A Simple Tool Kit for Citizen Activists How to gather and use information to effect environmental change Contents Introduction...... 3 When to Use These Tools and Why...... 4 Case Studies ...... 5 7 Steps to Work with City Hall ...... 10 The Tools...... 11 #1 - Freedom of Information Requests...... 12 #2 - Drawing Media Attention...... 14 #3 - Taking Effective Video...... 15 #4 - Taking Effective Photos...... 16 #5 - Taking Notes...... 17 NOTE: This is an interactive PDF. #6 - Sampling (when, where and how)...... 18 Click on the links and page numbers to jump to the areas that interest Taking a Water Sample ...... 19 you. If you click on the David Suzuki Taking a Soil Sample ...... 20 Foundation’s logo in the top left Taking an Air Sample...... 21 corner, it will take you back to this contents page. Or use the return Costs and Other Considerations...... 22 arrow at the bottom of each page Using Minnow traps...... 23 to travel back to the previous page. Join the Blue Dot Movement ...... 24 Conclusion ...... 25 Appendices Acknowledgements: Freedom of Information Sample Letter ...... 26 John Werring - Writer Request for Fish Sampling Permit...... 27 Laura Timmermans - Designer Table of Costs for Sample Analyses...... 28 List of Laboratories...... 30

2 Introduction

We at the David Suzuki Foundation can amount to reading hundreds get hundreds of calls and emails of pages of documents and filing every month from citizens written submissions to government requesting help to deal with a wide tribunals. Sometimes an email or range of environmental issues, hand-written letter consisting of including land-clearing and property a few paragraphs can be just as development, aggregate mining, effective, if not more so. farming, clear-cut logging, landfilling (garbage and waste), garbage The purpose of this tool kit is to dumping, incinerators, water provide basic and easy-to-use tools pollution, sewage disposal, illegal that will enable people to gather fishing, poaching, hydroelectric important and relevant information dams and oil and gas development. that can be used to protect their health and the environment in which The truth is, we cannot respond to they live and perhaps advance a all of these issues. We simply do contentious issue in an informed not have the capacity. So, one of manner. our experts, who has been involved in the environmental movement These simple tools can be for over 20 years, has decided to empowering. The information share some simple yet effective gathered by following just a few tactics with you to enable you to basic steps outlined below can take matters into your own hands be used to get corporations to when dealing with contentious change their behaviour, encourage environmental issues and, hopefully, governments at all levels to enforce effect change when dealing with rules and regulations and adopt such issues in your community. And, needed policies to protect our believe it or not, dealing with almost environment and provide citizens all matters environmental is much with the knowledge that it is possible simpler than you might think. to work with city hall.

The one thing you need to do to engage on any issue is to arm yourself with good, credible and reliable information. For some issues, it can be as simple as taking a photograph or video and making a phone call or two. For others, it

3 photo credit Laura Timmermans Laura credit photo When to Use These Tools and Why

The When The Why Case Studies and Guidance If ever you are confronted with All too often people (and that Following are three case studies that a situation in which you think an includes some environmental will help guide you on how to deal activity that is being undertaken organizations) only react to with issues related to activities or might adversely affect the health of contentious, or hotly debated, issues disturbances of land, water and/or humans, animals or the environment with emotion and not facts. air that may be happening in your (especially food and/or water), environment and that you feel may and you think something needs to When it comes to challenging warrant some kind of attention or be done to either stop the activity issues like land development, intervention by either citizens or or modify it to prevent harm, gathering evidence and information government regulators. you should use these tools to to make a case for defending your document the problem and use that neighbourhoods and environment is Each case study will set out information to seek a solution. an absolute necessity if change is to a scenario and then outline a be effected. process, using some simple tools, An “activity” can include: for documenting the matter, This is not difficult to do. In fact, it is raising awareness of the issue and • Road-building and/or maintenance quite simple. All you really need to do encouraging local community or (including bridge and culvert is gather credible, preferably government action to have the installation/clearing); irrefutable, evidence to make and matters addressed. • Land-clearing (to allow for support your case and use that residential or commercial buildings, evidence to your advantage in The Case Studies are followed by clear-cutting of forests, oil and gas seeking a solution to an identified a simple road map for the reader well development, etc.); problem. to follow that outlines the 7 key • Depositing or dumping of steps that citizens should take to chemicals or other harmful materials try to work with local municipal into waterways; governments (“City Hall”) if the • Depositing or dumping of garbage desire is to help effect positive or other forms of solid waste in an change in one’s own community. unauthorized way; • The deposit or emission of some Let’s get started. form of pollutant to/from the air or water or land; and, • Land-filling of garbage and land-fill Never doubt that a small group seepage run-off. of thoughtful, committed citizens This list is not exhaustive but it gives can change the world. you an idea. - Margaret Mead

4 Case Studies Below are some links to three brief, but hopefully informative, case studies that might mirror something you are encountering: one deals with land disturbance; one with a water-pollution issue; and, one with an air-pollution matter. Each case study will outline a scenario and make reference to some simple tools and steps that you should employ to build a case for intervention, should you feel intervention is necessary. Simply click on the link to the page that is most relevant to your issue and we’ll see if we can help you.

