Loading...
The Citizen, 2003-01-15, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2003. Expert says Huron lake levels declining Lack of precipitation, an open lake and above average evaporation have all combined to cause Lake Huron to continue to decline well below its long-term average levels. According to Geoff Peach of the Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation, levels are currently sitting about 10 centimetres below chart datum. For navigational safety, depths on nautical charts are shown from a low-water elevation called chart datum. According to the Canadian Hydrographic Service, chart datum is selected so that the water levels seldom fall below it. Only rarely will there be less depth than readings portrayed on the chart. On Lake Huron, Peach said, chart datum is 176 metres (above sea level). “While the current levels are low, they are still remain above the record lows of 1964 when levels dropped to 40 centimetres below chart datum.” While lower lake levels are good for cottage properties prone to flooding and erosion, the low levels can be a problem for other industries, said Peach. For commercial ships operating out of Goderich, levels below chart datum means that the ships are unable to carry as much cargo. “That can mean more trips are required to load and unload cargo, and that increases the cost of doing business.” Safety is also a concern. Operators of recreational watercraft have to be more cautious about shallow water and boulders beneath. “The many water enthusiasts who have little experience with low levels on Lake Huron are urged to proceed with caution this coming season”, noted Peach. But while rocks and boulders might be perceived as a nuisance during low lake levels, people should think twice about removing them. “These rocks and boulders act as a protective armour against erosion of the lake bottom. Without them, erosion will deepen the nearshore and allow larger waves to threaten the shoreline, especially when high levels return.” But those considering rock removal need to contact the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to obtain the necessary permits. This is important since fines for a violation under the Fisheries Act can be up to $300,000 for a first offence. Another potential and less apparent downside to lower water levels is poorer nearshore water quality. “If the warm temperature trends continue, the more shallow water will warm up faster and longer, and this can promote increased bacterial and algal growth along the shoreline, like we’ve experienced on Lake Huron over the last three or four years”, explained Peach. Lake Huron is expected to continue its seasonal decline until March. “After that, what happens to water levels will depend on the amount of precipitation we receive in the lake’s basin, and whether or not above average temperatures continue to contribute to evaporation rates.” Tree harvesting County council briefs could make county Library bd. freezes grant millions of dollars Huron County library board has voted to freeze the amount of money it pays in maintenance grants to municipalities that host branches. The move comes after county councillors objected to a plan that would have seen the grants phased out so the money could be spent on books and longer hours. Under the new plan, there will be fixed payments to libraries, not per­ foot payments. Branch I libraries such as Clinton, Goderich and Wingham will receive $12,000 per year. Branch 2 libraries like Blyth and Brussels will receive $4,500 a year. *** Health Unit staff will make presentations to municipal councils over the next few months about the proposed county no-smoking bylaw. Meanwhile a survey of county residents found 81 per cent of people supported a ban on smoking in workplaces. The majority of those surveyed who frequent restaurants, bowling alleys, bingo halls and bars said a ban on smoking in those places would have no effect on their attendance or might have them visit them more often. Even among those who smoke, 62 per cent of those surveyed support the bans in bars. However, 36 per cent said they’d be likely to frequent bars less often if there was a ban on smoking. *** The technical review committee of th Healthy Futures for Huron Agr culture Program will be used to assess applications for a new $300,000 program to be administered through the county’s conservation authorities. The money is provided by the Great Lakes Renewal Foundation and is estimated to be enough to assist in improvements for about 15 manure storages and 12 septic systems. Criteria for acceptance are still being developed. *** The county will petition the province to allow the county’s highways department to use weather information collected by roadside weather stations along provincial highways within the county. South Huron Councillor Rob Morley told council that in times of bad weather county road crews can use all