December 5, 2014
Ontario

Naturalists head to Court of Appeal

Dec 04, 2014 | countylive.ca

Monday and Tuesday the Prince Edward County Field Naturalists will be attending their final appeal to prevent Gilead Power and the Ministry of the Environment to put wind turbines at Ostrander Point. The PECFN is defending the Environmental Review Tribunal ruling that denied the MOE approval of Industrial Wind Turbine development at Ostrander Point. The case is to be heard in the Appeal Court of Ontario, Osgoode Hall.

“We expect PECFN to be well represented on the spectators’ benches with Turtle shirts in evidence,” said president Myrna Wood.

The PECFN case and intervenors (Nature Canada and South Shore Conservancy) are to be heard on Monday. Wind developer Gilead Power and the MOE with intervenor Canadian Wind Energy Association is to be heard on Tuesday with a reply allowed for PECFN afterward.

The Naturalists began their opposition in 2007 believing the south shore of the County “is the wrong place for wind turbines” – an important area to migrating birds, to bats and butterflies. It contains areas of natural and scientific interest, provincially significant wetlands, globally imperilled Alvar habitat and is the home and breeding grounds of avian, reptilian and amphibian species at risk.
PECFN has continued its fundraising efforts to pursue the battle through the courts. About $193,000 has been raised to date toward a $220,000 goal.

Two recent events included the viewing of “Vanishing Legacies” a film night featuring Suzanne Pasternak’s documentary about the historical Prince Edward County fishery and a presentation by Marc Seguin detailing the lighthouses of the South Shore and his attempts to have them designated as historical structures. This week, a sold out fish dinner was hosted at the Drake Devonshire in Wellington. David Maracle and Kris Tischbein provided a brief musical performance and Pasternak’s documentary was screened again.

“We are delighted with the support we have received from the County and from all over Canada,” said Wood. “These two successful events show that citizens realize the importance of preserving the habitat of the South Shore. We are confident that the Court of Appeal will agree”.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/12/05/naturalists-head-to-court-of-appeal/