 officials regarding BurlingtonGreen's February 19^th letter.  (MP Wallace, Councillor Dennison & Councillor Meed-Ward responded)

February 19, 2013: BurlingtonGreen sent a letter to all of Burlington's elected officials and Halton Region Chair Carr sharing our concerns.

Feb. 19, 2013: NEB Hearing Order issued requiring economic, environmental and social assessment of only the 4 pumping stations along the 639 km route and not the pipeline itself under written evidence and oral final argument.

Feb 7, 2013:  Volunteers from BurlingtonGreen attended a public meeting held at City Hall where Enbridge representatives provided a presentation of their proposal.  Click here to see the list of questions BurlingtonGreen forwarded to the City of Burlington to provide to Enbridge.

Feb. 1, 2013: NEB announces intervenor funding is available.

Jan. 26, 2013: What a great turnout ! Thank you to everyone who attended the  screening of the documentary “I Am” on January 26, 2013 at Central Library, and those who participated in the march to Spencer Smith Park to further raise awareness of Enbridge’s Line 9 Project. To read more about the event click here.

Jan. 23, 2013: Response from Minister representative saying the issue is an interprovincial matter and under federal jurisdiction only. Letter HERE.

Jan. 8, 2013: BurlingtonGreen asked the Ontario Minister of the Environment to exercise his authority under the Environmental Assessment Act to require Enbridge to conduct an environmental assessment for this project to assure all communities along the 830 kilometer right-of-way that the integrity of the pipeline is adequate and that risks can be mitigated to the extent possible. You can see a copy of the letter HERE .  

December 19, 2012: The NEB determined that the Enbridge application was complete and ready to proceed to assessment, and that there will be a public hearing under an order dated Feb. 19, 2013. You can see a description and status report of the NEB approval process HERE.

Dec. 10, 2012: Second delegation for the City Council meeting indicating pertinent next steps HERE..

Dec. 4, 2012: Follow up letter HERE from BurlingtonGreen to City Council. 

Dec. 3, 2012: BurlingtonGreen’s delegation to the City of Burlington Development and Infrastructure Committee.  Delegation presentation HERE.

Nov. 29, 2012: Enbridge submitted an application to reverse the flow in Line 9B to the National Energy Board

October, 2012 and earlier: BurlingtonGreen volunteers have been researching, sharing information with the City of Burlington and Halton environment community groups, communicating our concerns, and suggesting key next steps the City, people and organizations can take regarding the Enbridge Line 9B project application.

More Information:

"Our research on this issue thus far has identified many significant concerns and a range of unanswered questions. Everyone in Burlington should be made aware of this proposal and the associated potential risks. Oil spills can and have happened resulting in devastating implications," says Amy Schnurr, Executive Director of BurlingtonGreen

“On the evening of July 25th of 2010 in Marshall, Michigan, Enbridge’s Line 6b oil pipeline ruptured, causing the most expensive pipeline oil spill in recorded U.S. history. Despite numerous warnings and alarm and contrary to their own rules, Enbridge restarted the pipeline twice, failing to discover the leak until the next day. By the time Enbridge finally did staunch the flow, they had spilled more than 3 million litres of diluted tar sands bitumen (known as dilbit) into the Kalamazoo River, sickening hundreds of nearby residents and fouling 55km of the river downstream.” (Environmental Defence)

BurlingtonGreen has been proactive with direct actions to bring this issue to the attention of citizens, City and Regional Council, and has requested the Ontario Environment Minister request a full provincial environmental assessment. Volunteers from BurlingtonGreen attended a public meeting held at City Hall on Feb 7, 2013 where Enbridge representatives provided a presentation of their proposal and audience members were provided with the opportunity to ask questions. Click here to see the list of questions BurlingtonGreen forwarded to the City of Burlington to provide to Enbridge.

On February 19, 2013 we sent this letter to Burlington's elected officials and Halton Region Chair Carr sharing our concerns, seeking their collective action on this issue with an objective to safeguard the interests of the people and environment of Burlington.

To learn more about this important issue, please read further below....

 

WHAT IS THIS ISSUE ABOUT?

 

Enbridge wants to provide a route for diluted bitumen by reversing the flow through it's 37 year old Line 9 pipeline that runs from Sarnia to Hamilton's Westover Station, through Flamborough then between 1st and 2nd Lines in Burlington.

