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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2001-09-19, Page 244,-.\ `, proven X Smokers tse,jek ° ‘=> (s- 'zt method, how to quit Attfr' . cP—c.P0,0N gradually and painlessly, while NO' 'c* you're still smoking! A phenomenal 94% graduate successfully with X Smokers. Join now! / / PAGE 24. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2001. Witmer talks about impacts of Walkerton By Margaret Stapleton Wingham Advance-Times Ontario Environment Minister Elizabeth Witmer returned to her Huron County roots when she was guest speaker at the annual meeting of the Huron Tourism Association last. Thursday evening at the Shayrina Sheep Farm just south of Bluevale. Joe Wooden, a retired high school teacher from South Huron, Exeter, introduced Witmer, who attended elementary and secondary school in Exeter before heading to the University of Western Ontario at London. Elected in 1990 as the member for Waterloo North, Witmer has held several high profile portfolios within the Harris cabinet, notably labor and health and long-term care. Her appointment as environment minis- ter is seen as an indication of her capabilities to deal with the fall-out. from the Walkerton water disaster and enact tough new legislation con- trolling nutrient management. Witmer said agriculture has con- tributed to the quality of life in Huron and the intent of her govern- ment is to "ensure changing prac- tices in agricultural don't threaten the quality of life. "The Walkerton tragedy has had'm impact on all of us," said Witmer, "but especially on rural life." The government has made every effort to ensure everybody in the province has safe drink, clean water. This means starting with protec- tion of the water supply at the source, said Witmer: the lake, the river or underground aquifer. This has meant new and tougher stan- dards and regulations to protect drinking water quality, testing and treatment, along with changes to the way results are reported and con- veyed to the public. Since the Walkerton tragedy, the province has inspected all water sys- tems in the province, resulting in improvements, but not yet 100 per cent compliance with the new regu- lations. INVESTMENT According to Witmer, these new regulations have been accompanied by money flowing from provincial coffers to see that the programs get off the ground. A total of $6 million has been com- mitted toward groundwater monitor- ing, she said, looking at the quantity and quality. "This past summer it has hit home that we don't have an over- abundance of water," Witmer said. The province is looking to other jurisdictions as well, such as Germany, where residents use one- fifth of the water we use here in Canada. "We all need to share some of the responsibility in conserving water," she stressed. In August of last year, the province announced its massive OSTAR pro- gram to provide upgrades to water infrastructures and provide "a con- tinuum of protection". The Ontario government is work- ing with other jurisdictions as well to protect our water. Just last Wednesday, Witmer repdrted, the province entered into an agreement with the federal government regard- ing ecosystems within the Great Lakes. "This is important because the Great Lakes supply drinking water to 70 per cent of Ontario's population. The federal and provincial govern- ments also will develop initiatives regarding pollution affecting beach- es, water and fish, said Witmer. This will have long-term health benefits and reduce the number of beach clo- sures in the future. NUTRIENT • MANAGEMENT ACT Many of the people at last week's meeting were eager to hear about the government's proposed Nutrient Management Act. Witmer said the act was introduced by the agriculture minister in June. Although last Friday was the last day for written submissions and hear- ings, Witmer urged those present to make their thoughts and concerns known. The act will develop an approach to nutrient materials applied to land: what can and can't be applied. "The right amount of nutrients can have benefits," said Witmer, but added clear guidelines are needed to maintain and preserve a healthy bal- ance. The final legislation will be formed upon three principles, she said. First of-all, the policy must be clear, consistent and fair. Secondly, all materials should be managed and third, the environment ministry will have the powers to inspect and impose strict penalties. There will be a special, dedicated team which understands agriculture to support the initiative. "It is possible to maintain a bal- ance between prosperous farming and the-health of communities," said • Witmer, who reiterated her earlier plea encouraging those present to make their thoughts known to their elected officials. "You have a better understanding (of the agricultural community) than those at Queen's Park," she said. Still with Walkerton, Witmer said the province is awaiting the report of the judicial inquiry into the disaster, which no doubt will contain even more recommendations on ways to ensure safe water for Ontarians. QUESTIONS & COMMENTS Mark Sully of Goderich was among approximately 90 interested individuals who attended last week's meeting. He said he is concerned about "an unprecedented growth in intensive livestock" operations, claiming there has been a 30 per cent increase in intensive operations since 1997, with ao & To a 80 c SO 40 30 • 00 10 100 per cent of the nutrients being spread on 20 per cent of the land. "It's important to have a plan to work for the whole county," contin- ued Sully. Huron County is in the process of developing its own nutri- ent management bylaw. "We have too much manure now," he said, strongly suggesting that a moratorium be placed on new con- struction until further study can be undertaken. Witmer said Sully's concern is shared in many other parts of the province. The province will set in place enabling legislation, but allowed it may be "too late too late". Sully's comment that the Nutrient Management Act is a stick, but we I failed so often I finally stopped trying. Is that where you are? Scared YEARS to quit smoking? Afraid MEMO of withdrawal? Let ma — — show you, with my 3 A still need a carrot (funding) to get people to do the right thing, drew wide applause. Scott Tousaw of the county plan- ning department said he worked on the groundwater study and found some fascinating things. However, he commented on the need for con- tinued financial support from the province. "The other side of the coin is the Healthy Futures program," said Tousaw, who noted that funding is available for rural landowners for fencing or upgrades to the water sys- tems. That program is being admin- istered in concert with the conserva- tion authorities. TO SCARED TO QUIT? DO IT GRADUALLY! AFTER ONE YEAR 25 1-866-976-6537 To11-free XSMOkerS Helping Sin° kers. Break Free Since 1978 IT'S EASY • IT WORKS! Addressing concerns Environment Minister Elizabeth Witmer spoke to the mem- bers of the Huron Tourism Association at its meeting held at Shayrina Sheep Farm on Thursday night. (Vicky Bremner photo) Worthy efforts Students in the Grade 7/8 class at Blyth Public School gath- ered toiletry items to be channelled through the Red Cross as aid for Canadians affected or stranded as a result of the tragedy in the United States last week. Back row, from left: Stacy McLellan, Lisa Nicholson, Alyssa Gross. 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