Binational Public Advisory Council celebrates St. Clair River restoration efforts
From Left to Right: Dr. Susan MacFarlane (BPAC Member), John Timar (BPAC Member), Mike Moroney (St. Clair River RAP Coordinator), Janelle Nahmabin (BPAC Member, Aamjiwnaang First Nation), Kris Lee (Canadian Co-Chair, BPAC). Photo courtesy of the St. Clair Regional Conservation Authority
On September 13, 2022, members of the Binational Public Advisory Panel (BPAC), along with local politicians, members of Aamjiwnaang and Walpole Island First Nations, and a number of local community groups and environmentalists from both sides of the St. Clair River, were invited to set sail aboard the Duc D’Orléans to celebrate the binational efforts to restore the St. Clair River and the 50th anniversary of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA). The GLWQA represents a commitment between Canada and the United States to cooperatively work together to “restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Great Lakes System”.
The group was treated to a performance by a pair of First Nation drummers during boarding and enjoyed a scenic cruise down the beautiful St. Clair River while hearing presentations from local environmental groups recognizing accomplishments to revitalize the health of the St. Clair River over the past 50 years. The St. Clair River was identified as an Area of Concern (AOC) back in 1987, and since then seven of the original twelve impairments have been redesignated as delisted, meaning that they are no longer recognized as an AOC. Most recently, four of the AOC’s (Degradation of Aesthetics, Beach Closings, Restrictions on Dredging Activities, and Bird and Animal Deformities), have been delisted since 2016 and were highlighted and celebrated on the cruise. The partnership between Canada and the USA has been an integral part of the revitalization of the St. Clair River and work on both sides of the river actively continues on the five remaining AOC’s.
To recognize the 50-year anniversary of the signing of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, a commemorative logo was designed by Aamjiwnaang community member, Janelle Nahmabin and was represented at the Great Lakes Public Forum that was held in Niagara Falls in September.
For more information about the Binational Public Advisory Council and restoration efforts for the St. Clair River, please visit the Friends of the St. Clair River website – https://friendsofstclair.ca/
ASSUMPTION, WAIVER, AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT
Please read all the terms and conditions of this assumption, waiver, and indemnity agreement (this “Waiver”) with the Bluewater Association for Safety, Environment, and Sustainability, an Ontario not-for-profit corporation, (“BASES”) because, by agreeing, you will waive many of your legal rights, including, but not limited to, your right to sue or claim relief from BASES.
By clicking the ACCCEPT button, “I agree to the assumption, waiver, and indemnity agreement”, or by using the Sarnia-Lambton Alerts Emergency Notifications service, which is powered by Everbridge, Inc. (“Everbridge”), and all information, content, materials, communications, and services related to such Notifications service (collectively, the “Service”), you (the “User”) hereby agree to be bound by the following terms and conditions of this Waiver:
- VOLUNTARY ASSUMPTION OF RISK. The User acknowledges and agrees that:
- BASES has retained Everbridge to provide the Service, which is for general information purposes and are provided “as is”;
- Everbridge is responsible in all respects as to the performance and efficacy of the Service;
- BASES sole involvement is the retention of Everbridge to provide the Service to the User;
- the User’s use of the Service may not be accurate, complete, useful, timely, error-free, or malware-free; and
- to the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, BASES disclaims all conditions and warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, title, non-infringement, non-interference, system integration, and accuracy of data.
Additionally, the User is solely responsible for any damage to the User’s computer system or loss of data, any risk, danger, or hazards, and any possibility of injury that may result from the use or reliance on the Service, whether caused by the negligence or gross negligence of BASES or otherwise. - WAIVER. I hereby waive and release all claims that I have or may in the future have against BASES, its affiliates, and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, shareholders, successors, and assigns (collectively, “Releasees”), arising out of my use of the Services, due to any cause whatsoever, including without limitation the negligence, gross negligence, breach of contract, or conduct of any other kind on the part of any Releasee. I shall not bring any such claim waived and released against any Releasee.
- INDEMNIFICATION: I shall indemnify and hold harmless the Releasees against all losses, costs (including reasonable legal fees) or damages of whatever kind, arising from my use of the Services and the enforcement of this obligation.
- Governing Law and Venue. Ontario law governs the interpretation and enforcement of this Waiver. The User irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of the Ontario courts. The User shall bring any proceeding against any of the Releasees in the courts of Sarnia, ON.
- Severability. I intend for this Waiver to be interpreted as broad as the law permits and if any of its provisions are held to be invalid, the balance shall continue in full legal force and effect.
- Entire Agreement. This Waiver constitutes the entire agreement between BASES and me with respect to the subject matter contained in this Waiver.