Blue Gold rush from CTV

http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20080216/BC_firststory_saturday_080216/20080318/?hub=BritishColumbiaHome

Koch Creek Under Threat from Private Developers

The latest installment in Damien Gillis' "Rivers at Risk" video seriesis about Koch Creek in the Slocan Valley. You can view it here: http://saveourrivers.ca/video-library-mainmenu-29/252-rivers-at-risk-koch-creek

Koch Creek is a tributary of the Slocan River

where exactly is the Ashlu creek

Squamish Area

New Wiki Created to collect Canadian River Data

Canadian Rivers Report Card

http://www.wiki-site.com/index.php?title=Canadian_Rivers_Report_Card

All things must pass

"After zipping and snapping and popping my way into rubber and plastic and> nylon today, I slide into current and head out to play in water that's> foaming and rushing away" kayaky


What a year it has been!

Les Amis have finally filed their application for leave to the supreme court of Canada regarding the Judicial Review of the Laniel Dam Environmental Assessment.

The questions being asked concern whether or not Navigation must be preserved.

A simple question and a simple answer required which likely will not make any difference in the project itself since but have more relevance to future EA's and future projects.

What's done will not be undone by the Supreme Court, rather, we appeal to the government to do the right thing, what they should have done inthe first place.

Even the law has its limitations. This finally has become a political issue.

Les amis de la rivière Kipawa apply for leave to appeal in the Supreme Court of Canada

Its no small matter.

What we did...

Filed for judicial review in the Federal Court... lost
Filed for appeal of the Federal Court decision in the Federal Court of Appeal... lost and now
Filed for leave to appeal in the Supreme Court of Canada...

It is the last step in a long chain of events which began in October of 2005 with news of the intent to refurbish the dam on the Kipawa river at Laniel, P.Q.

It now comes down to preserving the rights of Canadians to paddle our lakes, rivers and streams unfettered by the capricious actions of unaccountable bureaucrats, and the public's need to rely on a fair Environmental Assessment 'process' to protect our environment.

Peter and Maude Barlowe

A very impressive Canadian, Maude cares deeply about the security of our water resources. Here she meets a river preservationist, yours truly, at St. Paul's University in Ottawa, November 12, 2008.

More from Jeff McColl

More prose from Jeff McColl concerning river preservation

For the resaon why I am doing this go here (forum I belong to)

http://www.myccr.com/SectionForums/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=31049



I am not a fan of chain e-mails and have never forwarded one, (except for child find ) let alone start one. However, if you are concerned for Canadian rivers or the debate(s) on other environmental concerns, then pass this on! I am not supported by any political party or major environmental group and have no multi-million dollar advertising budget. Only my passion for paddling and being outdoors propels me. So, equipped with the internet and written word as my tools, I hope to spread the word to help preserve our rights under the Navigable Waters Protection Act.



This Act, enshrined in law, gives all Canadians access to waterways and protects access to those waterways for future generations - the ability to canoe, kayak, power boat, to fish and to hunt, much the same as Canadians 100 years ago, except instead of doing it to survive we do it for recreation.



In the recent past, Canadians have learned to use this Act for protection of their water ways. The Act required that “works” be made known, giving a chance for concerned citizens to voice their concerns over those proposed projects. If Canadians, even 40 years ago, showed the same concern for their environment we would not be using huge amounts of tax dollars to rehabilitate the many cement ditches and destroyed urban watersheds.



The proposed changes brought forward in June of this year are cause for great concern to the ordinary user of Canadian water ways.



“Too silent to be real”



These words from Gordon Lightfoot’s “Canadian Railroad Trilogy” instantly place an image in your mind of the vast tracts of Canadian wilderness.

The trouble is - as we go into this election, the silence is real.

Canadian rivers/watersheds are under unprecedented assault.

The politicians are silent.

The majority of big environmental groups are silent.

The big professional groups/outfitters in all outdoor user groups are silent.

This leaves just a few ordinary Canadians voicing their concerns, trying to ensure the rights given to you over 100 years ago are preserved.

We can understand the need for changes,

We can also understand the need for a fast track mechanism to build infrastructure projects.

But we also understand that these works need to be done in an environmentally way as to safeguard the health of the watersheds.

There should be approved construction/water treatment processes that evolve with technological advancements.

We also believe that the Canadian public should not have to subsidize industry so that they may profit.



When looking for someone to quote, the person’s words who I felt were most appropriate were by Rev. Martin Niemoller. (His words at the end) I believe that Martin Niemoeller’s words were meant for more than man’s inhumanity to man.

As humans continue to assault the planet I believe we should heed his words.

And, as Rev. Niemoeller did, I release this letter to the public domain.



I am Jeff McColl, Milton, Ontario

I am just a mailman.

I speak for Canadian Rivers!

http://www.ispeakforcanadianrivers.com/

We can make a difference!

Forward/copy this to everyone, including the politicians.

Let them know you are speaking up!





“First they came for the Communists, and I didn’t speak up,because I wasn’t a Communist.Then they came for the Jews,and I didn’t speak up,because I wasn’t a Jew.Then they came for the Catholics,and I didn’t speak up,because I was a Protestant.Then they came for me,and by that time there was no oneleft to speak up for me.” - Rev. Martin Niemoller, 1945

A question to politicians regarding proposed changes to the NWPA

A question for Stephane Dion,the Liberal Party and any other political wannabees

Answers will be posted on the "I Speak for Canadian Rivers Site" www.canadianrivers.com and forwarded to the more than 100 various outdoor user groups now aware of this and making statements on their web sites.

...My question deals with the proposed changes to the Navigable Waters Protection Act.

The majority of modern Canadians are completely unaware of the great gifts that this piece of legislation has given us. This legislation is almost as old as the country and was put in place with great foresight by the early Canadian governments, a country which was built on the ability of an open canoe to navigate the vast water resources that we so sadly continue to exploit.

This act, enshrined in law, drafted to give all Canadians access to that resource and to protect that water for future generations the ability to canoe, kayak, power boat, to fish and to hunt, much the same as Canadians 100 years ago, except instead of doing it to survive we do it for recreation.

In the recent past Canadians have learned to use the act for protection of their water ways because the act required that "works" be advertised, giving a chance for concerned citizens to voice their concerns over proposed works. If Canadians even 40 years ago showed the same concern for their environment we would not be using huge amounts of tax dollars to rehabilitate the many cement ditches and destroyed urban watersheds.

At the 11th hour, various out door groups became aware of the proposed changes to the act by the TRAN committee, Chaired by Conservative member of Parliament Merv Tweed of the riding Brandon-Souris and what we found very unsettling was the fact that the stakeholders that were made aware of these meetings were very one-sided (no outdoor user groups were properly invited or made aware of the hearings).

As a Canadian in what is supposed to be a democratic country I found this treatment and their responses towards the outdoor user groups completely unacceptable and frightening.

We can understand the need for changes,
We can also understand the need for a fast track mechanism to build infrastructure projects.

But we also understand that these works need to be done in an environmentally way as to safeguard the health of the watersheds.
There should be approved construction/water treatment processes that evolve with technological advancements.
We also believe that the Canadian public should not have to subsidize industry so that they may profit. A case in point is the 16 lakes/watersheds that have been requested to be made into tailing ponds.
These are just more “Sydney tar ponds” disasters in the making, If the costs of protecting the environment makes the business of mineral or resource extraction unprofitable then the taxpayer shouldn’t make up the difference.

How can we protect/preserve National Parks such as Nahanni, let alone the few areas of old growth forests and urban water sheds that are left with the “Gutting” of our environmental laws that has taken place over the last couple of years?
There is definitely a pattern here where industries cry poor and can not create employment or compete with other international companies, they then lobby, change the laws so that their profit margins increase, and then leave environmental disaster areas, and then claim they do not need to pay for the clean up because it was done under existing laws.

