HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2016-11-17, Page 16PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2016.
Species at risk could delay, end dam restoration
The Howson Dam restoration
project has been stopped in its tracks
by the black redhorse sucker fish.
Also known as the Moxostoma
duquesnei, the species of fish was
found in the area surrounding the
dam which has been the subject of
intense discussion at the North
Huron Council table.
Some ratepayers are requesting
that the dam be restored to its former
glory, which would see the water
levels in the Maitland River that
passes through Wingham, rise
substantially in the future. The
ratepayers believe this will increase
Wingham's prominence as a tourism
destination.
Council, however, isn't as sure
about the project, stating that to
restore the dam and walking bridge
that runs over the river would cost
far more money than is in reserves
for the project.
To further understand the project,
the council started an environmental
assessment (EA) which looks at how
different attempts to deal with the
dam would affect the surrounding
natural environment, during which
the presence of the black redhorse
fish were discovered.
The fish are considered a species
at risk (SAR) according to Jeff
Graham of GSS Engineering who is
involved in the project. He told
council during its Nov. 7 meeting
that any repairs to the dam could
come with significant changes to
accommodate the species or could
result in the dam restoration being
halted indefinitely.
The fish is classified as
"threatened" by the provincial
government, which means it is not
endangered but could become so if
steps aren't taken to reduce threats to
the species. The fish was first
classified as threatened when the
Endangered Species Act became
official in 2008.
The fish grow to approximately 60
centimetres in length and are part of
the sucker family. It lives in pools
and riffle areas connected to
medium-sized rivers and streams
that are typically two metres deep or
less. The fish is prevalent in two
areas of Ontario — northern Huron
County and the surrounding areas
Letter to the Editor
Ted Johns' letter
disappoints Vodden
I was disappointed by a letter to
the editor in last week's issue of The
Citizen. Ted Johns presented many
uninformed critical comments about
our village. He disapproves of the
Blyth Festival Board, its chair, its
members and both current and past
decisions of the board. He questions
the role of the Canadian Centre for
Rural Creativity (CCRC) as well as
its funding. He indicates that he
cannot figure out the purpose of
14/19, and the reason for the CCRC
assuming management of Blyth
Community Memorial Hall. He is
upset by the renovations that are
taking place, and he blames 14/19
for his confusion. He objects to
organization changes being made in
secret without his approval or
knowledge.
There are many exciting and
unique things happening in this
community, and we are proud of
them. I won't list all of them here; it
would only confuse some outsiders
even more. The history of small
rural communities teaches us that if
they fail to adjust to a changing
society and re -invent themselves
accordingly, they are in real danger
of decline. Blyth is not only working
at that renewal for itself; it is
reaching out to rural communities
everywhere to invite them to join
with us in the search for great
sustaining ideas.
The planned changes in Blyth
involve many organizations and
individuals including the County of
Huron, the Municipality of North
Huron, community organizations,
local businesses and private citizens,
as well as very tangible support from
both the provincial and federal
governments.
I am sorry that this writer is
confused by all of this, but suggest
that he keep criticism to himself at
least until he has some
understanding of Blyth's goals and
progress. Poison pen letters are not
helpful or appreciated.
Brock Vodden,
Councillor — Blyth Ward,
Municipality of North Huron.
Remembering
While the senior students at Hullett Central Public School
would attend the annual Remembrance Day service in
Blyth on Nov. 11, students in the younger grades attended
an earlier ceremony in the school's gym. Shown are, from
left, Hannah Boven and Sadie Squires leading the event.
(Denny Scott photo)
and north of Waterloo. Smaller
concentrations can be found south of
Goderich, south and southwest of
Stratford, and in the Brantford area.
The provincial government states
that in addition to the fish being
protected, its general habitats are
also under protection.
Graham also explained that a new
type of study would need to be done
in concert with the EA as a review
and application through The Lakes
and Rivers Improvement Act (LRIA)
was necessary before the job
continued.
He said, from the feedback of
•
public information sessions
regarding the project, three options
were presented to deal with the dam,
which can't be used in its current
condition. The dam could be saved
and either have the walking bridge
repaired or removed, or the entire
structure could be removed.