Land Water Air

Case study 1: Land Disturbance Case study 2: Water Pollution Case study 3: Air Pollution Example: Land development Example: Improper waste disposal Example: Noxious emissions (residential or commercial) leading to water pollution coming from that oil/gas refinery down the road • Issues related to land-clearing, • Issues related to improper waste soil erosion, water pollution, dirty disposal, water pollution, lack • Issues related to unregulated and roads (lack of wheel-washing of government oversight due to uncontrolled air emissions, harmful stations). inadequate resources. particulates. Click here for Click here for Click here for Land Disturbance Case Study Water Pollution Case Study Air Pollution Case Study

5 Case Study 1: Land Disturbance Issues related to land-clearing, soil erosion, water pollution, muddy roadways

Example: Land development been cut down. You are concerned Report the incident. Get the email (residential or commercial) that the developer is not following address of the person responsible appropriate guidelines to protect for ensuring compliance and A resident notices that a land fish and habitat and prevent enforcement of environmental rules developer is clearing a site unnecessary soil erosion. and send copies of the photographs (removing trees and topsoil) or video that you took. If you do not to prepare it for some sort of What do you do? have a computer, arrange to have building(s). It has been raining and that person come to your home or The first thing is to take pictures the exposed soil has turned to mud. meet you at their office and take the and/or video to document the Trucks and/or heavy equipment pictures/video to them. situation. You can also take notes are driving onto and off the site, to document the date and time and depositing mud on the roadway. Request that the person follow up jot down what you saw and, if you Muddy water is running down the with you on the actions to be taken, talked to anyone onsite about the roadway and into a storm drain if any. situation, who you talked to and that flows to a nearby stream. what was said. The next step is to Alternatively, rivers of muddy You should also find the number call your city/town/municipal hall water are running off the cleared for, and call, Environment Canada and ask to speak to the person in land carrying a heavy silt load and ask to speak to someone in the charge of environmental matters onto the roads and/or into nearby environmental enforcement branch. or, if they don’t have anyone with watercourses. Perhaps some trees Environment Canada is responsible that responsibility, ask to speak along the banks of a stream have for administration of pollution to someone in charge of the prevention provisions of the federal engineering department. (In most Fisheries Act. It is illegal for anyone cases, if a municipality has someone to deposit, or permit the deposit, of responsible for environmental a deleterious substance into waters issues, that person is generally associated frequented by fish. A deleterious with engineering in some way.) substance is any substance that might harm fish (excess sediment is deleterious because it can smother fish eggs or abrade fish gills or affect their ability to see and get food) or affect the use of fish by people (some solvents or heavy metals might not harm the fish but can taint fish flesh, rendering them useless as food; e.g., mercury). Continued on pg. 7

6

Illustrations by Laura Timmermans Case Study 1: Land Disturbance

Hot water would also be considered if the affected water body supports a deleterious substance if it fish. You can find this out relatively is dumped into a water body quickly by going online and checking in sufficient amounts to raise relevant government websites for temperatures to lethal levels. information. (British Columbia has Habitat Wizard, an online tool for If the situation involves removal determining which streams are of trees from the stream bank you fish-bearing and what species can should immediately call the federal be found there. It’s at www.env.gov. Department of Fisheries and Oceans bc.ca/habwiz/. Alternatively, you and/or your local Conservation can contact and ask people in the Officer Service and report what is provincial or territorial environment happening. It is illegal to harmfully ministry. In Ontario you can contact alter, disrupt or destroy fish habitat your local conservation authority.) without a permit. Riparian vegetation (which includes the trees and shrubs If no action is taken, it would be an found within 30 metres of a stream opportunity to shed some light on bank) is considered to be fish habitat poor enforcement of environmental because it provides cover (shade, regulations. Contact someone in the overhead cover) and food (leaf litter, news media, at your local television insect fall) for fish. or radio station or newspaper. Tell them your story. Tell them you have If you cannot reach anyone at pictures and/or video. Tell them municipal hall or at the provincial who you have spoken to about the or federal government regulatory situation. Media outlets like to run offices, call your local police stories that speak to ineffective or non-emergency line and ask that inept governments, especially when someone attend to deal with the it comes to lax enforcement of rules situation. Violations of the federal and regulations that are in place to Fisheries Act are criminal offences protect the environment. and a regular duty police officer has the power to enforce those laws.

Speaking of fish, if you are concerned whether the activity you are witnessing may be harming fish, you might want to try to determine

7 Case Study 2: Water Pollution Issues related to improper waste disposal, water pollution, lack of government oversight due to inadequate resources.

Example: Improper waste disposal and surrounding groundwater, which You should take pictures and notes and leading to water pollution. local residents rely on as drinking water. take water samples to prove the case On discussing the matter with the and convince the authorities to act. A landowner (Landowner 1) in a relevant permitting authorities, Once samples have been taken and rural area has concerns because Landowner 1 is informed that the sent to a laboratory for analysis (or, someone (Landowner 2) bought composting facility is properly taken by an investigator who has lands adjacent to his or her property licensed and, despite the expressed conducted his or her own field tests), and the adjacent site is now being concerns about potential pollution, the results should be examined by a used as an industrial scale “organic the authorities refuse to investigate trained professional and a decision composting” facility. The property the matter further. Area residents, made about how best to proceed. owned by Landowner 2 is receiving however, remain concerned that daily truckloads of what is supposed potentially toxic runoff from the site If the samples results show clear to be clean organic waste collected is not being properly collected or evidence of surface water through a nearby city’s waste recycling treated and they are at a loss as to contamination, or if pictures and/ program, and the material is being what to do. or video show evidence that the dumped in huge piles on the property. material in question is not properly If uncontrolled runoff from a business covered, or it is spilling onto areas The dumped material is supposed is polluting the environment, the not approved for dumping, or that to consist only of source-separated authorities should act to stop it uncontrolled runoff is entering local food scraps, garden trimmings and because it is illegal to pollute land waterways, that evidence should be other clean organic material or waterways in most jurisdictions. shared with regulators. (untreated wood, cardboard, etc.) However, there is a problem. There which is to be composted on site You should follow up with the is absolutely no proof that runoff into “healthy and beneficial Class A regulatory agency regularly to ensure is, in fact, running off the property soils”, which are then to be spread the matter is being appropriately let alone that it is untreated and on surrounding fields. dealt with. If it isn’t, draw attention toxic. Without such proof, all local to this fact in a very public way by landowners can do is continue Landowner 1 believes the material bringing forward with the media (TV, to complain to the agency that being composted also contains newspaper). This will often force the regulates such things. But that is hazardous or toxic waste. He or government’s hand. unlikely to stimulate action because she notices a foul-smelling, dark- government regulatory agencies are coloured liquid coming from the At this point too (once evidence has often unwilling to send someone out compost piles and running across been obtained), environmental to investigate such matter on the and off the offending property organizations, like the David Suzuki basis of an unproven complaint. and into a local stream. Landowner 1 Foundation, with staff trained in dealing with such matters, may also believes the runoff may be So, what can YOU do? contaminating the local watercourse decide to intervene as well to support your local community.