The proposed changes to the Navigable water act are a perfect example of this, and by also denying/removing our heritage rights to access these areas, alarm bells can not be sounded to the desecration of these water sheds.

What is your position on the changes to the Navigable waters Protection Act?
Are you going to ensure that the present right to navigate “small waters” be enshrined in new legislation?
Are you going to restore the right of Canadians to be properly notified and be involved in shaping Canada’s future in this and other committee hearings?


Jeff McColl

RCEN writes a nice letter to Lawrence Canon Minister of Transport - Les Amis Signs

July 28, 2008
The Honourable Lawrence Cannon
Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
Tower C - 330 Sparks St.
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
K1A 0N5
Re. : Environmental Non-Government Organization (ENGO) response to proposed changes to the federal Navigable Waters Protection Act
Honourable Minister:
As member organizations and supporters of the National Water, Fisheries and Oceans Caucus (“Water Caucus”) of the Canadian Environmental Network, we are writing to you regarding our concerns on the proposed changes to Canada’s Navigable Waters Protection Act by the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.
The Canadian Environmental Network is a network of environmental non-government organizations (ENGOs) across Canada which coordinates the work of national caucuses made up of participants drawn from its affiliated member groups. The scope of the Water Caucus includes issues related to water quality and quantity, oceans and fisheries, with the main objectives of sharing information, developing joint strategies, helping each other, and providing advice to the government.
The undersigned members of the Water Caucus believe that the Standing Committee did not provide adequate consultation on the proposed amendments to the NWPA, given that organizations invited to provide submissions did not include paddling organizations – commercial or recreational. The proposed changes to the NWPA could have a profound effect on the activities of paddling organizations on Canadian waterways.
Further, we were disappointed to see that the recommendations of the few organizations that did make submissions were largely ignored. Lake Ontario Waterkeeper, for example, suggested in their submission of May 12, 2008 that three of the proposed amendments could impede free passage and have serious impacts on the protection of navigable waterways in Canada. The specific amendments of concern include changing the definition of “navigable waters” and “work,” as well as deleting the four “named” works from the Act. Lake Ontario Waterkeeper believes that these changes should not be put forward without further consultation and study. However, in their June 12, 2008 news release, the Standing Committee recommended that the government go ahead with all of the amendments to the NWPA that they believe “could be resolved quickly,” including the amendments Waterkeeper advised against pursuing.
While the Standing Committee’s news release does indicate further consultations will be made on this piece of legislation, we have reason to be concerned that future consultations and follow-up will be inadequate, given the actions of the Standing Committee to date, as outlined in this letter.
On behalf of the Canadian Environmental Network’s Water Caucus, we respectfully request a meeting with Transport Canada in order to address our concerns with public consultation regarding amendments to the NWPA.
Sincerely,
Alberta Wilderness Association, AB
Canadian EarthCare Society, BC
Concerned Citizens for a Safe and Healthy Environment, SK
Conservation Council of New Brunswick
Coureurs de Bois Club Ottawa, ON
David Suzuki Foundation
Dog Lake Association, ON
Federation of Alberta Naturalists, AB
Friends of Lily Lake, NB
Friends of the Oldman River, AB
Georgia Strait Alliance, BC
Grand Riverkeeper Labrador, Inc, Nf/Ld
Great Lakes United, ON
Lake Ontario Waterkeeper, ON
Les Amis de la Riviere Kipawa, ON
Les Intendants du Madawaska, NB
The Onoway River Valley Conservation Association, AB
Petitcodiac Riverkeeper, NB
Safe Drinking Water Foundation, AB Chapter
Shearwater Marine Services, SK
Sierra Club Canada
Soil and Water Conservation Society, BC Chapter
South Peace Environment Association, AB
Whitewater Ontario, ON
Yukon Canoe and Kayak Club, YK

cc. The Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment
House of Commons Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
David Osbaldeston, Manager, Navigable Waters Protection Program
Krystyn Tully, Vice-President, Lake Ontario Waterkeeper

How will the proposed changes to the navigable waters protection act affect you and your organization?

In January of this year, Lawrence Cannon, the federal Minister of Transport asked the Standing Committee for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities (TRAN) to begin hearings on proposed changes to the Navigable Waters Protection Act (NWPA).
Pursuant to its mandate under Standing Order 108(2), the Committee has studied the proposed amendments and has published his report named "CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE NAVIGABLE WATERS PROTECTION ACT" on June 12th, 2008.
http://cmte.parl.gc.ca/cmte/CommitteePublication.aspx?COM=13202&SourceId=243590
Hereafter you will find excerpts of this report and related excerpts of the hearings.

A. Definition of Navigable Waters
The government amend the definition of navigable waters to exclude minor waters and that the new definition should clearly state what constitutes a “navigable water.”

Mr. David Osbaldeston (Manager, Navigable Waters Protection Program, Department of Transport) (12/02/2008-1205):
http://cmte.parl.gc.ca/Content/HOC/committee/392/tran/evidence/ev3274882/tranev13-e.htm#T1205
"Right now, in accordance with what the courts have determined, if you can float a canoe or a kayak, regardless of how long or how far, it's navigable."

Mr. Don Johnson (President, Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties, Federation of Canadian Municipalities) (29/04/2008-1120) :
http://cmte.parl.gc.ca/Content/HOC/committee/392/tran/evidence/ev3453770/tranev23-e.htm#T1120
"For further clarity, a navigable water:

(a) must be, for at least three consecutive months of the year, capable of supporting typical transportation, commercial, or recreational type floating vessels that draw a draft of at least one metre;

(b) must be at least two kilometres in length and contain no fixed and permanent restrictions for floating vessels referred to earlier...;

(c) may be a man-made or naturally occurring water body...

In addition, a water body meeting all these criteria may be nominated for designation as a navigable water by one level of government only, either municipal, provincial, or federal."

Question 1:
If navigation is denied on bodies of water that don't comply to Mr. Don Johnson's proposed criterions, do you think this denial would have an impact on your or on your organization activities ?

B. Definition of Work
The government amend the definition of “work” under the NWPA to exclude “minor works.”

Mr. Brian Masse (Windsor West, NDP) (28/02/2008-1205):
http://cmte.parl.gc.ca/Content/HOC/committee/392/tran/evidence/ev3312419/tranev14-e.htm#T1205
"I looked at the minor works, and you had dredging, submarine cables, docks, pipeline crossings. "

TC: http://www.tac-atc.ca/private/environment/pdf/att3-0406.pdf
"List of minor works:
dredging, submarine cables, docks, pipeline crossings, riprap, intakes, winter crossings. "

Question 2:
Do you think dredging, submarine cables, docks, pipeline crossings, riprap, intakes, winter crossings don't have a meaningfull impact on navigation ?

C. Remove Reference to Four “Named” Works
The government consider deleting specific reference to each of the four “named“ works under Section 5(2) of the Navigable Waters Protection Act without compromising the review of works which impede or obstruct navigation.

Ms. Shirley Anne Scharf (Director General, Issues Management Directorate, Program Operations Branch, Infrastructure Canada) (11/03/2008-1115):
http://cmte.parl.gc.ca/Content/HOC/committee/392/tran/evidence/ev3350146/tranev16-e.htm#T1115
"In addition, the proposal to remove the named works from the NWPA would also allow for quicker approval of those named works that are not a significant interference to navigation, such as small bridges, causeways, and micro-hydroelectric projects. "

Mr. Marc Grégoire (Assistant Deputy Minister, Safety and Security, Department of Transport) (28/02/2008-1140):
http://cmte.parl.gc.ca/Content/HOC/committee/392/tran/evidence/ev3312419/tranev14-e.htm#T1140
"Subsection 5(2) of the act contains four named works. They are “bridge, boom, dam...[and] causeway”. These four works were originally named, back in 1882, specifically in the act, as they completely blocked the waterway and thus were traditionally considered significant interferences to navigation. Today in 2008, this is not true any more."

