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Watershed Study Motion Passed!

What a great outcome last night!

Here's a recap of what happened:

• Ramsey Lake Stewardship Committee worked on a brochure explaining why we needed a watershed study of Ramsey Lake. We printed 2000 brochures and volunteers brought them door to door. Wow, 2000!
• Terry Kett proposed a motion be brought to Council to fund watershed studies.
• Many groups signed onto a joint letter requesting the studies be funded; groups like the Coalition for a Liveable Sudbury (CLS), the Greater Sudbury Watershed Alliance (an alliance of 17 lake, river and creek stewardship committees) and of course the RLSC.
• Point people were asked to contact their councilors. They were from many lakes including Panache, Onwatin, Long, Richard, Ramsey, McCrae, St. Charles, McFarlane, Simon etc.
• Many people came out to support the motion last night as councilors voted unanimously to fund watershed studies but which watersheds they will study is not clear so we still need to keep up the pressure specifically for a Ramsey Lake watershed study.

Great community effort to protect our lakes! Thanks to everyone!

P.S. Don't forget the water gathering is Thursday from 7-9pm in the Cavern. It's called OUR LAKES, RIVERS, CREEKS: ASK A SCIENTIST! Come out and hear about research done in Sudbury and discover how our lakes and landscape are unique and need extra protection.

Lilly

POSTPONED! 400 ppms! Food & Four Movies...A Friend and Fundraiser

Hello

We apologize ... The date for this event has been post-poned .. We found out late yesterday that the movies did not have official Ontario Certificates for their rankings (G, PG, AA. R, X) and thus could not be shown at Rainbow Cinemas .. We are in the process of nailing down a new venue and date by early tomorrow morning .. I am back in FB only for 36 hours to sort out this minor problem .. The good thing is we have more time now to promote this event ..

We will mail as soon as we set a new date ..

The expected date is the week of June 9, 2013.

Thanks for being on the journey with us from me to WE!

Truly,
Cathy

National Manager, Canada's Citizens Climate Lobby
Canada's Citizens Climate Lobby Mailing Address
80 Elm St, Sudbury ON, P3C 1T2
705-523-3388 (h) ... 705-929-4043


 

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Joint letter that went out to the Mayor and Council today.

Council of the City of Greater Sudbury

Water quality is a top priority and concern for residents in our ‘City of Lakes’. Enjoyment of our lakes and waterways, and access to safe drinking water, are essential to our community. Watershed studies provide the basic information needed to make appropriate planning decisions when it comes to water quality, and to protecting residents from flooding hazards. This is why water stewards have consistently called for the need for watershed studies to be completed before development decisions are made.

705-507-6477, lesleyf@xplornet.com 705-673-1874, grant_naomi@hotmail.com

705-866-1677, linda.heron@rogers.com 705-691-5538, globalnilly@persona.ca

 May CLS newsletter pdf

Council will vote on watershed study motion May 14

Councilor Terry Kett is presenting a watershed study motion at the Tuesday, May 14 Council meeting.
We need a full Council Chamber for this one to let Council know we support this motion. The meeting starts at 6pm. Please try to attend and email your councilor if you support this motion! The motion is below.

Notice of Motion:

Whereas there is concern and uncertainty about the cumulative effects of stormwater on our area lakes

And whereas the impact of any proposed development near area lakes must be properly quantified and addressed in the light of the other proposed developments in a watershed and not considered as individual developments as presently occurs

And whereas this type of development must be considered as one of many contributors to phosphorus, salt and pollution in a watershed

And whereas sub watershed studies are required in order to make an informed decision on any development application within a watershed

Be it resolved that the necessary sub watershed studies be included in council’s priorities and that staff be directed to immediately begin these studies and to prepare the necessary budget options for the 2014 budget.

CLS April 22nd Newsletter

Photo:

Norm Blaseg, Director of Education for Rainbow District School Board, fills a water container at one of the new water refilling stations in Rainbow Schools. “As we look ahead to Earth Day, we reaffirm our commitment to reducing our environmental footprint,” says Director Blaseg. “We are proud of our efforts to date and will continue to make sustainability a priority for now and for the future.”

New water refilling stations promote sustainability in Rainbow Schools

Less bottled water is being used in Rainbow Schools thanks to new water refilling stations installed in four elementary schools and seven secondary schools. To date, more than 250,000 containers of water have been filled as Rainbow District School Board continues to focus on sustainability.

“Our goal is to eliminate the purchase and sale of bottled water in our schools unless absolutely necessary for health and safety reasons,” says Director of Education Norm Blaseg. “We continue to educate students and staff about the benefits of using refillable containers, diverting waste from landfill sites and reducing costs. The sale and consumption of bottled water has a significant environmental impact.”

Water refilling stations have been installed at Algonquin Road Public School, Princess Anne Public School, R.L. Beattie Public School, Walden Public School, Confederation Secondary School, Chelmsford Valley District Composite School, Lasalle Secondary School, Lively District Secondary School, Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School and Sudbury Secondary School.

All Rainbow secondary schools will have a water refilling station by the end of the current school year. The stations will be phased into all elementary schools by 2016.

“As we look ahead to Earth Day, we reaffirm our commitment to reducing our environmental footprint,” says Director Blaseg. “We are proud of our efforts to date and will continue to make sustainability a priority for now and for the future.”

April 8-13 CLS Newsletter pdf

Linda

Linda Heron

Chair, Vermilion River Stewardship

VermilionRiverStewards.ca

“Community Supporting a Healthy, Natural and Sustainable River System”

www.liveablesudbury.org

CLS Action Update

1.  Help us make our display for the Earth Day Festival
We’re creating a working model to show people how steps they take at their own homes can make a big difference in the amount of run-off reaching our lakes.
We’ll be building two simple houses and yards:
One ‘standard’ home with lawn and paved driveway;
One ‘water-wise’ home with rain barrels, a rain garden and other plantings, rich soil, and permeable pavers.
 
Would you like to help build this display?
And/or do you have materials to donate?
 
Let us know!

Ramsey Lake Stewardship Committee will have a complimentary display next to ours, showing impact on water quality.
 
Together, these will be a fun, hands-on demonstration that will hopefully inspire people to make a difference at home!

2.  Don’t forget to order your rain barrels!
Make a difference to water quality at your own home and by supporting our Rain Gardens and Rain Barrels project.
Pre-order your barrels at  http://rainbarrel.ca/liveablesudbury/ <http://rainbarrel.ca/liveablesudbury/>

3.  Support on-street parking on Elm Street downtown as a first step in making this important downtown stretch more pedestrian friendly
A pilot project last summer allowed on-street parking on Elm Street downtown, as one small step in making this area more pedestrian friendly.  It was well received by downtown businesses who noted positive effects.  However, some residents complained about increased traffic congestion  (traffic trips were delayed approximately half a minute).
Tomorrow, Operations Committee will decide whether to make on-street parking on Elm Street downtown a permanent step – staff are recommending against.
 
