Life Boats For Ducks
So, okay, some of you at least have probably heard about the fuss with ducks landing in the tailings ponds from the tar sands in Alberta (and, the ponds being toxic, dying). One company had like 1200 die two years ago, and got a hefty fine (and ordered to pay donations to various charities) to the tune of about three million dollars.
And then these guys had another 200 ducks land (and die) just teh other day.
As near as anyone can figure, the air cannons etc that they have been using to chase the ducks away (same as they use to keep birds out of the blueberries and cranberries) ought to have worked; they have been working. But there was a severe ice storm happening, and the thought is that this forced the birds to land where they were, which of course was a tailings pond.
I heard this on the CBC this morning and immediately sent a comment to Alberta's Minister of the Environment:
On 2010-10-27 09:31:00.0 you wrote:
Hi!
I was just hearing on the CBC about the 200 ducks that were killed after landing in a tailing pond. According to the report, air cannons were in use to scare them away, but they might have landed anyways due to extremely poor weather.
And my thought is this: They're using sticks to try and drive them away; how about using a carrot to persuade them to go elsewhere as well?
My idea is this: construct a safe pond as close to the tailings ponds as can be done and still keep them safe. Make it with islands and rushes and things to make it safe and attractive for ducks (I'd suggest consulting with Ducks Unlimited to make the ideal environment for them-- aside from the expertise I think it would be good press). Continue making the tailings ponds as unattractive as possible-- perhaps add some predator decoys as well-- but then give them an attractive alternative as close as possible. And then, hopefully, when ducks are in the area and forced down due to inclement weather, they will have something that they will WANT to sit in and that will be safe for them, and hopefully they will choose that instead.
Have a safe refuge for the ducks in the area of each each group of tailings ponds so the ducks have a safe alternative close enough for them to see if they're headed to the tailings ponds.
For the three million that the one company had to pay in fines and donations, I'm pretty sure they could have made a pretty nice safe pond.
I hope this idea might be of use to you. Hopefully something like this will help get the bloody Americans off Alberta's backs too.
Regards,
-Chris Heimdallson
Well, the first thing I got back (very soon after) was a form letter:
Thank you for visiting the Alberta Government Feedback and Inquiry Web Site. We have received your question, and are now forwarding it to the appropriate area. We try to respond to all questions within three working days.
Your Alberta, a new e-newsletter from the Government of Alberta will keep you up-to-date on the province’s latest projects and plans. To sign-up, visit http://www.gov.ab.ca/home/534.cfm
This site is frequently updated to provide you with important information about Alberta programs and services. It is also an opportunity for you to provide your government with feedback on the issues that concern you. Please visit our site again soon to read an article, or send a comment.
Toll-Free: 310-4455
Internet: www.gov.ab.ca
But I've just gotten an actual letter back too!
Thank you for visiting the Alberta Government feedback web site. Following is the response to your question prepared by Environment :
Dear Chris,
Thank you very much for your thoughts on how to lure birds elsewhere as a deterrence from the tailings ponds. It is so nice to see proof of Albertans' innovation and thoughtfulness.
I will be sure to forward your comments on.
I'll keep you all posted on any future replies. Hopefully soon we'll see safe ponds near the tailings ponds to lure them to safety!
Also I was really tempted to let them know that I'm actually from British Columbia, but I decided that there was no point (beyond pointing out that the innovation and thoughtfulness was from a BC'er, the Californians of Canada lol).
[Edited to add: Re: "Bloody Americans": Waht I am referring to here is certain American protest groups that are calling the tailings ponds a worse environmental disaster than the Gulf oil spill (the worst oil spill ever in the history of ever, which it is feared might wipe out the Florida Everglades pretty much completely), and which are strongly encouraging (nay, demanding) that no one who doesn't loooove the idea of dead birds have anything to do with Canada at all (and especially Alberta) until it gets fixed. I get pissed off because this is a small yet extremely vocal group that Did Not Do The Research. I tend to lump all these types of groups together, so mentally, to me, these guys are the equivalent of the far-right wingnuts who think being gay is a choice and therefore should be forbidden/punished. I ain't mad at ALL Americans.]
