Unusual tourist visits

Last night 2 people saw what looked like a racoon on Outer Battery. At 11pm Chris Brookes caught a glimpse of something that took off immediately but he thought might have been a racoon. At 1am  Christina Smith took this shot of an animal up the pole opposite Pearcey's twinestore. She says it was a racoon. Could it be Dart the cat, returned after cosmetic surgery?

Georgestown Flea Market upcoming

 The Georgestown folks advise: Georgestown Neighbourhood Association Annual Flea Market:  Saturday, July 13th. The Annual Georgestown Neighbourhood Association flea market (10:00 a.m.-noon) will be held on Saturday, July 13th, with a rain date of Sunday, July 14th. 

Will there be user fees for walking the trail?

Parks Canada has launched public consultations on proposed user fees at its facilities, including Signal Hill.  Superintendent Bill Brake says they are proposing a season pass for places like Signal Hill and Cape Spear. The proposed season pass is $9.80. It's not clear how this may affect walkers on the North Head trail.

The public can submit comments about this to Parks Canada. The deadline to submit comments is February 18. More information about the proposed fee hikes can be found under the User Fees Proposal - Public Consultations section of the Parks Canada web site .

UPDATE: Brake said on CBC Radio that there will not be fees for North Head Trail.

Sludgepump noise-Harvey's update

The wastewater extractor pump noise ongoing since Thursday finally stopped at noon today.  Geoff Cunningham from Harvey's Marine is very helpful on the phone, and seems intent on finding some solution.  He reports that the noise comes from one particular Pardy pumper truck, their biggest and noisiest, which was used for some extra deep cleaning of a supply vessel.  Normally they use smaller pumper trucks for regular extraction; this one is employed from time to time.  He has apparently received various complaints from residents' in the past days, and knows that it makes an objectionable racket.  He parked a couple of containers around it Sunday hoping to block the sound, but it made no difference.  He's hoping to find a way to minimise it in future.  Good luck to him.

Sludge pump noise

Wondering what the Encanex sludge pump might be expected to sound like (if approved)? Encanex has not provided any noise statistics to date, so it's not clear.  But perhaps lately you've woken up at 7.30 in the morning - or had to put up with all day long (like Friday and Saturday) - to the continuous sound of an extractor pumping wastewater from supply boat(s) at Harvey's. The sound carries well across water.  If the Encanex facility is given the go-ahead, it will be much closer to our homes. Enjoy!

Province to sludge plant: Not So Fast!

MHA Lorraine Michael presented a petition in the House of Assembly on Monday.  Today her office is reporting the following. It looks like Encanex will be required to provide information about chemical, noise, and other environmental impacts on the Battery, and to hold public meetings. Stay tuned.

ENVIRONMENTAL PREVIEW REPORT REQUIRED:

Encanex Wastewater Treatment Operation                              (Reg. 1679)
Proponent: Encanex Environmental Oil & Gas Corp.

The minister has advised the proponent that an Environmental Preview Report (EPR) is required for this project. The EPR is necessary to address, but is not limited to, information on: types of wastewater fluids, treatment processes and monitoring, storage and discharge details and potential impacts on the surrounding infrastructure and environment.  An Environmental Assessment Committee will be appointed to provide scientific and technical advice to the minister and guidance regarding the information requirements to the proponent. The information to be provided will reflect requirements under the Environmental Protection Act and other pertinent legislation. The proponent will be required to hold public meetings during the EPR process. For further information on this project, please contact the Environmental Assessment Committee Chairperson, Eric Watton, at (709) 729-2822 or email at ericwatton@gov.nl.ca.

Outer Battery Maps calendar-REPUBLISHED!

The Outer Battery 2013 calendar is just about sold out, so OBNA is having 100 extra copies printed for Christmas. Get yours at Blue Moon Pottery or Belbin's Grocery!  $10.