8 Case Study 3: Air Pollution Issues related to unregulated and uncontrolled air emissions.

Example 1) Noxious emissions The laboratory will also provide simple and cheap, but effective tools coming from that oil/gas refinery free instruction on how to use the to monitor and report on air quality down the road sampling device. in their neighbourhoods. You live in a neighbourhood with an Keep your sample bags handy and oil or gas refinery nearby. You notice There are “Bucket Brigades” that when you smell that odor again, take that from time to time you can smell are active throughout the U.S. and a sample and ship it immediately noxious fumes that you suspect may Canada. They keep an eye on oil to the laboratory for analysis (at be coming from the refinery and in refineries, chemical plants and even a minimum, request analysis for talking to your neighbours you find large-scale hog farms. Most are small particulates - ppm10 or ppm out many of them notice the noxious based in “fenceline” neighbourhoods 2.5; and, volatile organic carbons odors too and are getting sick. — communities located next to (VOCs). Also, don’t forget to take industrial sites. notes and record the date and time Local authorities and the company of day the air event happened and For more information visit: http:// that owns the refinery maintain that document where (geographically) www. chemicalbodyburden.org/hb_cs_ nothing is wrong; that emissions the sample was taken. cbe.Htm from the refinery are well within public health guidelines. But you When you receive the results have Just be aware that there may be a suspect otherwise. The regulator them reviewed by someone with is fee for getting help in the setting up will not step in and do what it familiar with air quality parameters and training of your own community takes to find out if there really is a and standards (someone at a local Bucket Brigade. If that is the case problem. college or university would likely assist you can always hold fund-raising events to raise the necessary funds. What do you do? you for free in this regard. You could also contact a local environmental That said, there is value in being The simplest and easiest thing you organization with expertise in dealing vigilant and taking pictures/ can do is to document for yourself with air pollution). video and notes of air pollution what, if anything, is going on. If the results show elements of events that might otherwise go unnoticed, because a picture can Contact a local analytical testing concern, bring them to the attention say a thousand words and notes can laboratory that analyzes air samples. of the regulator. remind you of when and where the Ask them for some “Tedlar Bags”. Another option is to join forces with incident took place. They are easy to use and are others in your community and form a usually provided to clients for free. local “Bucket Brigade”! (http://grist. Taking air samples to prove the However, you will need to either rent org/article/the19/). occurrence of the event is an ($10-$15/day) or purchase ($30 - important added component to help $50.00) a vacuum pump (required “Bucket Brigades” are local you address the issue. to draw gas into and inflate the bag). community activist groups that use

9 Seven Steps to Work with City Hall Earlier in this document we suggested that it really is possible to win environmental battles. How, you say? By using the tools in this document and by following a few basic steps that pretty much fit in lockstep with how municipal politics and politicians work.

1) Know what is happening in your 4) Put your objections (or support) 6) Work together with others. community. You can do this by reading in writing. If you plan to oppose, To be effective in any battle, you have to local newspapers. Scour the publication or support, a particular development have strength in numbers. Governments for proposed zoning amendments in your project or other activity, you must set at all levels do not typically respond area, or in areas that are important to out your objections, or support, in to issues that are raised by solo voices you. In most cases, proposed changes writing and get them/it in front of the (unless that voice belongs to a pillar to land zoning (e.g., agricultural to relevant people; in this case, your mayor of society). They do, however, respond commercial) must be publicized and councillors. They are the ultimate to issues that galvanize the public and in local newspapers (it’s the law in decision-makers. Simply raising your provoke a groundswell of opposition, so most communities) before municipal issue vocally at community meetings, build your army. If you need technical governments can effect the changes pontificating or complaining on the or professional help to make sense they are trying to implement (i.e., zoning Internet (e.g., using Facebook, Twitter) or of complex reports, check around to amendments). in front of municipal councillors during see if there are retired or otherwise open council meetings is not enough. interested and available experts in your 2) Choose your battles wisely Unless your objections/concerns are neighbourhood who are on your side and (Not all change is bad). Don’t in writing, your approval or disapproval can offer their expertise for free. oppose development just for the sake of can be pushed aside or ignored because opposing any development. All too often, there will be no permanent record that 7) Be prepared to compromise. certain community activists oppose you have spoken out against (or in favour Offer up alternative solutions. You will every bit of change that they become of) your issue. be more likely to win your battle if you aware of. This can be counter are prepared to compromise and accept productive. One could come off looking, 5) Arm yourself with credible an amended proposal that at least meets or sounding, not credible. information. It is not sufficient to some of your demands. oppose a project by simply adopting Often, municipal, provincial and federal 3) Get involved early! It is too late a stance that the project will have a project approval processes take many to oppose land development activities negative impact on quality of life (or a months, even years to complete. By when you look out your window and fish-bearing stream or a rare species). following these simple steps, and getting see a bulldozer at work. Unless what is If that is the position you are adopting, involved early, you will be in a good happening is entirely illegal, by this time, you have to prove that this will be the position because you will have time on the project has already gone through case, so do some research! Go to your your side and you will be targeting the several phases of approval, which local city hall and obtain maps, plans right people (the decision-makers) with generally includes a public consultation and specifications for proposed projects the right information. phase. The time to get involved in any from the planning department and/or issue is when the offending project is engineering department. They should be first proposed. freely available. Review the information and compile your facts and build your case in a thoughtful, considerate way. 10 The Tools #1: Freedom of Information Requests (FOIs) • What are they? • How to file an FOI • Routinely releasable information

