ACID RAIN CONTINUES TO DEVASTATE NOVA SCOTIA ACID RAIN CONTINUES TO DEVASTATE NOVA SCOTIA ACID RAIN CONTINUES TO DEVASTATE NOVA SCOTIA Acid Rain Continues to Devastate Nova Scotia

Until sulphur dioxide emissions are reduced by 75% in the United States and Canada, acid rain will remain a deadly menace in Nova Scotia.

St. Andrews -- Until sulphur dioxide emissions are reduced by 75% in the United States and Canada, acid rain will remain a deadly menace in Nova Scotia. Since the Nova Scotia Salmon Association (NSSA) launched its acid rain campaign one year ago, getting acid rain back on the political agenda remains an elusive goal. In 2001, NSSA and the Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF) developed and distributed 15,000 postcards pre-addressed to Prime Minister Chretien, advocating stricter emissions laws and a long-term acid mitigation program for Nova Scotias threatened rivers.    Most of the postcards were mailed to the Prime Minister with no apparent action forthcoming. This has not deterred ASF and NSSA from producing another 15,000 postcards and, this time, asking people to send them to the Minister of the Environment, the Honorable David Anderson.

ASF and NSSA have also reproduced a compelling brochure that describes the deadly effect acid rain has on, not only 64 salmon rivers in the province, but also on human health, forests, buildings and moose. Lewis Hinks, Nova Scotias Regional Director for the Atlantic Salmon Federation, says, Acid rain costs the people of Nova Scotia in a huge way, taking away recreational pursuits, causing hundreds of premature deaths and millions of dollars every year in health care, yet government is doing little to cut emissions and mitigate the damage." Mr. Hinks will be at Halifaxs Annual Sports and RV show from March 14 to 17 at Exhibition Park handing out postcards, brochures and explaining the direct effects of acid rain and what he and his colleagues are doing about it.    The post cards can also be obtained from ASF (902) 275-3407 or downloaded from ASFs web site at www.asf.ca.            
NSSA and ASF have worked with representatives of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Nova Scotia Inland Fisheries, Nova Scotia Power, Trout Nova Scotia and various river associations and interested citizens. George Ferguson, President of NSSA, says We have a good mix of people who are joining us to fight the acid rain problem and we have just begun." In 2001, a blueprint for acid mitigation was prepared in consultation with a visiting Norwegian expert, Dr. Atle Hindar. This year, river-specific projects will be identified for mitigation, including watershed-wide liming to buffer acidic waters. An effort will be made to establish partnerships with concerned groups both in Canada and in the New England States to lobby to cut emissions by 75 %.

The Atlantic Salmon Federation is an international, non-profit organization that promotes the conservation and wise management of the wild Atlantic salmon and its environment. ASF has a network of seven regional councils (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Maine and New England) which have a membership of more than 150 river associations and 40,000 volunteers. The regional councils cover the freshwater range of the Atlantic salmon in Canada and the United States.
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For more information, please call:
Sue Scott
Vice President - Communications
506 529-1027
or
Lewis Hinks
Regional Director, Nova Scotia
902 275-3407 or 275-7494 (Cell)

·The rivers most affected by acid rain are listed below.

Rivers Most Affected by Acid Rain in Nova Scotia

Atlantic salmon extinct due to Acid Rain
(Rivers have a pH level of less than 4.7)

Argyle
Barrington
Broad
Clyde
Indian (Guysbuorough)
Jordan
Larrys
Nine Mile
Patterson
Pennant
Roseway
Sable
Tidney
East (Shelburne Co.)

Remnant salmon populations
(Rivers have a pH of 4.7 - 5.0)

Bear
Cole Harbour
East (Chester)
East (Sheet Harbour)
East (St. Margarets)
Indian (Halifax)
Ingram
Isaacs Harbour
Liscomb
Little East
Martins
Mersey
Middle
Nictaux
Salmon (L. Echo)
Salmon (L. Major)
Sissiboo
Tangier
Tusekt
West (Sheet Harbour)

Depleted in some tributaries
(Rivers have a pH of 5.1 - 5.4)

Annis
Chezzetcook
Gaspereau Bk. (Eastern Shore)
Gold
Kirby
LaHave
Medway
Moser
New Harbour
Round Hill
Sackville
Salmon (Digby)
Salmon (Jeddore)
Salmon (Dufferin
Taylor Bay Brook
Necum Teuch