• The project application request is to transport oil products originating from Alberta to Sarnia and Hamilton terminals (Line 9A already approved), and now to reverse the flow of section Line 9B across the rest of Flamborough, Halton, and the highly populated GTA and through to Montreal refineries, and in future through to Portland, Maine ports to Texas refineries. A change in tariff has also been requested so the entire pipeline will be permitted to transport diluted bitumen in addition to lighter crude products.

 

 

 

It will cross several watersheds flowing from the Escarpment and Mount Nemo, including Bronte Creek, to Lake Ontario. The line continues across Halton, Peel and Toronto enroute to two Montreal refineries.

 

 

 

Residents across Ontario need to get informed and get involved in this issue to ensure that the health of our communities and ecosystems are not put at risk.

 

 

SOME KEY CONCERNS:

• Line 9B pipeline is already past its original life expectancy, the pipe integrity has not been established
• Capacity and flow rate would increase
• Line 9B crosses significant Halton creeks and would impact watersheds and quickly flow all the way to Lake Ontario to our drinking water intake pipes if a rupture were to occur
• US Federal regulators are still investigating if diluted bitumen is corrosive and has been a causal factor in recent major spills in Wisconsin and Michigan
• Local emergency preparedness, first responders, and water treatment plant operators need to provide input on potential incident costs and remediation required
• Local infrastructure investment is supporting the tar sands and fossil fuel industry instead of being directed into renewable alternatives
• Enbridge has requested the NEB approve exempting the project from a full public hearing

You can also look to supportive partner Environmental Defence for template letters  and further background on this very important issue.

 

Burlington Trees Need Protection

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Did you know that unlike some other municipalities like Oakville and Toronto, Burlington has no bylaw to protect our many beautiful trees located on private properties? 

 

 

BurlingtonGreen believes the trees need to be protected NOW, before it is too late. As our City approaches growth capacity, development pressures continue to climb and more trees are being cut down. We are advocating for the establishment of an effective tree private property tree bylaw.

The City of Burlington wants to hear from YOU on this important issue. Click here to learn more about their current Private Tree By-law feasibility review and be sure to speak up for the trees.

Speak up for the trees:

• provide your input to the City of Burlington as part of their current Private Tree By-law feasibility review here.
• share your valuable input with the people of Burlington (send a letter to the Burlington Post )
• share your thoughts on the Mayor's blog here.
• share your concerns with all our city's leaders (phone ,email them all) More here.
• share your thoughts with us and our web visitors by entering your comments in the form fields below. You can read some posted comments at the bottom the page here.                                                                                                     
  

 

WHY WE SHOULD PROTECT OUR TREES....

Here is a letter published on August 22, 2012  in the Burlington Post from BG President Ken Woodruff:

 

Trees a ‘huge part of city architecture’

BurlingtonGreen is pleased that residents and the Burlington Post have brought back the dialogue on private tree protection in Burlington.

It is apparent to many residents that decisions by former city councils to stop an effective tree bylaw have resulted in too many mature trees being lost. We must ensure city resources are in place to properly manage an effective private property tree bylaw. Trees are a huge part of Burlington’s “architecture” and contribute greatly to our air quality in a time of increasing air pollution. It should be our common priority to invest in trees and to protect them.

We acknowledge private land is a sensitive subject, but we have to look at it in context. Burlington already has many bylaws in place that restrict actions on private property to ensure consistent neighbourhood appeal and to protect the greater community against environmental degradation and financial harm. We argue that if effective tree protection is enacted by council, it will be one of the most significant bylaws we have that offers protection for the environment and property values.

Any reasonable citizen acknowledges the environmental value of trees is extremely significant. We would add the economic benefit of creating this bylaw would also be substantial. Statistics show neighbourhoods with mature trees garner higher selling prices. One homeowner cutting down a large tree can have a direct adverse financial impact on six or more neighbouring homes, not to mention the overall appeal of the neighbourhood. Privacy is another feature that increases home values and large trees can provide 60 per cent more privacy compared to a fence alone.

We urge you to join the dialogue about preserving trees in our city. Please let your councillor know your concerns and/or respond to this letter.

Property owners are stewards of Burlington’s mature trees. No one truly owns them, for they really belong to the community and our future generations.

