Latest news with #environmentalAdvocates
E&E News
02-07-2025
- Politics
- E&E News
EPA approves laxer air quality program for West Virginia
EPA has given final sign-off to a West Virginia haze reduction plan over the objections of parks advocates who say that it will set back long-term headway in clearing the air in dozens of iconic locales around the country. 'Gone are the days of burying our states in administrative nonsense,' EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said in a Tuesday news release announcing approval of the state's plan under what is formally known as the regional haze program. The approval marks a reversal of the agency's stance under the Biden administration and sets a precedent for other states seeking to relax their haze control regimens. Advertisement While EPA press aides did not respond Tuesday to requests for a copy of the final rule, the draft version released in April signaled a major policy change that effectively makes it easier for states to meet haze reduction goals for 156 national parks and wilderness areas without imposing new pollution control requirements on power plants and other industries.
Globe and Mail
19-06-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Carney responds to Indigenous criticism of project fast-track bill, says consultation is ‘at the heart' of C-5
Prime Minister Mark Carney responded to criticism from Indigenous leaders over his government's bill to fast track large projects, saying consultation and involvement with Indigenous peoples is 'at the heart' of Ottawa's plans. He made the comments Thursday after opposition parties amended the bill in committee to address some of the concerns expressed by Indigenous groups. Bill C-5 creates two new federal laws. The Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act aims to eliminate federal barriers to interprovincial trade and that section has been relatively uncontroversial. However, Indigenous and environmental advocates in particular have expressed strong concern with the bill's second element, The Building Canada Act, which aims to help implement a Liberal campaign pledge to fast track approvals for large infrastructure projects that are in the national interest. The general premise of the bill is that it would allow cabinet to list specific large projects as national priorities and then exempt them from the application of various laws, or aspects of laws, in order to speed up the approval process. Critics say the proposed changes would weaken existing requirements related to Indigenous consultation and environmental protection. Chartrand on Bill C-5: 'We do have to have consent from Indigenous rights holders' At a news conference Thursday, Mr. Carney was asked to respond to those concerns. 'The first thing is that at the heart of this legislation is section 35 of our Constitution. At the heart is not just respect for, but full embrace of free, prior and informed consent. It has to be seen as well, in parallel, with very major measures that this government is taking to not just support those partnerships, but also to finance equity ownership in these nation-building projects for Indigenous peoples, Indigenous groups, Indigenous rights holders,' he said. He then added that the legislation lays out a process for consulting and working with Indigenous peoples in the process of selecting specific projects. 'Consultation, co-operation, engagement, participation is at the heart of C-5 and that is how you build a nation. And that's very much how we've designed it,' he said. The bill was reported back to the House of Commons Thursday by the transport committee, which approved a long list of amendments. Conservative MP and committee member Philip Lawrence said in a statement that the amendments ensure that the government can't use the legislation to circumvent a host of laws, such as the Lobbying Act, the Conflict of Interest Act and the Indian Act. Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak urged MPs during a committee hearing Wednesday to allow more time for the bill to be studied and to remove the Indian Act from a list of laws that could be circumvented. What federal Bill C-5, the One Canadian Economy Act, is all about She said in an interview Thursday morning that her organization was analyzing the amendments to the bill. She thanked the Conservatives and the Bloc Québécois for removing the original bill's reference to the Indian Act. She reiterated that the AFN is still very disappointed that First Nations rights holders were shut out of the legislative process. A couple of chiefs are for the bill, she said, while many are not. 'They are not having a chance to be heard,' she said. Ms. Woodhouse Nepinak said she was concerned that the original power to circumvent the Indian Act could have been used to override First Nations rights. An AFN staff member told the transportation committee this week that they never received an explanation from the government as to why the Indian Act was referenced in the original bill. Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty, speaking to the Senate on Tuesday, said that when moving forward with projects, some communities are subjected to 'archaic provisions' under the Indian Act. She said any exemption to advance a project would be in consultation with First Nations. Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon said Thursday that cabinet ministers are reviewing the committee's amendments. He later said in the House that he hopes to have the legislation adopted before Canada Day. Friday is the last scheduled sitting day of the House of Commons before breaking for summer until mid-September. The Senate is scheduled to sit next week and is expected to give final approval to C-5. NDP MP Leah Gazan strongly criticized the bill in Question Period, predicting it will lead to court challenges. 'Indigenous rights holders and civil-society groups have been clear: Bill C-5 violates constitutional rights, escalates the climate crisis and endangers workers health and safety,' she said.
