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Collection of eggs from Herring Gulls in southern Labrador, for contaminant analysis and monitoring baseline
Groswater Bay (NL)
May 31, 2006 --
Environment Canada will conduct a screening commencing on May 17, 2006 of the project:
Collection of eggs from Herring Gulls in southern Labrador, for contaminant analysis and monitoring baseline.
The proponent will collect 20 fresh Herring Gull eggs from a large gull colony in Groswater Bay in southern Labrador as part of a long-term study of contaminant levels in wildlife, in collaboration with the Labrador Inuit Association. One egg will be collected at each nest site shortly after laying, and kept cool prior to analysis for organochlorine contaminants and mercury at the National Wildlife Research Centre (NWRC). Statistical analysis will verify the minimum sample size of eggs required in future collections to ensure reliable trend monitoring. If contaminant levels are low, the results of this study will be used provide background level for comparison with more contaminated sites in the Atlantic Provinces and Great Lakes, and for ongoing monitoring in southern Labrador to determine ongoing trends in contaminant burden in seabirds. Results of this long-running contaminants-monitoring program are used to evaluate the success of pollution control regulations and programs, and for state-of-the-environment reporting in Canada.
Under section 5 of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, an EA is required for this project because Environment Canada may issue a permit or license under subsection 4(1) of the Migratory Birds Regulations.
For further information on this environmental assessment, please contact:
Keith McAloney
Program and Policy Biologist
Canadian Wildlife Service - Environment Canada
P.O. Box 6227
17 Waterfowl Lane
Sackville NB E4L 1G6
Telephone: (506) 364-5013
Fax: (506) 364-5062
Email: keith.mcaloney@ec.gc.ca
and refer to CEAR reference number 06-01-19552
For specific information on the project, the proponent may be reached at :
Neil Burgess
Wildlife Toxicologist
Environment Canada
Canadian Wildlife Service
6 Bruce Street
Mount Pearl NF A1N 4T3
Telephone: (709) 772-4143
Fax: (709) 772-5097
Email: neil.burgess@ec.gc.ca
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