The Rural Voice, 2019-09, Page 25Plan survey. The results have just
been released from the survey which
asked specific Lake Huron health
questions of people living in the
coastal fringe (two kilometres in
from the shoreline) from Sarnia to
Tobermory. Over 250 surveys were
answered.
The results indicated beaches,
invasive species, water quality and
pollution are the main concerns.
When asked what ecosystems
people thought should be the main
focus of an action plan, 90 per cent
said beaches and dunes should be the
focus. Coastal wetlands and bluffs
were also considered important.
Invasive species were considered
the biggest threat followed closely by
pollution and new development.
Shoreline hardening, erosion, climate
change and recreation areas were also
identified as threats to Lake Huron.
In terms of what feature of Lake
Huron is most important to residents
and landowners in the coastal fringe,
water quality was the overriding
concern.
Using the results of this survey,
the Coastal Centre is now developing
an Action Plan which will include
education and
restoration projects.
They have already been
involved in a wetland
restoration in Bruce
County in partnership
with the Saugeen
Valley Conservation
Authority (SVCA) to
reduce the invasive
species, phragmites.
Also, they have been
involved with a beach
restoration project in
partnership with
Huron-Kinloss.
“We try to identify
the threats and stressers
to water quality and
then make unique
suggestions and
recommendations to
communities to be
more sustainable and
resilient,” said Cann.
The focus is on
practical solutions.
“It’s not a solution
to stop all farming in
the coastal fringe,” said
Cann. “But there are solutions such
as fencing cattle out of streams and
maintaining buffer zones around
creeks and streams.” Farmers should
leave at least 30 metres of natural
cover beside waterways to slow
down water, trap sediment and
provide overhanging vegetation to
cool water down.
Neither is this is a farmer versus
cottager situation. It’s about working
together.
While farmers need to work
inland to slow water down, cottagers
have their own set of concerns which
include beach grooming, Gabion
baskets, removing dunes and the
creation of waterbreaks, known as
groynes
Groynes are rigid structures made
of wood, concrete or stone which
interrupt water flow and limit the
movements of sediment.
“In Lambton county, it seems
every second cottage has one. What
happens is that groyne catches the
sand on one side while the beach on
the other side gets eaten away,”
explained Cann. These structures
create refractory waves that erode
sand.
September 2019 21
Hannah Cann,
Coastal Stewardship Coordinator,
the Coastal Centre
Specializing in Farm Drainage,
Backhoeing & Excavating,
GPS includes: mapping grade control
& surveying
Where Schmidt’s go, the Water Flows!
GPS Grade Control
519-338-3484 • Cell 519-323-6335
Schmidt’s Farm Drainage
1990 Ltd. Harriston
RR 2 GODERICH, ON N7A 3X8
Tel.: 519-524-8096
Website: www.sharpscreekforge.ca
Email: jim@sharpscreekforge.ca