Five-year blueprint for rescuing the Great Lakes ecosystem

TRAVERSE CITY, MICH.–-  February 21, 2010 – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson has released an action plan to guide the Obama Administration’s historic efforts to restore the Great Lakes. The action plan, which the administrator unveiled at a Sunday meeting with governors from the Great Lakes states, lays out the most urgent threats facing the Great Lakes and sets out goals, objectives and key actions over the next five years to help restore the lakes.  read more.....>

City Active in Climate Change Initiatives

THUNDER BAY, ON - December 8, 2009 – The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) today released the report, “Act Locally: The Municipal Role in Fighting Climate Change” to position municipalities as key players at the 15th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15) from Dec. 7-18 in Copenhagen, Denmark. read more...>

Big Thunder Wind Park

THUNDER BAY, ON - November 10, 2009 - Says Antony Zwig, Chief Executive Officer for Horizon Wind Inc.: “Horizon Wind Inc. entered into a land lease agreement in good faith with the City of Thunder Bay in 2007 for the potential development of a wind farm that could produce up to 30 megawatts of electricity near Big Thunder in the Municipality of Neebing.  read more...>

Rossport Wilson Island Archipelago Protected

 THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO,  ROSSPORT, ONTARIO,  -------  September 27, 2009  -----  The Wilson Islands, eight-island archipelago just off Rossport Ontario near Nipigon Bay, Lake Superior  have been purchased from private owners and will become a Canadian federal natural area under the joint deal backed by the Nature Conservancy, government of Canada and government of Ontario.

Wilson Island group is a cluster of eight islands. Wilson is by far the largest island, and has north-facing cliffs on water and land, canyons, raised basalt beaches and an unexplored interior. These qualities provide suitable habitat for peregrine falcons and bald eagles. The cool marine climate supports a number of arctic-alpine species and vegetation communities particular to this region. Wilson Island's coves, coldwater beaches and rare coastal wetlands provide essential habitat for lake trout and whitefish.   read more......>

Ontario Seeks Public Input On Elk Management

THUNDER BAY, ON - November 24, 2009 - The Ontario government is looking for feedback on a proposed plan that will help support a healthy and self-sustaining elk population.

After disappearing in the 1800s, elk were reintroduced to four areas of the province a decade ago. Over the last 10 years, the Ministry of Natural Resources and its partners have focused on re-establishing and monitoring the species in Ontario. read more...>

Ontario Resolves Litigation Dispute Over Big Trout Lake Property

THUNDER BAY, ON - December 15, 2009 - Ontario has reached an agreement to settle litigation with Platinex Inc. that will provide greater certainty to the company and allow the Province to continue to build its relationship with Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) a First Nations community. read more...>

Government Taking Steps To Prevent Spread Of Asian Carp

THUNDER BAY, ON - January 7, 2010 - Ontario is supporting legal efforts by Michigan and other American states to prevent the spread of Asian carp into the Great Lakes. The move recognizes the significant economic threat these fish pose to the province's fisheries. A legal brief from the Province has been filed with the United States Supreme Court supporting Michigan's motion for a preliminary injunction to close the locks in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. The closure is one of a number of measures sought by Michigan to keep this invasive species from passing into Lake Michigan.  read more...>

Public Meetings: Invitation to Comment on Kam River & Islands Land Use

THUNDER BAY, ON - January 11, 2010 – The City of Thunder Bay Planning Division, in cooperation with Fort William First Nation, is holding two public meetings on Jan. 21 and 30 to gather information, ideas and suggestions for the future mix of land uses within the Kam River and Mission and McKellar Islands, including the lands along both sides of the river from below Mountdale Ave. to the lakefront. read more...>