#2: Drawing Effective Media Attention

#3: Taking Effective Video

#4: Taking Effective Photos

#5: Note Taking

#6: Sampling (Soil, Water, Air, Fish) • When, Where and How • Taking a Water Sample • Taking a Soil Sample • Taking an Air Sample • Costs and Other Considerations • Using Minnow Traps

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”

- Dr. Seuss, The Lorax

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photo credit Laura Timmermans Tool #1: Freedom of Information Requests

What Are They? • Results of compliance audits (both For federal requests, there is a required financial and regulatory); $5 application fee that applies to all An “FOI” is a written request to requests. This fee covers the first five government to obtain copies of any • Field inspection reports; hours of search and preparation time for government-held documents that • Orders (stop work, clean-up, the requested records. If your request one might feel are relevant to the maintenance, etc.); and, requires more than five hours of search matter in question. This is done by • Notices of non-compliance, and preparation or involves computer way of letter, email or online forms violation tickets, etc. programming, there may be additional costs. that are sent to relevant government In most case, a request for a waiver of departments that hold the FOIs are powerful tools because the fees can be made for matters that are information one is seeking. (There documents that one can obtain by deemed to be in the public interest. may be a little research involved using them can tell a powerful story here.) that might otherwise go untold. To assist you in determining which federal department you should contact Believe it or not, the federal For more information on FOIs in for information, here is a link to all government and all provinces and Canada, see: http://en.wikipedia.org/ Federal Access to Information and territories in Canada have wiki/ Freedom_of_information_in_ Protection of Privacy Coordinators specific legislation that allows Canada http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/atip-aiprp/apps/ citizens to request a wide range coords/index-eng.asp of documents and/or information held by government on virtually any How to File an FOI Why File a Freedom of government department or industry/ Filing a freedom of information business licensed or regulated by request is simple. All it takes is Information Request? government. a one- or two-page letter to the In many cases, issues that citizens This would include things like: responsible person within any are confronted with may involve government agency or department’s something that has been ongoing • Most forms of correspondence information and privacy branch or for some time and has not been among/between government office(click for example of sample resolved. If that is the case, it is officials and between government letter here). helpful to know this because it and industry, including emails, letters, shows a pattern of inaction and/ Federal requests are made under the memos, meeting minutes, field notes or neglect. If one can determine Access to Information and Protection of and/or briefing notes, etc.; this to be the case, then one has Privacy Act. Provincial/territorial requests the information to attract media • Letters of authorization; are made under specific provincial or attention to the issue. Media • Licences, permits and licence/ territorial laws (see link above). attention can be a powerful tool permit conditions; It costs nothing to file an FOI under to force government or industry’s • Environmental monitoring reports most provincial statutes, but the agency hand and make them act more (both government and industry- may assess a fee depending on the responsibly. derived); complexity of the request. 12 Tool #1: FOI Requests (Continued)

Routinely Releasable Information In some cases, government-held More often than not, your request Bears and information — such as permits, will be granted and the government letters of authorization, compliance office will accommodate you and deer die at oil notices, inspection reports and arrange for you to view the file. monitoring reports — can be During the viewing you can take readily obtained by simply asking a notes on what you are reading sands sites Saturday, April 10th 2010 government office to provide it to and ask for copies of relevant you. Much of this is deemed to be documents. Government documents show that animals “routinely releasable information”. other than ducks have died at Alberta’s oil All you have to do is ask for it and If you ask for copies of documents, sands sites. be prepared to give the relevant they might be provided to you that government department a same day. It depends on the volume Documents obtained by Greenpeace, under reasonable amount of time to of material you are seeking. freedom of information legislation, show collect, compile and prepare it. that at least 164 other animals died during Often, it just takes a phone call. Always make a list of the documents, with the title, date and oil sands operations between 2000 and 2008. For example, you see raw sewage brief note of the subject matter, in spewing from a pipe into a local case you are asked to come back Those animals included 27 bears, 67 deer, stream. This is not a one-time another day to retrieve your copies. 31 foxes and 21 coyotes. event; you have seen it before and That way you can compare the reported it. You have an idea as to document package you receive to Possible reasons for the deaths are listed as the geographical location of the your original list to ensure you get drowning, oil from tailings, animals hitting offending pipe (a nearby street everything you asked for and were structure or vehicles, electrocution, and address, an intersection, etc.). You entitled to. euthanasia of problem wildlife. can call the local government office in charge of licensing, permitting Note: Once viewed by the public, Moose, beavers and wolves also died, and monitoring sewage disposal government can no longer claim that although the cause of death isn’t specified. (usually a ministry responsible for those documents are subject to special the environment), give the relative rules that argue against disclosure. http://www.hancockwildlife.org/article. location of the pipe and ask if an php/20100410070858157 inspection report or permit is in place that covers this discharge. If there is, ask to see the inspection/ permit file. Tell them you can come into their office at an agreed-upon day and time to view it.

13 Tool #2: Drawing Effective Media Attention

The news media (radio, television, having this kind of information is enough newspaper, online) thrive on conflict to trigger a story if the material relates Nicola Valley and controversy. Any element of a story to something involving a wrong-doing, that deals with conflict (opposing views, negligence or potential harm to humans, residents protest confrontation) or controversy (scandal, animals or the environment. lies, misleading or misinforming the biosolids being public, etc.) is more likely to be covered The media can be the most powerful tool dumped by a news outlet than a good news story. in your arsenal when it comes to sharing your message. Governments at all levels Protesters say they are concerned about However, a story must be grounded monitor the media constantly looking water contamination from biosolids being in fact, not just emotion or innuendo. for hot-button issues, especially if they dumped at Sunshine Valley Emotional elements need to be included call into question the government’s in a story to show the human side and competence or ability to handle an issue. help readers understand it, but the main message should not be driven by emotion. Stick to the facts. The more facts you have to support your main message the better. Providing the “who, what, when, where, how and why” of a story makes it more likely that a reporter will cover it. Trucks carrying biosolids 10 kilometres west of Merritt were forced to turn back This is where the value of filing a this week by protesters who want to put an freedom of information request or end to the Nicola Valley’s growing compost obtaining relevant copies of routinely industry. releasable documents can be of great benefit. Be aware that it can sometimes Read more at: take months for an FOI request to be processed, so you cannot rely on this http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british- tool if there is immediacy to a story idea. columbia/nicola-valley-residents-protest- It can be great for follow-up, though. biosolids-being-dumped-1.2991175 There is also value in being prepared at any time to take pictures or video of an incident or event. Newspapers and television stations will often pay for pictures and/or video footage of something newsworthy. Often, just