Question 3:
Do you aggree with Mr.Gregoire on the fact the navigation has evolve in a way that it can no more be impeded or obstructed by bridges, booms, dams and causeways ?

D. Inter-Departmental Assessment “Triggers”
The government, in amending the NWPA, ensure that the “trigger” mechanisms contained in other pieces of relevant legislation for environmental assessments and fisheries habitat assessments are not done away with or impeded.

Mr. John Smith (Director, Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, Policy Development, Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency) (11/03/2008-1120):
http://cmte.parl.gc.ca/Content/HOC/committee/392/tran/evidence/ev3350146/tranev16-e.htm#T1120
"In factoring environmental considerations into the planning and decision-making process at an early stage, EA is an important tool for promoting sustainable development...

The proposed changes to the NWPA would mean that minor works and projects in minor waters would not require NWPA approval; consequently, they would not trigger an environmental assessment."

Mr. David Osbaldeston (Manager, Navigable Waters Protection Program, Department of Transport) (12/02/2008-1255)
http://cmte.parl.gc.ca/Content/HOC/committee/392/tran/evidence/ev3274882/tranev13-e.htm#T1255
"Suppose MacMillan Bloedel wants to go into a piece of New Brunswick...
In the past they used to come in and say they were going to clear-cut up here, and were there any navigational concerns?...
We'd take a quick look at it and we'd say no--just go. They'd go in and they'd do their thing with their temporary bridges....
Then came the introduction of ISO standards...
All of a sudden we start having these guys show up with 3,000 applications in hand, saying now they need us to produce 3,000 pieces of paper for them on waterways that for the most part would be covered under these minor waterways that nobody's ever going to put a canoe or a kayak on...
In a changed act, one way would be that if you had 3,000 bridges that really mattered, all on a similar type of waterway on a given project, you could come to us and maybe we'd review it and issue you one document for the 3,000 bridges"

Question 4:
Knowing that selective cuts allow to reach a productivity which is 3 times higher than clear cuts, do you think that the proposed changes would transform the NWPA in a important tool for promoting sustainable development ?

Mr. David Osbaldeston (Manager, Navigable Waters Protection Program, Department of Transport) (28/02/2008-1215):
http://cmte.parl.gc.ca/Content/HOC/committee/392/tran/evidence/ev3312419/tranev14-e.htm#T1215
"As you can see, there's very little we deny or refuse. I think that's the main thing: if somebody has a need to put something in the water, over the water, under the water, or through the water, and has a valid need to do it, we'll try our utmost to get it done in a safe manner."

Question 5:
Do you think this is the best way to protect your navigation rights ?

Ms. Shirley Anne Scharf (Director General, Issues Management Directorate, Program Operations Branch, Infrastructure Canada) (03/06/2008-1115):
http://cmte.parl.gc.ca/Content/HOC/committee/392/tran/evidence/ev3543792/tranev30-e.htm#T1115
"Certainly I understand the concerns of the waterkeepers and their concerns about the environment. So we appreciate that fact. And we have not been engaged in consultations with them....
1220
With respect to your question about canoeists and whitewater enthusiasts, because Transport Canada was administering the act, they have led any consultations that have occurred."

Question 6:
Was your organization consulted on the proposed changes of the NWPA ?

Question 7:
Was your organization informed of the hearings on the proposed changes of the NWPA ?

Mr. Marc Grégoire (Assistant Deputy Minister, Safety and Security, Department of Transport) (12/02/2008-1120):
http://cmte.parl.gc.ca/Content/HOC/committee/392/tran/evidence/ev3274882/tranev13-e.htm#T1120
"This committee is the ideal forum in which to seek the viewpoints of stakeholders who have a vested interest in a new Navigation Protection Act. The committee would provide Transport Canada with an unbiased consideration of the issues and could look at solutions from a fresh perspective. This would be vitally important to the initiative's outcome...
The Navigation Protection Act impacts a wide range of Canadians and areas."

Question 8:
Based on the List of Witnesses (Appendix A) and List of briefs (Appendix B) of the report, do you think the committee could address all the interests of Canadians about the NWPA ?

http://cmte.parl.gc.ca/cmte/CommitteePublication.aspx?COM=13202&SourceId=243590
Appendix A
List of Witnesses

Department of Transport
Marc Grégoire, Assistant Deputy Minister, — Safety and Security
David Osbaldeston, Manager, — Navigable Waters Protection Program
William J. Nash, Director General, — Marine Safety

Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Steve Burgess, Acting Vice-President, — Program Delivery Sector
John Smith, Director, — Legislative Regulatory Affairs, Policy Development
Yves Leboeuf, Vice-President, — Policy Development

Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Gilles Belzile, Director General, — Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, Policy Sector
Ginny Flood, National Director, — Environmental Assessments and Major Projects, Oceans and Habitat Sector

Infrastructure Canada
Keith Grady, Senior Advisor, — Environment Review and Approvals, Issues Management Directorate, Program Operations Branch
Shirley Anne Scharf, Director General, — Issues Management Directorate, Program Operations Branch

Federation of Canadian Municipalities
Susan Irwin, Senior Policy and Research Analyst
Don Johnson, President, — Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties
David Marit, President, — Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities

Government of Alberta
Ron Middleton, Director, — Environmental Management Services, Ministry of Transportation

Appendix B
List of Briefs
Beaver County
Brazeau County
Canadian Construction Association
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Canoe Kayak Nova Scotia
Council of Marine Carriers
County of Minburn No. 27
County of Thorhild No. 7
County of Wetakiwin No. 10
Department of Transport
Federation of Canadian Municipalities
Government of Alberta, Alberta Transportation
Government of British Columbia, Ministry of Transportation
Government of Manitoba, Infrastructure and Transportation
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Department of Transport and Works
Government of the Northwest Territories, Department of Transport
Government of Nova Scotia, Transportation and Infrastructure
Government of Ontario, Ministry of Transportation
Government of Saskatchewan, Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure
Government of Yukon, Department of Highways and Public Works
Heather Matthews
Lake Ontario Waterkeeper
Les Amis de la Rivière Kipawa
Mackenzie County
Municipal District of Wainwright No. 61
Ponoka County
Township of Enniskillen
Western Canada Roadbuilders & Heavy Construction Association

River Vigil: video coverage

Taken from the Day of Vigil for Rivers here for your viewing enjoyment on You -Tube, moving and inspirational messages from

Jim Coffey
Doug Skeggs
Rob Monti
Rod Northey
Celeste (Sierra Club)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxPn3D-85JQ

River Fest this weekend

The Gull River Festival


For More Information on Minden Wildwater Preserve

info link: http://www.theriverfest.ca/
date: Friday, June 27, 2008 to Sunday, June 29, 2008
type: other,play,race
difficulty: novice
accommodation: camp

Riverfest 2008 is Haliburton County’s most popular music, arts and kayaking festival. The event is held annually over the Canada Day weekend in the Minden Wildwater Preserve on the Gull River in Minden, Ontario, Canada. Riverfest 2008 promotes FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!

Make plans now to attend Riverfest 2008, June 27-29, 2008. Book your campsite today. New acts, vendors and attractions will be added to the website as they are confirmed.

Check back with us regularly for new information!

Minden Wild Water Preserve
The Town of Minden is about 2.5 hrs. north east of Toronto on highway 35. The Preserve is located approximately 7 kilometers north east of Minden on the Gull River via Country Rd. 20 (Horseshoe Lake Rd.) Turn South onto Bethelchurch Road and cross the single lane stone bridge.
The Minden Wild Water Preserve is privately owned and operated by Whitewater Ontario for the use of its members.
The Preserves 100 acres include:

• Well drained campsites with picnic tables
• Large and small picnic shelters
• Indoor and outdoor washroom facilities
• Hot and cold running water
• Campers room with clothes dryer
• Trails for hiking, biking or cross country skiing

Parking is available on the south side of County Road #20. There is a large parking lot on the north side of County Rd #20 and at the Training Centre. Do not park on shoulder of County Rd.#20 or on Horseshoe Lake Road.

