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Huron Expositor, 2001-08-22, Page 13Bayfield and Maitland Valley Conservation Authorities began in 1996. Between 1998 and 2000 Sutron Data Logger equipment was purchased and installed in the MVCA flood gauging stations. • The Water Quality Assessment Services, involving site-specific monitoring of water quality was initiated in 1998. • The MVCA initiated the Maitland Watershed Partnerships (MWP) project in 1999. Over 20 local organizations and businesses are working together to develop effective approaches to dealing with watershed environmental issues. In 2001 the MWP was begun implementing demonstration projects that build on the research findings generated by the project in 2000. • In April 2001, the MVCA celebrated the planting of two million trees. 50th Anniversary Speeches and Presentations Past and present directors, chairpersons, general managers, staff, spouses and municipal representatives joined together for speeches and a celebration BBQ at the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority's 50th anniversary celebrations on August 15, at the MVCA's headquarters in Wroxeter. Starting off the evening a commemorative plaque was unveiled by a few of the children, of one of MVCA employees. Alison Lobb, chairperson of the MVCA, said it is a pleasure to represent the organization which has been preserving, restoring and protecting the health of the soil for 50 years to the communities the watershed covers. "The commitment has not wavered despite politics," said Lobb. The 21st century is an exciting time as society becomes increasing aware of environmental concerns and they are becoming community concerns, said Lobb. "Many organizations in the community serve people well but none are so notable as the conservation authority," said Paul Steckle, Huron -Brice MP. The MVCA has much to show and and there.are a great number of people who support the conservation authority. Fifty years of conservation is an achievement that has evolved to meet the fluctuating needs to the municipalities and provided invaluable environmental longevity of the communities of Huron, Bruce, Wellington and Perth Counties. Former general manager (1972/73), Dick Hunter, now the CEO of Conservation Ontario, congratulated the authority on the progress they have made over 27-28 years with their conservation Projects. n he started at the conservation authority he was told "You come to the Maitland and you either sink or swim,' he said. In total there are 37 authorities across the province. Hunter said the Walkerton tragedy is currently front and centre and it has changed the collective mindset forever on how people treat, use and abuse water. "I've never heard quite so many politicians speaking about watershed management," aid Hunter, but it is a positive step. Conservation Ontario has been involved with Part II of the Walkerton Inquiry and he hopes the time and investment will pay off in the end to instill that watershed management is a basic tenet of environmental protection. He said despite the tough times three-four years ago he is glad to say that the conservation authority is as strong as ever with a lot of support at the municipal level and partnerships at all levels. Ross Duncan, chair the MVCA Conservation Foundation, which raises money for programs the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority provides, especially the Nature Centre. He extended congratulations to the MVCA to the authority for 50 years, and said unlike people who slow down when they get to the other side of 50 he doesn't see the MVCA slowing down. "'There are Tots of young and vigorous people to carry on. The MVCA has been able to tough it out before," said Duncan. Over the years, he joked, the MVCA has gone through an identity crisis and many people weren't sure what to call it, some called it the river authority while others called it that "damned" conservation authority, for their work with the dams of course, he said. Ten years ago, he said, he was impressed when he heard people talking about the conservation movement and the glint and determination in the chin they had. This is the reason the MVCA has persisted. The only mission of the foundation is to raise funds for the conservation authority. Their main fundraiser is held in May. A large bulk of the money raised by the foundation support the outdoor education programs at Wawanosh Nature Centre. 1 1 1 1 News TME HURON EXPOSITOR. August 22. 2001-13 Maitland Valley C.A. celebrates So years of service By Sarah Caldwell Goderich Signal -Star Stuff Maitland Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) celebrated 50 years of service to the area on Aug. 15. The MVCA is dedicated to assisting municipalities, community groups and landowners to preserve, restore and protect the health of local rivers, forests and soil resources. The Authority provides a wide range of educational and technical services to reach this goal. Their area of jurisdiction encompasses the watershed or drainage area of the Maitland, Nine Mile, and Eighteen Mile Rivers, along with smaller creeks flowing into Lake Huron. Conservation Authorities grew out a desire to preserve one of our most precious natural resources - water. It made sense, then, to use watersheds as the basis for the coordination of conservation work. In the case of the MVCA a history of flooding along the Middle Maitland River was the spur that led to its formation. The MVCA began with the formation of the Middle Maitland Valley Conservation Authority in October, 1951. The initial meeting to the Authority was attended by delegates from 10 municipalities in the Middle Maitland watershed. Harold Cosens of Wallace Township, near Palmerston, acted as Chairman of the organization for its 10 year existence. During the early year Authority activities focused on flood control, forestry, land use, planning and farm ponds. The first property acquired was the Ament Tract, 250 acres in Monis Township, purchased in 1954. The land was acquired for reforestation purposes. The Authority now owns and managers 28 properties across the watershed. Two coach buses full of people participated in MVCA 50th Anniversary bus tour on August 15, visiting some of the wealth of properties across the watershed from Wroxeter