14 Tool #3: Taking Effective Video

Things to Remember When Things to Remember When Shooting Video Narrating Video Narration 1) Always ensure your batteries in 1) Study what you are going to shoot, your device (camera, cellphone) are how you are going to shoot it and Examples: fully charged and you are set to go what you need to say before taking before you begin; the shot; Bad Narration 2) Avoid scripts; be natural; 2) Check and re-check all camera “I am on Deleterious Creek. This settings (exposure, focus, colour, etc.); 3) Limit narration to topics like your shot shows a bunch of trees that location and what the shot depicts; 3) Always study your subject before have been dumped into the creek 4) Avoid editorializing. Let the you begin; and left. It is obvious that this has footage speak for itself. 4) Orient yourself with regards to your damaged fish habitat because I subject and plan your shot (i.e., pan left, Advantages of Video: saw some fish on the downstream side of the trees, but none on the pan right, cut to, zoom in, etc.); • Can take moving pictures showing upstream side, so fish movement 5) Put the viewfinder to your eye, events or situations as they occur; has definitely been blocked. It checking that what you see is what • Can imprint date and time; probably screwed up some good you plan to record, and only then • Can put entire situation into spawning area too. Ooooh! I’m press the record button; perspective with regard to where gonna get whoever did this, I’m 6) Try to limit your shot sequences you are (landmarks), where the so mad. They’re screwing up our fishery. Look at this mess. It looks to between 30 and 45 seconds (an problem is, and the scope of the easily absorbed length of time within like a war zone.” problem; the average viewer’s attention span); • Allows narration of events as 7) When you have finished your they occur; Good Narration planned shot, stop recording before you • Almost all cellphones have video take your camera away from your eye; “I am on Deleterious Creek 300 capability and are light, compact and metres upstream from where 8) Never use the camera to look for can be concealed; it joins Habitat River. This shot a shot by trying to find something • Results can be viewed instantly. (pan to) shows several trees that else to shoot while recording and have been felled directly into the looking through the viewfinder. This Disadvantages of Video: creek and abandoned. Here (pan often results in jumpy, confusing and or cut to) are the butt ends of the distracting video. • Improperly shot video footage trees. Over there (pan to) are the can be jumpy and difficult to follow; matching stumps.” • Lens options (wide angle, tele- photo) may be limited; • Video cameras are expensive and fragile. 15 Tool #4: Taking Effective Photos

Things to Remember When Taking Still Photos: Photo 1) Always ensure you have fresh Advantages of Photos: batteries in the camera and flash unit; • Cameras are small and light; Examples: • SLRs have flexible lens 2) Check all settings Bad Photo capabilities (wide angle, zoom, 3) Always carefully study your macro); subject before you begin shooting; • Newer cameras are point 4) Orient yourself with regard to the and shoot. Not much thinking is subject and plan your shot; required; 5) Look through the viewfinder. • Pictures are easy to view and Make sure you can see everything study (no “slow-mo” or pauses you plan to photograph. Centre your required); subject in the frame, focusing on the • You can make slides for most critical element. Make sure to hold presentations and prints for the camera steady while shooting to posters; insure clear photos. • Photos can be inserted into 6) Use a flash and/or tripod when albums or reports for presentation lighting is low; purposes. 7) Wide-angle, panned effects Good Photo can be obtained by composing a Disadvantages of Photos: mosaic, taking a series of shots and • Cameras offer only a snap shot overlapping them side-by-side. It is important to know your camera’s view of the world; capabilities and to be familiar with • Difficult to put things in proper frame coverage so that you create perspective; a mosaic with as few images as • New-generation cameras possible. Make sure the frames — especially on cellphones — overlap. Often a good wide-angle often have fixed photographic lens or panorama function makes capabilities. Your flexibility is this technique unnecessary. limited by what the camera is programmed to do.

16 Tool #5: Taking Notes

Good notes describe in a few words Alternatively, you can dictate your 5) Features of the site or event and where you were, when and why you notes into a small recording device type of activity involved (i.e., This is were there and what you saw. They or cellphone. an active logging site. Access roads should be clear and understandable are being constructed and there is a Do not place yourself in a position that so you can refer to them later. (It D-9 Cat operating on the new road could jeopardize your safety. This could can take as long as a year or more surface. According to the logging include attempting to talk to someone to have some matters resolved plans, this is Branch Road M2000. carrying out a criminal offence. either through the courts or even X number of people are onsite.); through regulatory agencies, so Further, for the sake of safety and to 6) Time and place of any having good notes allows you to verify events, always take someone photographs taken. Include roll recall information and/or important with you on an investigation. number and frame (picture) number details about events that you (i.e. Roll #2, photo 16 - Tributary witnessed.) If possible, take notes Your Field Investigation #1, 10:15 a.m., 10m downstream of on waterproof paper or a mobile Notes Should Include: culvert on Branch Road M2000); device. It would be disastrous if 7) Subject matter for each photo rain (or flood) erased the hours you 1) Your name and the names of any referenced (i.e., Photo X shows spent in the field recording valuable other people who are in the field point in stream where silt-laden information. with you; ditch water is entering tributary #1. 2) Date, time of day, weather and Note that the water upstream from You can get notebooks with other environmental conditions (i.e., this point is running clear in spite of plasticized paper or paper treated April 3, 2014, 10:35 a.m. Sunny, spring runoff conditions); and, with a water-repellent material. partly cloudy, air temperature 14 C, One example is a product called water temperature 6 C, snowpack 8) What steps have the people Duksbak, available online (RD light, heavy surface runoff from involved in the potential offence Penhall manufacturer, www. recent rain and snow melt, etc.); taken to prevent the perceived rdpenhall.com/) and at specialty problems from occurring? This is 3) Names and addresses and/or stationery supply stores. They important, because you eliminate location (in map units, or geographic make spiral-bound notebooks with the perception of negative bias positioning units) of the site you plasticized paper. You can also by illustrating that you took into are visiting and of any people or buy Rite-in-Rain notebooks, made consideration that the person or corporations involved (i.e., Ruined with waterproof paper, at most people committing the offence River, Cut Block #3391, Crummy engineering supply stores (www. attempted to prevent it (if this is the Forest Harvesters Inc., Port Nowood riteintherain.com/dealers.asp?Previ case). Division); ousCountry=&Country=CA&State). It’s a good idea to review and rewrite 4) Any identifying marks (i.e., signs, your field notes as soon as possible, Take care to fasten your notebook to logos, etc.) you see that indicate who while all the information is fresh in yourself with a string or cord, especially is operating on the site and where your mind. Also, make copies and if you are working near or in a stream or those marks were located (i.e., on side keep the originals and copies in river, and always write in pencil. door of pickup or equipment); separate locations. 17 Tool #6: Sampling When, Where and How