Come out to the meeting to show your support for a pedestrian friendly downtown (April 2, 4pm, room C-11, Tom Davies).
And/or call your Councillor and let them know that downtown streets should be people friendly, and that the downtown Elm street is not just a thoroughfare for getting from A to B.
Find your Councillors contact info at:  http://www.greatersudbury.ca/inside-city-hall/city-council/

On the agenda at City Hall

April 2 Operations Committee meeting (4pm, Rm C-11)
-  Downtown Sudbury and DVDC will be presenting a community delegation in support of on-street parking on Elm (as done with a pilot project this summer) to calm traffic and make this downtown section of Elm more pedestrian friendly.
-  Staff are recommending against on-street parking on Elm – the Committee will make a decision at this meeting
http://agendasonline.greatersudbury.ca/index.cfm?pg=feed&action=file&agenda=report&itemid=2&id=645 <http://agendasonline.greatersudbury.ca/index.cfm?pg=feed&action=file&agenda=report&itemid=2&id=645>
-  Also at the meeting, reports will be presented on:  Issues with Handi-Transit;  downtown streetlight program; Valley East Wastewater Treatment Plant - Dechlorination Project: Full Plant Trial

CLS Newsletter April 2013

March18-13minutes.pdf

RamseyLake_Watershed_Report_Card_March2013.pdf

 CLS newsletter March 4, 2013

Please help CLS spread the word for our May 11 rain barrel sale, which will support our Rain Garden and Rain Barrel project in Minnow Lake. This is a great collaborative project with lots of community partners which will engage people in helping protect water quality in Minnow and Ramsey Lakes by using rain gardens and rain barrels to reduce stormwater run-off.  One key part of the project is building a rain garden at Adamsdale Public School with the students.

Rain barrels should be pre-ordered, and can be picked up May 11 at Minnow Lake Place. Delivery can be arranged for those without a vehicle.

For every rain barrel sold, $10 will go towards the rain garden project, and stormwater run-off will be reduced as well.

Orderscan be made at:  http://rainbarrel.ca/LiveableSudbury/

More information can be found at: http://sudbury.mediacoop.ca/blog/grassrootssudburymedia/16410

=

Thanks!

Naomi

CleanUpBlitz_2013_BILINGUAL_accessible .pdf

Ramsey Lake Stewardship Committee

February 11, 2013

City of Greater Sudbury

City Clerk

P.O. Box 5000 Station A

200 Brady Street

Sudbury ON P3A 5P3 SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1

Re: Applications for Plan of Subdivision in order to permit the development of Keast Drive Parcel 23065A Parts 1-6 53R-18857

File Number:  780-6/11003

                        751-6/11-6

To Whom It May Concern:

The Ramsey Lake Stewardship Committee (RLSC) is dedicated to protecting and enhancing the health of the Ramsey Lake watershed and ecosystem. Our vision is to keep Ramsey Lake a drinkable, fishable, swimmable and enjoyable lake for many years to come for all Sudburians. 60,000 Sudburians rely on drinking water from Ramsey Lake now and in the future.

As a community group, we have significant concerns with the proposed development off South Bay Road and Keast Drive on the shores of Ramsey Lake and recommend that the proposed development be denied in its current state.

1. Studies not available

Yet again citizens are presented with a completed development application in the Ramsey Lake watershed without completed studies to properly assess the impact on the lake. We have no Environmental Impact Study, Vegetation Study, Species at Risk Study, Stormwater Management Plan and yet citizens are asked to agree to development for the sake of development without any facts. Individual developments are approved with no knowledge of the cumulative effects of all the developments proposed in the watershed. A comprehensive watershed study should be completed before any more large developments are approved in the watershed to better understand how a development will affect the lake’s ecosystem and water quality. Ramsey Lake is too important a lake for Sudbury for us to keep approving development with no knowledge of what the cumulative affects of these developments will be on the health of the lake and its drinking water quality.

2. Building on a floodplain

The stormwater management pond in this proposed development is in a wetland and floodplain. This does not comply with Ministry of the Environment guidelines and will not deliver the Enhanced Level of Protection required. A sewage lift station in also planned to be built in a floodplain against MOE guidelines. Citizens cannot bear the cost of fixing these costly planning mistakes. Climate change will bring such unpredictable weather that we must plan in advance for the challenges ahead.

3. Stormwater runoff

The land in question has some dense vegetation and trees, which provides water retention and filtration services but would be replaced with hard, impervious roofs, driveways and roads. It’s time we stopped relying on one large stormwater management facility and instead apply Low Impact Development techniques to improve water quality and increase permeability in the watershed. Permeable pavers for driveways, bioswales along roads, rain barrels, green roofs and rainwater gardens are just a few green infrastructure techniques that should be used in this development to clean and cool the water before reaching Ramsey Lake or more blue-green algal blooms will occur.

4. This proposed development does not fulfill the special requirements of the Comprehensive Planned Unit Development necessary to have 23m frontage and increased density

The development does not provide significant public amenities to fulfill the CPUD nor the goals of the Ramsey Lake Community Improvement Plan as required by the Official Plan. It also does not fulfill the requirement of providing more than the 5% parkland allocation. We do not consider grass around a condo as parkland nor is a stormwater management facility considered parkland. A significant stream to the south of the property is not being preserved nor is the floodplain or wetland to the east so this also does not fulfill the requirements of the CPUD. A significant rock formation on the property (Creighton Fault) and the hilly topography of the land will not be preserved (extensive blasting) thus again not fulfilling the requirements of the CPUD.

5. Steep shoreline lots

We are concerned about the problems associated with the development of the steep, rocky shoreline at the north end with relatively shallow soil cover. Blasting and vegetation removal will increase erosion and send sediment into the lake increasing the phosphorus load on the lake. South Bay residents are already suffering due to the frequent blue-green algal blooms. We would recommend that lots (lots 12-26) to the north remain undeveloped and incorporated into the parkland space as suggested by the Green Space Panel in their report. This would also preserve the one billion year old Creighton Fault as required for a CPUD.

6. Loss of habitat

Wetlands feed fish and provide cool, clean water. Pipes don’t. Proposed lots 56-61 are currently in a wetland and there is a significant stream leading to a fish spawning area. These lots should be removed from any proposed development to prevent the loss of fish habitat and to maintain the services provide by the wetland. Also, there needs to be an assessment of the possible species at risk that live on the property, such as Blanding’s turtles and Whip-poor-wills.

