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Migratory bird nest seen on Eagleridge Bluffs highway expansion's right of way
by Maurice Bridge, Vancouver Sun •
Wednesday May 31, 2006 at 07:50 AM
A biologist says he has contacted Environment Canada, the Canadian Wildlife Service and the provincial Environment Ministry after the nest of a migratory bird was found on the right of way for the Eagleridge Bluffs highway expansion.
Migratory bird nest seen on Eagleridge Bluffs highway expansion's right of way
Maurice Bridge, Vancouver Sun NORTH VANCOUVER - A biologist says he has contacted Environment Canada, the Canadian Wildlife Service and the provincial Environment Ministry after the nest of a migratory bird was found on the right of way for the Eagleridge Bluffs highway expansion. Jim Cuthbert, founder of the Eagleridge Environmental Stewardship Alliance, said the federal 1994 Migratory Birds Conservation Act prohibits disturbance of nesting migratory birds and disturbance of their eggs, nests and nest trees during the nesting season. The B.C. Wildlife Act contains the same measures, and penalties can range up to $50,000 for a single offence. The stewardship alliance said Tuesday a bird-watcher spotted the vireo solitarius, also known as Cassin's vireo, on Sunday, nesting in an arbutus tree. It was found outside the area covered by a B.C. Supreme Court injunction barring protesters from the worksite where loggers are currently clearing the highway route, on the highway right-of-way adjacent to it. However, a representative of the provincial ministry said Tuesday enforcement of matters relating to migratory birds is strictly a federal jurisdiction. Lisa Walls, regional acting manager of the pollution-prevention and assessment division of Environment Canada, said staff from the Canadian Wildlife Service are monitoring the Eagleridge project, and so far, everything is going according to the regulations. Active nests are protected by buffers, which are left in place until the young leave. No clearing is allowed within 500 metres of a nest, and no blasting within 1,000 metres.
www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/westcoastnews/story.html?id=48b823bd-9a43-4f...
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