Dear Friends of Kingston Inner Harbour,
Trust you have been having a bit of down time in Nature.
So essential for our individual and collective well-being.
Perhaps you have even seen this raccoon over on Belle Island?
Thanks again Hilbert for the photo.
This week we are starting to work on details for the September canoe build.
They keep changing due to COVID.
If you are interested in volunteering during the build and/or for the Celebration Weekend that is Sept 26/27, do contact me at 613-544-1246 or inverarymary@yahoo.com.
The most recent information is on our webpage:
https://www.friendsofinnerharbour.com/cataraqui-boatyard-project/
1) Williamsville Main Street Study Update, Meeting Aug 13
2) Third Crossing Update: Survey Deadline, Aug 21
3) Vision for Kingston: Great short video. Help support!
4) Over 47 Million Received for Kingston Public and Active Infrastructure Upgrades
5) Doug Ritchie Steps Down
6) Home-Base Housing Changes Approach to Homelessness
7) Nature-Based Systems May Be Best for Halting Coastal Erosion
8) Local Invasive Species: You Can Participate
9) Come Walk in my Moccassins Newsletter
10) Amazing Show on Endangered Eels that used to be prolific here
11) Lake Superior has a Reason to Gloat
12) Pump House Tours
13) Water Level Updates
14) Federal Abandoned Boats Initiative
15) The Enbridge Saga Continues
16) Proposed Marine Sanctuary
17) Some Fascinating Birch Bark Canoe Build Videos
1) Williamsville Main Street Study Update, Meeting Aug 13
What happens here will have a big impact on the feel of Upper Princess St.
Public Meeting: Aug 13 at 6:30 pm
Here is a link to the staff report for the draft addendum for Williamsville: Williamsville Main Street Study Update (Report-PC-20-028). The draft addendum and all the appendices are attached to the staff report, which was released last week.
Watch on Youtube at OR Participate on Zoom/Telephone!
a) To WATCH the meeting livestream:
Click this link to the Kingston City Council YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCglKQ0t6jFdKyBUTEVf-yXQ
You will also be able to watch the video any time after the meeting on this channel.
b) To SPEAK at the meeting register to speak here:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_PPj20y7QSyq5WCaaj01SBw
2) Third Crossing Update: Input request from east-end residents
Received from The Kingstonist, Aug 7, 2020 Jessica Foley
“The City of Kingston is looking for input from residents living near the Point St. Mark Drive and Gore Road intersection, in regards to the construction work happening for the third crossing.
According a press release sent by the City of Kingston on Friday, Aug 7, 2020, they had received many questions, comments and concerns regarding the future of this intersection. In order to assist the team with future design work and planning, they have created a survey to gather initial thoughts, and would like to hear from residents in the Point St. Mark neighbourhood specifically.
The city says they are working actively on future planning for this intersection, which has been closed since summer 2019. The closure was to provide road space for the construction equipment and tools, instead of encroaching on the forested areas, and for the protection of residents from construction activity.
Survey Information:
The survey is short – only three questions – and the city says it will provide them with a better understanding of the initial thoughts of the community. They hope to gather comments for consideration in the redesign of the intersection.
The city’s survey can be found here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NJQNQ8J
Follow up will include more input and connection with Point St. Mark neighbourhood residents, and larger community opinions on the design, says the city.
The city asks for responses to this survey by Friday Aug. 21, 2020, and is anticipating a finalized design by the end of the year.
Work update for August:
The temporary rock causeway is complete, and work has begun on a temporary bridge over the navigation channel.
The temporary bridge will allow construction crews to shuttle equipment as needed, and may cause delays to boating traffic. Boaters can expect delays of about 30 minutes during construction of the temporary bridge, and while the bridge is in operation.
The City of Kingston has shared a new video which focuses on the east shore touchdown, and showcases some of the equipment being used on site.
Visit the project website for more information:
https://thirdcrossing.cityofkingston.ca/
Support journalism that is 100% independent and truly local. Subscribe to Kingstonist.
3) Vision for Kingston: Great short video. Help support!
“We are excited to share our latest film about our campaign against the 16-storey tower at 223 Princess St. https://www.gofundme.com/f/for-a-human-scale-downtown?utm_source=customer&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link
Kingston’s Heart and Soul: The Fight for Downtown Continues documents our efforts thus far, provides an update on the latest legal developments, and makes suggestions about how the City should proceed in order to preserve the beloved human scale of the downtown core.