With so much potential harm this development can bring to Ramsey Lake and its drinking water, the Ramsey Lake Stewardship Committee requests that the Planning Committee deny this application.

Request for Notice

The Ramsey Lake Stewardship Committee, in keeping with subsections 17(35) and 51(37) of the Planning Act, requests to receive notice of any decision of Council related to this development proposal.

Sincerely,

Lilly Noble

Co-Chair, Ramsey Lake Stewardship Committee

(705) 691-5538

ramseylake@live.com

Coalition for  Livable Sudbury

Feb4-13newsletter.pdf

 Conservation 200, rue Brady Street, Tom Davies Square Sudbury, ON P3E 5K3
~ :2> Sudbury lii' (705) 674-5249 .... (705) 674-7939 www.nickeldistrict.ca
January 16, 2013
Mr. Eric Taylor
Department of Growth & Development
City of Greater Sudbury
200 Brady Street
Sudbury, ON
Dear Sir:
Re: Zoning By-Law Amendment -Parcel 23065 A, Parts 1-6, 53R-I8857, Lot 1, Conc. 2,
Township of McKim -Keast Drive (Ramsey Estates Subdivision
Please be advised that the Nickel District Conservation Authority has reviewed the above noted
application.
The Nickel District Conservation Authority will require additional information for a Section 28
application made in January, 2011, before it can approve this application. A portion of the
property is in a designated floodplain and certain lots must be floodproofed to 251.4 metres. In
addition we need details as follows:
1. The proposed stormwater management plan as it relates to water quantity and quality.
The stormwater management pond must be located outside of the designated floodplain.
2. Details of a cut and fill analysis to compensate for the floodproofing.
3. Details of how existing drainage (creek) on Lots 57-61 will be dealt with.
4. Engineering details of the drainage outlet to be constructed to Lake Ramsey.
5. Geotechnical study to determine whether the soils can support the proposed development,
on the lots which are to be filled.
6. Soil stabilization measures to be incorporated into the development
7. Sedimentation control plan, and
7. Final lot grading plan and drainage details.
Therefore, the Nickel District Conservation Authority must review a complete application under
Section 28, for this project prior to enactment of any amendments to the Zoning By-Law, in
order for us to determine whether it is viable. We would recommend that this application be
deferred until we can review the details of the proposal.
Managing our watersheds today -for tomorrow
.

News from Ramsay Lake Stewardship Group

Hope you all had a relaxing break. All the best for 2013!

News about the spring phosphorus level for Ramsey Lake was released over the break. The City's spring phosphorus level for 2012 was measured at 7.5 micrograms/L. Last year, it was 6 micrograms/L. Details are here http://www.greatersudbury.ca/living/lakes-facts/annual-reports-and-presentations/

Some work has been done on our logo so that it better reflect the lake as a drinking water source, a recreational body of water, and a habitat.
Hope you all like what our volunteer created.

Last year, we hosted a successful rain barrel sale. This year the Coalition for a Liveable Sudbury (http://www.liveablesudbury.org/) will be hosting a rain barrel sale on May 11th. The RLSC, CLS and the Minnow Lake Restoration Group will be working together to build rain gardens in the Ramsey Lake watershed to help clean stormwater before it reaches our local lakes. The first rain garden will be built at Adamsdale School. More on the sale later.

Looking forward to working with you all in 2013 to improve the health of Ramsey Lake.

Lilly

Coalition for  Livable Sudbury

Jan14-13agenda.pdf

Jan7-13newsletter.pdf

Nov26-12minutes.pdf

Dec10-12newsletter.pdf

Want to help plan and create a rain garden?

Ramsey Lake Stewardship Group

Hello everyone,

The RLSC will be planning and creating rain gardens in the Ramsey Lake watershed with some other partners in the city in the coming year and we'd like to know if you are interested in helping out. Please let me know. Rain gardens will help improve lake water quality. Here is a neat interactive diagram to show you what a rain garden looks like. http://water.unl.edu/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=bb3e4c0c-73bb-4295-b529-738f20609d0d&groupId=468067&.swf

Nov26-12newsletter.pdf(CLS)

1

CLS Newsletter

For more info on the master plan: http://www.laurentian.ca/content/campus-master-plan

biography or resume to ammawhiney@laurentian.ca by November 14.

Register at: http://us2.campaignarchive2.

5-year accessibility plan approved: http://www.thesudburystar.com/2012/11/01/cityapproves-

Cliff’s project may be delayed: http://www.thesudburystar.com/2012/11/01/cliffs-looksat-

Holla's greenhouses now on-line: http://www.hollasgreenhouses.com/

What happens when transit is free? http://www.theatlanticcities.com/jobs-andeconomy/

- revitalization in action: http://www.theatlanticcities.com/neighborhoods/2012/10/whatneighborhood-

Training the next generation of community leaders: http://www.nextup.ca/

Four great books for effective activism: http://greenbookreviews.ca/2012/04/theagitators-

routes at risk? http://www.mediacoop.ca/story/canadas-canoe-routes-under-threat/14164

Sudbury Green Gathering update

On October 17, local green groups, including the Ramsey Lake Stewardship Committee, met for this year’s fall Sudbury Green Gathering to discuss top priorities in our community.  Not surprisingly water quality is in the top 4.

1.  Protecting water quality and keeping our lakes and waterways clean and healthy

2.  Keeping our natural environment healthy and protecting important green spaces

3.  Supporting sustainable transportation: walking, cycling, and transit

4.  Supporting local food and agriculture

See the attached leaflets for more information, and to find out what you can do.

You can help!

Here are three things you can do today to make a difference on these priorities for our local environment:

1.  Support local food and local farmers:  get a membership at Sudbury's local food cooperative Eat Local Sudbury, and sign up for their weekly e-newsletter that will keep you posted on the local products available, and opportunities to learn the skills you need to grow and preserve food yourself

-  Memberships can be bought at the store (176 Larch), or from their on-line store:  http://store.eatlocalsudbury.com/75/Eat-Local-Sudbury/

For more information, contact:  info@eatlocalsudbury.com

2.  Speak up for clean lakes, a healthy natural environment, and safe & convenient active transportation.

The City is currently reviewing its Official Plan, which is the ‘rulebook’ for how the city will grow and change.  They are asking for public input – let them know what’s important to you.

The attached leaflet identifies some key changes that would make a big difference.

You may be specially interested in measures to protect water quality, so a leaflet on that topic has been attached for your information, and to share with other like-minded people.

