January 20 2009

In this Issue

	Riverkeeper's Point of View
	Register Now! Pond Hockey Tournament
	A New President For A New Year
	River of Your Imagination Art Contest
	We're Growing!
	Waterkeeper Takes Action - Coal Ash Spill
	Volunteer Spotlight: Mary Halliwell-Cyr
	Colours of the Ottawa River

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Photograph by Rob Huntley

Riverkeeper's Point of View

A Bridge Over Troubled Water?

As most of you are aware, the National Capital Commission released a study in September 2008, recommending the Kettle Island corridor as the preferred site for a new interprovincial crossing. The final rounds of public consultation did not convince the consultants working on the project that their selection process was flawed, biased or missing significant information. On January 5th they released their findings from Phase 1 of the Environmental Assessment and announced that they are standing behind the conclusions they reached in September: the Kettle Island corridor is the technically preferred location to meet all the objectives of the EA Study.

For Ottawa Riverkeeper, this recommendation is disappointing to say the least. Kettle Island is one of four ecologically significant alluvial islands in the Ottawa River within the boundaries of the National Capital Region. A string of such virtually unique, constantly shifting creatures of the river have evolved with upstream Kettle Island being the largest and the Petrie Islands being most ecologically diverse.  Read more...

Register Now! Pond Hockey Tournament

The second annual Ottawa Riverkeeper Pond Hockey Tournament is on! Join us and play Canada’s national game in a friendly outdoor atmosphere, while supporting Ottawa Riverkeeper.

Saturday, February 7th 2009
Britannia Yacht Club, Ottawa / Mud Lake
Learn more

Register as a team or individual by January 22nd!

A New President For A New Year

In this, the first month of a brand new year, Katharine Fletcher sits down with David Spence, Ottawa Riverkeeper's new President, and asks him to introduce himself to us all. Discover his love for the river - and his special goals for his tenure.

Read the full column...

Katharine Fletcher is a freelance writer and author of books such as Capital Rambles: Exploring the National Capital Region, which includes many tales of the Valley. Contact her at chesley@allstream.net with your stories of the Ottawa River.

River of Your Imagination Art Contest

Let Your Creativity Flow

This contest is designed to help youth explore the Ottawa River watershed and through art, express what they discover. The project is part of Ottawa Riverkeeper’s new educational initiative, River Friends, designed to engage youth in protecting the Ottawa River and its tributaries.

The "River of Your Imagination Annual Art Contest" is open to all school-aged children and youth in the region and there is no charge to enter. Prizes will be awarded in three grade categories.

The contest closes March 27, 2009  Click here for full contest guidelines and rules or email education@ottawariverkeeper.ca

We're Growing!

Please join us in welcoming our new Communications Coordinator, Natasha Wilson. As a long-time Ottawa resident, Natasha is deeply rooted in local issues and shares our passion for the health of our river system. She brings with her eight years of diverse communications and media expertise, and a history of environmental activism.

Expanding our team allows us to reach a broader audience, and creates a stronger unified voice for the Ottawa River system. Welcome, Natasha!

Waterkeeper Takes Action - Coal Ash Spill

Tennessee River, U.S. - On December 22, 2008, the largest coal ash spill on record occured when a dike at a Tennessee Valley Authority power plant gave way. The incident sent a billion gallons of wet coal ash, known to contain heavy metals, into the Tennessee River and its tributaries.

Upper Watauga Riverkeeper's tests of river water and ash near the site showed levels of arsenic, lead, chromium and other metals at 2 to 300 times higher than drinking water standards, the Waterkeeper group said last Thursday. The findings far exceed levels reported by the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Environmental Protection Agency or the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.

Read more...

Volunteer Spotlight: Mary Halliwell-Cyr

Three months ago, Mary Halliwell-Cyr embarked on an intensive project to assist us with the categorization and labelling of thousands of digital photographs. Thanks to Mary’s efforts, we can now quickly identify and use these wonderful images for our website, brochures and design material. Mary has contributed in excess of 120 hours of her time to build the Ottawa Riverkeeper Photo Library.

Thank you Mary, for your dedication and expertise!

If you are interested in volunteering check our current opportunities or attend our information session on February 24th at 6:30 PM

Colours of the Ottawa River

Ottawa artist Margaret Chwialkowska presents Coulours of the Ottawa River, oil paintings that capture the mighty splendour of the Ottawa River; the vibrant, ever changing moods of its waters, banks and skies; from daybreak to twilight, across the majesty of the seasons.

Cumberland Art Gallery - Exhibition Dates: January 15 to February 17, 2009. A portion of the proceeds from on-site sales will be donated to Ottawa Riverkeeper.

Thank you Margaret for your ongoing support.