Whitewater Ontario
Paddlers of course will be familiar with the following events, for the non paddling music fans make sure to get down to the river and see at least one of these events, you’ll be amazed at the entertainment value and the advanced skills of the paddlers participating. If you are really daring bring some water clothing and we’ll do our best to get you into a boat in the nearby lake area.

On Saturday morning the annual Andrew Westlake Memorial Slalom Race will be held. This is a traditional slalom race using the entire run of the river. An excellent spectator event and a top quality race with many of the current Canadian team racers and Olympic hopefuls.

Saturday afternoon on the upper section of the Gull river Boatwerks will host the Boatercross Downriver Race. This is open to all festival participants. Think motocross on the water, head to head kayakers racing from start to finish in heats until only one is left. Elimination racing, side by side in Class 4 whitewater, very exciting to watch, even more exciting if you are in one of the boats.

Sunday all day there will be workshops and clinics for beginning to advanced paddlers. Festival goers are encouraged to join one of these sessions to learn first strokes or improve existing skills. Whitewater Ontario will make our fleet of kayaks and gear available for a first time experience to folks who don’t own gear. On the other end of the spectrum, if you want to buff up some serious creeking or river running skills the Gull and these sessions could be the place.

Sunday Afternoon Mountain Surf Paddling Gear will host a freestyle / rodeo event. As yet the details aren’t confirmed but typically this is a surf based competition held at Earl’s wave in the upper river area. This event is often referred to the Average Joe and Jane Rodeo, in other words no pros. Maybe if enough of them are present we’ll see a Pro class. We’ll see what turns up this is always a fun event with some of the most impressive kayak skills being demonstrated.

Whitewater Ontario will also provide a food concession during the day Saturday consisting of barbecue foods, there will be a few healthy and vegetarian choices also.

Saturday though out the day and early evening there will be commemorative events and race results.

This is the Twenty Eighth year of operation of this amazing whitewater facility and we’re planning to honour the folks who started the thing and have kept it going over those years.

We are currently working on more activities for RiverFest ‘08. Please check back for more details as we confirm them.

Another beautiful day on the middle Channel of the Ottawa River

Question:

Under the proposed changes to the NWPA, would a work such as a dam, boom or weir at Garvin's be a minor work: you'd have to ask the official making the assessment: forget about any public consulation either.

22nd Kipawa River Rally

22nd Annual Kipawa River Rally
June 21 - 22, 2008 in Laniel Quebec

The Rally will definitely be the week of June 21, 22, 2008

Whether you’ve been before, or you’re coming for the first time, mark this date on your calendar and plan to be there.

Come and find out why people say this is the best white water run in eastern Canada!

Spread the word...it starts one week from today!

We can expect GREAT Water Levels: between 120 – 150 cms on the new gauge...ideal flow for the Rally.

The Kipawa is a PADDLER’S RIVER. It has been paddled by recreational boaters since 1968. It has been home to the annual Kipawa River Rally for 22 years. It is a diamond in the rough, a very cool natural space that we need to protect.

At a time when the Federal Government is proposing to change the Navigable Waters Protection Act, come out, have fun, and show your support.

Rally T-shirts this year will have a new message: "I Speak for Canadian Rivers"

Raft the Rally – River Rafting Doesn’t Get Much Better Than This
For information contact Esprit Rafting: http://www.whitewater.ca

COME TO THE 22nd ANNUAL KIPAWA RIVER RALLY JUNE 21-22
For information visit the Les Amis website: http://www.kipawariver.ca


This may be the BEST Kipawa River Rally EVER!!!

More about changes to the NWPA - will we be sleep walking through this one as well?

NEWS RELEASE

Consideration of Proposed Amendments to the Navigable Waters Protection Act

Ottawa, June 12, 2008 -

Today, the Committee presented its report to the House of Commons, entitled: CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE NAVIGABLE WATERS PROTECTION ACT.
In February 2008, the government requested that the House of Commons Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities undertake consultations to develop a new Navigable Waters Protection Act. This Act, which was written in 1882, is one of the oldest pieces of legislation in Canada.
While the Committee appreciates the necessity for developing new legislation, we believe that rather than dealing with the entire piece of legislation it would better serve the needs of stakeholders to first deal with those sections of the Act that could be resolved quickly. To this end, Transport Canada set forth seven areas for the Committee to examine. These include; the definition of “navigable waters”, the definition of “work”, reference to “named” works, fines, removal of wrecks, inspection powers and the review of the Act.
Our report makes recommendations concerning these issues as well as on an additional item dealing with inter-departmental environmental assessments and fisheries habitat assessments.
The Committee recommends that the government:
• amend the definition of navigable waters to exclude minor waters and clearly define what constitutes a navigable water;
• amend the definition of “work” to exclude “minor works”;
• consider deleting specific reference to the “four” named works in the Act without compromising the review of works that impede or obstruct navigation;
• ensure that the “trigger” mechanisms contained in other pieces of relevant legislation for environmental assessment and fisheries habitat assessment are not done away with or impeded;
• develop as system of significant fines;
• take into account international agreements with regard to removal of wrecks;
• clearly define inspection powers to ensure compliance with all provisions of the NWPA; and
• include a five - year review clause in the Act to correct any deficiencies in the implementation of the proposed amendments to the Act.
We believe that these recommendations can lead to improvements in the current legislation and benefit stakeholders in terms of easing the backlog of projects and more clearly defining the approval process. We would also note that this is the first stage in our process in dealing with changes to the NWPA. Once we receive the government’s proposed amendments we will be undertaking further consultations on this piece of legislation.
The report is available at http://cmte.parl.gc.ca/cmte

- 30 -

For more information, please contact:
Maxime Ricard, Clerk of the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
Tel: 613-996-4663
E-mail: TRAN@parl.gc.ca

Proposed changes to NWPA

IMPORTANT NOTICE
Harper Government
Wants to De-Water the Navigable Waters Protection Act
While locked in a legal struggle over navigation rights with a grassroots river
advocacy group, the federal government is attempting an end-run on that legal
case by proposing changes to the Navigable Waters Protection Act that would
render this historic act completely irrelevant.
As the minutes of the March 11, 2008 meeting of the parliamentary Standing
Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, clearly show that the
Government of Canada wants to change the NWPA to make it easier to put
dams, bridges and other structures on Canadian Rivers without giving any
consideration to the environmental impact of loss of navigation.
What this mans is that the people who navigate rivers in this country will no
longer have a say in accessing the environmental impacts of development.
WHAT THEY WANT TO CHANGE?
The Canadian Government wants to remove the following from the Navigable
Waters Protection Act:
- minor waters
- minor works
- dams, bridges, causeways and booms
These proposed changes to the NWPA will gut this historic legislation, erase our
heritage right of navigation, and will have a serious impact on the environment
in Canada.
WHAT DOES “MINOR WATERS” MEAN?
Here’s how Shirley Anne Scharf of Infrastructure Canada answered that
question for the parliamentary committee March 11: “The way it (the NWPA) is
constructed right now—and I believe David Osbaldeston made this point—minor
waters are such that I believe if you float a canoe in a body of water it is
considered a navigable water. From that point of view, streamlining the act
and excluding things of that nature would be very advantageous.”
WHAT DOES “MINOR WORKS” MEAN?
The government is not clear on that. Infrastructure Canada says minor works
would include “micro-hydroelectric projects” among other things.
Another reference says “minor work” means when a project has a minor impact
on navigation.
What this really seems to mean is that project proponents and federal
bureaucrats will decide what is a minor work and what is a minor impact. They
will decide what will be exempt from the navigation protection provisions of the
NWPA. And that is very scary.
DAMS BRIDGES CAUSEWAYS AND BOOMS?
Eliminating these “four named works” from the NWPA would gut the Act and
render it irrelevant.
These are the projects that have the greatest impact on navigation. That is why
they are specifically named in the act in the first place.
WHY DOES THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WANT TO SCRAP THESE
ENVIRONMENTAL SAFEGUARDS IN THE NWPA?
We don’t know. It makes no sense. At a time when Canadian Rivers are under
serious threat from all directions, we don’t know why the federal government
wants to make matters worse in orders of magnitude.
When we protect navigation rights, we protect rivers.
Les Amis de la Rivière Kipawa — Canadian Rivers
www.kipawariver.ca — www.canadianrivers.net

Canoe the credit

Canoe the Credit

organizer: Credit Valley Conservation Foundation
info link: http://www.creditvalleycons.com/foundation/canoethecredit.htm
date: Sunday, June 1, 2008
type: race
difficulty: novice
Just a reminder, the first annual Canoe the Credit event is only 7 days away.
There is still room in the 24 Km event . The water on the river is at 4.54M, which is higher than it was last year. We have plenty of prizes for high pledges and free food for all.