You are also encouraged to join others in requesting that the proposed “LU parkway” be removed from the Official Plan.  This proposed highway goes through one of our community’s most highly valued green spaces, cutting through Laurentian University’s hiking and ski trails, impacting Lake Laurentian and other lakes, and cutting this area off from the adjacent conservation area.

Comments should  be sent to officialplan@greatersudbury.ca <mailto:officialplan@greatersudbury.ca> and campusmasterplan@laurentian.ca <mailto:campusmasterplan@laurentian.ca>


3.  Get connected to local green events and information.

Get informed on local green events, issues, and actions with the Coalition for a Liveable Sudbury e-newsletter.  Contact clsudbury@live.com <mailto:clsudbury@live.com> to get on their e-mailing list.


Thank-you!

Coalition for a Liveable Sudbury

Did you know you can find local green groups at http://www.greenconnectsudbury.ca/ <http://www.greenconnectsudbury.ca/> ?  Have a look at some of the great organizations in our community!
      

Lake_Water_Quality_OPLeaflet.pdf

OPreviewInfoLeaflet.pdf

TakeActionOnEnvironmentalPrioritiesPublicLeaflet.pdf

Update Ramsey Lake Stewardship Committee

Our next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 7, 7:00-8:30pm at the Living with Lakes Centre.

On the agenda will be the Laurentian Parkway - a new road proposed to link Regent St./Lo-Ellen to the University and eventually to South Bay Rd. Attached is a rough sketch of where the proposed road would be built (in red). It's in the Ramsey Lake watershed and on Laurentian University property. The University is beginning to consult the community about the road. It would definitely add more salt and pollution to the watershed. Longstanding opposition to the road has been because the road would create major ecological damage to wildlife, vegetation, and several lakes.  It would destroy LU's ski and hiking trail system (cutting through it in 7 locations) and it would remove access from LU campus to the Conservation Area. We should discuss all the issues as a committee. Laurentian University is looking for community input at a public session on November 14 and 15.

I still have a few more tickets for the Greater Sudbury Watershed Alliance Comedy Fundraiser Event on Thursday, November 8 at 8:00pm if anyone is interested. $20/ticket.

On the same evening, Manitoba MP Robert Sopuck will be in Sudbury speaking about 'Conservation Principles for the 21st Century'. He is a member of the Federal Standing Committee on the Environment and Sustainable Development. Nov. 8th, 6:30-8:00pm at the Holiday Inn. See poster for more details.

 

CLS newsletter

To reserve tickets, e-mail Lilly Noble, globalnilly@persona.ca, or phone 691-5538.

for the 21st century.

Open house held in Capreol: http://www.thesudburystar.com/2012/10/26/cliffs-holdsopen-

Sudbury must take better care of its lakes – letter to the editor:

Read more here: http://bettercities.net/article/want-better-communities-engage-thembetter-

What does a green street look like? http://inhabitat.com/chicago-unveils-the-greeneststreet-

Oct 19, 2012

Ramsey Lake Stewardship Committee

City Clerk

Attn: Planning Section, Growth and Development

PO Box 5000, Station A

200 Brady Street

Sudbury, ON P3A 5P3

Re: Application for rezoning in order to permit the redevelopment of the former

St. Joseph hospital site to 210 residential units, 700 Paris Street, Sudbury

2226553 Ontario Inc.

File Number:  751-6/12-14

To Whom It May Concern:

The Ramsey Lake Stewardship Committee is pleased to be able to provide input again for the redevelopment of the old St. Joe’s property, which is in the Ramsey Lake watershed and close to our municipal drinking water intake. Our committee is dedicated to the protection and enhancement of Ramsey Lake.

In our last recommendations for this property, we suggested the applicant employ an “Enhanced Stormwater Protection” level specified in Chapter 3 of the Ministry of the Environment’s “Stormwater Management Planning and Design Manual 2003”.  We would still like to see this level of protection for Ramsey Lake addressed later in a site plan control agreement. The City is requesting that the applicant provide Cash-in-Lieu instead of providing 5% parkland. We would suggest that those funds be used for stormwater management enhancement since water coming off this property can contribute to area beaches being closed due to E. coli or blue-green algae.

We are concerned that during renovation and construction that best practices are followed to prevent debris and soil from entering the lake.
We would advocate for snow to be taken to a snow dump and the sweeping of the parking garage and roads early in spring to remove as much salt and contaminants from the watershed as possible.

We are encouraged to see that Low Impact Development (LID) strategies like permeable pavers and grass swales will be used on the property to handle some of the runoff. We are also please to see the landscaped area has been increased from 21%, in the original proposal, up to 47%. May we suggest incorporating a rain garden in the landscaping to make use of the water from the roof? Green infrastructure will not only help filter and clean rainwater but also will prevent the water from heating up on hard, impervious surfaces like on roofs and roads, before entering the lake. Warm water increases the possibility of blue-green algal blooms in Ramsey Lake.

The new parking garage/condo is problematic for many reasons.

The setback from the city parking lot (land designated Park) does not adhere to our current bylaw 2010-100Z, which states it must have a setback of at least 10m. The garage is only 7m away. The Staff report speaks about naturalizing part of the city parking lot in this area. The RLSC would like to see the entire parking lot area be returned to parkland to conform with the Bell Covenant and to remove this source of contamination from Ramsey Lake. If and when this ever occurs, then the parking garage will be properly set back from this new park area.

Bylaw 2010-100Z requires a minimum 315 parking spaces for this type of project. The proposed plan indicates 352 parking spaces will be built. The RLSC see these extra parking spaces as more potential sources of contaminants, like salt, grease and oil, some of which will find their way to the lake even with the best controls in place. By making the parking garage smaller, it would conform to the current setback bylaw, reduce these extra parking spaces, reduce the contaminants potentially entering the lake and provide more space to comply with the bylaw for bike spaces, which should be 105 not 33. Increasing the bike spaces to 60 would be a good first step. It seems the restaurant was removed due to traffic concerns but if parking is reduce then one could imagine people would be forced to reach the restaurant mostly by foot, bike or transit. Perhaps these modes of transportation would be less of a concern to local residents and would be more in keeping with a land use policy meant to support transit, cycling and walking, which is a goal of the Official Plan. 

The RLSC applauds the applicant and the City for having consulted with the Bell Park Advisory Panel three times before this proposal was completed. Perhaps in future, developers and the City could consult with the Lakes Advisory Panel, Green Space Panel, and/or lake stewardship groups when large developments are proposed near lakes or green spaces.

In keeping with subsections 17(35) and 51(37) of the Planning Act, we request to receive notice of any decision of Council related to this development proposal.