We are launching the film in conjunction with a gofundme campaign
https://www.gofundme.com/f/for-a-human-scale-downtown, which calls on members of the community to donate $10 each to help us reach our goal of $5000.
We know there are lots of crucial causes demanding our attention and our money at present, but with $10 each from 500 people, our next round of costs will be covered.
Those wishing to donate by interac can do so via visionforkingston@gmail.com, or by cheque made out to “Vision for Kingston” and mailed to 121 Queen St, #808, Kingston, ON K7K 0G6.
With much appreciation for your ongoing support!
Sincerely,
Sammi King, Annette Burfoot, and Vicki Schmolka”
4) Over 47 Million Received for City Public and Active Infrastructure
Received from The Kingstonist, Aug 10, Tori Stafford
“Mayor Bryan Paterson announces federal, provincial, and municipal funding aimed at public transit an active transportation infrastructure in Springer Market Square alongside Catherine McKenna, Federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, MPP Ian Arthur, MP Mark Gerretsen, and Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure, Laurie Scott
Donning facemasks and asking those in attendance to physically distance and use hand sanitizers provided, a number of local, provincial, and federal dignitaries gathered for an announcement on Monday, Aug. 10, 2020.
Despite the light rainfall, Mayor Bryan Paterson, MP Mark Gerretsen, MPP Ian Arthur, and Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities came together in Springer Market Square and were joined by Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure, Laurie Scott, via video feed for a large, tri-government funding announcement regarding both public transportation and active transportation infrastructure. The combined funding announced totals over $47 million, according to the City of Kingston.
Citing the need for Ontarians to receive help in getting safely to and from work, appointments, and other essential business, the federal government said that Strategic investments in sustainable public transportation infrastructure will play a key role. To that end, the Government of Canada approved eight new public transit and active transportation projects in Kingston.
“Investing in modern and accessible public transportation systems allows Canadians to get around in faster, cheaper and cleaner ways. “The investment in an expanded network of cycling lanes, multi-use paths, and new buses will improve the quality of lives for residents, get cars off the road and help make Kingston’s transit system more sustainable,” Minister McKenna said in a statement. “Canada’s infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country and builds stronger communities.”
In total, the investments – over $17 million from the federal government, nearly $14.5 million from the provincial government, and more than $16 million from the City of Kingston – will fund the eight projects. Several of these projects involve the construction of “new and enhanced pedestrian and cycling infrastructure in the East-West corridor of the city that will make it safer and easier for residents to commute to their destinations or to directly access public transit,” the City said in a press release. One example of such projects is the redesign and construction of the intersection of Montreal Street at John Counter Boulevard, which will include multi-use pathways, new sidewalk, and buffered bike lanes. The City also pointed to new transit-exclusive passenger drop-off lanes designed to enable pedestrians to access the transit system more safely and efficiently.
“The projects announced today will provide Kingston residents with more alternatives for getting where they need to go safely and affordably. Investing in modern and integrated public transit systems and active transportation is essential for building healthier, more sustainable communities of tomorrow,” said MP Gerretsen. “This is a great example of how we are working with our partners to build stronger, more resilient infrastructure that will serve our community now and in the future.”
Additionally, the funding will allow for the addition of a new, long-range battery electric bus and the associated battery charging equipment.
“This is an exciting day for transit riders and residents in Kingston. These projects will provide residents with more access to public transit, connecting people to jobs safely and efficiently. With today’s announcement, these eight projects can move from shovel-ready to shovels moving,” Minister Scott said.
On top of the new electric bus, six more conventional buses will be added to the Kingston Transit fleet, allowing the Kingston to increase transit service levels, “improving the reliability and quality of the public transit system while reducing emissions,” according to the City.
“Kingston has made strategic investments in active transportation and has seen unprecedented growth in transit ridership over the last few years. COVID-19 has definitely impacted our recent progress but as people start to return to some of their pre-pandemic routines, I believe there are even more opportunities to accelerate our active transportation goals,” Mayor Paterson said. “This funding will be very helpful as we get back on track and work to build a community where the most convenient option is active transportation.”
The City of Kingston also announced that changes are coming to the current Kingston Transit services, which have been altered during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Kingston Transit is in the process of planning for upcoming changes,” said Jeremy DaCosta, Director of Transit Services for the City of Kingston. “Beginning August 31, riders can expect to see increased service, front-door boarding, and fare collection. More information about these changes will be available by August 17.”
