HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-10-01, Page 17Representatives from agencies,
along with farmers and cottagers
toured the Scott demonstration farm,
north-west of Blyth last Thursday to
learn more and see how the project is
working so far.
Since 2005, a number of projects
on the property owned by Murray
and Wilma Scott have been
developed, in conjunction with the
Maitland Valley Conservation
Authority (MVCA), to control
runoff, store water, and improve
fisheries and wildlife habitat.
Led by Geoff King and Phil Beard
of the MVCA, the tour, which was
attended by approximately 20
people, explained the work that’s
been done to date, the effects and
what’s ahead.
Education is a significant part of
what has been a systems approach to
the project, said Beard.
“That’s why we are trying to run
tours for everyone from politicians
to farmers. We have to find ways to
work together on these issues, as a
system, to deal with all of the
problems and solutions at the same
time.”
Noting the tendency for everyone
to focus on their special interest or
need, Beard said the tours bring
different views together. “We have a
five-year agreement now with the
Scotts to do 10 tours a year. The
feedback we’re getting indicates that
they are hearing the other sides.”
In addition to the tours,
monitoring has shown the project’s
success too, said King.
“The changes have dealt well with
surface water and sediment has been
cleared from the rain. Erosion has
been reduced and the fish habitat has
improved.”
Chris Delage of Clinton Ministry
of Natural Resources office said that
a study of the fish had been
conducted through the University of
Guelph.
“In 2005, they found no brook
trout,” said Delage. “A month ago
they checked and there is now a
significant number of fish.”
They found six adult-sized trout
and a lot of young of the year and
yearlings. “It’s very promising,” said
Delage.
Scott said it is interesting to note
how quickly the pond regenerated
with natural growth. “It’s been a real
attraction for the frogs that talk all
night long. And we’re seeing ducks
come in now.”
Another stop on the tour, told of
work planned for the adjacent farm
to the east of Scotts’, which they
once owned.
“We bring the farmers in because
they know the land,” said Beard.
“We use their knowledge to find the
best solution that will work for
them.”
An area where, in the spring, “you
could almost take a canoe down,”
said King, will see a large erosion
control berm, with a control box. “It
has the capability of backing the
water up on a high flow event,” said
King.
Drainage tile will allow it to back
up and eventually make it to an
aquifer, he said, adding that there is
also a plan for a wetland pocket in
the area as well.
There has also been discussion
about squaring the area off and
including a woodlot corridor.
Stopping by the constructed
wetland, King said they had initially
asked Ducks Unlimited what they
should plant. “They said not to
worry. Mother Nature will look after
that. It’s amazing how quickly (the
flora) has come back on its own.”
Passing by a picturesque section of
property, lush with trees and plants,
Scott explained that the family had
farmed the area 10 or 12 years ago,
but it was often wet and hard to
manage. “So we took it out of
production and planted trees.”
A berm was built to control runoff.
The issue of taking land out of
production may not be as drastic as it
might seem initially, King notes.
“We are looking at the economics of
what’s been done, to prove to
farmers that this too has its benefits.”
For example he said, the lands that
are being taken out of production are
lands that, like the one Scott
mentioned above, took a lot of work.
“The savings in fertilizer and
chemicals could be a benefit.”
As well the fact that the drains are
self-cleaning will save maintenance
costs.
“We do have to address the fact
that the areas are being taken out of
production and farmers are paying
for things that benefit everybody,”
said Beard. “Grant money to help
with projects, or to help with
maintenance down the road, would
be helpful.”
“Funding is a big issue and in the
long-term it has to be brought into
it,” said Beard.
Not all of the work has achieved
such success. The nitrate filter, while
showing good results in reducing
nitrate, is causing some concern
because the wood chips it requires
need to stay moist. “There is a bit of
a challenge with them,” said King.
“We are still struggling with
related groundwater issues.”
But education continues to be the
big focus. “It’s a huge challenge to
get others together,” said King.
“When they come here though, they
really see the benefits.”
THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2009. PAGE 17. Tour demonstrates how project’s working
Close up
Visitors on a recent tour at the Scott municipal drain
demonstration site get a close up look at the control
drainage box near the constructed wetland. (Bonnie Gropp
photo)
The right approach
Geoff King of the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority explains how grassed waterways
were constructed to carry surface water to a protected outlet on the farm of Wilma and Murray
Scott. The waterways move water that now enters the downstream end of the drain back to
the headwaters of the drain. (Bonnie Gropp photo)
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Working together
Representatives from the Ministry of Natural Resources
and Ducks Unlimited were among the guests taking part in
the tour at Scotts’ last week, to learn more about drainage,
erosion control, storing water and improving wildlife and
fish habitats. (Bonnie Gropp photo)
By Bonnie Gropp
The Citizen