January 10, 2013
Ontario

Six Nations shocked NextEra takes eagles nest, cuts down tree

by Lynda Powless, Editor | Turtle Island News | www.theturtleislandnews.com

Six Nations residents are shocked NextEra Energy Canada has removed an eagles nest and cut down the tree that held it over the weekend.

NextEra cut down the tree to construct a road access for their Summerhaven wind turbine project. Ministry of Natural Resources gave the company approval to remove the nest Dec., 31 but neither the MNR or NextEra informed Six Nations of the move. The MNR permit held a proviso that the tree had to be removed by Sunday.

The MNR decision wasn’t posted on the internet untila fter 5 p.m. Friday leaving no one time to object.

Haudenosaunee Development Institute (HDI) interim director Hazel Hill said she is “outraged” NextEra would “commit such an act.” She said HDI had been trying to work in “good faith” with NextEra on their project.

“Our environmental montiors had raised it as an issue that the nest was there and we had asked for a report on what type of risk the turbines would present.”

She said preliminary results indicated the nest was to stay.

“Our preliminary reports showed they move the turbine or go one less and leave the nest alone.”

HDI adviser Aaron Detlor said without notification NextEra removed the nest.

“Unbeknownst to us, without notification and purporting to have MNR consent they cut down the tree with the nest.”

He said “this goes beyond the scope of what many of us do in our professional lives. It is profoundly disturbing that any company would believe it is appropriate to act in this fashion and thinks it has a good faith approach with the Haudenosaune.”

He said neither the HDI or band council have agreements with the company.

“We have undertaken a good faith approach with NextEra. We have had our monitors on site and archeologists involved. We allowed construction to take place under good faith but one of our most sacred symbols has had its nest unilaterally destroyed. We have to reassess if this good faith approach is in anyone’s interest.”

He said the HDI is exploring its options.

For entire story purchase a subscription package.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/01/10/six-nations-shocked-nextera-takes-eagles-nest-cuts-down-tree/