Sincerely,

Lilly Noble

Co-Chair, Ramsey Lake Stewardship Committee

(705) 691-5538

ramseylake@live.com

Ramsay Lake Stewardship Committee

Minutes from our last meeting are attached and here are some updates:

A new proposed site plan of the Old St. Joe's property is available for viewing and comment. Public input is possible until Oct. 22, 6pm when the Planning Committee will make a decision at Council Chambers. See the last letter we submitted about this property attached. Have your say on this special property! http://www.greatersudbury.ca/content/div_planning/documents/october%2022%202012.pdf

Great news A few calls to the city has led to the removal of the dead trees along Ramsey Lake Road and their replacement with new trees.
Bad news. A five car parking lot has appeared on the Ramsey Lake shoreline near the entrance to Laurentian University. The city has been called and photos were sent. Hopefully we will see this lot shut down. Also, it was brought to my attention that there is an unofficial boat launch near the parking lot for the Ski Chalet of the Laurentian Conservation Area. Putting boats in the water there has lead to lots of erosion, and the creation of deep tire ruts on land and at the shoreline. The city will be contacted about this area of concern as well. See pics here. https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/105779381881097347055/albums/5798968100187981201?hl=en

A few volunteers used our Yellow Fish Road stencils around the Ramsey Lake watershed. Look out for the 17 yellow fish and "Rainwater Only" signs at storm sewers. We will be going to Adamsdale and Pius XII school to explain the connection between stormwater from First and Third Aves and Ramsey Lake. The kids will also be handing out 300 door hangers explaining the importance of clean stormwater.

Greater Sudbury Watershed Alliance (GSWA) is having a general meeting November 1st at 7pm, if you are interested in wider watershed issues. Meetings are at the Living with Lakes Centre.Their fund raiser comedy night is coming up on November 8 at 8pm, Caruso Club. Tickets are $20 and all the stewardship committees are helping to sell tickets. Let me know how many tickets you need!

Get more news about Ramsey Lake from our facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ramsey-Lake-Stewardship-Committee/127778643912213
and on our website https://sites.google.com/site/ramseylakestewardshipcommittee/home

June 27, 2012

Ramsey Lake Stewardship Committee

City Clerk

Attn: Planning Section, Growth and Development

PO Box 5000, Station A

200 Brady Street

Sudbury, ON P3A 5P3

Preliminary Planning Report - Application for rezoning in order to permit the redevelopment of the former St. Joseph hospital site for 190 residential units, restaurant and wellness centre, 700 Paris Street, Sudbury - 2226553 Ontario Inc

File Number:  751-6/12-14

Since the property is in such close proximity to Ramsey Lake, it is essential that great care be taking with the stormwater that runs off this property and into the lake. Any stormwater management facility should be designed to satisfy the “Enhanced Protection” level specified in Chapter 3 of the Ministry of the Environment’s “Stormwater Management Planning and Design Manual 2003”. Testing and maintenance of this stormwater facility is also essential to ensure water entering Ramsey Lake is sufficiently cleaned.

An enhanced protection level of stormwater treatment does not completely clean the water reaching the lake so it is recommended that Low Impact Development (LID) strategies be also used here. LID strategies include permeable pavers in driveways and parking lots, bioretention filters, rain barrels and grassed swales. These measures would help prevent contaminants from entering the lake so close to our drinking water intake.

The developer is requesting a zoning change from Park ‘P’ to Residential ‘R4 High Density Special’ in Concession 2 and that there be no setback between the parking garage, if built there, and Bell Park. For the protection of the park and Ramsey Lake, we feel this area should remain parkland and not turned into a parking garage.

Furthermore, since the location of this property is so close to downtown and well serviced by transit, we recommend the city lower the required parking space allocation to help protect Ramsey Lake from the salt and contaminants, which will be deposited on site.

Sincerely,

Lilly Noble

Co-Chair, Ramsey Lake Stewardship Committee

(705) 691-5538

ramseylake@live.com

Ramsey Lake Stewardship Committee Meeting

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Living with Lakes Centre, 7pm

9 members in attendance

Keast Development Input to Planning Committee

This peninsula has some rocky outcrops, a thickly treed area and some steep shorelines. The committee discussed aspects we would like to see in the proposed development to ensure lake water quality is not compromised by this development. A letter will be submitted to the Planning Committee.  

St. Joe’s Development Input

A new site plan has been released for the Old St. Joe’s property that contains more Low Impact Development (LID) strategies than their last plans. These will help improve the quality of the water coming off this property and going directly into Ramsey Lake. The committee will write up a submission for the Planning Committee meeting on Oct 22.  See pictures of the new plan here https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.426990304016537.88731.100001167147097&type=3 and the staff report here http://www.greatersudbury.ca/agendas/index.cfm?pg=feed&action=file&agenda=report&itemid=1&id=530

Rain Gardens in the Ramsey Lake Watershed

We will be going to both Adamsdale and Pius XII schools (both in the RL watershed) to talk to them about the Yellowfish Road Program. We will also be asking them if they would like to build a rain garden on their school property to slow down their rainwater which helps filter and clean it. It was mentioned that building green infrastructure at the Bell Park main beach storm outlet would still be desirable. Everyone agreed but the City stormwater department is against it. Suggestions are welcome!

Frenchman’s Bay

We saw some pictures of this very natural area in the eastern section of Ramsey Lake, which is owned by the City. There is a bit of damage going on due to ATVs and with litter.  See pic here from our Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup. https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/105779381881097347055/albums/5799349346492754113?hl=en

Blue-green algae confirmed in South Bay

Heavy rains have washed soil, phosphorus, bacteria and other contaminants into Ramsey Lake.

Blue-green algae was confirmed in South Bay by the Public Health Unit. http://www.sdhu.com/content/news/details.asp?n=1139&lang=0

Here are the minutes for our last meeting. Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, Oct. 9, at 7:00pm.
See you at the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, this Sunday at the Moonlight Beach concession stand at 10:00am. Bring your kids!

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Ramsey Lake Stewardship Committee Meeting

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Living with Lakes Centre

Boating Speed Limit Sign – Still waiting for the city to get back to us re: sign specifications. Greater Sudbury Police Marine Unit has no problem with us putting up a speed limit sign at the public boat launch indicating the provincial limit of 10km/hr within 30 metres of shore. Lilly will follow up.

