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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1995-01-25, Page 6Address MP Paul Steckle was in Clinton Jan. 18 for the winter meeting of the Central Huron Christian Farmers Assoc. He discussed the past year and upcoming year in agriculture. (Amy Neilarrds photo) Steckle 'still a farmer at heart' Product of U.S.A. Fresh No. 1 Grade ROMAINE LETTUCE Maple Leaf Boneless DINNER HAM Round or Mini 4.39 kg •99 MACARONI & CHEESE DINNER 225 g. Pkg. Special Price with coupon in flyer "1.29 Scrimgeour's Food Market BLYTH 523-4551 • Values In Effect From Monday, Jan. 23,1995 to Saturday, Jan. 28,1995 Savings Are Based On Regular Retails We Reserve The Right To Limit Quantities To Normal Family Requirements. CHICKEN h LEG QUARTERS 1.08 kg .491b. Hostess POTATO CHIPS Assorted Varieties 180 g Bag .88 Old South ORANGE JUICE Regular, More Pulp or Pulp Free Frozen 355 ml Tin CHEESE BARS Assorted Varieties 800 g Knechtel The balance between fiscal con- cerns of the county and environ- mental protection by the watchdogs continues to be a precarious one. A public meeting, held on Jan. 12 and hosted by the Huron County Agriculture and Public Works Committee, drew approximately 75 people wishing to express their concerns over the proposed selec- tive logging of the Morris Tract. The 140 acre tract, located west of Benmiller in Colborne Twp., is home to a wide-ranging and some- times rare accumulation of species. The county proposed logging the area to take advantage of good mar- ket prices for timber as well as to offset the costs incurred for upkeep of the area. The Ministry of Natural Resources has held the responsibili- ty for maintenance for the last 45 years, with the lease due in 2000. At that time, the county will owe approximately $175,000 to the MNR, to be covered by the taxpay- ers, says Lynn Murray, Huron County's clerk-administrator. However, if the tract was logged, reaping a possible $140,000 to $400,000 (according to Wingham MNR Forest Manager Marvin Smith), the balance would be returned to the county, she says. Owner of the adjacent property, Burns Ross, sent a letter to the Agriculture and Public Works Committee in support of logging. "The development and better management of our local forests will ensure the continuing growth of our local lumber industry and its associated work force," he says. "I doubt there is a single person here that isn't using flooring or fur- niture in their homes that is made of maple, cherry or oak or several other woods growing in the Morris Tract. Why would you not permit the harvesting of these trees or is it Two local farms, Ken Glanville's of Winthrop and Joe Semple's of Ethel are among sites proposed by the Huron Plowmen's Association for the 1999 International Plowing Match. Though the formal bid is not due until 1996, the Huron County con- tingent is working hard to let the Ontario Plowmen's Association know they are interested in hosting the 1999 match. An organizational meeting, attended by more than 40 people, was held on Jan. 12 to begin plan- ning for the bid. Four farms have been suggested thus far but "there is nothing to dis- courage other farms from coming forward," says Paul Betties, presi- dent of the Huron Plowmen's Asso- ciation. • The others on the list are Earl Becker, north of Dashwood and Anthony Soer of Grand Bend. The proposed sites must meet four requirements to qualify: acces- sible by road, three-phase hydro, Continued from page 4 These plants will mean a new market for an estimated 20 million bushels of Ontario corn. This is about 10 per cent of total provincial production. Constiuction of these plants will also enable sales of ethanol- blended gasoline to continue to grow, using Ontario-produced ethanol, instead of imported product, as the blending ingredient. Expanded sales of ethanol- blended gasoline will mean major the old syndrome "not in my back yard"? Another issue in support of log- ging the tract is to clear away dead and fallen trees which could be .a hazard to hikers and snowmobilers. To the residents and community groups in attendance who were ral- lying against the logging, the clear- ing of trees for financial gain and the safety of users were "non- issues". "Safety (cannot be) used to justi- fy the denuding of this rare and beautiful treasure," says Goderich resident Marian Lane. A coalition of community groups including the Maitland Trail Asso- ciation, Menestung Bridge Associa- tion, Huron Fringe Field Naturalists and Colborne Snowmobile Club as well as individuals, presented a united front in support of allowing the Morris Tract to remain in its present state. "The value of the (Morris Tract) is not measured by the value of its standing timber. Its value is not even measurable in dollars. Its true value can only be had by those who walk through it quietly during the four seasons," says HFFN member Dave Kilgour. Marylou Graham of Goderich attested to the "devastation on adja- cent property where the removal of logs had destroyed thousands of saplings and young trees." "The county has simply opted for the limited monetary and employ- ment benefits which would result," says Goderich District Collegiate Institute teacher John Smallwood. Along with the recreational and aesthetic value of Morris Tract, the groups are concerned about the loss of a very unique piece of woodlot. According to members of HFFN and three professional biologists, the woodlot is one of the largest remaining in the county and con- tains 29 new species to Huron accessibility to phone and availabil- ity of water. To ensure OPA knows the seri- ousness of Huron County's inten- tions, a large group of Huron representatives will be attending the OPA annual meeting in Water- loo on Feb. 12-14. "We're open to anyone who would like to work on a committee or head a committee," says Mr. Betties. Anyone interested in having their farm included on the list should contact the Huron Plowmen's Asso- ciation before the annual meeting. Once the list of sites is compiled, the OPA executive visits the area to vote on the best site, says Neil McGavin, Huron County OPA director. If the Huron County bid is accepted, it would be the fourth time in the event's history (1999 is the 75th anniversary) that the IPM was hosted by Huron County. The other years were 1946 in Ashficld Twp., 1966 in Seaforth and 1978 near Wingham. benefits for environmental quality, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions, reduced imports of off- shore crude oil, and the opportunity to eliminate the use of toxic gasoline additives such as Iv1MT and benzene. Support from Mr. Steckle vital to this achievement. express our appreciation. Sincerely, • Bob Hallam, President Huron County Corn Producers' Association. County, 22 species rare to south- western Ontario and 14 rare in Ontario, says HFFN member Bob Budd. The tract contains both arctic species and Carolinian species, which are at the northern limit of their range, reported biological and ecological consultant Jane Bowles, in a report following a walk- through of the tract. Ms Bowles concerns, regarding logging in Morris Tract, dealt with the unknown effects of tree removal and the adjustments which would occur naturally. Some concerns included: a change in species type due to change in available light; increased number of open trails and muddy tracks due to machinery; soil com- paction allowing influx of weed species; a break in the nutrient cycle with the removal of many or all of the large trees (nutrients are stored in the wood); soil erosion because much of the tract is located on steep slopes and physical dam- age to remaining trees, such as bro- ken limbs or scarring which would increase the likelihood of diseases. The Huron County Agriculture and Public Works Committee will meet again Feb. 10 to discuss the public input and other information gathered and are expecting to make a recommendation to county coun- cil, for consideration at the March meeting. PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1995. Groups rally for Morris Tract 2 area sites on list for 1999 Match Corn Producers support MP was We Continued from page 1 westerners and it's a thorn in the flesh of the ministry." Problems such as cost and efficiency need to be dealt with, he said. Several hearings were held with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Transportation to find ways to solve transportation problems. Recommendations are being made and action will be taken, said Mr. Steckle. "The process was difficult, at best the results will be even more difficult to achieve," he said. "I am still a farmer at heart, a rural Canadian, a realist and I believe we can achieve if there is a will to do it."