to Goderich. Flood safety services have always been a primary activity for the MVCA. Technical improvements have progressively improved flood forecasting capabilities. The MVCA's Flood Forecasting Program now has over 20 years of data from which to predict trends in water flow within the watershed. Recently water level and flow data has been used to generate drought models for the Maitland River and its tributaries. Volunteers located throughout the watershed provide daily rain gauge monitoring and weather reports to the conservation authority. MVCA Milestones 1951- 2001 • The Middle Maitland Valley Conservation Authority (MMVCA) was formed in 1951 • In 1954 the MMVCA purchased the Ament Tract, 250 acres in Monis '11vp. This was thc first property acquired by the Authority and was purchased for reforestations purposes. • By 1958 the MMVCA had planted 63,500 trees. • Gorrie Community Park was purchased in 1962. This property is the site of the former Maguire Mill, built in 19867 by the Leech brothers. The mill was used as a workshop and storage arca by the Authority. The Maitland Mill Association, a local community group, is now working to restore the mill. • The MVCA was formed in 1962. Thc expanded organization represented 29 municipalities and 984 square miles of watershed lands. • Thc first step toward obtaining accurate flood waters data was undertaken in 1963 with placing of an automatic stream recording gauge on the north branch of the Maitland River. • Falls Reserve Conservation Area, 229 acres at Benmiller, was acquired in 1964 and officially opened in 1970. • The Bnisscls dam and pond was purchased in 1971.1n 1999 the Brussels Mi11 Dam was rededicated as the McCall Dam in memory of Bruce McCall. • The Maitland Conservation Foundation received its charter September 24, 1975 and be fundraising for MVCA Projects. • The Listowel Conduit Study was completed in July 31, 1975. • In 1975 the purchase of the floodplain properties in Lower Town Wingham began. • The MVCA area of jurisdiction was expanded by about 150 square miles in 1976 with the acquisition of the entire Lucknow River watershed and 10 additional miles of Lake Huron shoreline. • In 1977 the flood waming system was upgraded to monitor river levels, rain and snowfall. • The Basin Run-off Forecast Unit, developed by Jack MacPherson, was installed in 1980. The MVCA was the second authority to install the unit and is one of eleven Ontario Conservation Authorities using the system. The unit measures changes in weather systems and river flow. Water gauges places throughout the watershed give and hourly record of water levels and flow. The air temperature measurement systems are a more recent addition to the Unit, monitoring air temperature over the whole watershed. The MVCA's Flood Forecasting Program now has over 20 years of data to predict trends in water flow within the watershed. • One-quarter of the 16,000 hectare Saratoga Swamp, 12 km south of Lucknow in West Wawanosh Twp. was purchased in 1981. • The MVCA's area of jurisdiction expanded in 1985 to include Ashfield Twp. and parts of Kinloss and Huron Twps. • Windings, A History of the Lower Maitland River, written by Margaret S. Beecroft, was published by the Maitland Valley Conservation Foundation in 1984. • The first conservation education programs were offered at the Wawanosh Nature Centre in 1984. To date over 80,000 students have participated in programs in Wawanosh. • The Goderich Bluffs Stabilization Project began with 1986 with conservation of breakwater designed to control erosion caused by wave action at the base of the bluff. A rock jetty was constructed into the lake and an artificial beach at St. Christopher's Cove was created. The breakwater was extended in 1987. • The Listowel Flood Control Project, an eight -phase project begun in 1979, was officially opened in July 31, 1991. The conduit proved its effectiveness in May and June of 2000 when the area was hit with a series of intensive rainstorms. • The MVCA's first Geographical Information System, for computerized resource mapping, was acquired in 1991. The MVCA uses GIS technology to create innovative maps that visually present natural resources and land use information. The GIS service has been instrumental in the upgrading of the MVCA's floodplain maps. • Phase one of the Wingham River Flats Ecological Park Project began in 1992. • The MVCA's Rural Beaches Study of 1986-88 lead to the Clean Up Rural Beaches program (CURB). CURB was a voluntary program designed to help clean up rural sources of bacteria and phosphorus pollution. Over the duration of the program 752 projects were completed in the Maitland watershed. • The MVCA's Ecosystem Health Project (EHP), conducted in the early 1990's, identified sub -basins in thc Maitland and Nine Mile watersheds that are susceptible to water pollution problems. • The Lucknow Community Greenway Project began in 1993 and was completed in 1996. The Blyth Community Greenway Project was initiated in 1996. • In 1995 the MVCA used a unique approach to rectify severe bluff erosion problems in Goderich. Using soil bioengineering techniques cuttings from native plants were installed in the slope face. Over four acres of plant cuttings were used in the •The Maitland Conservation Foundation launched the John Hindmarsh Environmental Trust Fund on October 30, 1996. • The Joint Ventures Flood Forecasting initiative between the Upper Thames, Ausable- *. CLINTON RACEWAY Proudly presents the inaugural • to ilfc { en • s • .9 Sunday, A9i.st 2Eth,* Post Time 1:30 PM 44 *� Featuring the $30,000 LEGENDS TROT with 8 legendary Hall of Famers John Campbell Clint Galbraith Buddy Gilmour Mike Lachance Bill O'Donnell Ray Remmen Ron Waples Keith Waples 4 Autograph Session with Legends Drivers 2:00 to 3:00 PIus meet National flo.c.ket4 Le.e Legends John Fergusonuson (Monheal Canadiens)Dennis Riggin (Detroit t Red Wings) PatRiggilBoson Bruins)& Paul Ysebaert (Detroit Red Wings) from 1:00 to 2:00 * , * ► * * FO:P TME 100S • * • Kids' activities in the park Bouncy Castle & Kiddies' Fun Track, Facepainting ore Colouring books • 50c pop, hotdogs & pizza CLINTON RACEWAY 4) t k If. *Clint6rt ..ratewati is prowl tcs * feature Leger k Oats as a major * fundraiser the Clintorl Public, SChcesI Playcarl grd Jmr6v pement Prctjet! i * ... •