Keast Dr. Development – Norm gave us an overview of the proposed development. A bylaw amendment is being requested to change the zoning from Future Development to R1-3, Low Density Residential One and R3, Medium Density Residential to permit the development of 63 lots and three multi-family blocks.  See more on the city website, http://www.greatersudbury.ca/agendas/index.cfm?pg=application&id=6209&lang=en. There are no plans to bring sewer services across the wetlands of Bethel Lake but the city would like to bring a water pipe through the wetlands to have backup water for the peninsula to the north.  Putting any pipes through the wetlands would involve digging a ditch 10 ft deep, laying a pipe and covering it over.  Disturbing the wetland for this pipe will possibly lead to contaminants from Bethel Lake getting into Ramsey Lake. The 2011 spring phosphorus value for Bethel Lake was 31.4 microgram/L, which is above the Provincial Water Quality Objective of 20.0 microgram/L and above the current Ramsey Lake level of 6 microgram/L. It was also suggested that there might be tuberculosis bacteria and spores, in Bethel Lake sediment. These spores would have come from the old Algoma hospital that at one time housed TB patients. If this is the case, the sediment should not be disturbed. This will need to be investigated and confirmed with the health unit or researchers who may have more knowledge of what is in Bethel Lake sediment.

Park proposed for Moonlight Beach Area – The area in question runs from the rail line to the north then south to the Lake Laurentian Conservation Area and east to the bypass. The Ramsey Lake North East Advisory Panel is thinking about creating a city park with revenue-generating activities like a waterpark, zipline or a place to hold large family reunions. The RLSC will keep abreast of developments in this area and keep water quality, habitat, trails and stormwater management top of mind for any new activity in this area of the Ramsey Lake watershed.

Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup - Join us as we team up with the Moonlight East Ramsey Coalition this Sunday, Sept 16 at 10am. We’ll all meet at the Moonlight Beach concession stand. Garbage bags and gloves will be provided. High school students who need volunteer hours should bring their forms to be signed.

GSWA Comedy Night - Tickets are now available for the Greater Sudbury Watershed Alliance fundraising event. They will be having a comedy night/silent auction on Thursday, November 8 at 8pm at the Caruso Club. Mark your calendar and let me know how many tickets you would like, $20 each. Should be a fun night and we can help the Alliance as well.

Ideas for Community Engagement and Education – Members expressed interest in the Yellow Fish Program. John Lindsay said he had some stencils.
*Lilly has now spoken with the Yellow Fish Program people and they will be sending stencils and a list of all the necessary supplies including 300 door hangers, which kids can put on homes. Students from Adamsdale School and/or Pius XII would be ideal to help with that since they are in the watershed. Lilly will get in touch with those schools. Jan and Andrea are interested in helping with the project.

Also it was mentioned that we should have some sort of display at the main beach in Bell Park explaining why a blue-green algae bloom has occurred to educate the public when the beach is closed. We should work on this in case of possible blooms next summer.

Dead Trees on Ramsey Lake Road – Earlier this year, the City added a water loop under the road but the trees they planted next to the work are all now dead. Jan said she would email Fran Caldarelli and suggest they need to be replaced. Others are encouraged to email as well.

Canada: Waterpower Is Not Always Green

By Dr. Dianne Saxe

I've supported renewable energy for more than 30 years, even before my years as legal counsel for the Ministry of Energy. And I'm a strong supporter of the Green Energy Act. But every type of energy generation has drawbacks, and none of them are suitable everywhere.

Most solar, wind and biomass renewable energy projects need renewable energy approvals under the Environmental Protection Act. But there is a different approval system for small hydro projects, focussed on a twin process of class environmental assessment which must be submitted to the Ministry of the Environment, and site release by the Ministry of Natural Resources. This process is proving very challenging, for proponents and opponents alike.

Xeneca, for example, is a waterpower developer funded by the Ontario Pension Trust, which was awarded 19 of the 47 Feed In Tariff contracts for potential waterpower sites across Ontario, more than any other developer. None of its sites, so far, have been approved, although senior Ministry of Natural Resources staff meet monthly with Xeneca to review its progress. In March, the Ministry of the Environment Approvals Branch firmly rejected Xeneca's claims to have completed adequate environmental assessments of its first three projects:

To read the rest of this article, please click on link: http://www.utilityproducts.com/news/2012/06/11/canada-waterpower-is-not-always-green.html

I also suggest you go to the comment form at the bottom of the article and leave your own comments.

Dianne Saxe is one of the top environmental lawyers in the world.

Linda Heron

Chair, Vermilion River Stewardship

VermilionRiverStewards.ca

Chair, Ontario Rivers Alliance

OntarioRiversAlliance.ca

(705) 866-1677

Ramsey Lake Stewardship Group News

Hi everyone,
Lots of stuff going on around Ramsey Lake.

A meeting was held on Monday, June 11 about the proposed condo development on the old St. Joe's property. The developer is asking the city for a zoning change from "Institutional" and "Park" to Residential High Density (Special). The details are found here and will be going before the Planning Committee on June 27 at 5:30pm in Council Chambers, http://www.greatersudbury.ca/content/div_planning/documents/june%2027%202012.pdf.
There were less concerns about the health of the lake when the hospital was first built in the 1950s so as stewards of the lake we will be making recommendations that the developer use best practices in managing stormwater to reduce any negative impacts on the lake from the redesign of the building and construction of a 5 storey parking garage.

RLSC will have a booth at the Northern Lights Festival Boreal's Greenville. This will be a great way to reach lots of new people. If you are going to the festival, consider donating an hour or two to help out at our booth. Contact me if you can help out. July 7-8.

Minutes of our last meeting

• We discussed the parking lot on the lake last winter because Science North charged parking fees for the fish derby so everyone parked on Ramsey Lake instead. Norm was going to investigate who grants permission to do this and we will try to stop this practice from occurring again. The city is looking for this exact type of input for park use so if this is of concern to you or you have any other concern about how the lake or Bell Park is used, please complete this quick survey. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/8N2H3ZN
• Brigette Labby, a boating instructor, came to speak to the group about boating safety. She teaches boaters that they are going too fast if their wake is causing distress to others. Good rule of thumb. We can host a boating safety day and she will assist us. She showed us the Muskoka Watershed Council brochure which had good advice about boating and wakes. Here is the link http://www.muskokaheritage.org/mwc/programs/clean-green-13/action-12/
• Michael brought up the issue of the city cutting down trees along McNaughton Terrace, which are within 4m of shore. He will follow up with the city as to why this practice keeps occurring when Michael is happy to do all the pruning needed to keep these trees from obstructing the view of the lake.
• The City is looking for input to the 2013 Budget so RLSC will be making a presentation on June 19 in Council Chambers. We will be presenting 17th on the list which should be around 7:45pm. Our draft submission is attached.
• RLSC wants to put a speed limit sign at the public boat launch as a reminder that within 30m of shore the speed limit is 10km/hr. Lilly asked the City if they had any objections. They didn't but asked that we inquire with the Marine Unit of the Sudbury Police to see if they did. They also had no objections but did note that there is an exemption for boats pulling water skiers perpendicular to a shore. The police felt a simple sign was acceptable and need not include the exemption. He suggested we mention somewhere what 30m is about three school buses long to give people a mental image of 30m. Lilly will confirm again with the city the details of the sign.
• We have three rain barrels for sale if anyone is interested. $55 each.