Sampling is warranted if, for example, To Take Proper Samples, You can advise them of what you plan there is discharge of a substance such as Ensure you have the Following: to sample for and get advice about the silt, mud, petroleum or chemical products numbers and kinds of containers you or sewage into a water body (stream, river, • Clean glass or plastic sampling will need. (For example, sediment and pond or lake) that can be identified as containers—minimum size 250 ml nutrient samples can be taken in plastic coming from a specific source. (some can be as large as 20 liters); bottles; organic chemicals like benzene • A cooler (Styrofoam will do) and or toluene usually need to be taken in If the event you are witnessing ice packs or ice; amber-coloured glass bottles; some involves something like heavy samples need to be “stabilized” before • Rubber gloves; sedimentation of a stream caused analysis to ensure the chemical being • Protective eyewear; by uncontrolled soil erosion, and the tested for does not degrade in quality sedimentation is occurring while you • Duct tape or masking tape; and, or quantity so the sample bottles are on site (i.e., it is raining heavily • Permanent waterproof marker; will contain a stabilizing chemical and the ditches are flowing dirty), it e.g., a pencil or Sharpie. agent. Samples containing mercury is crucial to back up your notes and for analysis should be stabilized at the photographs with samples of the Note: You can often obtain free time of sampling with 0.5 per cent affected water! sampling containers and coolers from barium chloride to ensure the mercury regional or municipal water-quality remains in solution.) testing facilities or laboratories. You WARNING: can even call these facilities before click here for a list of doing any sampling and speak with a Laboratories in Canada. Never attempt to sample technical expert. dangerous toxic or corrosive substances without having the proper safety equipment or expertise! Never take samples of chemicals in enclosed or confined spaces such as sewer pipes, chemical treatment sheds, etc. unless you have confined- spaces safety training and appropriate safety gear.

Illustrations by Laura Timmermans

18 Tool #6: Sampling Taking a Water Sample

Steps to Taking a Water Sample: 7) You should take a sample 11) Ship your samples to the above the point of contaminant laboratory for analysis as soon as 1) Make sure you have at least (e.g., sediment, paint, oil, etc.) possible. Stability tests indicate six clean glass or plastic sampling introduction (where the water is that many basic samples (i.e., to be containers, approximately 0.5 to 1 litre; clean, or cleaner), at and/or below the tested for suspended sediments or 2) Mark each bottle (at time point of contaminant introduction, metals) are stable for at least 30 of sampling) with a permanent and at the source (where the days and can be stable for a year waterproof marker (before you take contaminant discharge is occurring) or or more, but some (like benzene or your sample, while the container as close to it as possible. “biological oxygen demand”) need to is dry) and include the following be tested for within 48 hours. Check information: 8) Draw a map (even just a rough sketch with your laboratory regarding the a) Date and time of sampling; will do) showing the locations from required timing for analysis before which the samples were taken and you start sampling! b) Name of person taking the sample; jot the sample identity number that c) Location where sample was taken. (e.g., corresponds to the number on the 12) Finally, and most importantly, Storm drain outflow at foot of Easy St.); sample bottle. you should know where your d) Number the samples taken. (You can samples are at all times and be able 9) Have your partner photograph create your own simple number code for to identify who has had care and you while you are taking the ease of reference.); control of them (this is known as samples. This will be part of the “continuity of evidence”), and you 3) Make sure you rinse the sample proof you need to show that you are should be able to swear that they bottle two or three times with the taking samples from the identified were not tampered with. water/effluent to be sampled at each location(s); location before taking the final sample; 10) Place samples in a cooler 4) When taking the sample, be sure containing ice or ice packs. that it is representative of the water Convention dictates that most column. Raise and lower the sample samples should be kept in the dark container throughout the water at a temperature of around 4°C. column (or as far as you can reach) Do not freeze samples. as it is filling; - Date and time - Location 5) Fill the container so that there is - Sample # no “headspace” (no air between the - Name of person top of the liquid and the container’s taking sample lid;

6) After sampling, you should seal each sample bottle with tape and initial the seal; 19 Tool #6: Sampling Taking a Soil Sample

Taking a Soil Sample You would probably want to take a When taking soil samples from soil sample if you observe a situation an “affected area”, make sure you where some kind of contaminant has take smaller subsamples of soil been spilled onto the ground (e.g., (a minimum of two) from several oil) or where someone has dumped locations within the affected area a load of soil that appears to have and mix them together to form one been contaminated with some single homogenized sample before unknown substances in an area that you put it in your jar. is not authorized for such dumping. See diagram below.

