GBA Update Fall 2018

H ow could this happen? How could this beautiful part of the northern Georgian Bay coast, home to many cottagers, residents, wildlife and endangered species, be destroyed by, apparently, irresponsible human action? Almost 30,000 acres gone – it will take 10-20 years for the area to recover even part of its former glory, and parts will probably never look the same, or provide the same quality of habitat. It is a tragedy that could – indeed should – have been avoided. It is not in doubt that this fire, named Parry Sound 33, started at or near the Henvey Inlet wind farm construction site, but why did it start? The question that everyone is asking is: Why was high fire risk construction being carried out in such extreme dry conditions? Vol. 28 No. 3, Fall 2018 Brief Updates......................................17 Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve announces strategic partnership with Eastern Georgian Bay Stewardship Council........................16 Introducing Rupert Kindersley.....10 Is an Instant Water Quality Test Available?......................................9 Microplastics Threaten Our Water Quality, Drinking Water and...Beer?............................................14 Municipal Election 2018..................13 President’s Message............................5 Upcoming Events...............................18 News and I nformat i on f rom the Georg i an Bay Assoc i at i on INS IDE : Critical New Insights on Ecosystem Change GBA Strengthens Strategy on Aquaculture Operations PAGE 6 PAGE 12 PM # 40038178 GBA U P D A T E Your Voice On The Bay Continues on page 2 A Tragedy That Should Have Been Avoided By Rupert Kindersley, Executive Director Photo by Craig Bowden, CCA