Participants will have an opportunity to canoe down the Credit river at their own pace from Credit Meadows to Port Credit. Boats will be started at intervals from 9 in the morning. A 5 km paddle is available for less experienced paddlers. Guides and canoes are available. Collect a minimum of $50.00 in pledges to enter. The event will finish with a celebration at the MCC. You will have an opportunity to meet Larry Cain and John Wood. All money raised will go to the Conservation Youth Corps.

Check out www/creditvalleycons.com/foundation/canoethecredit.htm or email foundation@creditvalleycons.com for more information.

We hope we'll see you there.

Link to vvcc event page for this event: http://vvcc.ca/calendar/info.php?trip=377

JUNE 8th is the National Day of Rivers

June 8th is National Rivers Day in Canada. It would be appropriate to show your support of river preservation activities of Les Amis de la Rivière Kipawa.

Doug Corkery Appreciation Day

Doug is shown here standing at the public overlook of the Pump House Slalom Raceway. An amazing amount of time and effort has been required to get to this point. It goes to show how persistence and and calm and deliberate approach, can reap rewards.




Doug Corkery of the Ottawa River Runners received a new slalom boat and relate gear from his admirers. Doug has worked long and hard , as well as patiently to see his dream of a whitewater slalom course at the PUMP HOUSE in Ottawa's downtown core become a reality.

Doug Corkery Appreciation Day

Doug Corkery of the Ottawa River Runners received a new slalom boat and relate gear from his admirers. Doug has worked long and hard , as well as patiently to see his dream of a whitewater slalom course at the PUMP HOUSE in Ottawa's downtown core become a reality.

WO Executive Accepts Resignation

As of 2008 05 01 I have resigned as president of Whitewater Ontario.

I am no longer officially associated with Whitewater Ontario in any capacity.

Pete

Once in a Lifetime - President of Whitewater Ontario

I have been president of Whitewater Ontario for about a year and a half. Prior to that I was treasurer of the organization since 1998.

WO has gone through its changes as every organization has done, and is largely a reflection of its keen membership.

During this time I have also been president and vice president of Les Amis de la riviere Kipawa. We've hosted Kipawa River Rallies for almost 20 years - we had to cancel last year because of significant difficulties in working with PWGSC. I have recently been re elected as President of Les Amis.

The time has come to reflect on the need to either stay on with Whitewater Ontario as President or not. There are those who argue against citing a conflict of interest. I do not, personally see a conflict but that is finally for others to judge.

Some of my achievments with Whitewater Ontario include the following:

I worked with a task force to help resolve an issue where fire fighters had been abusing the privilege of using the Minden Training Preserve. We ended up with a new policy and a better working relationship with all parties.

I introduced the use of teleconferencing for our executive members and it has been used regularly during our monthly meetings.

I have petitioned MNR and Ministry of the Environment in an attempt to try and get WO listed as a stakeholder of record for any environmental assessments that deal with our free flowing whitewater resources.

I have given talks at the Canadian Heritage River Conferences, most recently in Winnipeg. I have written papers for the Canadian Dam Association on the subject of navigation of water control structures.

I have worked with officials at PWGSC/Parks Canada concerning the operation of the Minden Dam along the trent severn Waterway.

During my watch the website for Whitewater Ontario www.whitewaterontario.ca has been significantly upgraded thanks to the work of Cam McDiarmid and Bryce Huskilson.

I have ensured that WO is a member of the AWA ensuring member discounts of 10% or more for its members.

I have ensured that WO is a member of the Ontario environmental Network to assist us ensuring that the recreational value of whitewater remains on the agenda of the National Water Caucus agenda of the Canadian Environmental Network.

I petitioned the Minden Township officials for there support of Whitewater Ontario in running the Minden Wildewater Preserve.

I did apply, unsuccessfully for an MEC grant to help implement the new management and marketing plans for Minden.

I organized a Minden Preserve clean up last season '07 where many improvements were made to the training center. A large number of volunteers came out to help.

I facilitated the involvement of Sir Sanford Flemming college Recreation and tourism students in helping to draft business and marketing plans for the preserve.

I have facilitated the hiring of summer students for the Minden Preserve for the past several years.

I have been operating this blog to keep the paddling community up to date on happenings in the paddling community.

I have managed to keep the organization rolling but we have an new and invigorated executive with capable members. Jim Tayler has been instrumental in organizing strategic planning sessions, Steve Pomeroy has been extremely effective on the executive as treasurer, and Claudia Van Wjck has been very helpful on the executive as well due to her long standing and noble career in paddle recreation.

Carole Westwood has applied her expertise in management of instruction to the benefit of the organization and has laid the groundwork for repatriation of the NCCP program and recreational instruction standardized program with WO.

Its a distinguished group and we have accomplished a great deal.

I am greatly appreciative of all the volunteers that I have worked with. I especially want to thank Gary George and his significant other, Cammy for all their help at Minden and best wishes. How could one not be successful with help like that?

However, it may be time for a graceful and dignified exit. My passion with Les Amis will continue. I believe the cause is just. As for Whitewater Ontario, it is a fine and long lived organization and new blood may now be required.

Pete

Whitewater Ontario thanks MACKFEST ORGANIZERS

The first M.A.C.K. Fest was a huge success due to the great efforts and dedication of a few key people such as Cale and Stephanie Reeder, their families and other volunteers. Special recognition also needs to be given to Tammy Kirby, the M.A.C.K. Fest webmaster, who provided current information in a very user friendly manner. The festival was well organized and well attended by paddlers and their families. The tremendous cooperation and support by sponsors and the community needs to be commended, and it must be recognized that a vast amount of work goes into bringing the non-paddling community on board for such an event. The members and executive of WO would like to thank the M.A.C.K. Fest organizers for the great job of organizing the festival, and bringing greater awareness to the sport of whitewater paddling and the many rivers in the Marmora area.

Peter Karwacki apologizes for Blog concerning MACKFEST

I offer my apology to the M.A.C.K. fest organizers on this blog and the BOATWERKS boater board to clarify that WO and Peter Karwacki had no involvement in the organization of M.A.C.K. fest other then attending and enjoying the rivers. M.A.C.K. fest is still planning on donating a portion of the festivals proceeds to Whitewater Ontario as we discussed before the festival. That money is to be directly used for W.O. operating costs.

Elora Gorge Down River and Slalom Race

Elora Gorge Down river and Slalom Race

organizer: Jeff McColl
date: Saturday, May 10, 2008 to Sunday, May 11, 2008
type: other,scenic,race,learn
difficulty: novice
Novice and Intermediate
accommodation: other

You can camp at the conservation area or just come each day. We use a couple of the group camping spots over by the chute north of the high level bridge.
I help run the race and will be there to help coach those who want it.
Hoping it will be my first river trip of the year.
Complete novices do not run the chute for the slalom. or you can just come and run the river and we can socialize.
Rapids are grade 2 and 3 and if we get rain, Irvine creek is a good run.
Jeff

MACKFEST

The first annual MACKFEST was a huge success thanks to the tireless efforts of many especially Gary and Cammy George and Cale Reeder.