Contamination The steps for taking a soil sample boundary line pretty much follow the same basic protocols outlined above for taking water samples, with some exceptions:

1) Use wide-mouthed jars for holding the sample (250 ml – 1.0 litre will do)

2) Use a tablespoon or large serving spoon to scoop up the sample and place it in your sample jars

3) If sampling for the presence of heavy metals, avoid using lids that have a foil lining, or cover the mouth of the jar with something like Saran wrap before affixing the lid.

4) Always wear rubber gloves if there is any doubt as to the nature of the contaminant you may be = soil sample handling or exposed to. = area of concern

20 Tool #6: Sampling Taking an Air Sample

Taking Air Samples bag when the stainless steel valve is opened. It costs about $125 in materials Below is a diagram of the simple Air samples are collected for different for a group to build the bucket. bucket sampler. reasons but usually to find out what pollutants are in the air, and what are Analysis of the sample is the big They use a special bag called a the levels (or concentrations) of the cost. Depending on the chemical Tedlar bag. (It has a special valve pollutants found. constituents of interest, a typical attached to it that serves as the sample cost would be around $250. inlet tube.) It can be obtained Most individuals in a community from almost any air/water quality setting would want to sample air to The sampler is quite portable and laboratory. The bags are free. find out what kind of contaminants can be taken into almost any setting. they are breathing while outdoors and/ Community groups have used the If you don’t want to build your own or to find out whether they are being bucket sampler to monitor air quality sampler, you can rent one from exposed to indoor environmental around chemical plants, refineries and any reputable air quality laboratory toxins like mould or asbestos. waste-water ponds. (called a “SUMMA” sampler or “TD Tube”) for a reasonable cost, and Air sampling can be very simple and Here is a link to a website that talks they come with basic and simple inexpensive or it can be complex, about the “Bucket Brigades”. A Bucket instructions for their use. labour-intensive and extremely Brigade allows residents living near expensive. If in doubt, call a inlet emission sources to take samples professional. whenever pollution occurs, even at Air gets pulled into the bag night or on weekends when regulatory That said, a group of citizens in California vacuum pump agencies typically cannot respond. It outlet have developed a very simple yet is like having your own Environmental effective sampling device for monitoring Community Watch Program. air pollution in their communities, called http://www.gcmonitor.org/ a “bucket” sampler. communities/start-a-bucket-brigade/

The air samplers are basically plastic Air gets pulled out of buckets with air-tight tops, some the bucket stainless steel tubes and valves, and a rubber tube connected to the top of the bucket. A simple vacuum pump is attached to the rubber tube, creating a Original Diagram courtesy of PBS: vacuum inside the bucket. The low pressure http://pov-tc.pbs.org/pov/i/fenceline/ inside the bucket helps an air sample getinvolved02 flow into a specially designed plastic Redrawn by Laura Timmermans

21 Tool #6 Sampling Costs and Other Considerations

Costs of Sample Analysis purchased to sample for gas leaks A Written Request for a Scientific or emissions (like methane from The costs for having samples Sampling Permit Should Include: landfills or liquid natural gas wells) analyzed for various properties or and to test soils and surface waters (click here for example) chemicals can range from as little for contaminants like heavy metals, as $10 (e.g., pH) to as high $2,000 • The name or names of the excess nutrients and petroleum per sample (e.g., polycyclic aromatic person or people who will do the byproducts. hydrocarbons) or more. However, sampling; many basic samples can be tested • The name of the water body to for under $100 and costs per sample Sampling to Prove the Presence usually go down as the number of of Fish be sampled; samples increases. Here is a link There are four basic ways to • The date range in which to a simple cost table that will give establish the presence of fish in a sampling will be undertaken; you an idea of the cost per sample stream or water body: • The sampling method (e.g., for the most basic and/or most rod and reel, beach seine, gill net, frequently requested types of tests. 1) Historical information showing minnow trapping); reliable records of fish presence. • How the fish will be handled Portable Field Sampling Kits These are most likely held at a local government office (provincial (e.g., live release following photos It is not always necessary to have environment ministry, Fisheries and and ID; euthanized, etc.) samples for many chemicals Oceans Canada) or may even be and other pollutants tested at a found in your local library; Note: The permit for sampling laboratory. Various hand-held for scientific purposes is a federal measuring devices and/or field test 2) Personal observation. You actually requirement and is issued by Fisheries kits are available for either purchase see them. In this case, you might and Oceans Canada, upon request or rent. An investigator can take want to take photographs and (usually in writing). these into the field to obtain direct, have some kind of corroboration or real-time measurements with a high additional witness; degree of accuracy (comparable to certified laboratory results). 3) Angling; and/or, A quick internet search will help you 4) Some kind of netting or trapping. locate companies in your area that rent or sell the equipment you might If angling for fish or netting or need. Companies like HACH, Pine trapping them, you will need either a Environmental, Osprey Scientific, valid angling licence and/or or permit Fischer Scientific and Hoskin Scientific for sampling fish for scientific purposes. are some commonly known ones. (Check with local authorities.) Hand-held devices can be rented or

22 Tool #6 Sampling Using Minnow Traps

Minnow traps are small barrel- If you are placing the trap in a lake fully dissolve. Dump the fish from shaped wire baskets used to trap or pond, you can simply toss it into the trap into the treated water. It will small fish. They have small funnel- shallow water near shore or suspend knock them out for a few minutes, shaped holes at each end of the it in the water column. Again, tie giving you time to handle them. To “barrel” that small fish can enter but off your retrieval rope to some fixed help the fish recover, have a second cannot find their way back out. The point. Let the trap “soak” for at least bucket with fresh, clean water and basket “breaks” in half so bait can be four hours before checking. place the anaesthetized fish into the placed inside. It can then be closed clean water. They will come around with the two parts held together with If you want to measure the fish or in a few minutes. a clasp. Rope or string can be tied to try to identify the species, it is best the clasp ring and used to retrieve to anaesthetize or knock the fish the basket after placement. They can out before handling them; otherwise be purchased at Canadian Tire. they will flop around and could be injured by rough handling. To do this When baiting minnow traps, use in a way that is not harmful, take a canned sardines packed in soya oil. clean bucket and fill it with water Other baits include fish eggs (roe) and from the stream or pond you are dry or wet dog or cat food. Just open sampling and throw in one or two the basket, toss the bait in and close it. Alka-Seltzer tablets and let them

When placing the trap in a stream, find a small, quiet pool where the current is not so strong as to sweep it away downstream and deep enough to completely submerge the trap. Tuck it in close to the bank or by some submerged structure if you can. Tie your retrieval rope to an overhanging branch and, if necessary (for example, if you will be leaving the area and coming back later) add some coloured flagging tape so you can find it again. Make sure the flagging tape is placed where it will be easily visible.

