HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2002-09-18, Page 13Viewing the natural assets
Municipal councillors, clerks and building officials were invited to tour the Maitland River valley,
including this stop at Ball's Bridge, when the Lower Maitland Stewardship Group hosted an
information session, Sept. 5. (Vicky Bremner photo)
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THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18. 2002. PAGE 13
Stewardship group hosts tour of Maitland
By Janice Becker
('iii,-.en sirdr
It was an opportunity to he
reminded of some of Huron
County's often hidden resources and
he made aware of the importance.of
planning for future development.
The Lower Maitland Stewardship
group hosted an afternoon tour of the
region for municipal councillors,
clerks and building officials.
Whether hoarding a plane for ,a
tly-over or just hopping on a bus for
a drive along the Maitland, attendees
viewed such sights as the brine wells
near - Goderich used for the
_production of salt, the river gorge.
black holes, the Morris Tract,
cottage, and commercial develop--
, menus, agricultural uses, wildlife
areas, woodlots and swamps.
- North Huron Deputy-Reeve
Mun-ay Scott said the stewardship
group should he commended for
putting together such an excellent
tour.
"We have a great river in our midst
that we don't • always appreciate
because we are so close to it," he
said. "We need to he more aware of
what is going on."
Participating in the fly-over, Scott
said it was very interesting to see the•
Maitland from the air and observe
the low water level at this time of the
year. However, he noted, the
Maitland, unlike other rivers, is less
likely to go dry because of the
abundance of springs and
groundwater sources which feed it.
As a councillor, he said. "We must
be aware what we are -doing to
(groundwater) because we are in
charge of what goes into the
Maitland."
Scott was . also proud of the
Wawanosh region as the forest
cover of the area was very visible
from the air. "Wawanosh has almost
the optimum coverage to have the
system running as it should," he
said.
Though not a fisherman, Scott said
there was considerable discussion on
maintaining and improving the fish
habitat of the river.
A comment overheard during later
discussions pointed out the apparent
lack of livestock in the fields in
central Huron. Though some of this
may be due to dry conditions and
poor pastures, Scott said it may also
be a sign of a shift towards crops and
away from grazing. "It is significant
in how the land is used."
"The tour was very educational
said," North Huron Reeve -Doug
Layton. "It reminded me of what we
often forget. It was important to
drive home the ideas of planning so
we don't give away all the land for
development. It is important to
maintain the water table, wildlife
and (vegetation) growth."
Scott said that with Councils soon
looking at their secondary plans, this
tour has alerted them to "be careful
about the kind of expansion around
the Maitland."
Noting the • importance of
recreation • and other uses for the
river valley, Scott said it is important
to find balance between recreation,
tourist attractions, agriculture and
conservation.
"A lot of discussion is needed.
This tour made me more aware of
what to think about," he. said.
Speaking to the group in
attendance, Mike Malhiot, a
biologist with the Ministry cif
Natural Resource and Jack Imhof of
Trout Unlimited,' told of the
importance of maintaining the
forested areas as over-development
can put pressure on the river system.
"It is municipal processes that can
maintain it, said Malhiot.
Imhof pointed out the uniqueness
of the river valley with 15 per cent
forest cover and areas such as the
Morris Tract, the largest forested
area in the county, which is home to
450 species of plants and wildlife.
The abundance of groundwater
sources to recharge the /liver also
provide good habitats for many
aquatic species.
Because of the uniqueness of
many features in the Maitland River
valley and the lack of protective
legislation from the federal
government, municipal zoning
bylaws are necessary to protect the
wetlands, • woodlots, wildlife,
habitats and rare'species, attendees
were told.
In speaking after the valley tours.
Scott Tousass of the Huron County
Planning. Department dis,:ussed
farmland drainage and the impact on
groundwater, suggesting ne‘s ideas
needed to be found.
A rebuilding of the topsoil to
maintain moisture and creation or a
higher organic content v, ill also help
said.
Scott
hold the nutrients better he id
Scott said he would like to sec this
type of tour done regularly so
councillors can see "what is going
on in the ri
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