May 28 2009

In this Issue

	Riverkeeper’s Point of View: Fish Habitat Protection
	What's making the news?
	The river is calling ... it's for you.
	We're having a party! (June 15th)
	Register A Team Today!
	Canadian Rivers Day - Guided Paddle
	Volunteers clean up Ottawa River shoreline
	Get Involved! Community Support Circle
	River Healing Journey III – Summer 2009
	Ottawa Riverkeeper Annual General Meeting

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Spring Clean Up Success!

Photograph by Peter Dudley

Riverkeeper’s Point of View: Fish Habitat Protection

Can we trust our federal government with this important job?

Earlier this month, Scott Vaughan, Commissioner of Environment and Sustainable Development, released a scornful report concluding that the federal government is not adequately protecting fish habitat, or adhering to the requirements outlined in the federal Fisheries Act. The audit examined how both Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and Environment Canada (EC) carry out their respective responsibilities for fish habitat protection and pollution prevention under the Fisheries Act.

At Ottawa Riverkeeper, the news didn’t come as a surprise – not even a small surprise. Year-after-year, I have witnessed first-hand our governments’ lack of collaboration, follow through and progress on protecting fish habitat. Sadly, on the Ottawa River, the impacts of Fisheries Act violations are evident and are getting worse as the years pass. As fish populations continue to decline (notably American Eel and Sturgeon), can we believe or trust the Department of Fisheries and Oceans when they tell us they are adequately conserving, protecting and enhancing fish habitat that sustain the fisheries resources that Canadians value? According to Scott Vaughan, the answer is no.  Read more...
 

What's making the news?

Here's a selection of relevant articles from around the watershed, and news on important environmental policy and legislation.  For more information, please visit the news section of our website.

The band-aid fails (again): another reactor leak at Chalk River - Ottawa Riverkeeper Press Release

Ottawa ‘fails to protect’ fish habitat in Fraser River - Vancouver Sun

Chalk River isotope reactor on last legs: engineers - Canwest News

Mattamy Pleads Guilty to Flood Plain Violation - Rideau Valley Conservation Authority

Three Spills into the Ottawa River - CFRA News Talk Radio

The river is calling ... it's for you.

TAKE ACTION: 10 THINGS YOU CAN DO TO
PROTECT YOUR RIVER

A no-nonsense guide to ‘doing your part’ for the health and future of the Ottawa River.

1 – Clean Green.
Choose non-toxic household, personal care and lawn maintenance products – think of your drain as a gateway to the river!

2 – Eat Organic. Eat Local.
Support local farmers who practice sustainable organic farming methods.

3 – Drink Tap Water.
Municipal tap water is regularly tested and is rated amongst the safest in the world. Let’s keep it that way!

Read more...
 

We're having a party! (June 15th)

Join us for an exciting swim.drink.fish music club event featuring award winning artist Sarah Harmer!

• when:  monday.june.15  8pm
• where:  foundation (18b york street)
• who:  Sarah Harmer and special guests
• tickets:  $20 – on sale at the door

Support swimmable drinkable fishable water for everyone.
Proceeds benefit ottawa riverkeeper.
Ticket price includes membership to swim.drink.fish music club.

Learn more...

Register A Team Today!

5th Annual Ottawa Riverkeeper Triathlon - June 13th

Join nearly 900 participants on Britannia Beach, in one of the regions largest multi-sport events! The Ottawa Riverkeeper Team Challenge is a fun relay race for teams of all ages and stages.

Register your team of 3 or 4 today!  And don't forget to collect pledges, 100% of which support Ottawa Riverkeeper!

Can't make it? Please consider supporting the Ottawa Riverkeeper team: Meredith Brown, Tracey Clark, Mark Sutcliffe and Laurel Rosene. Help them reach their $5,000 goal to help fund beach closure monitoring this summer!

Canadian Rivers Day - Guided Paddle

Join us and experience history in the making!

On Sunday June 14 2009, over 300 paddlers are expected to participate in a guided paddle along the Ottawa River, as our river receives Federal designation as an official Canadian Heritage River.

Learn more and book your seat today!

We are also looking for modern “Voyageurs” to explore and connect with the Ottawa River! The River Healing Journey is offering 2 trips in July. Click here to learn more.

Volunteers clean up Ottawa River shoreline

by Peter Dudley

A four-kilometre stretch of the Ottawa River shoreline is cleaner thanks to the hard work of a group of approximately 60 volunteers who came out to Westboro Beach and Bates Island on Sunday.

“I am moving into the neighbourhood and I want to do my bit,” said Gary Underwood, as he picked up several plastic wrappers from Westboro beach. “We come down here to watch the sunset.”

Not far away, Kennedy Blackbird, 11, picked up an old ball cap and put it in her garbage bag. “It’s fun to clean up,” she said. Read Peter's blog

Thanks for your dedication and hard work volunteers!

Get Involved! Community Support Circle

Ottawa Riverkeeper is proud to introduce our new Community Support Circle, a unique and exciting way for local businesses to support a clean and healthy Ottawa River. Make a donation of $250 or more (cash contribution or in-kind), and receive a prominent listing on our website, and a window decal to proudly display your community support.

Please contact us for more information about the Community Support Circle.

River Healing Journey III – Summer 2009

Paddle the Historic Ottawa River in a Voyageur Canoe!

TRIP 1: Upper Ottawa River: Ryan’s Campsite/Baird’s Point to Westmeath (Sunday July 5 to Friday July 10)

TRIP 2: “Whitewater Adventure”! Rocher Fendu to Westboro Beach (Sunday, July 19 to Saturday, July 25)

The River Healing Journey is a citizen-based, non-profit, volunteer paddling and camping project to:

• raise awareness of River issues;
• help promote exploring and enjoying our historic and majestic rivers in human-powered craft;
• to raise money for Ottawa Riverkeeper. For information on Ottawa Riverkeeper, check www.ottawariverkeeper.ca; and
• provide an opportunity to travel in replica “Montreal” voyageur canoe along the historic Ottawa River – the original Trans-Canada highway!

Learn more...

Ottawa Riverkeeper Annual General Meeting

Join us and meet Meredith Brown our Riverkeeper, her staff and Board of Directors.

The Riverkeeper will report on work and issues brought forward this past year and take time to hear concerns from the audience.

7:30 - 9:00PM – Ottawa – Wednesday, June 23, 2009

Ron Kolbus Lakeside Centre in Britannia Park (2805 Carling Avenue, Ottawa)

The meeting is open to all members and the public.  Learn more...