Environment

No details: Alberta energy minister announces date for start of coal consultations

EDMONTON - Alberta says public consultations on coal mining will begin March 29 but there's no decision yet on how they will go ahead. "I have directed my department officials to bring forward a compr...

Feb 23, 2021

'Trojan Horse:' Alberta to argue in court federal assessment law unconstitutional

Alberta is in court fighting against Ottawa's law on environmental assessment. Arguments in Alberta's Court of Appeal are expected to last all week. The Alberta government calls the Impact Assessment ...

Feb 22, 2021

Critics ask why no details on Alberta government plan for parks management

EDMONTON - The Alberta government has yet to release details on how it will "optimize" the province's parks by getting other people to run them. It's been almost a year since the plan was revealed in ...

Feb 22, 2021

New parking lot for popular trail opens, highly anticipated stairs to Ammonite Falls delayed

NANAIMO - While work carries on to improve user infrastructure at Benson Creek Falls Regional Park (BCFRP), easier access to Ammonite Falls will have to wait. The Regional District of Nanaimo's manage...

Feb 22, 2021

Herring roe fishery quotas remain unchanged for 2021

NANAIMO - Fishing vessels can expect to catch the same amount of herring roe in 2021 as in years before. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans confirmed on Friday, Feb. 19 the allowable catch rate is...

Feb 21, 2021

Bus tickets, PPE and Nanaimo maps handed out to encourage outdoor exploration during pandemic

NANAIMO - A Nanaimo non-profit group wants to help as many people get out and explore nature as possible. The Altrusa Club of Nanaimo delivered 530 "Bus and Park It" packs to 16 service providers in t...

Feb 17, 2021

'It's a big improvement:' crews upgrade portion of Linley Valley trail

NANAIMO - A well used trail on the east portion of the increasingly popular Linley Valley recreation area has re-opened following several upgrades.A contractor on behalf of the ministry of forests res...

Feb 16, 2021

Annual Brant geese migration affects Parksville beaches

PARKSVILLE - Some local beaches are off-limits to four-legged friends in order to help visiting Brant geese rest and feed.Dogs are prohibited from Rathtrevor Beach between Feb. 15 and Apr. 15, while s...

Feb 15, 2021

VIDEO: Winter wonderland as snowy blanket covers Nanaimo, Oceanside

NANAIMO - Seldom does Mother Nature have such perfect timing when it comes to winter storms.The region's second snowfall of note this winter fell conveniently over the Family Day long weekend, beginni...

Feb 15, 2021

Gabriola Island pedestrian path praised, revised completion delayed several months

GABRIOLA ISLAND - A new multi-use pedestrian path serving Gabriola Island's commercial core is already improving public safety despite not being completed yet.The RDN expects the 1.5 kilometre Village...

Feb 13, 2021