Weekend was a great success.

List of people, companies, and volunteers to thank as it would not be possible without them.

Sponsors; both prizes and money to help with the event.
Boatwerks / AO
Rapid
H2O Paddles
Esprit
Complete Paddler
Pyranha
Level Six
M.K.C.
Element Expeditions
Mountain Equipment Co-op (Toronto)
Kokatat
Aqua-bound
Esquif
Northwater
Redtail paddles
Wildrock Outfitters
Church Key
Occasions on the Bay
Black Diamond Golf

And many many more. Please check out our website www.mackfest.ca to see all sponsors involved

Volunteers;
Tammy & Rob Kirby
Shaun Moore
Jenn Paige
Stephanie, Tom, Shirley, & Keri Reeder
Bryce
Cathie Jones
Marc Forget
Billy Jo
Mike & Barb Irwin
Yves Blanchard
Todd & Tara
Andrew & Dawn
Rick
Rich
Matt
Mackenzie
And again many more that I am sure I have missed.

The Bands
Lazy John & The Ireland Brothers

The Town of Marmora
Ron Chittick, Cathie Jones, & all the B&B’s Motels etc.

And everyone who showed up to help make this event a success.

Please don’t forget about the Photo Contest. Prizes still available details on website.

Donation to Easter Seals and Whitewater Ontario will be put up later this month

The 1st Ever M.A.C.K.Fest was a great success!!!

Photo's, videos, stories and trip reports on the rivers ran at the festival will soon be up on the website. The website will stay online, so everyone can reference it for further information on all those great rivers.

A huge thank-you to all the volunteers, sponsor's and paddlers who made this new festival a great event.

To contribute a photo, story, video or trip report for publishing, please send to thepaddlingpaparazzi@hotmail.com

Congratulations!

Les Amis has a new Executive for 2008!!

Peter Karwacki was acclaimed as president at the AGM, and Les Amis de la riviere Kipawa have four new people on the executive.

There was a lot of energy in the room.

Michael Simms is secretary
Leah Kindree is Membership Chair
Bill Weber is Rally coordinator
Wayne Donison is Vice President
Peter Karwacki is President
Francois Diebolt is the Treasurer
Doug is Director of River Preservation

There was one major decision made at the AGM, there will definitely be a 20th Kipawa River Rally in June 2008, with or without water.

At the end of the meeting, people were energized. Naturally it would have been great to have had Lucie Germaine and Christian Belisle there at the meeting but in the end, we had to go with those who could attend. Now we must move forward with new energy and spirit.

There is discussion afoot to morph Les Amis de la riviere Kipawa into a more national organization to speak for all rivers.

LES AMIS AGM to be held at the MACKFEST

Our plans to host the Les Amis de la Riviere Kipawa annual general meeting in Ottawa April 12 have changed.

We've managed to create one more reason to go to Mackfest in 2008.

Mackfest organizers have graciously allowed us to host the Les Amis AGM on Saturday evening April 12 at the festival in Marmora.

Details to follow. Hope you can make it.

MACKFEST

Paddling in the area is at its peak just in time for M.A.C.K. fest. If you didn’t already know about this festival please check it out at www.mackfest.ca.

The author, Peter Karwacki acknowledges an error in this post caused by cutting and pasting without reading the content below.

My apologies to the hardworking volunteers. Please read above for the names and to Gary George especially, Cale Reeder.

Just for clarification:

Myself and WO had very little with, if anything at all to do with organizing M.A.C.K. fest.

I personally took issue with the organizing of M.A.C.K. fest river ambassadors.

I did not arrive at the festival until after 6:30pm on Saturday and the Kipawa AGM would not have happened on Saturday in Marmora if it was not for myself and other M.A.C.K. fest organizers.

It was Cale Reeder booked the room, received the keys, and took responsibility for the meeting taking place.

I offer my apology to the M.A.C.K. fest organizers on this blog and the BOATWERKS boater board to clarify that WO and Peter Karwacki had no involvement in the organization of M.A.C.K. fest other then attending and enjoying the rivers. M.A.C.K. fest is still planning on donating a portion of the festivals proceeds to Whitewater Ontario as we discussed before the festival. That money is to be directly used for W.O. operating costs.

Forward Strokes Part III Saturday, April 19th

Hello everyone:

Forward Strokes Part III will take place Saturday, April 19th at Kenner Collegiate in Peterborough which is the same location as our January meeting. The session will begin at 10:15a.m. and finish no later than 3:00p.m ( or earlier).

It is understood and inevitable that we won't have the numbers that we have enjoyed at the last 2 sessions but a smaller group will be able to work swiftly and efficiently. I do hope that we will have representation from the three groups which formed in January.

We will go through the planning templates - Membership, Communication, and Program and try to build as much consistency as possible between the documents- ensure clarity of language etc. We will also look at the draft values and beliefs and finalize as well.

By the end of the session the Whitewater Ontario Strategic Plan will be completed. I will have a printer available so we can print draft copies of the final document.

Remember to park in the back as we are in the same room in the library. contact 613 858-6732

633 Monaghan Road South
Peterborough ON

Update on the plans to dam Kapuskasing river

From: sboyer@hydromega.com
To: mlockitski@hotmail.com
Subject: RE: Kapuskasing River Project
Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2008 10:47:16 -0400


Work on the Kapuskasing river will not start before September this year.

Please fell free to contact me for any other information.

Best regards,

Stéphane Boyer, ing.
Directeur de projets / Project manager
Hydroméga Services inc.
1134 rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest, 12ème étage
Montréal, QC
H3B 1H4 CANADA
Tel: (514) 392-9266
Fax: (514) 392-1466

Site web / Website : http\\:www.hydromega.com

50th Anniversary of the Credit River Whitewater Races
kayaky you're invited!


Host: Jeff McColl

Location: Trinity Anglican Church

69 Queen St. S, Streetsville (Mississauga), ON Canada


When: Saturday, March 29, 2:00PM
Phone: 905-878-2565

Come celebrate 50 years of racing on the Credit.
$25.00 / per person
RSVP by March 21, 2008

Menu

Lasagna, meat and vegetarian
Ham roast, sliced
Green salad
Bean salad
Cous-cour or broccoli salad
Rolls
Fruit
Cheese/crackers
Two different cakes
Tea/coffee/Water

Races:
OVKC Downriver Race: Sat March 29 1pm Barbertown Rd, Streetsville Entry Fee: TBA

VVCC Slalom Race: Sun March 30 9am Streetsville Memorial Park Entry Fee: $20.00 (includes souvenir toque)

What is involved in the Appeal?

Lets protect our free flowing whitewater resources:

They have value from a humanistic viewpoint: value without water control, they have value without power generation, and without irrigation.

These are the places that people need to see, hear and enjoy without concrete, only rocks, trees and sky.

In the aboriginal sense, lets show gratitude for what nature has given us rather than assuming what has been provided has no value as it appears to us.

We are trying to save the Kipawa River's ecosystem from desecration, while fighting for navigation rights on Canadian waterways.

Our purpose is set out clearly in our constitution:



Our Mission

To protect the ecological and recreational values on the Kipawa River from Laniel to Lake Temiscaming.


To achieve this mission Les Amis will:



a) EDUCATE and INFORM people about the important historical, ecological, recreational, tourism, and heritage values on the Kipawa River.

b) PROMOTE the wise use and conservation of the natural resources of the Kipawa for broad, long-lasting benefit of people.

c) COLLABORATE with the people of Laniel and Temiscaming Region in the development of innovative uses for the Kipawa river that will provide economic benefits while protecting the values of the Kipawa river for future generations.

d) ADVOCATE at all levels (through municipal, provincial and national governments) for the conservation of the Kipawa River as an aquatic ecosystem and an important natural resource, and actively pursue formal legal protection for the river through designation as a park or protected area.