5) Doug Ritchie Steps Down
Received from The Kingstonist Aug 5, Jessica Foley
“The inaugural Executive Director of the Downtown Kingston! Business Improvement Area (BIA), Doug Ritchie, has stepped down from his position, the BIA announced on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020.
Over his 38 year career, Ritchie saw the organization grow from a small member services agency into a large, highly-active association.
Tim Pater, chairman of the Downtown Kingston! board of management stated, “I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and working with Doug for over 15 years now, first as a DBIA member and most recently as chair. Our membership has been extremely fortunate to have had such a staunch ally who overcame formidable challenges to assure the well-being of our downtown. The list of battles fought and won is long, while the innovations and uncanny ability to help position our downtown ahead of the curve has been a benefit to us all. We enjoy a vibrant and successful downtown that is the envy of many. If any single person could be given the credit, not only for the survival of our downtown but also for its ability to thrive and prosper, under the most challenging circumstances, it would be Doug Ritchie.”
Notable successes during Ritchie’s career include the evolution of downtown into the retail and dining heart of the city during the 1980s and repositioning the downtown as an entertainment hub after losing large anchor stores in the downtown core. Long range projects that were involved with these successes are the redevelopment of Springer Market Square, including constructing the skating risk, supporting and promoting the Leon’s center’s downtown location, and leading the efforts to stop the development of a casino in Kingston.
Ritchie often speaks at industry conference and events, and is known as a BIA pioneer, and industry expert. Downtown Kingston! was the first BIA in the province to create an economic development program, and employ a person solely dedicated to that role. The program itself has been used to guide the organization in terms of growth, business retention, municipal liaison, and business recruitment. Studies Ritchie proposed over the year include land use inventories, market studies, annual pedestrian and vehicle counts, and vacancy listings which have been used as advocacy tools for new developments in the downtown core, the BIA explained.
The Heritage Week Awards, which recognize renovations to existing buildings, or construction of new building which are in step with Kingston’s fine old architecture, were a partnership Ritchie struck with the Frontenac Heritage Foundation. This award draws attention to the importance of heritage buildings and the need to preserve them.The seasonal schedule of public events is perhaps what Downtown Kingston! is best known for. The recurring series of events, which include Kingston Busker’s Rendezvous, Music in the Park, Limestone City Blues Festival, Movies in the Square and FebFest, were developed under Ritchie’s leadership and are popular attractions for locals and tourists alike.
Ed Smith, long time board member and past chair stated, “I want to wish Doug the very best in whatever the future holds. Doug’s contribution to Downtown Kingston’s success over the past 38 years was immeasurable. Doug is a strategic thinker; he built the relationships necessary to keep Kingston’s downtown relevant and strong no matter the economic environment. Doug Ritchies are rare these days, he won’t be easily replaced and he leaves a huge mark in the heart of our city”.For his part, Ritchie states his career in Kingston has been the realization of turning dreams into reality and his personal satisfaction in making a significant difference in the city. “It’s been a blast”, says Ritchie.
The Executive Director position will be filled, and General Manager, Michele Langlois has agreed to assum the duties of the role on an interim basis.”
6) Home-Base Housing Changes Approach to Homelessness
Received Aug 6, The Kingstonist, Tori Stafford
“Home Base Housing has announced some changes that are currently taking place, as well as a shift in how their services will be carried out in the future.
The local not-for-profit supportive housing organization announced on Thursday, Jul. 6, 2020 that it will be “moving towards a new emergency housing model as an alternative to emergency shelters.”
“It is time for us to truly look at providing housing over shelters for the most vulnerable in our society,” said Ed Smith, President of the Board of Directors for Home Base Housing in a press release. The statement noted that, since April 1, 2020, Home Base Housing has moved 73 adults and 18 youth out of homelessness and into situations where they are now paying rent for their own residences.
The organization cited recent experiences as having provided proof that the emergency housing model is more effective than the emergency shelter model. After the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the area, Home Base Housing’s In From the Cold shelter moved from its 540 Montreal Street location to the former Fairfield Manor East location. There, residents had their own rooms and self-contained washrooms, and the many difficulties the organization has experienced in association with people sharing spaces “diminished drastically” Home Base Housing said. The organization also said that this system of operation has “contributed significantly” to the housing of clients.
