Environmental Affairs

• US Coast Guard suspends live firing on Great Lakes, Toronto, Ontario, December 19, 2006
• Following a series of public hearings, US Coast Guard have dropped plans to set up a series of 34 special zones on the Great Lakes for live-fire machine gun training. According to the Globe and Mail newspaper, a flood of protests from both sides of the border included responses from fishermen, environmentalists and ordinary citizens.
• The firing exercises were initially suspended on September 13 pending the results of the public hearings.
• Rear Admiral John Crowley, commander of the Ninth Coast Guard District was quoted by the newspaper as saying that the Coast Guard was withdrawing its proposal to create the 34 live-fire zones, calling it "unsatisfactory." He said live-fire training would not be resumed on the lakes until a satisfactory rule had been published addressing public concerns, adding that the Coast Guard is committed to "environmentally friendly alternatives to the lead ammunition we currently use."

• Most boaters are already environmentally conscious, because every aspect of boating – fair winds, sunshine and sparkling, clean water – seems to go hand in hand. However, if you are a boater who hasn’t given much thought to your effect on the environment, the Enviro Boater Guide should provide some interesting reading.
• Download the Guide (pdf file - 6MB) here http://www.cps-ecp.ca/pdf/enviro/EnviroBoater.pdf