The section of river we are concerned about is approximately 16km long, and runs from Laniel Quebec, to Lake Temiscamingue.

Currently, there is a dam redevelopment project underway in Laniel. Our organization is not against the rebuilding of the dam, however, we feel the new design does not take into consideration a number of important ecosystem components; including the maintaining of historic river levels, and the preservation of navigation rights.

The organization has challenged the process in Federal court in the recent past. The decision that was handed down was against the organization. However, we have retained a lawyer to appeal the process.

This appeal will be the last activity of The Friends of the Kipawa, but it has national implications. It challenges what ecosystem considerations and activities should be brought into Environmental Impact Assessments for future dam developments.

Project Detail

We are appealing a Federal court decision regarding redevelopment of the Laniel Dam on the Kipawa River. We aim to prevent ecosystem desecration and preserve a safe 40-year navigation history.

Project Detail

Friends of the Kipawa have retained Rod Northey, of Birchall Northey to bring the appeal of our case before the court. Doing so will cost Friends of the Kipawa River legal fees and an unknown amount of money as we create publicity surrounding this case and unsustainable river development in Canada.

Friends of the Kipawa River brought the Laniel Dam redevelopment to the Federal court in the fall of 2007. We are not against the redevelopment of the dam, but seek a better design that incorporates historical river levels for the preservation of the ecosystem and accommodation of the historical navigation rights of recreational river users.

In addition, if this project is not successfully challenged, it will become the cornerstone for a 130Mw hydro-electric project in the region that threatens to divert the majority of the water from the Kipawa river, through a blasted channel across the landscape between Lake Kipawa and Lake Temiscamingue.

This project is not only significant to the Kipawa, but to rivers across Canada.

With respect to dam development and sustainable project design, the case at Laniel has two notable areas of concern. The Environmental Assessment (EA) was not performed in the spirit of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) and incorporation of the ecosystem’s needs, as well as the historic navigational rights, were not properly considered in the redesign.

With regard to the first area of concern, it has been widely recognized that to create more sustainable projects, diverse stakeholder interests must be recognized.

The Federal government, as owners of the dam, were able to propose the redevelopment, perform the EA in-house, approve their own findings and move forward with construction. The spirit of the CEAA was to generate the most sustainable project results. A closed process that lacks the presence of safeguards and criticism, surly cannot fulfill this spirit and must be challenged.

Second, the proponents failed to incorporate the navigational rights of the river. The recreational users interests were marginalized in the process and public input was disregarded and interests in design were ignored. Even with a safe 40-year history of navigating the river by watercraft, the government lawyers unfairly classified the practice as dangerous. They, however, granted motorized vehicles such as ATVs and snowmobiles design considerations – without any speculation on the dangerous of their activities. With a successful appeal, this case can create an important precedent for the inclusion of recreational river users and navigation rights within EAs and river project developments.

Description of how project meets category criteria:

- Without this case going forward in court, and sufficient public attention being drawn to it, river development such as this may go unchecked and natural capital forever destroyed.

- There will be hundreds of river users who will benefit from this direct case if the appeal is won, in addition to the local community who will benefit from the continuation of the river festival. Beyond the Kipawa River, we hope that this case will help garner respect for recreational users when it comes to any river development across the country.

- This case is about the minimization of impact from a project. We are fighting for preservation of navigation rights, which should translate into historic river levels and temperatures being maintained.

- There are a large number of Members of the organization behind this. In addition to this there is a dedicated core of executives committed to this fight as well as approximately 15 or so volunteers who have helped coordinate funding and administration tasks. This is aside from river festivals that have taken place, and will hopefully take place again in the future.

- Our administration fees are very low, the majority of costs are associated with the current legal proceedings and public awareness campaign.

Plans for project follow-up and evaluation of success :

With public awareness campaigns, we will monitor and base success on amount of coverage and response. The legal case success will hinge upon public support and our lawyers abilities.

Go ahead decision reached

This is an important news item that affects all those interested in Whitewater paddling



The executive of Les Amis de la Rivière Kipawa decided today to proceed with the appeal of Justice Noel's December decision on our application for judicial review.
Rod Northey of Birchall-Northey will be representing us. BN is an environmental law firm in Ottawa and Toronto with considerable federal court experience.
We have a great deal of work to do, developing and implementing fund-raising, media and public awareness campaigns. We will be providing details on that shortly.
Please, if you want to help in any way, contact me and let me know what you can bring to the project:
skeggsd@sympatico.ca

KIpawa River: To appeal or not to appeal

We are trying to save the Kipawa River's ecosystem from desecration, while fighting for navigation rights on Canadian waterways.

Our purpose is set out clearly in our constitution:

Our Mission
To protect the ecological and recreational values on the Kipawa River from Laniel to Lake Temiscaming.

To achieve this mission Les Amis will:

a) EDUCATE and INFORM people about the important historical, ecological, recreational, tourism, and heritage values on the Kipawa River.

b) PROMOTE the wise use and conservation of the natural resources of the Kipawa for broad, long-lasting benefit of people.

c) COLABORATE with the people of Laniel and Temiscaming Region in the development of innovative uses for the Kipawa river that will provide economic benefits while protecting the values of the Kipawa river for future generations.

d) ADVOCATE at all levels (through municipal, provincial and national governments) for the conservation of the Kipawa River as an aquatic ecosystem and an important natural resource, and actively pursue formal legal protection for the river through designation as a park or protected area.


The section of river we are concerned about is approximately 16km long, and runs from Laniel Quebec, to Lake Timiscaming.

Currently, there is a dam redevelopment project underway in Laniel. Our organization is not against the rebuilding of the dam, however, we feel the new design does not take into consideration a number of important ecosystem components; including the maintaining of historic river levels, and the preservation of navigation rights.

The organization has challenged the process in Federal court in the recent past. The decision that was handed down was against the organization. However, we have retained a lawyer to appeal the process.

This appeal will be the last activity of The Friends of the Kipawa, but it has national implications. It challenges what ecosystem considerations and activities should be brought into Environmental Impact Assessments for future dam developments.


We are looking to MEC to help us with in monetary funding and in-kind aid with communications.


Project Summary
We are appealing a Federal court decision regarding redevelopment of the Laniel Dam on the Kipawa River. We aim to prevent ecosystem desecration and preserve a safe 40-year navigation history.

Project Detail
Friends of the Kipawa have retained Rod Northey, of Birchall Northey to bring the appeal of our case before the court if that is what the executive of Les Amis so decides. Doing so will cost Friends of the Kipawa River legal fees and an unknown amount of money as we create publicity surrounding this case and unsustainable river development in Canada.

Friends of the Kipawa River brought the Laniel Dam redevelopment to the Federal court in the fall of 2007. We are not against the redevelopment of the dam, but seek a better design and operating regime that incorporates historical river levels for the preservation of the ecosystem and accommodation of the historical navigation rights of recreational river users.

In addition, if this project is not successfully challenged, it will become the cornerstone for a 130Mw hydro-electric project in the region that threatens to divert the majority of the water from the Kipawa river, through a blasted channel across the landscape between Lake Kipawa and Lake Timiscaming.

This project is not only significant to the Kipawa, but to rivers across Canada. With respect to dam development and sustainable project design, the case at Laniel has two notable areas of concern. The Environmental Assessment (EA) was not performed in the spirit of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) and incorporation of the ecosystem’s needs, as well as the historic navigational rights, were not properly considered in the redesign.