“Our focus at Home Base is not to perpetuate homelessness, but actively work with individuals and families to have them gain housing independence. We are in the business of ending homelessness. Emergency shelters should not be long-term housing. The stabilizing factor in operating at the Fairfield East site has contributed significantly to the ability of individuals to have a home and end their homelessness,” said Colleen McAlister, Program Manager for Shelters for Home Base Housing.
However, the In From the Cold Shelter and those residing at the former Fairfield Manor East site have recently had to move back to their original Montreal Street location. According to Home Base Housing, the owner of the former Fairfield Manor East requested the building back for redevelopment. At the Montreal Street location, the previous capacity had been 34 beds in congregate living and sleeping situations, something the organization noted is not ideal. After consulting with KFL&A Public Health, the In From the Cold shelter has now been reduced to only 13 beds. Home Base Housing said they hope the gymnasium at the recently-opened Integrated Care Hub at Artillery Park will be able to accommodate the overflow created by the loss of the 21 emergency shelter beds.
Home Base Housing said that the experience of moving In From the Cold to the former Fairfield Manor East location has provided evidence that providing single rooms with washrooms is a favourable housing model. The organization underlined that, over the past 10 months, they have been actively working on three projects that will reflect their move from an emergency shelter model to an emergency housing model. The emergency housing model will feature small, individual dorm-like bachelor apartments with private washrooms and kitchenettes, a model Home Base Housing feels can act as a template across the province.
“Kingston can be a model that can be replicated throughout Ontario and beyond. This is an opportunity for us to build upon a solid foundation of existing structures, services, and expertise in our hopes of ending homelessness,” said Tom Greening, Executive Director of Home Base Housing, in the release. “There is a collective level of expertise and support in Kingston that can make these changes happen.
Home Base Housing stated that its priority should be to intervene in youth homelessness, ensuring individuals receive the supports to gain independence and sustainable living conditions, thus ending the cycle of homelessness into adulthood, and noted that the United Way of KFLA has been an important partner in the work locally to end youth homelessness. The organization pointed to a recent report received by Kingston City Council regarding the current situation with the encampment at Belle Park, which stated “Approximately half of all respondents stated that their first instance of homelessness was between the ages of 12 and 18.”
In moving towards this new model Home Base Housing (which includes youth, families, and single adults), the organizations approach will include:
Moving forward with the creation of the Kingston Youth Services Hub at Princess and Albert Streets as “the first step in providing new supportive emergency housing for homeless youth in a campus of wrap-around supportive services and opportunities.” This development is currently underway.
Creating a new place where homeless families can have space and support to get back on their feet. Home Base Housing is currently working with the City of Kingston and looking at two possible locations for this space, the organization said.
Building a new facility on the property already purchased by Home Base Housing in central Kingston, which will “provide new supportive transitional and emergency housing for single adults.”
“No system will be perfect. As Kingstonians, moving forward with changes in how we treat the most vulnerable in our society, is a statement of our character, how we will be judged, and our leadership in this field,” Smith said in the press release. “Home Base Housing looks forward to collaborative approaches for this new emergency housing model.”
Home Base Housing consists of Lily’s Place Emergency Shelter for Families and the In From the Cold Shelter, as well as the Housing First, Homeless Prevention, Supportive Housing, and Street Outreach teams. The Home Base teams work in partnership with other organizations to help homeless individuals and families find new homes.”
7) Nature-Based Systems May Be Best for Coastal Erosion
Received from cbc.ca/whatonearth, Moira Donovan
NOTE: Some of these thoughts may well apply to the Great Cataraqui River and the Kingston shoreline.
“With sea levels rising faster in Nova Scotia than almost anywhere in the country, experts say the need for coastal property owners to take action to mitigate erosion is more important than ever.
As a result of a combination of land subsidence and climate change, it is projected that sea levels in Nova Scotia will rise between one and 2½ metres by 2100, while storm surges and wave action exacerbate coastal erosion.
Thousands of properties in Nova Scotia are on the coast.
“Climate change is here … and reversing it doesn’t look like it’s actually going to happen in our lifetime, so if that’s not a possibility, to fix it from the root end, then we have to take charge of the symptoms and then really engage people at education,” said Rosmarie Lohnes, founder of Helping Nature Heal, an ecological restoration company based in Bridgewater, N.S.
Several initiatives are encouraging property owners to implement living shorelines — also known as nature-based systems — such as wetlands, tidal flats and revegetating the shoreline, rather than popular hard barriers, such as armour stones.
