Huge blaze engulfed 11 000 hectares in French River Provincial Park, July 2018. Fire investigation confirms origin point but clears Pattern Energy of Provincial offence.
Massive blaze sparked by off road construction for Henvey Wind that occurred in July 2018 linked to vehicle used for Pattern Energy project.
BREAKING NEWS: Ontario fire investigators clear wind developer Pattern Energy and workers on Henvey Inlet wind farm, after off road construction vehicle ignited 11,000 hecatare blaze that destroyed large chunk of French River provincial park last summer. @CBCNews@CBCSudburypic.twitter.com/Hi7lKWQxsx
Investigation into Parry Sound Wildland Fire Concludes
February 22, 2019 2:00 P.M.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has completed its extensive investigation into the Parry Sound 33 wildland fire.
The ministry’s team of investigators found that the fire originated at the location of a disabled vehicle in a remote area of Henvey Inlet. Assistance was sought from a forensic fire expert.
While the investigation was able to determine the origin of the fire, no provincial offence under the Forest Fires Prevention Act was found to have been committed.
This whole wind turbine industry is so twisted. The Powers That Be seem to take a wait and see approach but for the victims time is of the essence. When Bruce Pardy stated that our provincial leaders through enactment of legislature can have these contracts cancelled I wonder WHY this is not being done? When humans are being harmed and the environment is being damaged ( sometimes beyond repair ) should that in itself not be sufficient? What more is needed? A terrible wrong was committed when the Precautionary Principle was no longer enforced.
These folks in Chautauqua with wind projects in the horizon are at the point where we were in 2011 with the exception of their Health Board being more cautious and concerned. The one member had commented that there was a lack of scientific evidence to prove that infrasound was harmful to people. Not so !!!!!
I will contact Tom Erlandson who is president of the Health Board in the Chautauqua area and provide him with the link to the Mariana Elves Pereiera seminar in Solvenia. In Ms. Pereiera’s presentation she states that biopsy results from persons exposed to infrasound show a thickening of the pericardium ( the outer lining of the heart ) a condition which is irreversible and results in death. This should be seriously concerning to all government members and agencies that have turbines within their jurisdictions.
Chautauqua area residents and health officials need to be aware of the risk of permanent destruction to their underground water resources as well. Maybe these people can be spared the horrible financial, environmental and health consequences that we are experiencing daily here in Ontario.
Ruby you have worked so tirelessly on behalf of your community. I pray that it will result in the cancellation of the Nation Rise project. This needs to happen urgently. All of these people who are able to make this happen will be held accountable for not doing the just thing. They have been provided with the scientific evidence and have no excuse for not protecting us instead of the Wind Industry. How can the province of Ontario be called great when this travesty exists?
You ask how I am doing? I struggle day to day. My energy levels are at a minimum. The tinnitus is constant and the head pressure and dizziness affects my vision. My heart beats out of rhythm and flutters sometimes with pain and I recall the thickening of the pericardium so how can I not be concerned about my health? I am encircled by twenty five turbines within a five mile radius. For safety reasons Ms Pereiera would not live within 20 KM of a turbine. The turbines were not operational for 2 days and the dizziness had abated somewhat but now they are back on.
My water seems to be clear with the costly installation of the Silt Blaster which requires constant rock salts. Bathing in so much salt water irritates my skin. My drilled well water has not been restored to it’s original state.
I have been sleeping in my unfinished basement for five months. When I am able to fall asleep I am awakened by the noisy furnace start up. Premier Ford mentioned that his mom had Hallway Hospital Care and he found that unacceptable. It makes me wonder how he would feel if his mom were sleeping in the basement to try and remove herself from the infrasound that is assaulting every single cell and organ in her body. WE ARE BEING HARMED 24/7
I may have to get a mortgage and purchase another property and move away for the sake of my health. My life has become so stressful.
Thank you for asking about me.
Signed,
Adversely impacted resident since Niagara Wind was built.