    We are trying to come up with a wish list for the lake. So far we have:

• cars and trucks should not be allowed on the frozen lake except to bring fishing huts on and off the lake
• dogs should not be allowed on the ice (other jurisdictions have a similar bylaw)
• there should be a speed or horsepower limit on the lake
• driving on the lake should only be allowed from dawn to 10pm
• parking lots should not be allowed on the lake

June 15, 2012

Input to the 2013 City of Greater Sudbury Municipal Budget

From the Ramsey Lake Stewardship Committee

High phosphorus contributes to blue-green algae blooms. Over the past few years, phosphorus levels were measured on Ramsey Lake and from the streams and stormwater outlets which feed into the lake. Funding for this important work is no longer available but the need to know where phosphorus inputs are highest is still crucial.

The RLSC requests the following funds so that data can continue to be collected.

Total over two years:
-MSc salary, $27,000
-Student worker salaries (2 for one summer), $11,000
-Equipment, none
-Supplies, $6,000
-Core dating, $8,000
-Chemical lab analyses, $1,800

Thank-you for your consideration.

Contact person:

Lilly Noble

705-691-538

ramseylake@live.com

Whitewater Ontario is hosting an important event that I hope you will support:

Please pass forward this message on to those you think may be interested.

Linda Heron

Chair, Ontario Rivers Alliance

OntarioRiversAlliance.ca

(705) 866-1677

“A World of Healthy River Ecosystems”

EarthCare Sudbury Newsletter.docx

Milkweed and Monarchs...a Vital Partnership! It's spring again! And the Monarchs are on a fascinating journey from their winter getaway in Mexico. This exhausting migration of over 3,000 miles to Northern Ontario is made annually. Once they have arrived to their destination, they need to eat and lay eggs. What not many people know is that the Milkweed plant is the only food source for the Monarch caterpillars to eat in order to grow and become marvellous Butterflies!

If you want to ensure the future of these beautiful creatures, plant and protect Milkweed. Not only will you be enriching the good of the planet but you will have a pretty flower to spruce up your garden and the Monarchs will thank you! 

For more information you can visit www.savethebutterfly.com and facebook or contact me at Andrea@SaveTheButterfly.com Andrea Solski

Change of Ramsay Lake Stewardship Committee meeting date changed to Wednesday, June 6

Hi everyone,

Please note we have changed our meeting date to Wednesday, June 6th at 7pm at the Living with Lakes Centre.

We received a $500 lake stewardship grant from the City's Lake Water Quality Program so we can complete some projects.

Our Motorized Boating Subcommittee met in May and will be discussing their findings at our next meeting.

The committee has received kits to test phosphorus levels in Ramsey Lake in May, June, July, and August.

Hope to see you at our next meeting.

EarthCare Sudbury Newsletter - May 2012

Ramsey Lake Stewardship Committee Meeting May 3

Our next meeting is this Thursday, May 3rd at 7pm at the Living with Lakes Centre.

Agenda items:

1. Rain barrel sale wrap up
2. Website activity after we sent out our flyer
3. Application for Lake Water Quality grant of $500 is due May 11. We will need ideas for what to do with the funds. (A municipal grant must demonstrate that the project will achieve measurable results and attract the support of lake residents or other members of the community. Applications that benefit only one person or one property will not be considered.) See attached.
4. Source Water Protection information sent out to Ramsey Lake residents - Open house at Living with Lakes Centre May 15. Questions?
5. Further discussion about motorized boating on Ramsey Lake. Here is the Transport Canada website with information about limiting or restricting motor boats http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/debs-obs-resources-publications-restriction-menu-245.htm
6. Other items

Application for LWQ Grant Program 2012 Form (ENG)_Web Accessible.doc

 Thousands of birds dying in the middle of the ocean...because they eat & feed their young our plastic/rubber garbage

http://www.midwayfilm.com/

Dear Watershed Stewards,

1. The draft Source Protection Plan was posted yesterday for public review, along with the Explanatory Document, at: http://www.nickeldistrict.ca/dwsp/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=89&Itemid=60&lang=e

The Draft Source Protection Plan is a locally-developed, science-based plan that sets out to protect sources of municipal drinking water from contamination. The plan identifies potential threats and prescribes policies, actions and programs to reduce or eliminate these threats.

greater_sudbury_source_protection_area_explanatory_document.pdf

Why is this important if you have your own well or get water from your own lake?
Because you can use the information about best practices designed to protect municipal surface water sources and wells to protect your own source water. Check out the summary attached. Comments are welcome.

 

Ramsey Lake Stewardship Committee Meeting Minutes
April 5, 2012

Next meeting is on May 3, 2012

Present: Andrea, Andre, Shehnaz, Kevin, Elaine, K.V., John, Liz, Jan, Lilly

1. We added some new info to our flyer. It will be finalized and sent out to 3600 watershed residents on Friday, April 13 by mail. Andre, Andrea, Kevin, Liz, Elaine and Jan will be distributing some flyers by hand, as well.
2. Everything is on schedule for the rain barrel sale on Sunday, April 22.  We have sold over 120 rain barrels. Everyone is welcome to come out and help, especially at 9:30am to help unload the truck.
3. We decided not to overextend ourselves on Earth Day with the rain barrel sale so we won’t be going too far with the balloons on storm sewers. We will try to do that just near York and Paris St.
4. We will be opening a bank account. Jan John and Lilly will be signing officers with two signatures required for each cheque.
5. Fran Caldarelli spoke with the head of stormwater management and he said that putting green infrastructure at the Bell Park Beach stormwater outlet would not be possible but he would look into doing that at another smaller location.
6. We discussed the problem of motorboats on the lake. One way to reduce the large number of boats on Ramsey Lake may be to charge an eco-fee to launch a boat at the public boat launch.
7. We discussed problems with the Howey Dr. development and the effects it will have on Ramsey Lake. Lilly will write a letter of concern for the Monday, April 16 planning meeting about the development.
8.  

Ramsey Lake Stewardship Committee

April 16, 2012                                                              

City of Greater Sudbury

City Clerk

P.O. Box 5000 Station A

200 Brady Street

Sudbury ON P3A 5P3 SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1

Re: Applications for Plan of Subdivision in order to permit the development of 192 residential lots.