With regard to the first area of concern, it has been widely recognized that to create more sustainable projects, diverse stakeholder interests must be recognized. The Federal government, as owners of the dam, were able to propose the redevelopment, perform the EA in-house, approve their own findings and move forward with construction. The spirit of the CEAA was to generate the most sustainable project results. A closed process that lacks the presence of safeguards and criticism, surly cannot fulfill this spirit and must be challenged.

Second, the proponents failed to incorporate the navigational rights of the river. The recreational users interests were marginalized in the process and public input was disregarded and interests in design were ignored. Even with a safe 40-year history of navigating the river by watercraft, the government lawyers unfairly classified the practice as dangerous. They, however, granted motorized vehicles such as ATVs and snowmobiles design considerations – without any speculation on the dangerous of their activities. With a successful appeal, this case can create an important precedent for the inclusion of recreational river users and navigation rights within EAs and river project developments.


- Without this case going forward in court, and sufficient public attention being drawn to it, river development such as this may go unchecked and natural capital forever destroyed.

- There will be hundreds of river users who will benefit from this direct case if the appeal is won, in addition to the local community who will benefit from the continuation of the river festival. Beyond the Kipawa River, we hope that this case will help garner respect for recreational users when it comes to any river development across the country.

- This case is about the minimization of impact from a project. We are fighting for preservation of navigation rights, which should translate into historic river levels and temperatures being maintained.

- There are a large number of Members of the organization behind this. In addition to this there is a dedicated core of executives committed to this fight as well as approximately 15 or so volunteers who have helped coordinate funding and administration tasks. This is aside from river festivals that have taken place, and will hopefully take place again in the future.

- Our administration fees are very low, the majority of costs are associated with the current legal proceedings and public awareness campaign.

evaluation of success?

With public awareness campaigns, we will monitor and base success on amount of coverage and response. The legal case success will hinge upon public support and our lawyers abilities.

Credit River Canoe Outting

Canoe the Credit

organizer:
Credit Valley Conservation Foundation

info link: www.creditvalleycons.com/foundation/canoethecredit.htm

date: Sunday, June 1, 2008

type: race

difficulty: novice
The first annual Canoe the Credit event will take place on June 1, 2008.

Participants will have an opportunity to canoe 18-25 km down the Credit river at their own pace from Credit Meadows to Port Credit. Boats will be started at intervals from 9 in the morning. A shorter route is available for less experienced paddlers.

Collect a minimum of $50.00 in pledges to enter. The event will finish with a celebration at the MCC. All money raised will go to the Conservation Youth Corps

Check out: www/creditvalleycons.com/foundation/canoethecredit.htm

or

email: foundation@creditvalleycons.com for more information.

More info to come

50th Annual Credit River races. March 29 & 30 2008 Co-hosted by the Ontario Voyageurs Kayak club and the Virtual Voyageurs Canoe club



The Down River is Saturday Barbertown rd. to Erindale Park. Grade 2&3 The Slalom on Sunday at Streetsville Memorial park. Grade 1 & 2

We have a dinner planned for the Saturday night at 6pm with the emphasis being a tribute to those that started this all up.

In an attempt to keep the dinner prices down we are searching for a sponsor for the Dinner.Right now we are pricing the dinner at $25.00 per person.


If we could get a donation of $500.00 we can drop the price to $20.00 Neither group is in this to make money (just break even) or donate the profits to a deserving group (we have several in mind) One from our group is already talking to the Toronto stores for supporting the races so we do not want to duplicate the effort there.

Or if you have something you can give for a door prize or silent auction it would be appreciated.

We have a website setup where we will post the info and will update it as soon as he gets back from his Holidays (March 7) and you should be able to register there.

http://www.vvcc.ca/credit2008/

We need to number for the dinner by March 21.
If you wish to help we will be hanging the course on the Friday @ 9am

email Jeff McColl

Whitewater Ontario Launches its new Website

see

www.whitewaterontario.org

New and dynamic content, that will suit the paddling community: make your own contribution:

email: kayaky@hotmail.com with your article

2008 ACA Open Canoe Slalom Nationals

2008 ACA Open Canoe Slalom Nationals

organizer: Whitewater Ontario/American Canoe Association info link:


http://www.americancanoe.org/calendars/events.lasso?-Search&-Database=events&-Table=web&-max=all&-So

date: Friday, August 1, 2008 to Sunday, August 3, 2008
type: other,race
difficulty: intermediate
accommodation: camp

Whitewater Ontario is hosting the 2008 Open Canoe Slalom Nationals this year at the Gull River in Minden. It has been held in the US for the last few years. This is a great event with the best paddlers coming from all over North America. If you have never been to the Gull, this is the time to come. The course has gravel walkways up and down both sides for terrific viewing. Better yet, enter and have even more fun.

More details to come.

Link to vvcc event page for this event: http://vvcc.ca/calendar/info.php?trip=382

Gullfest: June 28th weekend should be a blast!

This promises to be the paddling event of the year and a great tribute to Roger Parson's "the father of the gull" is in the works.

If you are interested in volunteering for this event please let me know.

Peter Karwacki
kayaky@hotmail.com

Whitewater Ontario Strategic Planinng

A group of about 23 Whitewater Ontario members met on Saturday in Peterborough for Forward Strokes, Part II of our Strategic Planning sessions.

It was a full day with much discussion about our organization. We worked through a number of activities which resulted in the completion of the vision statement below. I am in the process of working with a small team of three participants to consolidate the beliefs/value statements - they will come along in the next week or so.

We also spent time working in small groups on specific topics. Participants had the choice of four groups with three actually being formed: Membership, Program, and Communication. Each of those groups nominated a contact who will work with on the next steps. More on that later.

There is a need to meet at least once more before the paddling season goes full swing. The purpose of that meeting will be to complete, coordinate, and prioritize the action plans which will be in various stages of completion. Again more later.

Thanks to those of you who were able to attend.

Jim




Mission Statement


Whitewater Ontario is a volunteer-driven organization uniting, supporting, and sustaining the inclusive development of the whitewater paddling community and resources (Draft 03/12/07).


Vision Statement


Whitewater Ontario will be a powerful and influential voice that promotes excellence through its’ membership, programs, and events, enabling lifelong participation in paddling at all recreational and competitive levels (Draft 26/01/08).

50th Annual Credit River Slalom Race

On March 30th the 50th Annual Credit River Slalom Race takes place in Streetsville, Ontario which is near Mississauga. The Credit is the second oldest whitewater race in North America and has been a long and very important part of Ontario paddling history.

Jeff McColl has been organizing this race for a number of years and has said this will be his last. Members of the Ottawa River Runners are invited to take part in this historic race and show our support for Jeff and the race organizers who are looking to make this a very special event.

The race is set on a relatively easy stretch of whitewater comprised of class I waves. It is an great experience for those who are just beginning their racing careers and a lot of fun for every participant which often includes National Team members.

A downriver race is scheduled for Saturday, March 29th. Watch for further details.

Further information can be found at:

http://www.vvcc.ca/credit2008/

Next Whitewater Ontario Planning Session

Happy new year to you all. 2008 looks to be a big year for Whitewater Ontario.

The second phase of our strategic planning session is scheduled for January 26th in Peterborough.


Forward Strokes:
Whitewater Ontario Strategic Planning Session Part II
January 26th, 2008
Kenner Collegiate V.I.
633 Monaghan Road South
Peterborough
10:00a.m. - 3:45p.m.

You are invited to participate in Forward Strokes, Part II of Whitewater Ontario's Strategic Planning process. Part I took place on December 3 at the Minden Preserve and a new mission statement was drafted. On January 26th, the planning process will continue moving forward with the development of an updated vision for the organization and the identification of core strategies, goals, and action plans. Due to space and logistics, this session is limited to 35 participants. Please register in advance by sending an email to (volunteerneeded@this time) by January 22.

Further information will posted on the Whitewater Ontario website and Boaterboard. If you have any specific questions about this event please email Jim Tayler at jetayler @rogers.com.
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