Councillor Trevor Seip asked for
explanation on the LRIA's
requirements, saying he understood
that it would provide information to
help council choose among
Graham's three outlined options.
Graham explained the LRIA
assessment deals with technical
Legion presents award
An exclusive club
The Goderich Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion
presented its Friends of Branch 109 award to members of
the Huron County Public Works Department's bridge crew
for their work on the Legion's Afghanistan monument
project. From left: Darryl Marks, Hayden TenPas, Shawn
Engel, Andy VanBeek, Legion Zone Commander Eric Ross,
Dan Murray, Wayne Higgins, Goderich Legion President
Paul Thorne, Legion member Norm Leddy, Huron County
Engineer Steven Lunch, Kevin Regier and Brady Nolan.
(Photo submitted)
Members of Royal Canadian
Legion Branch 109 in Goderich
presented a rare award to Huron
County staff at the Nov. 9 meeting of
council.
Paul Thorne from the Legion
thanked council for its support in the
procurement and placement of the
Afghanistan war monument, an
actual, formerly functioning light -
armoured vehicle (LAV), which is
now secure near the Huron County
Museum.
He specifically thanked the Huron
County Public Works bridge crew,
which was instrumental in creating
the base for the monument, which
mimicked the rocky terrain of
Afghanistan that a LAV might have
regularly traversed.
Thorne then presented members
of the crew with the Friends of
Branch 109 Award, which has only
been handed out a small number of
times over the years.
Also as part of the presentation,
Thorne presented council with a
cheque for $25,000 that is intended
to cover maintenance costs for the
monument as the years go on.
The cost, Thorne said, was built
into the group's fundraising
figures, because the Legion didn't
want anyone to be burdened
with any costs associated with the
monument.
Rulers not immune
to God's will, plan
Continued from page 12
hearts of kings; He will ultimately
judge each one according to their
deeds. The Book of Revelation
describes Jesus' return as the Lamb
who will be victorious over the
kings of the earth; "They will make
war against the Lamb, but the Lamb
will overcome them because he is
Lord of lords and King of kings..."
(Rev. 17:14) We are told all
authority will eventually be made
subservient to Him. "Then the end
will come, when he hands over the
kingdom to God the Father after he
has destroyed all dominion,
authority and power." (1Cor. 15:24)
So, we need not nervously wring
our hands, regardless of which
political party comes to power next
door. Instead we should put our
hands together in prayer for elected
officials, as the Apostle Paul
suggested. "I urge, then, first of all,
that requests, prayers, intercession
and thanksgiving be made for
everyone — for kings and all those in
authority, that we may live peaceful
and quiet lives in all godliness and
holiness." (1Tim.2:1f)
God rules in human affairs.
Napoleon, at the height of his
career, is reported to have given this
cynical answer to someone who
asked if God was on the side of
France: "God is on the side that has
the heaviest artillery."
Then came the Battle of Waterloo,
where Napoleon lost both the battle
and his empire. Years later, in exile
on the island of St. Helena,
chastened and humbled, Napoleon
is reported to have quoted the words
of Thomas a Kempis: "Man
proposes; God disposes"
The lesson with which history
confronts us is that God is able to
work His sovereign will — despite
human resistance, obstinacy or vain
pride.
aspects of the project and outlining
what could be done with the dam.
He said it could prove expensive and
the cost of the project would fall to
the township.
Council, however, was more
concerned with the species at risk
designation and how that might
impact any kind of changes there.
While many questions were asked
about the SAR designation, as well
as what it could mean for the project,
Graham said the issue was dealt with
through the Ministry of Natural
Resources and they would
be the only body able to give solid
answers.
Council passed a motion to have a
request for proposal (RFP)
circulated provided the SAR
designation doesn't impact the dam.
The RFP will call for a dam safety
assessment to determine whether an
application through LRIA was
feasible.
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A cemetery is a history of
people, a perpetual record of
yesterday and a sanctuary of
peace and quiet today. A
cemetery exists because every
life is worth loving and
remembering - always
Distinctive Memorials of
Lasting Satisfaction
North St. West, Wingham
Mac & Donna Anderson
519-357-1910
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