Howey Drive, Sudbury - Dalron Construction Limited

File Number:  780-6/11007

To Whom It May Concern:

The Ramsey Lake Stewardship Committee (RLSC) is dedicated to protecting and enhancing the health of the Ramsey Lake watershed and its drinking water quality. Our vision is to keep Ramsey Lake a drinkable, fishable, swimmable and enjoyable lake for many years to come for all Sudburians.

As a community group, we have some concerns with the proposed development off Howey Drive on the north shore of Ramsey Lake.

1. Full Watershed Study Needed

Although stormwater studies are prepared for developments such as this one, the RLSC would like to see a complete watershed study which will look at not just how to manage stormwater but what the effect of all the current and proposed development in the watershed will be on the ecosystem of the lake. A comprehensive study should be completed before any more large developments are approved in the watershed. Ramsey Lake is too important a lake for Sudbury for us to keep approving development with no knowledge of what the cumulative affects of these developments will be on the lake.

2. Stormwater Management Must Include Green Infrastructure

The land in question is described as being covered in dense vegetation and therefore provides water retention and filtration services but will be replaced with hard, impervious surfaces if the development is approved. Because this area is close to the intake for drinking water, the development should incorporate Low Impact Development techniques to reduce the faster rates of flow of dirtier stormwater. Permeable pavers for driveways, bioswales along roads, rain barrels, rain water gardens and green roofs are just a few green infrastructure techniques that should be used in this development. No stormwater from this development should be diverted to old stormwater infrastructure in the adjacent neighbourhoods, which bring water directly to Ramsey Lake. As a drinking water source for 60,000, it is very important to keep raw stormwater from entering the lake directly especially since this large development is located just upstream of the David St. water intake. Also, sufficient care should be taken during construction that disturbed soil not be allowed to flow directly into Ramsey Lake since soil is high in phosphorus and will increase the likelihood of another toxic blue-green algae bloom.

3. Green Space in the Ramsey Lake Watershed

The Green Space Advisory Panel has identified the southern most area of this land as a Level 5 property (Highest Priority) for acquisition (area 10-74). It is 4.2 hectares in size and a natural buffer to the lake. However, in the current plan for development, the size of it appears much smaller. See attached maps. We recommend that the pedestrian walkway or Block 198 be increased to the area identified in the Green Space Panel Report to provide the best possible buffer for Ramsey Lake

4. Increased salt in the watershed

This new development will necessitate the City using salt during the winter on the new roads. The current 66 acre forested area does not contribute to the salt levels in the lake. With salt levels in Ramsey Lake already over 50 mg/L, the inevitable increased input of salt is worrisome.

5. Traffic Concerns

A development of this size is expected to generate approximately 3,500 vehicle trips on an average weekday. Currently, Howey Drive and Van Horne Street carry an annual average daily traffic volume of 8,500. A second development, recently approved (Planning Committee, April 5, 2011) on the north side of Howey Drive between Van Horne Street and St. Raphael Street, when fully developed, will generate more than 4,700 weekday vehicle trips. These two new developments will add 8,200 new vehicle trips on an average weekday. This is almost a 100% increase in traffic. Retaining more green space in the development will reduce the number of lots and reduce the expected traffic and necessary road reconstruction.

Request for Notice

The Ramsey Lake Stewardship Committee, in keeping with subsections 17(35) and 51(37) of the Planning Act, requests to receive notice of any decision of Council related to this development proposal.

Sincerely,

Lilly Noble

Co-Chair, Ramsey Lake Stewardship Committee

(705) 691-5538

ramseylake@live.com

Sudbury Seedling Swap May 12th

http://sudburyfoodconnections.blogspot.ca/2012/04/sudburys-own-seeding-swap.html

Amanda (Collins) LeClair
Good Food Box Coordinator
Coordinatrice de la Boîte de Bonne Bouffe
goodfoodbox@spcsudbury.ca
www.goodfoodboxsudbury.ca
www.boitedebonnebouffesudbury.ca



 

Earth Hour was pioneered in 2007 by the World Wildlife Fund-Australia. It is designed to raise awareness of climate change and to symbolize that by working together, the people of the world can make a difference in the fight against global warming. The inaugural Earth Hour saw 2.3 million participants in Sydney, Australia saving 25,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide. To participate, citizens are encouraged to register at www.wwf.ca/earthhour.

Shannon Dowling, Corporate Communications City of Greater Sudbury, 705-674-4455, ext. 2539 Facebook: www.facebook.com/greatersudbury Twitter: @greatersudbury

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Take two minutes to protect a unique lake and old growth red pine forest in the Sudbury area

Did you know that only ~1.2% of old growth red pine forest remains in the world?  Did you know that the largest remnant is at Wolf Lake, an old growth red pine forest within the limits of Greater Sudbury, unique not only to Canada, but globally as well?

The good news is that the Ontario government has recently decided to retain the Forest Reserve designation for Wolf Lake Old Growth Forest.

The bad news is that this still allows for exploration and development of existing mining claims and leases

Wolf Lake needs to be brought into the parks system, as part of the Chiniguchi Waterway Park, which sandwiches it to the north and south, to properly protect this old growth forest, and the Chiniguchi river system.



Please consider taking the following actions:

-  Send a pre-written fax to Premier McGuinty:  http://earthroots.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=172

-  Call Minister Bartolucci:  705-675-1914.

Ask that Wolf Lake be brought into the Chiniguchi Waterway Park AND that the existing mining claims and leases NOT be renewed.

-  Share this call to action with others!  Please forward to your contacts and networks.

-   Sign this petition http://savewolflake.org/index.php/take-action


To see the official posting, go to:  http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/displaynoticecontent.do?noticeId=MTA3NjM3&statusId=MTczNzM0&language=en <http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/displaynoticecontent.do?noticeId=MTA3NjM3&statusId=MTczNzM0&language=en>

For news coverage, see:

http://www.thesudburystar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3499893 <http://www.thesudburystar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3499893>

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/1145737--ontario-scraps-plans-to-expand-mining-in-an-old-growth-area-near-temagami <http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/1145737--ontario-scraps-plans-to-expand-mining-in-an-old-growth-area-near-temagami>

http://www.northernlife.ca/news/localNews/2012/03/13-wolf-lake-status-sudbury.aspx <http://www.northernlife.ca/news/localNews/2012/03/13-wolf-lake-status-sudbury.aspx>

Link to EarthCare Newsletter

http://www.greatersudbury.ca/cms/index.cfm?app=div_earthcare&currID=11727&lang=en

Link to Earthcare Newsletter archives

 http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=ec051dc175e591434d3d181a0&id=ee76f80ce6 

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