The Citizen, 2002-03-13, Page 22FROM WALTON Huron East wrangles wit• h
NMP enforcement issue
length.
Councillor Larry McGrath stated,
There is a problem with enforce-
ment. The last thing I want is the
Ministry of the Environment to hand
me a nice thick rulebook and saying
you must enforce this."
Clerk-Administrator Jack
McLachlin admitted, "You are right.
There is a question of who is going
to epforce nutrient management
agreements." He went on to clarify
the fact that the nutrient agreements
stay with the land even if the severed
parcels were to be sold and said,
"We think we are creating a better
situation than is there today."
By the end of the debate council-
lors appeared resigned to accepting
Mclaughlin's statement, and voted
to pass the new zoning bylaws.
About four hours later MacLellan
returned council to the issue of envi-
ronthental enforcement when he
recounted a long meeting he had
with a ratepayer. The individual was
a neighbour of a feedlot operation in
McKillop which had been the sub-
ject of complaints on previous occa-
sions.
The neighbour complainant pro-
vided MacLellan with pictures of
manure lying next to drainage ditch-.
es and flowing into tile drains. As
well there were pictures of manure
dumped in rows on the farmland.
Although the operation had been
reported to the MOE previously
MacLellan said, "The public ate of
the opinion that they (the feedlot)
are able to go ahead regardless." .
After viewing the pictures
McGrath stated bluntly, "As a coun-
cil we have no choice but to call
MOE. If we do nothing we are being
as criminal as the people doing the
crime." He went on to say, "I would
like the MOE to be phoned ,every
day if they are not coming." •
In a telephone interview John
Scarterfield, of the MOE's 'Sarnia
office said the complaints had been
referred to them in the fall of 2001
and an abatement officer was sent to
the farm.
-He said the normal practice was
for the abatement officer to see what
measures had been taken to contain
the problem and to take water quali-
ty samples. The officer would also
assess how much manure had been
applied to the land.
It is the abatement officer's job to
attempt to determine if the operation
had exercised due care and what
actions could have been taken -to
prevent the incident. If the abate-
ment officer feels that a violation has
occurred the incident is referred to
the enforcement branch.
Scarterfield said that it was, "rare
to run across something that has
been done intentionally."
The incident has been formally
referred to the investigation and
enforcement branch and is currently
under investigation.
By David Blaney
Citizen staff
The Huron East council spent the
beginning and end of their March 5
meeting dealing with the realities of
a municipality's lack 'of power to
deal with manure spreading.
The first part of the meeting was
taken up with a discussion of sever-
al zoning amendments which are
required as a condition of severance
applications from Acre T Farms. The
applications would create several
new lots in Grey and McKillop
wards.
The amendments changed the
land-use designations on the subject
lands to limit the number of animal
units on both the new and retained
parcels. Acre T Farms has prepared
nutrient management plans (NMPs)
covering the lands as was requested
by the municipality when the sever-
ance applications were first dis-
cussed.
Council's discussion at the March
5 meeting centred around two main
concerns. Councillors wondered
about the advisability of having the
NMPs prepared by employees of
Acre T Farms.
Councillor Fergus Kelly said, "I
do not think that an employee should
be preparing these plans. It should
be done at arm's length." When he
was reminded that all NMPs are sent
to OMAFRA for comment he
responded, "Do not rely on them to
make sure everything is alright." He
went on to explain that it was his
understanding that OMAFRA's only
role was to vet the plans against a
checklist to ensure that all required
information was included.
The lack of an arms-length rela-
tionship also bothered deputy-
Mayor Bernie MacLellan.
He was particularly uncomfortable.
with the fact -the soil sampling
required for the NMPs was being
done in-house. He commented, "I
am not implying anything about
Acre T but that is -what got
Walkerton in trouble. The samples
did not come from the right place
and weren't correct."
Councillor Alvin McLellan point-
ed out that it was in Acre T's self
interest to not overload the land
because they used most of it to grow
crops. He said that overloading the
land with nutrients would actually
harm Acre T's interests.
Councillor Greg Wilson pointed
out that a desire to use their land
more productively was the reason
larger farrris were hiring certified
crop specialists like those Acre T
had used to prepare their NMPs.
Chief Building Official Paul
Josling reminded councillors that,
"as long as he (the person preparing
the NMP) is a certified crop special-
ist our bylaws allow it."
The issue of who could or would
enforce the NMPs was discussed at
CROPLIFE CANADA
Q: What's the difference between pesticides and fertilizer?_
A: Pesticides is a broad term for all chemical substances used to control, insects, dis-
eases, weeds, fungi and other "pests" on plants, fruits, vegetables and animals.
Fungicides, herbicides, sanitizers, growth regulators, fumigants, and insecticides
are all pesticides.
Pesticides are designed" to attack particular pests without affecting beneficial or
harmless insects or vegetation or microorganisms. Fertilizers help maintain the fer-
tility of soil for the healthy growth of plants and crops.
Q: Why should I use pesticides on my lawn or 'Orden? What's wrong with a
few weeds?
A: Through careful, planned use of lawn care products, proper mowing and water
practices, healthy turf offers many benefits: increasing property values; preventing
sail erosion; reducing allergens and the likelihobd of insect bites and stings; con-
trolling dust and pollen from weeds and grasses; absorbing pollutants from -the air
and reducing noise in busy urban centres to name a few. A well-kept 50' x 50' lawn
creates enough oxygen to meet the needs of a family of four every day.
Q: Are home and garden pesticides similar in nature to agricultural products?
A: Yes. Generally home and garden pesticides are the same compounds as agri-
chemicals but are more diluted and tailored to home and garden use. The toxicity
and range of pesticides offered for home and garden use is much lower than those
of agri-chemicals.
