MEDIA ADVISORY
For Immediate Release
March 19, 2010
Newfoundland group to challenge Fisheries Act
St John’s, Newfoundland - On World Water Day, the newly formed Sandy Pond Alliance for the Protection of Canadian Waters will announce the group’s intent to initiate a challenge in the courts questioning the legality of "Schedule 2" - a loophole in the Federal Fisheries Act. Schedule 2 allows for metal mining companies to seek exemptions from provisions of the Act that prevent the dumping of toxins into lakes by having them redefined as ‘tailings impoundment areas’.
The group is hoping to protect Sandy Pond near Long Harbour, which has already been approved to be used as a dumpsite for the toxic waste of a nickel mining project by Brazilian company, Vale Inco.
Where: Fluvarium (parking lot), 5 Nagles Place, St John’s
When: Monday March 22, 10:00 am press conference
Who: The Sandy Pond Alliance is comprised of community members representing the Saint John’s chapter of the Council of Canadians, NL Natural History Centre, and Sierra Club and is supported by Mining Watch and the Council of Canadians. Speakers at the press conference will address the problems of Schedule 2 and the plans for the legal challenge to the Fisheries Act to save Sandy Pond from immanent destruction.
Why: “We’ve just provided all residents of Long Harbour with information about our intent to challenge the Long Harbour project”, says Ken Kavanagh of the Sandy Pond Alliance and Council of Canadians. “We want people to know that we recognize the need for jobs and development in the area but we don’t believe this has to happen at the expense of a beautiful natural lake. The federal government must close this loophole and put people and the environment first.”
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For More Information:
Dylan Penner, Media Officer, Council of Canadians, 613-795-8685, 
Local contact: Ken Kavanagh, 709.488.2221, 709.726.2090