Background: The introduction of industrial wind turbines into quiet rural en-vironments in Ontario, Canada has resulted in complaints about environmental noise and adverse health effects. Ontario has a process whereby residents can report noise to government. Official government records of Incident Reports/Complaints submitted by residents living near operating wind turbine installations were obtained through a Freedom of Information request. This article presents an evaluation of this process while commenting on the significance of Incident Reports/Complaints. Methods: Government records of Incident Reports/Complaints were analysed. Peer reviewed publications, conference presentations, judicial proceedings, government resources, and other sources were evaluated and considered in context with the topic under discussion. Objectives: The purpose of this article is to present the role and significance of Incident Reports/Complaints and discuss the value of these when assessing outcomes related to the introduction of wind turbines into a quiet rural environment. Results: Government records document 4574 Incident Reports/Complaints received by Ontario’s hotline (2006- 2016). There was no ministry response to over 50% of more than 3000 submitted formal complaints (2006-2014). Another 30% were noted as “deferred” response. Only 1% of the reports received a priority response. Provincial Officers noted in summary reports that people were reporting health effects such as: headache, sleep deprivation, annoyance, and ringing or pressure sensation in the head and ears. Health effects were reported many times including those occurring among children. Discussion: In the case of wind power installations, Incident Reports/Complaints are an important source of information for evaluating outcomes of introducing a new noise source into a quiet rural environment and are a form of public health surveillance. These reports can highlight risks to a healthy community living environment, act as an early warning system, and aid in evaluation of government policy initiatives. They may also be used before legal tribunals in public or private actions.
Cite this paper
Krogh, C. M. , Wilson, E. J. and Harrington, M. E. (2019). Wind Turbine Incident/Complaint Reports in Ontario, Canada: A Review—Why Are They Important?. Open Access Library Journal, 6, e5200. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1105200.
Wanna work in the clean green, environmentally sustainable renewable energy field? Gotta a lead on a job for you!
Wildlife Field Technician–19400000926
Summary
Tetra Tech Inc. is a leading provider of consulting, engineering, and technical services worldwide. Our reputation rests on the technical expertise and dedication of our employees—17,000 people working together across disciplines and time zones to provide smart, sustainable solutions for challenging projects. We are proud to be home to leading technical experts in water, environment, infrastructure, resource management, energy, and international development. Tetra Tech combines the resources of a global, multibillion-dollar company with local, client-focused delivery in 412 locations around the world. We offer competitive compensation and benefits and are searching for innovative people to join our teams.
Tetra Tech, Inc. is currently seeking a Wildlife Field Technician working as an avian and bat fatality monitor near Minot, ND. Field work for this part-time position includes working 35-40 hours every other week in spring, summer, fall, and once each month in winter.
The field work begins mid-March 2019 and continues through March 2020, with the possibility of a second year of surveys. Fatality monitoring applicants must be willing to commit to 3 full field days every other week, including daily travel to and from the field location. The technicians will be responsible for their own housing throughout the study period.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The primary responsibility of this position is to implement a post-construction fatality monitoring program at an operational wind facility
The program is inclusive of fatality searches, adhering to standardized protocols as trained, and keeping detailed datasheets
Candidates who have previous field experience with birds and/or bats are preferred
Candidates must be able to walk for extended periods of time, be able to effectively handle exposure to weather extremes, and interaction with bird and bat carcasses
Field technicians may work independently and must be able to communicate and coordinate effectively with other field crew members, Tetra Tech supervisors, and site management
Field Technicians will be required to follow all wind facility-specific and Tetra Tech safety protocols and will be expected to provide their own suitable footwear (reinforced-toed hiking boots) and weather appropriate field gear
Salary will be commensurate with experience
Qualifications
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATION:
Bachelor’s degree in natural resources, wildlife management, wildlife biology or equivalent degree preferred
Individuals currently seeking degree and/or other enthusiastic workers are encouraged to apply
Good bird and/or bat identification skills for species in the region
Prior field experience with wildlife
Must be able to work independently and with others, and interact positively with project managers, clients, and landowners
Experience with 4×4 vehicles, valid driver’s license and clean driving record
Valid driver’s license is required
Skilled use of topographic maps, GPS units, and other field equipment
Must be able to follow instructions from manager and collect precise and thorough data
Must be able to work with electronic data collection protocols and data submission timing requirements
Must be skilled with communication, have the ability to maintain positive attitude and to accept guidance and constructive criticism
Investigation into driving record will be conducted upon hire
Driving record must meet standards set to operate motor vehicle on behalf of Tetra Tech
Background check will be conducted on final candidates
Candidates must be able to pass drug screen prior to employment
“Industrial wind turbine infrasound is not the best weapon, but it is a weapon. This German video documents the harmful effects of d the infrasound produced by industrial-sized wind turbines. The dangers of infrasound have been known since the 1980s when the U.S. military heavily invested in infrasound (below 20 Hz) as a weapon. It looked like it had great promise, according to Col. John B. Alexander who was involved in weaponizing it.. The military gave up on infrasound as its effects on people were too random: some potential targets were seriously debilitated; others not so much. This video presents various studies by acoustical engineers and other scientists showing infrasound’s affect on the ear, the heart, the brain and other organs.”