And then these guys had another 200 ducks land (and die) just teh other day.
As near as anyone can figure, the air cannons etc that they have been using to chase the ducks away (same as they use to keep birds out of the blueberries and cranberries) ought to have worked; they have been working. But there was a severe ice storm happening, and the thought is that this forced the birds to land where they were, which of course was a tailings pond.
I heard this on the CBC this morning and immediately sent a comment to Alberta's Minister of the Environment:
On 2010-10-27 09:31:00.0 you wrote:
Hi!
I was just hearing on the CBC about the 200 ducks that were killed after landing in a tailing pond. According to the report, air cannons were in use to scare them away, but they might have landed anyways due to extremely poor weather.
And my thought is this: They're using sticks to try and drive them away; how about using a carrot to persuade them to go elsewhere as well?
My idea is this: construct a safe pond as close to the tailings ponds as can be done and still keep them safe. Make it with islands and rushes and things to make it safe and attractive for ducks (I'd suggest consulting with Ducks Unlimited to make the ideal environment for them-- aside from the expertise I think it would be good press). Continue making the tailings ponds as unattractive as possible-- perhaps add some predator decoys as well-- but then give them an attractive alternative as close as possible. And then, hopefully, when ducks are in the area and forced down due to inclement weather, they will have something that they will WANT to sit in and that will be safe for them, and hopefully they will choose that instead.
Have a safe refuge for the ducks in the area of each each group of tailings ponds so the ducks have a safe alternative close enough for them to see if they're headed to the tailings ponds.
For the three million that the one company had to pay in fines and donations, I'm pretty sure they could have made a pretty nice safe pond.
I hope this idea might be of use to you. Hopefully something like this will help get the bloody Americans off Alberta's backs too.
Regards,
-Chris Heimdallson
Well, the first thing I got back (very soon after) was a form letter:
Thank you for visiting the Alberta Government Feedback and Inquiry Web Site. We have received your question, and are now forwarding it to the appropriate area. We try to respond to all questions within three working days.
Your Alberta, a new e-newsletter from the Government of Alberta will keep you up-to-date on the province’s latest projects and plans. To sign-up, visit http://www.gov.ab.ca/home/534.cfm
This site is frequently updated to provide you with important information about Alberta programs and services. It is also an opportunity for you to provide your government with feedback on the issues that concern you. Please visit our site again soon to read an article, or send a comment.
Toll-Free: 310-4455
Internet: www.gov.ab.ca
But I've just gotten an actual letter back too!
Thank you for visiting the Alberta Government feedback web site. Following is the response to your question prepared by Environment :
Dear Chris,
Thank you very much for your thoughts on how to lure birds elsewhere as a deterrence from the tailings ponds. It is so nice to see proof of Albertans' innovation and thoughtfulness.
I will be sure to forward your comments on.
I'll keep you all posted on any future replies. Hopefully soon we'll see safe ponds near the tailings ponds to lure them to safety!
Also I was really tempted to let them know that I'm actually from British Columbia, but I decided that there was no point (beyond pointing out that the innovation and thoughtfulness was from a BC'er, the Californians of Canada lol).
[Edited to add: Re: "Bloody Americans": Waht I am referring to here is certain American protest groups that are calling the tailings ponds a worse environmental disaster than the Gulf oil spill (the worst oil spill ever in the history of ever, which it is feared might wipe out the Florida Everglades pretty much completely), and which are strongly encouraging (nay, demanding) that no one who doesn't loooove the idea of dead birds have anything to do with Canada at all (and especially Alberta) until it gets fixed. I get pissed off because this is a small yet extremely vocal group that Did Not Do The Research. I tend to lump all these types of groups together, so mentally, to me, these guys are the equivalent of the far-right wingnuts who think being gay is a choice and therefore should be forbidden/punished. I ain't mad at ALL Americans.]