Illustrations by Laura Timmermans

23 Join the Blue Dot Movement Blue Dot Movement leverages Community Organizing Model

Sometimes, the right idea comes at We hope that community by Here’s how you can get started in the right time. And when it does, it’s community, this movement will your community: amazing what can happen. inspire decision-makers across our provinces and territories to take • Join the movement by signing the The David Suzuki Foundation notice. Blue Dot petition. launched the Blue Dot Movement with a national tour in September Next, we hope that provinces will • Read our organizer’s tool kit 2014. We wanted to bring life to the follow suit and pass environmental to learn about key messages, idea that every Canadian deserves bills of rights. When seven out of 10 environmental rights and where to the right to a healthy environment. provinces representing more than 50 find resources on how to engage We believed that a vision of per cent of the Canadian population people in your community. connectedness, caring and action have recognized our right to a would inspire people to protect the healthy environment, we will turn • Attend one of our online people and places they love. We also toward the ultimate goal: amending educational gatherings to learn believed that leadership lies within the Canadian Charter of Rights and storytelling skills and more. each and every one of us. Freedoms. • Send your stories and successes to Using a community organizing Recognition in the Charter is the [email protected]. Let us know model, based on the notion that final step in protecting the right to that you are taking action in your people come together to create clean air, fresh water and healthy community. power in order to affect change, food for all Canadians. This ensures the Right to a Healthy Environment that we all benefit from a healthy Protecting our right to a healthy movement was born. Canadians environment, world-class standards environment — today, for our have been standing up ever since to and a say in the decisions that affect children, and children’s children — say this right should be recognized our health. is clearly an idea whose time has at all levels of government. come. Canadians overwhelmingly believe If you don’t have the inclination in our inherent right to a healthy to try to effect change in your environment; access to fresh air, community using the other tools and clean water, healthy food and a say methods outlined in this document, in decisions that affect us. we hope that you consider joining us in promoting the concept of the The fast growing movement Right to a Healthy Environment for www.BlueDot.ca/TakeAction calls all Canadians, starting in your own upon local governments to pass community. It’s easy to do and the declarations recognizing people’s rewards may be tremendous. right to live in a healthy environment.

24 Conclusion

We at the David Suzuki Foundation With today’s technology, a cellphone want to enable you to take matters can be used as a camera, video and into your own hands when dealing voice recorder and notebook. Don’t with contentious environmental hesitate to use these functions. . issues. We hope that his handbook is of In this handbook we have attempted value and, if you use it, we would to simplify what most people believe appreciate feedback as to its utility to be an arduous and complex and and/or suggestions for changes sometimes seemingly impossible necessary to make it more useful. task: keeping themselves, their children, their neighbours and Yours in Nature, their local surroundings safe from The David Suzuki Foundation environmental harm, be it from land, water or air pollution or some other form of environmental destruction.

In reality, it is quite simple. The key is to arm yourself with good and credible facts and share those facts with the proper authorities and, if the authorities won’t act, with media outlets and/or local environmental organizations (like the David Suzuki Foundation that may help you bring the matter to a satisfactory conclusion. Keep your eyes and ears open and always be prepared for the unexpected when you go outside. If possible, keep a camera and notebook with you, or at least nearby. These are two very basic and important tools.

25

photo credit Laura Timmermans FOI Sample Letter

Information and Privacy Branch BC Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks

Via Fax:

Dear ,

Pursuant to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, I(we) hereby request copies of the following documents:

• Any intra-ministry correspondence between the and concerning the assessment of potential impacts of a proposed independent power production project proposed by for a stream called XYZ Creek near Someplace, B.C. Such correspondence should include, but not be limited to, letters, email proof notes, briefing notes, minutes of meetings and/or memoranda. Such correspondence should also include any records of communication concerning this issue between biologists in the office and the Regional Director , and the Regional Manager . The time period covering this request would be from January 1999 to present.

• Any biophysical and/or engineering reports, or amendments thereto, prepared by either and/or its consultants acting on behalf of concerning the proposed XYZ Creek independent power project and submitted to the for review and consideration.

• Any correspondence between the and concerning the XYZ Creek Power Project. in this case should include all levels within the Ministry from the Minister’s office on down to the Regional Office and should include .

I am (we are) a private citizen(s) with limited means and I am (we are) acting in the public interest. If there are any fees requested as a result of this request, we ask for a “public interest” exemption under the FOI Act.

The information I (we) request relates to possible government enforcement of environmental statutes, specifically and the , both of which have been the subject of much recent public debate. Also, the information we seek relates directly to the issue of protection of the environment and we feel that disclosing this information will contribute meaningfully to the general public’s understanding of issues surrounding enforcement of environmental statutes; specifically (but not limited to) the issue of integrated resource management and how the various agencies responsible for protecting the environment interact with each other to meet the expectations of the public.

I (we) believe that if the Ministry does not grant a fee waiver, this would mean that issues of significant public interest would not be released. This frustrates the purpose of the Act. The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Commission have established these criteria for public interest exemption from fees as reasonable grounds for granting exemptions.

If you have any questions, please contact me at the above address and phone number.

Sincerely,