Lohnes said rock walls “are sort of an old technology and old methodology.”
In fact, rock walls come with their own set of problems. Armour stone may protect the individual property but it causes the wave energy to be deflected to another part of the shoreline and blocks the natural movement of sediment, exacerbating erosion elsewhere. Waves can also erode around the stone, causing structures to collapse.
Lohnes said she encourages people to consider how planting the coast with a particular mix of native species can more effectively slow down erosion. “The right plants in the right place make all the difference, for sure.”
Living shorelines are increasingly recognized as an important form of protection for coastal properties and communities. A 2018 report by the Insurance Bureau of Canada, for instance, recommended retaining and restoring “natural infrastructure,” such as wetlands, as a way of reducing risks for those on the coast.
“Lots of people don’t understand the ecosystem that they’re living in,” said Lohnes, who runs a program called Shore Up, which teaches people about living shorelines. “This is an opportunity to really talk to them about how the plants work, and how they work together, and then what happens when a storm arrives.”
DG Blair, director of the Stewardship Centre for British Columbia, said the organization is in the process of bringing its Green Shores initiative to Nova Scotia. Green Shores is a credit and rating system, similar to LEED, the international green building certification system. It encourages property owners to adopt design standards that use natural systems to manage the shoreline.
The design standards provide best practices “guidance” on how to develop the shoreline in a way that conserves the environment and restores natural processes, Blair said.
Data shows “that a well-designed nature-based solution can be as effective, if not more effective, for sea-level rise and increased storm surge, for example,” said Blair. “If you can do a nature-based approach, usually it’s less expensive and it proves to be more resilient.”
Patricia Manuel, a professor in the school of planning at Dalhousie University in Halifax, said that while much of the education on nature-based systems has come from companies and not-for-profits, local governments can lead the way.
Manuel said living shoreline projects, such as ones that have been proposed or completed in Nova Scotia communities like Mahone Bay and Shelburne, provide an opportunity for governments to model better approaches to protecting the shoreline.
Instead of armouring the shore, municipalities can restore a wetland or use landscaping, “and then people can see how it works and take some assurance from that.”
Nova Scotia is developing regulations for its Coastal Protection Act, which will protect new construction from flooding and rising sea levels by stipulating how close people can build to the coast.”
8) Local Invasive Species: You Can Participate!
Received from Ducks Unlimited Aug 8, Kyle Borrowman, Biologist, 613-389-0418, x125
“I’m forwarding this email over to you to see if your group has any input regarding invasive species of concern within the Kingston area. The Invasive Species Centre has recently received funding to extend their Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) Network to the Kingston region and will be engaging with community members in the fight against invasive species.“
These results are going to greatly help develop training materials, disseminate necessary resources, determine species for new best management documents and just overall help us expand into eastern Ontario and meet the local invasive species needs.
Here is the link to a survey to identify gaps of invasive species knowledge in the area:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/K5ZJL3S
More info? Lauren Bell, Education and Community Outreach Coordinator, EDRR Ontario Project Manager, Invasive Species Centre – 705-541-5790 – lbell@invasivespeciescentre.ca
9) Come Walk in my Moccasins Newsletter
This is a wonderfully informative newsletter from an Indigenous perspective
https://app.getresponse.com/view.html?x=a62b&m=bjsC7&mc=Ce&s=cl5XAt&u=Ssql&z=EQOfCoJ&
Aboriginal Family Literacy Circle – aflccanada@gmail.com
10) Amazing Show on Endangered Eels that used to be prolific here
https://www.tvo.org/video/vilified-beasts-all-about-els?utm_source=TVO&utm_campaign=f7aaf9634a-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_1_17_2019_10_56_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_eadf6a4c78-f7aaf9634a-61349601
11) Lake Superior has a Reason to Gloat
A different perspective!
The world’s largest freshwater lake also has the world’s largest Twitter following, for a freshwater lake Written By: Christa Lawler | Nov 16th 2019.
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Lake Superior is complicated. It’s in awe of its own strength, and thoughtful about its toll on humans. It’s funny, in a dad-joke kind of way. It’s quick to pick a fight with inferior subjects — and when you’re Superior, almost all of them are.
It’s been known to retweet scientists, photographers, the people who get engaged along its shore. Mostly, though, it’s a braggart.
“Without me, they would be called the Good Lakes,” Lake Superior tweeted a year ago, earning thousands of likes, comments and retweets.