Ken Woodruff, President BurlingtonGreen

 

Some background info:

• Members of BurlingtonGreen delegated before members of Council on this issue and the Urban Forest Management Plan at City hall on Wednesday, November 14, 2012. Click here to review a copy of the presentation.

 

• What was the outcome? Good news: the Mayor and Members of Council agreed to direct staff to advance research on a private tree bylaw in 2013 versus delaying the research until 2016. You can review the City staff report and recommendations to advance research for a private tree bylaw here. Report Appendix document is here.

 

2010:

After participating in stakeholder workshops and offering input to the development of a proposed Urban Forest Management Plan by the City of Burlington, BurlingtonGreen presented to the Mayor and members of Council at their Community Services Committee meeting on June 23, 2010. To read our presentation, click here. We encourage you to review the UFMP document on the city website.

"The purpose of the Plan is to increase urban forest management effectiveness and efficiency, improve tree health and diversity, minimize risks to the pubic, and maximize the benefits provided by a healthy and sustainable urban forest.

The Draft Plan includes a vision and identifies opportunities on both public and private lands, in urban and rural Burlington focusing on five key areas:

(1) Management and Implementation,

(2) Community Engagement and Stewardship,

(3) Protection and Preservation,

(4) Replenishment and Enhancement, and

(5) Tree Health and Risk Management.

Recommendations for each of these areas have been developed and assigned priorities within the Plan’s 20-year framework, with many targeted for completion during the first five-year period." (City of Burlington)

In 2010 BurlingtonGreen asked the City Forester the following questions:

1. How are trees on private properties currently being protected in Burlington?

Response:  Trees in woodlots of over one hectare fall under Halton Region’s Tree By-law 121-05. This by-law is a tool to prevent the clear-cutting of woodlands and regulates the destruction of trees by requiring good forestry practices during tree harvesting activities. http://www.halton.ca/common/pages/UserFile.aspx?fileId=18412

Through the city’s development process guidelines, private trees are considered for preservation and preservation plans are requested.

Boundary trees are protected under the Forestry Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. F. 26

City trees are protected under tree by-law 19-1975. ~ Rick Lipsitt

For more information on the Urban Forest Management Plan Study and how you can share your input contact Rick Lipsitt, City Forester, at 905-333-6145 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Call to Action : STOP the Escarpment Highway !

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Despite then Transportation Minister Wynne's pre-election promise not to build the Niagara to GTA highway, the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has moved forward with plans full speed ahead. This fall the MTO will present current Transport Minister Chiarelli with the preferred route.

WE CANT LET THIS HAPPEN !

Please help. Tell the Minister we don't need or want a highway. It's easy to do and the collective effort could stop this highway from cutting through our beautiful escarpment lands.

Visit the Stop Escarpment Highway Coalition website (SEHC) to learn more about how you can speak up and offer your support . Click HERE

A Local Voice for the Environment

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Some of the issues BurlingtonGreen has advocated for to date include.....

 

 

 

 

2013

 

• March 21, 2013 - letter submission to Conservation Halton Board regarding Enbridge Line 9 Pipeline proposal (letter)
  

 

• Feb 26, 2013 - delegation at City Hall re: transit (delegation)

 

• Feb 19, 2013 Letter to Burlington Leaders re: Enbridge pipeline proposal (letter)

 

• Jan 9, 2013 - Input to City re: Artificial Turf Strategy report (email)

 

• Jan 8 , 2013 - letter to Minister of the Environment re: proposed Enbridge Pipeline project  (letter) 

 

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2012

 

• December 10, 2012 - Delegation to City Council with new information on the Enbridge Line (delegation)

 

• December 4, 2012 -  Letter to City Council to follow up on committee discussion of Enbridge Line 9b NEB application (letter)

 

• December 3, 2012 -  Delegation regarding Enbridge Line 9b flow reversal application to the National Energy Board and potential risk to Halton (delegation)

 

• November 26, 2012 - Submission to City regarding Official Plan Workplan Review (submission)

 

• November 14, 2012 - delegation re: input on City's Urban Forest Management Plan (delegation)

 

• August 17, 2012 - follow up letter re: tree protection in Burlington (letter)

 

• July 9 , 2012 - letter to Council regarding recommendation to cancel Waterfront Protection Advisory Commitee (letter)

 