“This is a slow-moving disaster happening and something has to be done. It’s been seven months and it is imperative a health hazard investigation is done before anything else can be done. Get boots on the ground, collect and test the sediments and get it done.”
At a Water Wells First community meeting recently, the members continued to express their frustration with the government’s lack of action to make good on a Doug Ford promise to hold a full health hazard investigation into well contamination in the area of the North Kent Wind Farm in Chatham and Dover townships and dropping property values.
WWF spokesperson Jessica Brooks said frustration with the situation continues to rise.
“After our community meeting, Water Wells First members continue to be disappointed and frustrated with the lack of action by the provincial government in regards to a Health Hazard Investigation,” Brooks said in a release. “We are demanding that the government act in the best interest of the health and safety for the people of Chatham-Kent by identifying black shale as a pollutant in drinking water. Any testing done by the municipality will be inadequate and pointless until this health hazard investigation is launched.”
Brooks noted the closest WWF has come to hearing any news is the announcement about a review by the Ontario Medical Officer of Health of the work of the Ministry of the Environment did during the summer of 2017.
“This is a pointless investigation as the ministry was only using lab results collected by the polluter; the wind company,” Brooks added. “Concerned citizens are encouraged to write Premier Doug Ford, Minister of Infrastructure Monty McNaughton, Minister of the Environment Rod Phillips and Minister of Health Christine Elliott asking that they take our concerns for groundwater seriously and launch a Health Hazard Investigation.”
The sediment in the wells, now known to contain black shale, has never been collected by the MOE or the turbine company for testing. Black shale is known to contain toxic heavy metals such as mercury, arsenic, lead and uranium. What worries the residents is how much of the shale, if any, is safe to drink, as the particles found in the water range in size and the smallest cannot be filtered out.
Also of concern to WWF members is news that Dr. David Colby, the medical officer of health for Chatham-Kent, has submitted an abstract on Wind Turbines and Groundwater Contamination for presentation at a Wind Turbine Noise 2019 conference in June in Lisbon, Portugal.
Colby has publicly said the wind turbines aren’t responsible for the well contamination, and the sediment, while “aesthetically unpleasing,” is safe to drink. He, however, has not collected or tested the sediment in the contaminated wells.
Questions that WWF members have for Colby is what does his article report on, is he representing the municipality in his capacity as Medical Officer of Health and who is paying for his trip?
Brooks said she asked Colby for the article but was told it wasn’t completed as of yet.
Reduced property values are also a concern for residents near the wind farm projects. Brooks said those people who had their wells tested before construction of the turbines have applied to MPAC, the provincial corporation that assesses property values, for reassessment. The results have been reduced taxes due to well issues, and Brooks said even people in proximity to the wind farms have a lower assessment.
“We were told that is something that would never happen, but it has. Just being in proximity to a wind turbine devalues your property,” Brooks said. “And the number keeps going up. Just from the people who have talked to me about contamination, the unofficial count is 40 families, and that’s not counting the people out there who aren’t going to complain because they rent or they don’t want their property devalued….
Mothers Against Wind Turbines Inc. 