Contents:
West Coast in Wyoming: A bird’s eye view of coalbed methane in the Powder River Basin
As pressure to develop coalbed methane across BC increases, West Coast Environmental Law, along with the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, decided to see first hand what its impacts have been on the ground. Last July, we invited representatives of 11 BC and Northern First Nations, several of whose lands are currently being impacted by coalbed methane development, on a tour of coalbed methane developments in the US.
Read the full article: http://www.wcel.org/4976/29/02/01.htm
Congratulations Forest Stewardship Council! New Standards Approved
Since our last newsletter, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has approved Regional Forest Certification Standards for British Columbia. Like standards for organic foods, FSC forest certification standards allow consumers to choose wood products from sustainably managed forests. This announcement marks the culmination of seven years of broad public input and consensus building amongst representatives of the BC forest industry, First Nations, labour, communities and environmental organizations.
Read the full article: http://www.wcel.org/4976/29/02/02.htm
Another Wave of EDRF Victories
“We feel very strongly that support from West Coast Environmental Law, in the form of guidance from Andrew Gage and financial support for legal services through the Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund, were instrumental in establishing sound legal arguments against a development application that was very nearly a fait accompli.” -- Sierra Club Conservation Committee
Read the full article: http://www.wcel.org/4976/29/02/03.htm
Smart Growth in BC: New West Coast publications, website, highlight growing movement
Smart growth is taking off in British Columbia. Many local municipalities and developers are emerging as North American leaders in smart growth practices at the regional and local scale. Residents are demanding more choices in where they live and the quality of neighbourhoods and job opportunities. Bounded by ocean, mountains, rivers and working lands, communities are also being forced to use land more efficiently to stop urban sprawl, revitalize commercial
centres, and maintain a working land base.
Read the full article: http://www.wcel.org/4976/29/02/04.htm
Introducing the Canadian Eco-Lumber Co-op
West Coast Environmental Law is a proud supporter of the new Canadian Eco-Lumber Co-op, a joint initiative between producers of eco-certified wood products, and organizations like West Coast who advocate ecologically and socially responsible forest use. West Coast staff lawyer Jessica Clogg chairs the Canadian Eco-Lumber Co-op board.
Read the full article: http://www.wcel.org/4976/29/02/05.htm
New Rules on Pesticide Safety - More Good News from the EDRF
A decision by Madame Justice Ross of the BC Supreme Court breaks new ground and fundamentally improves the approach that the provincial government must take when regulating pesticides according to West Coast staff lawyer Andrew Gage.
The case, launched by Smithers resident Dr Josette Wier, with financial support from West Coast’s Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund, challenged government approval for the use of an arsenic-based pesticide, monosodium methane arsenate (MSMA) to control forest pests in the Morice Forest District.
Read the full article: http://www.wcel.org/4976/29/02/06.htm
Forestry Plan infringes on aboriginal rights
The provincial Forestry Revitalization Plan will result in a range of infringements on Aboriginal Title and Rights, according to a new paper released by West Coast Staff lawyer Jessica Clogg. According to Clogg, new and upcoming forest legislation and policy enhances the rights of forest companies holding tenure at the expense of First Nations, potentially setting up new rounds of court action.
Read the full article: http://www.wcel.org/4976/29/02/07.htm
West Coast Working with Municipalities
West Coast staff are increasingly working with municipal councilors and staff in program areas from oil and gas to smart growth. To reach a broader municipal audience, West Coast presented a display during the trade show of the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) Convention in Vancouver in September. UBCM is attended by over 1,000 local government delegates from BC.
Read the full article: http://www.wcel.org/4976/29/02/08.htm
|
