Following the drinking water tragedy that occurred in Flint, Michigan, many Canada water utilities are asking questions about appropriate ways to address lead in their system. As well, the Canadian media has reviewed lead occurrence at the tap and has many questions regarding lead in drinking water. Lead service lines (LSLs) are still present in Canada represent a major source of lead in drinking water, however replacement of lead service lines is costly and challenging. NDWAC recommendations are calling for complete removal of lead service lines, however most Canadian utilities are unable to remove the private side. This presentation examines some of the latest information concerning lead occurrence from Canadian systems. It also presented survey data collected during a project supported by the Canadian Water Network that examines corrosion control practices in Canada.
Invitation to participate in a discussion on the National Strategy to Address Abandoned and Wrecked Vessel
The Oceans Protection Plan is the largest investment ever made to protect Canada’s coasts and waterways. Preserving and restoring marine ecosystems and habitats is one of the Plan’s main priorities. This includes a National Strategy to Address Abandoned and Wrecked Vessels.
The National Strategy reflects efforts to not only address existing abandoned and wrecked vessels, but also to prevent future abandonment threatening our coastlines and waterways, and to improve vessel owner liability and responsibility.
Regarding existing problem vessels, the Government launched the Abandoned Boats Program in May 2017 and the Small Craft Harbours Abandoned and Wrecked Vessels Removal Program in September 2017 to provide funding for the assessment and removal of small high-priority abandoned vessels.
To help inform the development of other prevention and clean up measures, we would like to hear from you on key initiatives from the National Strategy, specifically:
Enhancement of vessel owner identification: How can we enhance Canada’s pleasure craft licensing system to improve the accountability of pleasure craft owners?
Long-term funding sources to remediate problem vessels: What are the options for establishing funds to address abandoned and wrecked vessels in the longer term, based on the polluter-pays principle?
Implementation of federal legislation to regulate abandoned and wrecked vessels by recognizing the responsibility of vessel owners: How could your community be engaged in the implementation of new legislation?
You are invited to join our discussion on Monday February 12, 2018 in Moncton, New Brunswick. Details on the time and location will be provided at a later date. To register: contact TC.AbandonedWreckedVessels-Bateauxabandonnesepaves.TC@tc.gc.ca by January 22, 2018. Your participation matters! Your participation and collaboration as part of a local community, partner or stakeholder group is essential to the success of the National Strategy on Abandoned and Wrecked Vessels. To learn about financial support for participation in the Oceans Protection Plan engagement activities, check out Transport Canada’s Community Participation Funding Program: https://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/Applicants-Guide-4446.html
Speaker: Petro Oh, Business Development Manager, Air Toxics and HRMS
Date / Time: Thursday, January 25, 2018, 1:00pm EST
Soil vapour assessment is a common topic in the environmental industry, as it applies to site assessment, remediation and risk assessment. Staying up to date on developments to the science of it, including regulatory changes and data interpretation, is therefore crucial. In this webinar we examine the following:
Put into context some changes as published in the Atlantic PIRI RBCA guidance
Emerging Trends - What should we be sampling? What are we sampling?
Meaning of Results – What do RPDs of Field Duplicates and Replicates indicate?
Sharing some interpretations of soil vapour results.
Registration is required to attend this event. Please register now.
NS Department of Natural Resources
You are invited to a presentation on the proposed Biodiversity Act. The Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has been working on a Biodiversity Act to address legislative gaps and enable regulatory and non-regulatory approaches to biodiversity conservation and use. This enabling legislation will improve protection of our forests, lakes, animals, plants, and communities by better coordinating existing legislation, and through subsequent development of regulations in the coming years. DNR staff will give you an overview of the key concepts of the proposed Act and how it supports the sustainable use, conservation, and risk management of natural resources in Nova Scotia. The meetings will be held on Wednesday, January 24th, 2018, from 9:30 to 11:30 am and on Thursday February 1st, 2018, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at DNR Head Office, 1701 Hollis Street, 3rd floor, Halifax. Please RSVP to Lynn Mader lynn.mader@novascotia.ca at which date you or another representative of your organization would like to attend.
Atlantic BIOCON Conference
The Atlantic BIOCON Conference is a dynamic 2-day conference that sparks discussion and projects that transform our renewable natural resources into business opportunities. These opportunities are part of a vision for a sustainable future and circular economy where Canada's biomass is used to its full potential. Responsible resource management practices, new innovative technologies, and research and development in our traditional industries are essential elements of this vision. This is the biobased economy. Biorefining is a means to a sustainable future where we transform our natural resources into high value products like energy, medicines, bioplastics, and biofuels. Our natural resources are a valuable asset that should be leveraged sustainably and responsibly, and used in ways that yield the most positive impact for our society.
