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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2005-02-24, Page 24PAGE 24. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2005. Getting farmers on side a challenge, says Luinstra By Keith Roulston Citizen publisher Getting farmers, the largest holders of land, on side with source water protection will be a big challenge says Brian Luinstra. water resources co-ordinator with the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority. Speaking at the MVCA annual meeting in Wroxeter Thursday. Luinstra said that source water protection is being implemented by the provincial government at a time when farmers are facing an emergency in income due to (he BSE crisis and historically-low crop prices as well as increased government requirements through such things as nutrient management planning. Luinstra said that between the O'Connor Report on the Walkerton tragedy and four subsequent reports into how to implement source water protection, there have been several thousands of pages written on the subject of how to protect water from being contaminated in the first place. The theory is that it’s cheaper to keep water from being infected with pollutants than to clean up the water that has been affected. The approach is to protect water on a watershed basis and conservation authorities have been assigned a primary role in doing this. Over the next six months MVCA staff must assemble a “water budget" containing all watershed data so they can understand who’s using water, what water is available and what will happen in the case of land use change or climate change. The MVCA and Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority have been combined as a watershed region, but each will have its own Source Protection Board (the CA members), its own watershed protection committee, . (a stakeholder committee), and create its own plan. The fact each CA has its own Source Protection Planning committee is important because each will want to ensure it will involve local stakeholders. Luinstra said. "We need good stakeholder input at the start to create a good long-term plan." he said. MVCA has a specific issue other areas don't: “how do we reach out to the Amish and Mennonilc communities." Luinstra said, noting the conservation authority doesn't have regular contact with these landowners. Another challenge will be to identify who should be at the table for planning, he said, noting he understands there will be five seats recommended for municipalities but there are far more municipalities included in the coverage area. As well as how to involve (he farming community there's also figuring out what additional responsibilities will be given to municipalities under source water protection. Even once a plan is developed it will be an ongoing project. Luinstra said. “We’ll make mistakes we'll have to go back and change." In a question from the floor. Luinstra was asked if there would be any compensation for farmers and homeowners if the value of their properly is devalued by restrictions under source water protection. "At this point (the province) is not identifying how they're going to deal with that." Luinstra said, “but if we don't think about how- this is going to be implemented we won't get buy-in from farmers and farm groups." Source waler protection planning is going to be one of the priorities for MVCA in 2005. Phil Beard, general manager told the meeting. Rick Steele. watershed information co-ordinator, outlined the operation of a new website set up under a pilot project with the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority. The “My Land. Our Water" website helps inform landowmers about how' likely it is for water to run rapidly through, or over, their land based on a high, medium or low' probability. Property owners can click on a map on the website to identify their specific property and get information on the topography and soil structure of their land. The website is part of a three-part communications strategy which also involves personal visits by MVCA extension staff as well as a kiosk in the MVCA headquarters where people can come to gel information. "The goal is to raise awareness about their property." Steele said. Landowners can access information on their property through myland.mvca.on.ca. Beard said the MVCA's watershed partnership team wants to tackle the problem of conflict between lakcshorc residents and inland landowners by trying to create greater understanding. The group wants to organize a tour to show what can and is being done by farmers to protect waler, show the improvements Goderich has' been making to its sewage treatment system which reduced bypass incidents to zero last year, and review rural waler quality projects and alternative farming systems. Meanwhile the terrestrial team wants to encourage better forest management and encourage more reforestation of marginal lands. Beard said. MVCA is also proposing providing forestry management services for the Huron County Forests since the county doesn't have a forester on staff. This would include developing a management plan for the county forests. Alison Lobb of Central Huron was returned for a fifth term as MVCA chair. Mark Beavan of Grey Twp.. the representative for Huron East, was named vice-chair, replacing Pat King of Goderich who said he had to cut back his workload on doctor's advice. New to the role Huron East councillor and a director on the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority board, Mark Beaven is the new vice-chair. He replaces Pat King. Alison Lobb of Central Huron was returned for a fifth term as chair. (Keith Roulston photo) Cutting hair for a cause I advertiser on a small budget during our By Clint Haggart Clinton News-Record It started as a personal goal for a Central Huron Secondary School (CHSS) student. Tori Scott was going to cut off 10 inches of her hair to donate to the Canadian Cancer Society. “1 wanted to cut my hair in the summer. ’ said Scott, adding teacher Joel Gilbert convinced to wait, get more girls involved her and make it into an event, which ultimately was held at CHSS last Tuesday. According to Scott, Krystle Gingerich. Corey Johnston, Laurie Sysouthan, Rebecca Schultz, Nicole DOUBLE YOUR March 3 & 10 Get a full page (regularly $393.75) for l/2 price ($196.88) Get 1/2 page (regularly $196.88) for 1/2 price ($98.44). (All prices do not include GST). Use this offer to create special sales. SCOTT Moore, Brittany Fry and „ Becca Johnston all agreed toClipped for a cause .. , . . . ®collect pledges to have at least 10 inches of hair cut off to help make wigs for people with cancer. In a show of support, Blair Miskie and Tasom Jeong along with six male teachers, Jim -Cooke, Barry Brohman, Wes Morley, Terry Barton, Joel Gilbert and Bill Shore agreed to have their heads shaved. The group donated $2,500 and the hair to the Canadian Cancer Society, who will in turn give the hair to a company that makes wigs for children with cancer. Aidan Harrison, an exchange teacher from New Zealand, also had his head shaved at the event. It's our way of saying thanks for your patronage and letting you put on a big splash for the readers of the more than 2000 copies of The Citizen. For more information contact: Heather or Cappy at 523-4792 or 887-9114 Fax: 523-9140 The Citizen Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County r