Newfoundland Places Temporary Moratorium on Fracking
Posted: November 9, 2013 Filed under: Newfoundland, Water | Tags: Canada, coastal trail, environment, fracking, Gros Morne, Gros Morne National Park, Gros Morne Park, health, moratorium, Newfoundland, Newfoundland government, ocean, UNESCO, world heritage site 1 CommentLast summer, before going to Newfoundland, we heard that fracking was being proposed off of Newfoundland’s west coast, near Gros Morne National Park. The photo in this post is from a trail in the park a bit north of the proposed fracking site.
Because of the chemicals, sand and large amounts of water used in fracking, we wondered how residents of Newfoundland felt about this. When we were in the province, we heard opposition to the plan from B & B hosts and people sitting near us in restaurants having lively discussions about the dangers and risks of fracking. While in the Gros Morne area, we also came upon a petition opposing the plan. And I’d already heard that UNESCO had voiced serious concerns because fracking near Gros Morne, a World Heritage Site, could put the site at risk.
Coastal Trail, Gros Morne Park, Newfoundland, August 2013
Then, earlier this week I was glad to hear that the Newfoundland government had placed a moratorium on fracking in the province until it was satisfied that it would be safe for the environment and the health of people. The government plans to hold a review and consult with residents. This sounds like a good first step. I’ll be following this in the news to see further developments.
Freshwater Fjord, Gros Morne National Park
Posted: November 4, 2013 Filed under: Mineral World, Newfoundland, Water | Tags: beauty, Canada, cliffs, fjords, former fjords, Freshwater Fjords, geology, glaciers, Gros Morne, Gros Morne National Park, nature, Newfoundland, Western Brook Pond 3 Comments
Freshwater Fjord, Western Brook Pond, Newfoundland, August 2013
In August when we were in Newfoundland, we travelled to Gros Morne National Park in the western part of the province. Gros Morne is a large, extremely beautiful park with a great variety of land and sea scapes. The park has been designated a world heritage site by UNESCO.
On the tour of the freshwater fjord, August 2013
We had heard that we must go see the freshwater fjord in Western Brook Pond while we were in Gros Morne. We took everyone’s advice and booked a two hour boat tour on the Pond.
Fjords are long, narrow inlets in the sea with high cliffs arising on each side. The steep cliffs were carved out of rock by glaciers from former ice ages. Western Brook Pond once was connected to the ocean but it was cut off from it after the glaciers melted and the land, having less weight upon it, rebounded.
On the boat tour of the freshwater fjord, August 2013
We had a sunny day with a bit of wind on the lake, enough to regularly splash those of us standing excitedly at the bow to get great views of the cliffs as we travelled into their midst. Another experience of profound beauty in Newfoundland.
Freshwater Fjord in Newfoundland, August 2013
of humans and nature 
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