CNF CONFERENCE RESOLUTIONS 
     
    
   
   
    
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     A Summary of Resolutions passed at the 1981 CNF Conference in Guelph, Ontario 
     
    
   
   
    
     I INTERNATIONAL WETLANDS CONVENTION 
     
     Canada has acceded to the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, 
     
     has designated Cap Tourmente under this convention and has many other wet— 
     
     lands deserving such designation. CNF commends the federal government for 
     
     accession to the Wetlands Convention and urges designation of other wetlands 
     
     of international importance. 
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
     II ACID PRECIPITATION 
     
     In August 1980 Canada and the United States signed an agreement binding each 
     
     country to act to the fullest extent possible to curtail 802 and NOX emissions. 
     
     CNF urges both countries l)to act under their respective Clean Air Acts to 
     
     abate offending emissions; 2)to work towards a Transboundary Air Quality 
     
     agreement; 3)to reduce emissions at existing facilities by washing coal and 
     
     using less-clean equipment only at peak load times; 4)to work together with 
     
     citizens; and 5)to provide unrestricted access to emission data. 
     
    
   
   
    
     III ESTUARY CONSERVATION . 
     
     Estuaries are areas of high biological productivity, providing important 
     
     habitat for fish, birds and mammals. The many people living close to 
     
     estuaries cause increasing degradation, a problem hampered by lack of a 
     
     single jurisdictional responsibility. CNF urges the various Canadian govern- 
     
     ments to adopt management strategies for estuaries to assure maintenance of 
     
     habitat, water quality and public involvement. 
     
    
   
   
    
     IV HYDROELECTRICAL DEVELOPMENT _ 
     
     Lands supporting high historical, wildlife or natural resource values should 
     
     not have these destroyed through large-scale reservoir development for hydro- 
     
     electric power. CNF urges the various governments of Canada to adopt policies 
     
     for proposed hydro developments which would l)not permit projects which would 
     
     destroy outstanding natural, physical or heritage features; 2) require 
     
     alternatives for meeting projected power demands to be assessed; 3) provide 
     
     for full and effective public participation. 
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
     V NORTHERN LAND USE PLANNING . . 
     
     Northern ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to disturbance, many are 
     
     under increasing pressures from industrial interests, and action has been 
     
     slow in the designation of proposed parks and reserves for the area. CNF 
     
     urges the federal and territorial governments to l) carry out ecosystem 
     
     evaluations of the land and marine environments; 2) immediately accord 
     
     permanent and inalienable protection to recognized areas of outstanding 
     
     biological importance; 3) settle native claims and allow participation in 
     
     the planning process to ensure protection of conservation interests; 4) over— 
     
     haul laws governing mining and oil and gas exploration, to take into account 
     
     environmental values. 
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
     VI KAMINURIAK AND BEVERLY CARIBOU HERDS 
     
     These caribou herds of northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan and the Northwest 
     
     Territories are believed to be declining due to overhunting and disturbance 
     
     from industrial activities. CNF urges the governments involved and the 
     
     appropriate native groups to 1) increase research into caribou biology; 
     
     2) establish and enforce sustainable limits on the annual take; 3) educate 
     
     native peoples on wise hunting practices; and 4) reduce industrial activities 
     
     in areas frequented by caribou. 
     
    
   
   
    
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