Ecology Ottawa

News Clippings

Mud Lake to have some trees replanted after extensive cutting

By Tom Spears, Ottawa Citizen, April 30, 2018

A trail through Mud Lake’s forest is going to get a lot of new planting to replace a swath of trees and shrubs cut during the winter, but it won’t all come this year.

The National Capital Commission says it’s going to start by planting 75 new trees this year, and there will be more in future years but it doesn’t yet know how many.

As well, it is promising to spread out — but not remove — the thick layer of wood pieces that was spread on the area after the cutting. Experts say a thick layer of this wood would prevent new plants from growing in.

Reevely: Ottawa's LRT plan survives a trip through Ontario leaders' BS machine

By David Reevely, Ottawa Citizen, May 1, 2018

The Progressive Conservatives will contribute the $1 billion in provincial money Ottawa needs for the next phase of its light-rail plans, leader Doug Ford promised publicly on Tuesday.

He was answering a warning from Liberal leader Kathleen Wynne that money her government has promised for years isn’t locked in, a mundane statement of fact that blew up into an election issue thanks to political spin, a quick headline and the fact we have about half a dozen elections in the time it takes to build one consequential transit project.

First, the promise: “The people of Ottawa can count on me to build transit,” Ford said in a written statement. “The Ontario PCs are fully committed to moving forward with Phase 2 of the Ottawa LRT.”

5 things: Confederation Line LRT will have the longest transit escalator in Canada

By Jon Willing, Ottawa Citizen, May 1, 2018

Here’s the most understated wow feature of the Confederation Line LRT: It will have the longest escalator associated with a transit system in Canada. It wasn’t until Tuesday that this even came up.

John Manconi, the city’s general manager of transportation, told the finance and economic development committee that the escalator is being installed in Rideau Station, whose LRT platform is 26.5 metres underground.

Manconi delivered his monthly update on LRT construction to the committee. The city is on track to start LRT service in November, but Manconi continued to warn council members that the system needs to clear important tests.

MAY 1: City hosts Fringewood public information meeting

By Shad Qadri, StittsvilleCentral, April 28, 2018

On Tuesday May 1st I invite you to come and join me along with members of City staff to discuss some of the issues and concerns that you may have concerning the Fringewood community with regards to traffic and planning. The meeting is being held in Hall A at the Goulbourn Recreation Complex 1500 Shea Road beginning at 7:00p.m.

Should you wish to attend please email me at [email protected] to ensure that there is appropriate seating available.

West-end residents calling out NCC for extensive tree cutting and removal at Mud Lake

By CTV News Ottawa, April 28, 2018

Work to remove dead trees and those infested by the devastating Emerald Ash Borer has residents and users of the Mud Lake Conservation Area up in arms.

Mud Lake is one of the most ecologically important natural habitats in the urban part of Canada’s capital region. It is home to 269 species of birds, dozens of rare and uncommon plant species and wildlife species at risk. It is a provincially significant wetland and an area of natural and scientific interest by the provincial government.

This winter, the National Capital Commission cut down trees in Mud Lake that “posed a safety risk to people” and completed work on other invasive species. According to the NCC, roughly 29 per cent of the total area of this natural habitat is covered by invasive, non-native plan species like glossy buckthorn and honeysuckle.

Safe cycling: LGBT bike group takes inaugural spin

By Naomi Librach, CBC News Ottawa, April 28, 2018

A new bike group aimed at providing a safe workout space for LGBT people had its inaugural ride in Ottawa this week.

Bike Yeah! is one of several groups in the city offering physical activity targeted at gender identity rather than skill level, joining the ranks of a monthly swim for transgender children and a fitness room for LGBT people.

"It's just important to make people feel comfortable and create a community where people can come and know they're going to be respected," Josephine Masterson, the co-founder of Bike Yeah!, said.

‘A leader by example': Ottawa fire Chief Gerry Pingitore leaves service a healthier place

By Adam Van Der Zwan, Ottawa Citizen, April 27, 2018

Ottawa fire Chief Gerry Pingitore has seen numerous progressive changes to the fire service over the past 40 years. Now, at the end of his career, he’s proud to say he’s helped push many of them forward.

“There was a time when the fire service looked after its equipment better than they looked after its people,” he said.

(...)“All fire services are facing some more challenges with budgets,” he said, “but our mission will always continue to be to protect lives, property and the environment for the residents of the City of Ottawa.” He feels confident the service will be a solid organization with robust leaders into the future.

Mississippi Valley flood watch upgraded to warning

By Mike Vlasveld, 1310 News, April 27, 2018

Dalhousie Lake is now under a flood warning, as its level has risen much faster than expected and is continuing to rise.

Based on current conditions and inflows into Dalhousie Lake, the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority said levels are expected to increase another 20 to 30 cm bringing the lake to 157.50 to 157.60 m over the next 24 to 48 hours. This would be similar to conditions experienced most recently in 2014.

Levels in the Snow Road area above Dalhousie Lake are also at or near flood stage, but are expected to stabilize Friday.

Traffic and condo height raised as concerns at LeBreton Flats meeting

By CTV News Ottawa, April 26, 2018

Residents living near LeBreton Flats came armed with questions Thursday for a meeting about the redevelopment of the area.

The meeting, put on by the city of Ottawa, had developers and planning staff on hand to answer residents' questions about the first stage of development in the $4 billion dollar project.

"There is a lot of promise in this land," said Steve Willis, the general manager of planning, infrastructure and economic development for the city of Ottawa. "We want to make a neighbourhood out of that land and that is part of the process here today."

Tire recycling plant ready to roll into Hawkesbury, Ont.

By CBC News Ottawa, April 26, 2018

A Montreal-based company has set the wheels in motion to bring a new recycling plant for used tires to the eastern Ontario town of Hawkesbury.

Ecolomondo, which specializes in recycling hydrocarbon waste, is working on a deal with Hawkesbury to build a 170,000-square-foot recycling plant, Radio Canada reported.

The company is still in talks with municipal authorities about acquiring the land at a local industrial park.

STO to boost bus service, especially in west Gatineau

By CBC News Ottawa, April 27, 2018

The Société de transport de l'Outaouais (STO) is spending $3.8 million on late-summer bus service improvements, with a focus on the city's Aylmer and Plateau sectors.

More than $2 million of the money will go toward improving bus routes in west Gatineau.

Route 34 run will now run every 10 minutes instead of every 30 minutes until 10 p.m., and will take a new route along boulevard du Plateau, boulevard des Grives and rue de l'Atmosphère.

Route 39 service will be extended until 11:30 p.m., except on Sundays, and will take chemin Pink, boulevard des Grives et boulevard du Plateau.

Kehler: Chalk River's nuclear waste facility will respect safety and the environment

By Kurt Kehler, Ottawa Citizen, April 26, 2018

The following is offered in response to an article by Eva Schacherl April 23, entitled Canada has a dirty, big nuclear secret at Chalk River:

Over the past 18 months, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) has done anything but try to keep its plans at Chalk River a secret. In fact, we have hosted 60 public engagements, in Ontario and Quebec, on the proposed Near Surface Disposal Facility (NSDF). This includes public information sessions, numerous meetings, discussions, project orientations and site visits with elected officials, media, members of the public, members of the industry, Indigenous groups and non-governmental organizations.

CNL is open and transparent about all aspects of the disposal facility, which is subject to a federal government-led, and very public, environmental assessment process.