CNN
03-06-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Peru's plan to drastically reduce Nazca Lines park size sparks concerns over environmental and heritage risks
Peru's decision to shrink its archeological park home to the famous Nazca Lines by around 42% — an area roughly the size of 1,400 soccer fields — has sparked alarm among conservationists, archaeologists and environmental advocates. Critics say the rollback paves the way for informal mining and weakens decades of cultural and ecological protection, while the government says the adjustment reflects updated scientific studies and does not compromise the UNESCO World Heritage status or the site's core protections. 'The reduction not only removes protections — it does so precisely where extractive activity is expanding,' said Mariano Castro, Peru's former vice minister of the environment, adding that the decision could cause 'very serious risks and cumulative damage,' as it excludes zones with active or pending mining claims. Castro added that safeguards for archaeological heritage during the formalization of artisanal mining are already limited. 'This is made worse by the ministry of culture's failure to consider the cumulative impact of dozens or even hundreds of mining operations on sensitive archaeological zones,' he said. The area in question forms part of a UNESCO-recognized World Heritage Site, home to the Nazca Lines — massive geoglyphs etched into the desert thousands of years ago — and one of Peru's most fragile desert ecosystems. UNESCO told The Associated Press it hasn't been notified by Peruvian authorities of any changes to the boundaries of the World Heritage site, which are crucial for its protection. The organization will request more information from the authorities. Peruvian environmental lawyer César Ipenza, who has closely followed the decision, said the resolution has already been approved and that it reduces the Nazca zone by more than 1,000 hectares. 'This is a weakening of both environmental and cultural protections,' Ipenza said. 'The state should be upholding its commitments under international agreements, not yielding to private interests.' Ipenza and others say the rollback reflects a pattern of regulatory concessions to mostly informal gold miners. 'There's an alliance between the current government and informal mining sectors,' he said. 'The legal framework continues to be relaxed to benefit them.' Peru's ministry of culture, which decided on May 30 to reduce the Nazca reserve from about 5,600 square kilometers to roughly 3,200 square kilometers, declined to answer specific questions from the AP. Instead, it sent a press release saying the adjustment was based on updated archaeological studies and does not affect the UNESCO World Heritage designation or its buffer zone. The ministry said it remains committed to preserving the site's cultural heritage through regulated management. A day after the May 30 decision, Peru's Minister of Culture Fabricio Valencia acknowledged that illegal mining exists within the reserve. 'Unfortunately, informal mining is an activity present in this area, but the measure we have taken does not mean it will be encouraged, nor that the likelihood of any harm from informal mining will increase. That will not happen,' Valencia said on RPP, one of Peru's largest radio programs. When asked for more details about the presence of illegal activity in the reserve, Valencia said, 'there are some mining deposits, but I don't have exact information on what type of mineral is there.' Castro, the former vice minister, warned the move could violate Peru's own laws. 'It contravenes Article 5(h) of the Environmental Impact Assessment Law, which mandates the protection of archaeological and historical heritage,' he said. Ipenza said the government is enabling illegality under the guise of technical adjustments. 'It is shameful to forget our ancestors and our heritage, and to disguise decisions that pave the way for sectors seeking to impose illegality, such as illegal and informal mining,' he said. 'This decision benefits those groups and harms all Peruvians.'
CNN
03-06-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Peru's plan to drastically reduce Nazca Lines park size sparks concerns over environmental and heritage risks
Peru's decision to shrink its archeological park home to the famous Nazca Lines by around 42% — an area roughly the size of 1,400 soccer fields — has sparked alarm among conservationists, archaeologists and environmental advocates. Critics say the rollback paves the way for informal mining and weakens decades of cultural and ecological protection, while the government says the adjustment reflects updated scientific studies and does not compromise the UNESCO World Heritage status or the site's core protections. 'The reduction not only removes protections — it does so precisely where extractive activity is expanding,' said Mariano Castro, Peru's former vice minister of the environment, adding that the decision could cause 'very serious risks and cumulative damage,' as it excludes zones with active or pending mining claims. Castro added that safeguards for archaeological heritage during the formalization of artisanal mining are already limited. 'This is made worse by the ministry of culture's failure to consider the cumulative impact of dozens or even hundreds of mining operations on sensitive archaeological zones,' he said. The area in question forms part of a UNESCO-recognized World Heritage Site, home to the Nazca Lines — massive geoglyphs etched into the desert thousands of years ago — and one of Peru's most fragile desert ecosystems. UNESCO told The Associated Press it hasn't been notified by Peruvian authorities of any changes to the boundaries of the World Heritage site, which are crucial for its protection. The organization will request more information from the authorities. Peruvian environmental lawyer César Ipenza, who has closely followed the decision, said the resolution has already been approved and that it reduces the Nazca zone by more than 1,000 hectares. 'This is a weakening of both environmental and cultural protections,' Ipenza said. 