It has earned the right to be cocky. The Lake Superior Twitter feed, manned by an anonymous person who claims to interact daily with the body of water, has a celebrity-level following. Its audience includes journalists, scientists, experts in tourism, political analysts.
The only lake with a larger following, Lake Superior’s anonymous keeper said, is Lake Bell. The actor from “Bless this Mess,” “Childrens Hospital” and “Bojack Horseman” has 127,000 followers.
This month Lake Superior has used its voice to celebrate surf season, list the names of the dead crewmen from the Edmund Fitzgerald, and imitate itself: “Slosh shuh flush bub bloop gargle splish,” it posted.
Behind Lake Superior
The voice of Lake Superior is male. He is not young-young, but he’s not old either. He might be a baritone. He’s climate-minded and worries about plastic, but he is not a scientist. He grew up on Lake Superior, he said, and continues to live on Lake Superior.
He wants to retain his anonymity a bit longer, which the News Tribune would never allow in a more serious story. Just his close inner circle knows he does this.
Lake Superior, the person, considers this personae a creative outlet and has also been finding ways to experiment with his character — which is why he agreed to be interviewed, calling promptly at the time agreed upon in direct messages to the Twitter account.
He is here to inform, along with adding big waves of personality.
12) Fun Pump House Tours
Actually really interesting!
https://www.kingstonpumphouse.ca/whats-on?utm_source=eblast%20newsletter&utm_medium=eblast&utm_campaign=2%20Tours&utm_content=2%20Tours
13) Water Level Updates
Seaway’s delayed opening renews push for high-water solutions, Professional Mariner (Maine), August 4, 2020. After a nearly two-week delay, water levels normalized enough this spring along the Montreal to Lake Ontario (MLO) section of the St. Lawrence Seaway to allow the navigation season to open. Lost time and limitations imposed on transits, however, meant lost money for ship operators. Requiring tug assists, reduced speeds, less cargo and other restrictions meant millions of dollars in additional operating costs. Such measures and delaying the season for 12 days were prompted by above-normal precipitation that resulted in record-high water levels — and thus fast-moving currents that make navigation more challenging — across the Great Lakes. This was an especially devastating problem in 2017 and 2019. More than 100 expected ship transits supporting over $80 million in economic activity did not happen, according to the Chamber of Marine Commerce. Bruce Burrows, the chamber’s president and CEO, is quoted.
Lake Michigan breaks 34-year-old high water record; property owners warned ahead of fall, The Sheboygan Press (Sheboygan, Wisconsin), August 4, 2020. All but one of the Great Lakes have likely reached their peak for the year, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Lakes Michigan-Huron set another new monthly mean record high water level in July, and the Corps’ most recent forecast projects that Lake Michigan-Huron will likely set another new record high monthly mean water level in August, before it drops back beneath record highs in September. The water level of Lake Superior is expected to peak next month before entering its period of typical seasonal decline. Lakes Erie, Ontario and St. Clair all continued to decline last month, with no new records set on those lakes in July.
14) Federal Abandoned Boats Initiative
Minister Garneau launches a new call for proposals for abandoned boats projects through Canada’s Oceans Protection Plan, Canada NewsWire, July 28, 2020 (also appeared at Markets Insider and at Canada). Abandoned or wrecked vessels pose an environmental, social and economic hazard in communities across Canada. They can pollute the marine environment, harm local businesses such as tourism and fisheries, damage infrastructure, interfere with navigation, and pose safety risks to Canadians. That is why the Government of Canada, under the Oceans Protection Plan, is working diligently to deter this irresponsible practice and to clean up vessels of immediate concern. Through Transport Canada’s Abandoned Boats Program and Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Small Craft Harbours Abandoned and Wrecked Vessels Removal Program, the Government of Canada is helping to remove abandoned boats, educate boat owners about their responsibilities and support research into improving recycling options. Today, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Marc Garneau, launched the fifth call for proposals for assessment and removal projects to be funded through the Abandoned Boats Program under the Oceans Protection Plan. Up to $1.6 million is available this year to help assess, remove or dispose of abandoned and wrecked small boats that pose a hazard in Canadian waters. All projects must be completed by March 31, 2022.
