To get, perchance, the real solution, I phoned Conservation Officer Nelson Hurry. Here is the answer. During a very cold snap in the winter, water freezes right to the bottom, entrapping animals such as oysters, mussels, crustaceans, . etc., that lie there. The incoming tide lifts the ice with its catch of goodies. The same process is repeated with each very cold spell. When spring comes, and the sun's warmth begins to melt the surface ice, the animals begin to appear out of the ice. The ever watchful crows are on the alert to pick up anything that looks like food. 7

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\l Pam Plum!

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Nicene Ponnll ] y

SOCIETY SUMMER GET TOGETHER

Pat and Ann Nootton have invited members to join them at their summer home near Murray River for a summer outing and a "bring your own? ,, barbecue on July 21. Pat and Ann will ; y~nj supply tea, coffee, soft drinks, and 392;“:. _ a barbecue supplied with hot charcoal fiff‘; ' but members are asked to bring food §§;>\ ;’ t to cook for themselves. ' “’

If it is a nice day they suggest you bring along bathing costumes as the swimming is excellent. Should the tide and weather permit, they hope to take some people across to their Islands. The meeting time is 4:30 P.M.

NEWS FROM OTHER NATURALISTS - OLDMAN AND RAFFERTY-ALAMEDA

The news from fellow naturalists in Saskatchewan and Alberta regarding the Oldman River and Rafferty-Alameda Dam projects continues to be distressing. . Despite Federal Court rulings requiring the Government of Canada to conduct environmental assessments of these projects, the revoking of the federal permit. to construct the Oldman Dam, and a mutual agreement between Saskatchewan and Canada to stop construction on Rafferty-Alameda, construction on both dams is continuing. ~

This raises serious questions about the credibility of the review process and undermines the workings of the Environmental Assessment Review Process Panels. Both projects have the potential for creating serious environmental problems including:

1. Water quality losses;

2. Loss of rare and threatened animals and plants;

3. Loss of nationally significant riparian (stream-side) habitats and wetlands which would adversely affect migrating birds; and

4. Loss of important fisheries.

These are clearly areas of federal jurisdiction which need close examination. The recommendations of the review panel could include extensive modifications to project design or a suggestion that one or both projects not proceed because the environmental risks are too great.

Finally, as construction continues, options may be foreclosed and political pressures and the risk of embarrassment increase.

DIRECTOR RESIGNS

It was with regret that the General Council of the Natural History Society accepted the resignation of one of our Directors, Ms. Ruth Richman. Ruth served . l on the Council since January of 1988 and has been the director responsible for

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