the help they can get in determining what areas need service. Though the stations are on provincial highways, many are close enough to the county system to have useful information. Since the province is already paying for this service it makes sense to allow county roads employees access to the information, he said. Books of maps with 911 designations will soon be available from county municipal offices at a cost of $10 each. The books have been printed because of a growing demand for 911 information from the public and other government agencies. The books caused discussion at the Dec. 16 committee of the whole meeting, however, when David Carey, treasurer and acting chief administrative officer, noted he had not been informed the books were being printed before receiving an invoice for $40,000 from a Goderich printing company. The cost of printing had never been included in the 2002 budget, Carey said. The situation showed the need for a purchase order system to be created, he argued. He has included the cost of a computerized purchase order system in .the preliminary budget for his department for 2003. The council approved paying the invoice for the printing. By Keith Roulston Citizen publisher A 20-year management plan for county-owned forests is being developed that could see the harvesting of more than a million dollars worth of timber. Warden Dave Urlin said Dale Edgar, acting tree commissioner is developing a 20-year management plan for the forests which would include selective harvesting. Urlin was answering a question from Goderich Councillor Deb Shewfelt who noted that during a tour of a woodlot by councillors, Edgar had estimated there might be $l-2 million in wood that could be harvested from county forests. “For years we’ve let (the forests) go without too much care,” Shewfelt said. “I think it’s time to harvest.” Urlin assured him the forest management plan will be coming to council in the coming months. Campaign goes over the top The Wingham and District Hospital Foundation has exceeded its fundraising target of $1.2 million to assist in the purchase of the new diagnostic imaging equipment at the Wingham and District Hospital. The goal was achieved Jan. 10 with the receipt of a huge donation of $175,000 from the estate of the late Lloyd Robertson, who farmed successfully for many years in Turnberry Twp. and passed away last January. Part of the money will be applied to CAMPAIGN 2001 to reach the $1.2 million, the balance, subject to approval of the Foundation Board will be used for new equipment and other projects at the hospital. “Mr. Robertson was always a loyal supporter of the local hospital while he was alive and with this gift his legacy will stand as a reminder to others that our hospital is very important to our community and deserves public support,” stated Ross Davies, chair of the Wingham and District Hospital Foundation. CAMPAIGN 2001 is now completed and Davies acknowledges the tremendous financial support that it has received during the course of this campaign which began in October 2001. The Wingham and District Hospital Foundation is a registered charitable organization incorporated in 1978 as a non-profit organization set up to receive and administer donations from the public for the sole benefit of the Wingham and District Hospital. It is operated by a volunteer board of Directors independent of the hospital. Wingham and District Hospital Foundation would like to thank Stainton Home Hardware, for the $1,500 donation. CAMPAIGN 2001 IMPROVING OUR TECHNOLOGY — HELP US HELP YOU — Contribute today by sending your donation to: THE WINGHAM AND DISTRICT HOSPITAL FOUNDATION 270 Carling Terrace, Wingham, Ontario NOG 2W0 Are you getting the financial advice you need? Your financial plan should include: ♦ Retirement Strategies ♦ RESP and Education Planning ♦ Estate Planning ♦ Tax Minimization ♦ Life and Disability Insurance ♦ Professional Investment Management For a Personal Financial Consultation call: Helen M. Hetherington, CFP (5 19) 887-9964 or I -800-869-8922 Investment (Planning Counsel" of Canada FINANCIAL PLANNING PROFESSIONALS Wingham and District Hospital Foundation YOUR CAMPAIGN 2001 HAS REACHED ITS TARGET OF $1.2 MILLION Wingham and District Hospital Foundation would like to thank the Lloyd Robertson estate for its generous donation of $175,000. Our thanks to: • Wescast employees • New Life Mills, Hanover • Friends and Neighbors, • Wescast - Casting Plant Teeswater • Bennett Farms Ltd., Gorrie • Bluevale United Church Women ************************************************ Our thanks also to businesses, organizations, memorial donations, and individuals for their tremendous financial support during the course of the campaign. You can continue to contribute to other on-going Hospital Foundation Projects by sending donations to THE WINGHAM AND DISTRICT HOSPITAL FOUNDATION 270 Carling Terrace, Wingham, Ontario NOG 2W0