• June 11, 2012 - letter to Council regarding cancellation of pier wind turbine (letter)

 

• May 30,  2012 - letter to Council regarding pier wind turbine facts (letter)

 

• April 30, 2012 - delegation to Council regarding cancellation of pier wind turbine (delegation)

 

• April 10, 2012 - Community Energy Plan (delegation)

 

• March 19, 2012 - delegation to Council regarding redirection of funds from transit to road paving (delegation)

 

• March 19, 2012 - delegation to Council regarding Burlington Transit Master Plan. - delegation

 

• January 13, 2012 - letter to Council regarding Drury Lane pedestrian bridge to support a pedestrian friendly city - letter

 

• January 10, 2012 - BurlingtonGreen letter to Burlington Mayor & Council requesting support to stop the use of hydrofluorosilicic acid (HFSA) to fluoridate public drinking water - letter

 

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2011

• December 19, 2011 - BurlingtonGreen input to City of Burlington regarding surplus school lands- letter

 

• December 14, 2011 - Halton Regional Council Meeting: Stop Escarpment Highway Coalition (SEHC) Delegation

 

• December 12, 2011 - Ontario Zero Waste Coalition letter to the Premier of Ontario -letter

 

• November 15, 2011 - Input regarding City of Burlington's Green Procurement Policy: letter

 

• October 24, 2011 - School Surplus Site Draft Criteria: delegation

 

• September 28, 2011 - Ontario Zero Waste Coalition letter to Provincial election candidates: letter

 

• September 26, 2011 - comments submitted to City of Burlington regarding Draft Strategic Plan document-letter

 

• August 31, 2011 - follow-up delegation to Burlington Council regarding Community Garden partnership proposal - delegation

 

• June 1, 2011 - delegation to Burlington Council regarding Community Garden partnership proposal - delegation

 

• May 31, 2011 - delegation to Burlington Council regarding Draft Strategic Land Acquisition Policy - delegation

 

• May 31, 2011 - delegation to Burlington Council regarding Community Energy - delegation

 

• April 20, 2011 - delegation re: Burlington Beach Master Plan Review Workplan - delegation
  

• March 28, 2011 - delegation (originally to be presented March 7) to Burlington Council regarding financial support for Randle Reef Clean-up - delegation
  

• March 21, 2011 - (artificial turf continued)Response letter to BurlingtonGreen from City staff - letter (note: Council votes in support of staff recommendation to proceed with artificial turf installation at Norton Park)
  

• March 20, 2011 - Letter to City Staff and members of Councill regarding Council's March 9 unanimous support to proceed with installation of artificial turf at Norton Park-letter
  

• March 17, 2011 - Coalition letter to Halton Councillors regarding fluoride in municipal waters - letter

 

• March 9, 2011 - Letter to City Staff, Mayor and members of council following up on January 20 letter (above) regarding staff recommendation to install artificial turf at Norton Park - letter

• March 7, 2011 - Randle Reef remediation -DEFERRED ITEM AT CDC - BurlingtonGreen viewpoint
  

• March 7, 2011 - BrightSky Power presentation to CDC regarding State of the Environment IV energy related recommendation-powerpoint slides
  

• March 7, 2011 - presentation to Burlington Community Development Committee regarding State of the Environment IV prepared by the Sustainable Development Committee - delegation
  

• January 20, 2011 - letter to City staff, Mayor and members of Council regarding need for more research and citizen engagement regarding artificial turf use in Burlington - letter
  

• January, 2011 -presentation to Burlington Council regarding Burlington suggestions for strategic planning process - pdf presentation
  

• January 3, 2011-letter to Regional Council regarding removal of fluoride from Halton Region water - letter

 

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2010

• November 17, 2010 - Update on the Process to Develop Halton Regional Council’s 2011 – 2014 Strategic Work Plan-delegation
  

• October 29, 2010 - Eco-fees letter to the Province

• August, 2010 - Rules Proposed for Off-Shore Wind Turbines -letter to Province

• presentation to the Halton District School Board regarding their decision to sell the parklands at General Brock/Gary Allan school; presentation and delegation to City of Burlington regarding acquisition of property; presentation

• July 12 week - collection of comments submiited re: Climate Change Summit, Quarterly Environment report, Clean Air Council Declaration, smoking ban on outdoor properties and the Ministry of Transportation's proposed Niagara to GTA Corridor