Atlantic Canada is positioned to be a leader in innovations for the bioeconomy, with dozens of private and public research institutions and hundreds of companies already innovating in the biosciences. Our vast forests, affordable agriculture land, and diversified coastal zones make this region an ideal playground for piloting and scaling up globally disruptive biorefining technologies. Atlantic BIOCON 2018 will showcase the best projects on-the-go from inside and outside the Atlantic Canada region. Delegates can take advantage of a multitude of networking opportunities. Explore the resources from the 2017 conference to get an idea of what to expect in 2018.
Join us in Fredericton, New Brunswick on May 23rd and 24th at the Wu Conference Centre. To join the mailing list, please click here.
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NEIA seeking firms w/ Clean Technology R&D, Demonstration Project Opportunities in Oil & Gas, Mining, and Forestry Sectors
Is your product or service a 'clean technology'?
Clean technology refers to any product, process or service that improves on environmental performance; minimizes the use of non-renewable resources; uses resources in ways that reduce costs, waste and pollution; and contributes to sustainable development in regard to greenhouse gases, water quality, or soil.
Natural Resources Canada unveiled its Clean Growth Program last month providing $155 million for clean technology research and development (R&D) and demonstration projects in Canada’s energy, mining and forestry sectors. Projects can range from $300k - $5 million depending on their focus. Demonstration projects can be supported up to 50% by the program. Research and development activities can be supported up to 75%. NEIA is seeking information on possible projects appropriate for this program to provide support to proponents. If you have a project in mind, contact Kieran Hanley at kieran@neia.org. For more information on the Clean Growth Program, visit the link below: https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/cleangrowth/20254.
Fisheries and Aquaculture Clean Technology Adoption Program
The Fisheries and Aquaculture Clean Technology Adoption Program is a national contribution program. It’s investing $20 million over 4 years (2017 to 2021) to assist Canada’s fisheries and aquaculture industries in improving their environmental performance. Supported projectsThe program offers funding to assist eligible participants in implementing market-ready clean technologies, processes and sustainable practices into their day-to-day operations. Covered costsThe program provides funding for up to 75% of eligible project costs. All project proposals submitted for consideration must also include at least 10% confirmed provincial and territorial government funding that’s cash or in-kind.
FSRS 25th Annual Conference
It is with great pleasure that the Fishermen and Scientists Research Society (FSRS) invites you to attend the 25th Annual FSRS Conference on March 7th-8th, 2018 at the Best Western Plus Dartmouth Hotel & Suites. The FSRS is a non-profit organization that has promoted the long-term sustainability of the marine fishing industry in Atlantic Canada by active collaboration between fishermen and scientists since 1994.
The annual conference provides an opportunity for dedicated fishermen representing their industry, researchers from government, academia and non-profit organizations, students, and the general public to converge on issues relating to the research and sustainability of our valuable marine resources. For more information about the FSRS, please visit their website online at www.fsrs.ns.ca.
List of Top 5 Articles Read by ESAM Members in December
ESAM Member Spotlight Granville Ridge Consulting Inc.
Granville Ridge Consulting Inc. was formed in 2017 as an independent environmental consulting firm, based in the rolling hills of North Granville, Prince Edward Island. The firm was founded based on Don Maynard’s experiences and relationships gathered over 35 years in the environmental field. Services provided include:
Project and/or program environmental assessment and permitting,
Marine biology, biological surveys (including buffer zone and wetland delineation in association with accredited experts),
Stakeholder consultation, government, community and interest groups,
Indigenous engagement, consultation plans, capacity building plans
Project planning, management, system wayfinding.
While based in North Granville, in the last year Granville Ridge has been conducting projects in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador as well as Prince Edward Island. Projects have ranged from strategic environmental project pre-planning, Ocean Disposal Permitting, Provincial Environmental Permitting/Assessment, DFO Request for Reviews, Navigation Protection Program Permitting, terrestrial, marine, estuarine surveys, support for Indigenous engagement and Consultation and wetland/water way buffer zone survey/delineation. These projects were evolved to create solutions through a network of subject experts, other consultants, stakeholders and regulators contributing to make the projects move ahead. These are the types of projects where we have put experience forward to build solutions and make a difference. Granville Ridge provides service and leadership in the professional and local community by:
Membership in Environmental Services Association Maritimes (ESAM), International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) and LinkedIn’s Canadian Environmental Assessment Practitioners Network,
Engaging subject and strategic experts early and often in project delivery,
Providing the right size and scope of solutions to client needs,
Granville Ridge Gives Back program in the local and regional community to a wide variety of indicatives, schools, water shed groups, community service groups, community theatre as a venue for environment sustainably, check out Granville Ridge website for more on these!
Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions or enquiries, Donald Maynard, Principal and Senior Environmental Specialist, 1-902-218-2541, drmaynard@granvilleridge.ca, www.granvilleridge.ca
ESAM Member Spotlight
We are inviting you to complete a 'Member Spotlight' on your company as a whole, an office/team, individual or project that you would like to showcase in our newsletter. As a member, you have a unique (free!) marketing tool at your hands with our newsletter distribution reaching over 1,000 individuals!
If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity, please forward your 'Member Spotlight' (maximum 2,500 words) to contact@esamaritimes.ca.
