National Conservation Plan, instead of regulation?
On June 26, 2014, the Harper Government “celebrated” the launch of the National Conservation Plan. The Plan would invest $252 million over five years in “securing ecologically sensitive lands,” “supporting conservation efforts,” wetlands restoration, and “to encourage Canadians to connect wi…
View the post titled National Conservation Plan, instead of regulation?ERT rejects neighbours' plea re 22 year old spill
Should it really take more than 22 years to clean up a domestic fuel spill?
View the post titled ERT rejects neighbours' plea re 22 year old spillFine of $345,000 plus jail for hog manure
Eric and Yvonne Van Boekel, Van Boekel Hog Farms Inc. and Van Boekel Holdings Inc. were fined a total of $345,000 plus 25% victim fine surcharge, for repeated hog manure spills from two pig farms, that caused adverse effects to their neighbours and impaired water quality. Mr. Van Boekel was…
View the post titled Fine of $345,000 plus jail for hog manureEnvironment Canada: more cuts, less science?
Sometimes, it feels like the 1990s again. In both Canada and the US, budget shortfalls and political preferences are resulting in significant cuts to environmental scientists and regulators. For example, Environment Canada has announced that its current round of cuts will eliminate approxima…
View the post titled Environment Canada: more cuts, less science?Pharmaceuticals, drinking water, and liability
The better our detection ability becomes, the more things we find in the water. One important group of those things is pharmaceuticals and their metabolites. Pharmaceuticals are specifically designed to affect the bodies, brains and behaviour of humans and other animals, at comparatively low…
View the post titled Pharmaceuticals, drinking water, and liabilityPublic risk, private profits – why cap liability?
Humans are not perfect. Engineering, while amazing, is not perfect. Accidents ( including spills) will happen. What should environmental law, and lawyers, do about it?
View the post titled Public risk, private profits – why cap liability?Phytoremediation of contaminated sites
There are an estimated 30,000 contaminated sites in Canada. These include properties like former gas stations, factories, or rail yards that are contaminated by heavy metals, organic compounds, or other toxins. Redevelopment of these sites, which are often found in prime downtown areas, is …
View the post titled Phytoremediation of contaminated sitesEnvironmental penalties gaining steam
Ontario’s environmental penalties regime for spills is gathering steam. The final count for 2009 was 13 penalties totalling $112,143.20, most under the Environmental Protection Act. The highest penalty was $23,750. Thirteen more penalties have already been issued in the first four months of …
View the post titled Environmental penalties gaining steamWater Quality Trading
An enthusiastic study on Water Quality Trading recommends using “cap and trade” to control phosphorus levels in the Lake Simcoe watershed. Lake Simcoe needs a major reduction in phosphorus loadings, even as population and climate change increase. The Lake Simcoe Protection Plan c…
View the post titled Water Quality TradingReceive Blog Posts
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