• July 12, 2010 - submission to City of Burlington Community Development Committee re: Proposed Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments - “Back to Back” Townhouse and Townhouse Regulations

• June 23, 2010 - presentation to City of Burlington Community Services Committee regarding the proposed Urban Forest Management Plan

• April 19, 2010 - presentation to City of Burlington Community Development Committee regarding the promotion of Sustainable Building Features for private development

• April 19, 2010 - presentation to City of Burlington Community Development Committee in support of City signing Declaration and taking action on Countdown to Save Biodiversity

• April 19, 2010 - presentation to City of Burlington Community Development Committee in support of Corporate Sustainability Building Policy

• March 31, 2010 - letter forwarded to members of Council regarding proposed Emerald Ash Borer treatment process.

• March 29, 2010 presentation to City of Burlington Community Development Committee in support of a downtown market to support local food initiative

• March 24, 2010 presentation to Region of Halton Admin & Finance Committee regarding Renewable Energy Co-op initiative

• letter to Burlington's Budget & Corporate Services Committee regarding funding support for Zero Waste program

• Feb 9, 2010 presentation at City Hall supporting the recommendation to restrict the sale of bottled water at city facilities. presentation & staff report

• Joined Environmental Defense's campaign asking the Premier to enact legislation to avoid SLAPP suits.

• Submission to Minister of Environment re: Waste Diversion Act - Jan 31, 2010 here and here.

• Delegation regarding Cootes Paradise preservation strategy - Jan, 2010 presentation

• letter of support for proposed Citizens Advisory Committee for the Waterfront - Jan 18, 2010 letter

• Jan, 2010: Joint Submission on Niagara to GTA Corridor and Environmental Assessment Study; letter

 

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2009

• to adopt zero waste policies at the City of Burlington -Dec, 2009 presentation

• delegated to members of Council regarding a proposal to introduce an outdoor eco-market in downtown Burlington-Dec, 2009 presentation

• advocated for stronger environmental assessment & sustainable planning for the City of Burlington's Parks, Rec & Cultural Master Plan; letter

• presentation to the PPW Committeee at the Region of Halton to call for a strong Natural Heritage System (Map 1) and higher residential densities regarding ROPA 38 (Regional Official Plan Amendment) presentation & presentation

• presentation to the Halton District School Board regarding their decision to sell the parklands at General Brock/Gary Allan school; presentation and delegation to City of Burlington regarding acquisition of property; presentation

• letter to MP Wallace re: Conservative Government's rejection of Bill C-311 Climate Change Accountability Act; letter

• delegated to City Council about the environmental implications of developing the waterfront with high-rise towers;presentation

• delegated to City of Burlington members of Council to reject the staff recommendation to remove support for the introduction of a Community Action Summit for Climage Change from the budget. presentation

• delegated and letter writing to the City, Region, Conservation Halton and the Niagara Escarpment Commission supporting PERL (Protecting Escarpment Rural Lands), initiative to stop the Nelson quarry expansion application.presentation

• advocated in support of City staff's proposed energy action initiatives (June 2009);

• changes in Provincial Ministry of Education legislation to support the protection of school site community green space; presentation

• advocated for the ban of bottled water at all city facilities and events (unanimously supported by Council - policy pending) presentation

• presentation regarding Appleby Ice Surface Expansion Report - presentation

• call to action to Province of Ontario re: delay in Pesticide legislation; bulletin

 

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2008

• advocated for stronger, measurable sustainable guiding principles for the proposed Sustainable Halton growth plan; letter

• recommendations to Burlington and Regional Council for the establishment of a Mount Nemo Heritage System to protect "one of the most diverse and highly functioning ecosystems in the GTA"; letter

• presentation to Burlington Council regarding the Strategic Land Acquisition Fund for at risk green space to ensure the associated bylaw would reflect the intent; presentation

• advocated for all development costs incurred by the Region be included in the Development charges paid by developers and not the taxpayers; presentation

• call to action in support of Halton Region's waste reduction bylaw and bottom ash proposal; letter

• recommendations for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) silver or higher certification and Co2 controls for the proposed Performing Arts Centre; letter & presentation

• the need for a carryng capacity study prior to determining acceptable growth targets for Halton; Dec, 2007 presentation