'The state should be upholding its commitments under international agreements, not yielding to private interests.' Ipenza and others say the rollback reflects a pattern of regulatory concessions to mostly informal gold miners. 'There's an alliance between the current government and informal mining sectors,' he said. 'The legal framework continues to be relaxed to benefit them.' Peru's ministry of culture, which decided on May 30 to reduce the Nazca reserve from about 5,600 square kilometers to roughly 3,200 square kilometers, declined to answer specific questions from the AP. Instead, it sent a press release saying the adjustment was based on updated archaeological studies and does not affect the UNESCO World Heritage designation or its buffer zone. The ministry said it remains committed to preserving the site's cultural heritage through regulated management. A day after the May 30 decision, Peru's Minister of Culture Fabricio Valencia acknowledged that illegal mining exists within the reserve. 'Unfortunately, informal mining is an activity present in this area, but the measure we have taken does not mean it will be encouraged, nor that the likelihood of any harm from informal mining will increase. That will not happen,' Valencia said on RPP, one of Peru's largest radio programs. When asked for more details about the presence of illegal activity in the reserve, Valencia said, 'there are some mining deposits, but I don't have exact information on what type of mineral is there.' Castro, the former vice minister, warned the move could violate Peru's own laws. 'It contravenes Article 5(h) of the Environmental Impact Assessment Law, which mandates the protection of archaeological and historical heritage,' he said. Ipenza said the government is enabling illegality under the guise of technical adjustments. 'It is shameful to forget our ancestors and our heritage, and to disguise decisions that pave the way for sectors seeking to impose illegality, such as illegal and informal mining,' he said. 'This decision benefits those groups and harms all Peruvians.'
CNN
03-06-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Peru's plan to drastically reduce Nazca Lines park size sparks concerns over environmental and heritage risks
Peru's decision to shrink its archeological park home to the famous Nazca Lines by around 42% — an area roughly the size of 1,400 soccer fields — has sparked alarm among conservationists, archaeologists and environmental advocates. Critics say the rollback paves the way for informal mining and weakens decades of cultural and ecological protection, while the government says the adjustment reflects updated scientific studies and does not compromise the UNESCO World Heritage status or the site's core protections. 'The reduction not only removes protections — it does so precisely where extractive activity is expanding,' said Mariano Castro, Peru's former vice minister of the environment, adding that the decision could cause 'very serious risks and cumulative damage,' as it excludes zones with active or pending mining claims. Castro added that safeguards for archaeological heritage during the formalization of artisanal mining are already limited. 'This is made worse by the ministry of culture's failure to consider the cumulative impact of dozens or even hundreds of mining operations on sensitive archaeological zones,' he said. The area in question forms part of a UNESCO-recognized World Heritage Site, home to the Nazca Lines — massive geoglyphs etched into the desert thousands of years ago — and one of Peru's most fragile desert ecosystems. UNESCO told The Associated Press it hasn't been notified by Peruvian authorities of any changes to the boundaries of the World Heritage site, which are crucial for its protection. The organization will request more information from the authorities. Peruvian environmental lawyer César Ipenza, who has closely followed the decision, said the resolution has already been approved and that it reduces the Nazca zone by more than 1,000 hectares. 'This is a weakening of both environmental and cultural protections,' Ipenza said. 'The state should be upholding its commitments under international agreements, not yielding to private interests.' Ipenza and others say the rollback reflects a pattern of regulatory concessions to mostly informal gold miners. 'There's an alliance between the current government and informal mining sectors,' he said. 'The legal framework continues to be relaxed to benefit them.' Peru's ministry of culture, which decided on May 30 to reduce the Nazca reserve from about 5,600 square kilometers to roughly 3,200 square kilometers, declined to answer specific questions from the AP. Instead, it sent a press release saying the adjustment was based on updated archaeological studies and does not affect the UNESCO World Heritage designation or its buffer zone. The ministry said it remains committed to preserving the site's cultural heritage through regulated management. A day after the May 30 decision, Peru's Minister of Culture Fabricio Valencia acknowledged that illegal mining exists within the reserve. 'Unfortunately, informal mining is an activity present in this area, but the measure we have taken does not mean it will be encouraged, nor that the likelihood of any harm from informal mining will increase. That will not happen,' Valencia said on RPP, one of Peru's largest radio programs. When asked for more details about the presence of illegal activity in the reserve, Valencia said, 'there are some mining deposits, but I don't have exact information on what type of mineral is there.' Castro, the former vice minister, warned the move could violate Peru's own laws. 'It contravenes Article 5(h) of the Environmental Impact Assessment Law, which mandates the protection of archaeological and historical heritage,' he said. Ipenza said the government is enabling illegality under the guise of technical adjustments. 'It is shameful to forget our ancestors and our heritage, and to disguise decisions that pave the way for sectors seeking to impose illegality, such as illegal and informal mining,' he said. 'This decision benefits those groups and harms all Peruvians.'