15) The Enbridge Saga Continues
Enbridge: Line 5 replacement work completed under St. Clair River in Marysville, Port Huron Times Herald (Michigan), August 5, 2020. Replacement work on a section of Line 5 running under the St. Clair River through Marysville has been completed. The work was initiated as part of a November 2017 agreement between Enbridge and the state of Michigan requiring Enbridge to improve environmental protections in the Great Lakes and other waterways. The state required Enbridge to replace the section of Line 5 under the St. Clair River with a new pipe in a tunnel under the river. Line 5 begins in Superior, Wisconsin, and ends in Sarnia, Ontario. It runs under the Straits of Mackinac, across Michigan and under the St. Clair River into Canada. It carries both oil and natural gas.
16) Proposed Marine Sanctuary
Proposed marine sanctuary may extend to St. Lawrence shipwrecks, NNY360 (Watertown, New York), August 10, 2020. Two shipwrecks off the coast of the town of Hammond in St. Lawrence County may have the chance to be included in the proposal to establish a national marine sanctuary on Lake Ontario. Officials overseeing the projects presented that possibility to the St. Lawrence County Board of Legislators on Monday. Currently, the boundaries of the marine sanctuary would encompass a large swath of eastern Lake Ontario to the mouth of the St. Lawrence River, but there’s been interest in possibly extending that upriver to include two easy-to-access shipwrecks, the America and the Keystorm. If approved, the sanctuary would become the 15th such area in the United States and the second in the Great Lakes region. Under the current plan, roughly 1,700 square miles would be included in the designation, which would encompass 21 known shipwrecks and a downed aircraft spanning a period of over 200 years. Organizers note that the designation could open up the possibility for the locating of an additional 49 shipwrecks and aircraft known to be downed somewhere in the proposed area.
17) Fascinating Collection of Birch Bark Canoe Videos
1946 Crawley Films of Ottawa: https://youtu.be/enMSwz5BWGo
Dogrib canoe in far north: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW1PAKPHam8
Minnesota canoe builder, Ray Boessel, with Indigenous people from Manitoba
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFSjKRnUzVo , and
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNjnA3L9ewU
14 minute Mic Mac Minnesota, Ray Boessel Jr.
Passamaquoddy birch bark canoe building. In Native language with subtitles (15 mins)
Importance of being tuned into environment when harvesting materials.
Summer bark and winter bark: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46LoBsZZwok
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46LoBsZZwok
Northwest Profiles: Floating on Bark (8 mins) Can’t sink. All materials float.
Spokane, Washington and Alaska – Imports bark from Siberia!
3 parts: collection, assembly and putting together.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46LoBsZZwok
Earl’s Canoe (9 mins) 1997 Sacred Place in Wisconsin Talking to the trees when harvesting (2008)
Beautiful pics of removing bark from tree
Bark of basswood for lashing
Manitoba Museum. Great pics and craft
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OVUIvpiQkw
Tom Byers Canoe builder 2018
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFFN8gNlZX0
Manitoba Museum video 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwItUGW9VHM
Comparison of human body with canoe. Art, Science and Engineering
Archives of Manitoba and Hudson’s Bay Company
Canadian Geographical Society 1946 American Indian Film Gallery
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VODl–dW4fY
Historical building, traders and trappers
1970 Birch Canoe Builder: Building a Birch Canoe the Native American Way
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qffEwzYLmDw&t=3s
Bill Hafeman, Southern Illinois. Seasonal living – describes something close to Indigenous way of life as one would imagine.
Wisconsin Indigenous and University of Wisconsin Madison – Anishnabe canoe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YC-Nv8uE3yc Wiigwaas = birch Wiigwaase – Jiimaan
These Canoes Carry Culture Lac du Flambeau Wayne Valliere
Community involvement with people of all ages. Lots of people at launch.
Birch Bark Canoe Tips with Tom Byers (6 mins): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwtzzkDKoUA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46LoBsZZwok
Saguenay, Quebec 2007 Cesar et son canot d’ecorce (8 mins)
Good visuals of collecting spruce root and stages of build process:
Peeling bark off white birch tree; Weighing the building frame onto the bark sheet;Gathering black spruce roots;Cutting and sewing the side panels; Inwale shaping and assembling thwarts; Stem piece building; Inwale and outwale pegging; Bow and stern trimming; Inwale and outwale lashing; Plank and rib splitting; Bending canoe ribs; Gumming the inside seams; Planking and ribbing; Pegging gunwales; Winter bark decoration; Gumming the gores and sewings; Final step: Trying out the canoe; Franz_rothan@yahoo.com 2008
So that’s it for August,
Cheers,
Mary Farrar,
President, Friends of Kingston Inner Harbour