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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1993-11-03, Page 13THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1993. PAGE 13. Destruction of Hurricane Hazel remembered Ontario was hit with the worst natural disaster in its history 39 years ago this fall. Overnight on Oct. 15, 1954, Hurricane Hazel slammed into southern Ontario unleashing heavy rains that led to 81 deaths, mostly flood related. In the Maitland River watershed the storm left four feet of water on Main Street in Listowel and caused widespread flooding in other areas. However, local communities have suffered through more serious local floods. Floods in 1912, 1948, 1974, 1975 and 1977 were of greater magnitude than Hurricane Hazel in some areas of the watershed. ' "Fortunately, a lot of progress has been made in preventing and controlling flood problems" said Dave Grummett of the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA). ''If Ontario were hit today with a storm like Hurricane Hazel, there would be less risk to life and less damage to property." Since Hurricane Hazel, conserva- tion authorities (CAs) have succeeded in reducing flood problems in Ontario through programs of prevention and control. In some areas flood control structures such as dikes and darns have been built. Flood contingency planning as been developed by CAs and flood warning has been improved. Fewer homes and businesses are located in the flood plain because CAs have regulated new development in flood prone areas and purchased flood plain lands. Roads and bridges in flood plains are constructed to withstand flooding. All of these measures have reduced potential flood damage. The MVCA was established to help deal with serious flooding problems. Like most CAs, it has completed a number of flood control projects and provided services to reduce flood risks in many municipalities. The Listowel Flood Control Project has greatly reduced the risk of flooding to 130 buildings. In Lower Town Wingham 19 seriously floodprone properties were purchased through the Turnberry Flood Plain Acquisition Program. MVCA's flood warning system alerts municipalities to rising water levels and potential floods. The MVCA also prepares flood plain mapping and assists municipalities in developing land use plans to regulate new development in flood prone areas. "Conservation authorities have been successful to date in reducing flood risks," said Ross Duncan, MVCA general manager. "However, provincial funding cuts have put pressure on conservation authorities' flood control efforts. It must be impressed - on the provincial government that while we understand the need for financial restraint, essential services such as flood control and prevention should not be put at risk." Earlier this year, the province reduced grants to conservation authorities by 22 per cent. Ontario's conservation authorities are locally-based environmental protection agencies that operate and maintain some 220 dams and 500,000 metres of flood control works. They also undertake preventative watershed planning and environmentally-sound re- source management. RIDE SOH. RIDE SHER Your support at the polls is incerely appreciated. It reinforces my commitment to represent all constituents in the riding of Huron-Bruce to the best of my ability :ongratulations to the other andidates for making sure the ampaign was one of honesty and integrity. Environmentally friendly Tim Prior of RR 3 Brussels, shows the ease of operation of his new Tumblewheel fencing. The system divides a field into smaller plots and allows the farmer better contol over the grazing habits of his herd and more maintenance of the pasture. If you wish to contact me, please call 524-6938 or 1-800-465-1726 ~. Local man tests new grazing system An innovative form of cattle grazing will be marking the end of its first year this September on a farm just east of Brussels. Tim Prior of RR 3 Brussels has been conducting controlled grazing research on a 4.5 acre plot with nine limousin cross steers. The cattle were placed on the plot from April 28 to Sept. 26 and grazed through a 30 day rotation, one to two days on each paddock. The paddocks are visually inspected each day to decide if the cattle should be moved. This helps prevent over or undergrazing, Mr. Prior says. By keeping the cattle in small paddocks, the animals trample less grass, walk less, waste less energy and are easier to handle. The perimeters of Mr. Prior's plot are a four strand Insultimber fence and paddocks are changed by using the Tumblewheel fence. "The dividing sections of fence move easily and fast as ,the large wheels roll forward between the outer fencing to allow the cattle into a new section," Mr. Prior said. With little shade in the pasture, the manure is distributed more evenly over the field instead of in gathering areas. Mr. Prior says the controlled grazing also allowed the earthworm population to recover from years of cropping and heavy tillage meth- ods. The controlled rotation allows the pasture to recover with new lush, fresh growth before the next feeding, he says. In its first year of operation, the pasture research showed a profit of $275.01 per acre, he said, while on average, the cattle gained 322 lbs. per head or 2.12 lbs. per day. With the cattle sales, the gross profit per acre is $499.45 and expenses are $224.44 per acre. Mr. Prior says his controlled grazing research works in conjunc- tion with the government's CURB program to try to keep livestock away from waterways. He says, he is trying to show farmers that restricting the area over which the cattle graze does not have to reduce production. "Profits can still be seen without risking further damage to the environ- ment." APPLICATIONS FOR VOLUNTEERS TO SERVE AS MEMBERS OF A DISTRICT HEALTH COUNCIL will be received bythe undersigned. District Health Councils are local health planning bodies established to provide advice to the Minister of Health on the health service needs of their communi- ties. The goal of each DHC is to plan and develop a comprehensive health sys- tem for the citizens it represents, designed to make the best possible use of available and potential resources. Volunteers will possess skills in participatory decision-making, demonstrate an enthusiasm for planning a healthy community and be able to devote approxi- mately 12 hours per month to the position. The members of council are chosen to represent a balance of: 1. Providers who are involved in the governance, management, or delivery of health or health-related social services, or Persons trained as health professionals or para-professionals; and 2. Consumers with an interest in our local health system, but who are not involved in the actual delivery of health or health-related social services; and 3. Representatives of local government. Individuals interested in serving on the District Health Council and able to devote sufficient time and energy are invited to submit a resume to: Huron County District Health Council Steering Committee c/o Shirley Hazlitt, Chair, Hearing Committee R.R. #4, Goderich, Ontario N7A 3Y1 You can ick;e a lot moire-than_-6,xiricteriecre oripking adiid chiving.