Q: How should pesticides (for home use) be stored? What is the shelf life?
A: Pesticides should be stored in a secure, well-ventilated area, preferably locked
in a safe cupboard, garage or garden shed. Most pest control products can be stored
for extended periods at temperatures above freezing. Check all labels carefully for
specific information.
- News Canada
PAGE 22. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 2002.
Worry, theme of WUCC
It has not been a good week
around Walton, as our community
has experienced some bad news and
sad news.
On Monday, Viola Traviss fell
from a ladder while cleaning cup-
boards and broke her leg. She had
surgery on Wednesday at Stratford
hospital and hopefully will be trans-
ferred to Seaforth this week.
Daughter Linda reports that she is
coming along well from the surgery
and her ordeal.
Nelson Ryan took a tumble last
week as well. He hurt his shoulder
and has his arm in a sling. He's home'
and recovering.
It is with a heavy heart that I write
about the passing of Bill Shortreed
on Saturday evening. Bill was one of
the finest men around Walton. A
strong family man and loving hus-
band, he was a conscientious busi-
nessman and farmer. He was a com-
munity man and was involved over
the years with the Walton Ball Park
and the Walton Community Hall. He
was a sportsman who enjoyed base-
ball, broomball, curling and fishing
with his sons and friends. Always
ready to lend a hand if needed, he
was , truly a good friend. His good
nature, quick wit and ready smile
will be missed by all who had the
good fortune to know him.
Our deepest sympathies and con-
dolences go to his wife Val and fam-
ily Jason, Matthew, Bradley and
Krista, to his sister Margaret and
husband Rick Mclnroy and the rest
of their family.
It certainly was a windy weekend
with a lot of damage done. While I
was doing the mail on Monday I
noticed hundreds of tree branches lit-
tering the road, four trees that were
uprooted, one TV tower snapped in
the middle, one large satellite dish
lying on its side and an outhouse
blown over. Lots of barns were miss-
ing some pieces of steel siding and
many people were out cleaning up
the messes.
If you have any news you would
like included call Jo-Ann at 887-
6570.
7 tables
in play
at Walton
euchre
The Walton Hall board hosted
the bi-weekly euchre on Thursday
evening. There were seven tables
at play and one very lucky couple.
The partners of Vera Ahrens and
Marjorie Smith, had the luck of the
Irish with them, as they had 11
lone hands and a total of 86 points,
for first place. In second place
were partners Helen Mackenzie
and Jean Keyes with 74 points.
Bringing in third place with 70
points were partners Marie Park
and Joanne Macdonald (no not
me). The lucky lone hand winners
were Joan Robinson and Bob
Regele.
Euchre is every two weeks and
lunch is served at the end of the
night.
The Women of the United Church
of Canada (WUCC) met on
Wednesday evening for the March
meeting. In charge was Val Pethick,
Judy Emmrich, Dianne Van Vliet and
Audrey Hackwell. A good crowd
was on hand to enjoy the St.
The past Sunday morning service
of Walton United Church was can-
celled due to the bad weather. This
Sunday will be the Celebration of
Communion and remember church
begins at 9:30 a.m. The discussion
Patrick's decorations and to learn
about the theme of worry. An article
by Norman Vincent Peel on how to
banish worry was read and a short
stress test was given.
Joyful hymns were chosen to cre-
ate a cheery atmosphere and to chase-
group will meet on March 27 at 7
p.m. at the home of Heidi McClure
to watch the video Chocolat and
have a discussion following.
London Conference is May 24 -
May 26.
away worry and the blues.
Business was conducted and lunch
was served.
The order forms for the bulb
fundraising venture were to he in last
week, but if you forgot call Karen
Hoegy on Monday morning.
The Youth Forum for young peo-
ple 15 - 19, happens April 18 -. April
21 but the deadline to apply is
March 19. If you would like more
information about going, please call
Joan at 887-8240.
Bd. plus 1
at Hall
meeting
The Walton .Hall board held its
annual meeting downstairs at the
Walton Hall on Thursday, March 7
at 8:30 p.m. Only the current board
members plus one visitor were on
hand to hear the reports.
The meeting was chaired by Chris
Lee, current co-chair and the min-
utes were recorded by Judy
Emmrich.
The treasurer's report was -pre-
sented, with the board being in a
positive balance. Marilyn
McDonald will do the audit again
next year.
The booking report was given by
Judy lee with our bookings being
down from last year. The acquisition
of the parking lot has been complet-
ed with all the papers being signed.
The Hall board members all
agreed to stay on for another term
and no new members approached
the board to join. New members are
still encouraged to join. Call Judy
Lee at 887-6735.
The board 'decided to host two
Spring meals, the first one at the end
of March.
The board acknowledges all its
extra volunteers who help at the
dinners, and .Audrey Hackwell and
Kathleen Williamson at the euchres.
Allan and Alice Searle have made
donations of tea and coffee to the
board.
TALK TO
YOUR
PHARMACIST
▪ about your health
checklist
The • Canadian Pharmacists
Association reminds you that
there are important steps you can
take together with your pharma-
cist to help you enjoy better
health:
/ Choose a pharmacy that meets
your needs and continue to use
only that pharmacy.
/ Keep your pharmacist up to
date on any prescription, nonpre-
scription or herbal or natural
health products (NHPs) you are
taking.
3 Ask your pharmacist to help
you choose nonprescription med-
ications or herbal and NHPs.
./ Take your medications as
directed.
3 Talk to your pharmacist if you
are unsure about how to take or
store your medications or if you
are having any problems with
your medications.
3 Never leave the pharmacy
before you know the answers to
all your questions.
For more information, talk to
your pharmacist.
- News Canada
Weather cancels service