Save the Blanding's Turtle |

The government of Ontario is seriously considering allowing an private corporation to ‘kill, harm and harass threatened species’ that are protected by the Endangered Species Act, 2007 at Ostrander Point, in Prince Edward County.

Ostrander Point is an internationally recognized ‘Important Bird Area’ and home to the Blanding's Turtle and Whip poor will birds – both protected by the Endangered Species Act.

Gilead Power is actively seeking permission to ‘kill, harm and harass’ these species and ‘disrupt and destroy’ their habitat in the process.

They must be stopped. Please stand up for endangered species and the environment.

Fill out the form below before February 19th 2012 to voice your opposition before it’s too late and forward this web page to friends and family.

Please add any comments of your own, fill out your name, email and postal code before hitting 'send'

TO: Sandra Guido on behalf of Shannon McNeill, Senior Project Evaluator - Ministry of Environment

CC: Agatha Garcia-Wright, Director - Environmental Assessment and Approvals Branch

Jim Bradley, Minister of the Environment

Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario

Subject: EBR Registry Number: 011-5239

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Your Message
I am writing to express my opposition to Gilead Power’s proposed industrial wind turbine development at Ostrander Point. The government of Ontario should not proceed in issuing any permits regarding the Ostrander Point proposal because this project can only proceed if the Ministry of Natural Resources grants Gilead Power a permit under Section 17 of the Endangered Species Act, 2007 to ‘kill, harm or harass’ the Blanding’s Turtle or Whip-poor-will bird. The Ministry of Natural Resources has a responsibility to protect Ontario’s crown land assets from irresponsible development. This project will cause serious and irreparable harm to these threatened species populations in this unique ecosystem which supports abundant biodiversity. Granting permission to a private industrial wind developer to ‘kill, harm and harass’ threatened species on crown land is highly irresponsible and cannot be justified within the framework of the Endangered Species Act. ‘Killing, harming and harassing’ the Blanding’s Turtle cannot result in an ‘overall benefit’ to the species as suggested in the application to ‘kill, harm and harass’ the Blanding’s Turtle. As the landowner and lease holder, the Ministry of Natural Resources has the option of considering ‘no development’ as an alternative to any form of development on Ostrander Point. In doing so, the Ministry could focus on ensuring no harm is done to any listed or endangered species that make their homes within the protected lands of Ostrander Point. If ‘no development’ on Ostrander Point is not considered as an alternative, it is impossible for the Ministry of Natural Resources to declare their satisfaction at steps to minimize the number of Blanding’s Turtles to be ‘killed, harmed and harassed’ by Gilead Power Corporation. As a concerned citizen, I am calling on you, to protect Ostrander Point for the Blanding’s Turtle and Whip-poor-will bird and deny Gilead Power Corporation permission to ‘kill, harm and harass’ threatened species on crown land at Ostrander Point. You must reinforce the Government’s commitment and responsibility to protect crown land and ensure it is responsibly managed . Allowing Gilead Power Corporation to ‘kill, harm and harass’ threatened species on crown land is not responsible and should not be allowed. Do not grant any approvals to Gilead Power Corporation under EBR posting 011-5239 or EBR 011-3181. Ontarians are watching.

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