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Huron Expositor, 2006-02-22, Page 5Opinion The Huron Expositor • February 22, 2006 Page 5 Water pollution issues need solutions of 'real action now,' says reader To the Editor, Are we coming to grips with water pollution issues? No! The pollution of our wells, our groundwater, our municipal drains, our streams and our beaches in the Lake Huron watershed of Southwestern Ontario continues. Current laws, regulations, and the 'encour- agements' imbedded in the official plans of our municipalities and counties are not sufficient to reverse the water_ pollution trend in the water- shed. Drilling deeper wells, building miles of water pipelines for rural households, hiring more peo- ple to monitor water quality and adding more chemicals to the drinking water will certainly reduce the immediate health risks and the risk of another Walkerton. However, these actions do not prevent or reduce water pollution in the Lake Huron watershed of Southwestern Ontario. Real changes in attitudes, real changes in reg- ulations, real changes in enforcing the laws and real actions by every level of government and every area resident are required to improve the qualityof our waters. Firm goals and timelines are required. Strong initiative, unwavering courage and real commitment are required from our leaders. We can pretend that the water pollution prob- lem is under control. We can post 'Use Beach at Own Risk' signs to prevent repeated headlines. We can pretend that initiating a `Species at Risk' project for a polluted river system is good enough. We can pretend that a giant factory farm operation is no different. than a family farm of the 1950's when it comes .to "normal farm prac- tices." We can pretend that the use of chemical fertil- izers and synthetic pesticides amounts to sus- tainable agricultural practices. We can pretend that raw sewage by-passing is acceptable because it is authorized by the Ministry of the Environment. We can pretend that cottagers know where their septic system is and how to properly main- tain it. We can pretend to follow `Smart Growth' principles to curtail `Urbafi Sprawl. We can pretend that cleanup costs will come down if only we wait. We can pretend... Is it time to stop pretending and startpractic- ing real "environmental stewardship" at home, at school, at work, at play? Is it time to develop a sound 20 -year "water quality strategic plan" for the total Lake Huron watershed. Is it time for each one of us to take real action now to curb the ongoing water pollution, to curb.. the ongoing wildlife habitat destruction and to curb the ongoing environmental degradation? Here are my top 12 recommendations for "real -action -now" throughout the Lake Huron watershed: 1. Align the political county boundaries to the natural watershed boundaries of existing Conservation Authorities and expand their responsibility and accountability for water qual- ity. 2. Plant substantial buffer strips of natural vegetation along all waterways and shorelines and implement `Green Cores -Green Corridors' conservation measures. 3. Develop environmentally -sound mainte- nance methods for municipal drains and insist that drainage engineers apply them. 4. Install "mini wetlands" on non-organic farms to collect all surface runoff and tile drainage containing chemical fertilizers, pesti- cides, hormones and antibiotics for subsequent recycle -irrigation and/or filtration before dis- charge to the public waterways. 5.Replace the faulty liquid manure technology See CURRENT, Page 6 Area municipalities discuss the nee for a new fire hall in Seaforth in 1981 FEBRUARY 18, 1881 Mr. Cardno of Seaforth, the pro- prietor of our magnificent music hall, would confer a lasting favour upon all who attend entertainment held therein, if he would have another stove erected in the hall so it could be comfortably heated. It is now frequently so cold as to be not only uncomfortable, but dangerous for persons to sit in it. As John McElroy of McKillop was driving down the street with a horse and cutter on Tuesday last, the animal suddenly fell down and before the harness could be removed it was dead. We do not know the cause of death. Wm. Hill of Seaforth, has pur- chased the Logan cheese factory, paying the sum of $640. He will run it during the coming season. FEBRUARY 16, 1906 J.W. Ortwein of Hensall, was in Seaforth a few days ago. Mr. Ortwein is one of the largest deal- ers and exporters of onions in this part of the country, Most of the onions which Mr. Ortwein handles are grown in the vicinity of Hensall. Roy Scott of Seaforth has pur- chased the bicycle business, for- merly carried on by John Thornton, and will carry it on in connection with his electrical busi- ness and will occupy the store for- merly occupied by Mr. Thornton. George Hawes has sold the old Payne farm on the Mill road. Tuckersmith to Messrs. Colbert Bros. of Egmondville. FEBRUARY 20, 1931. John E. McDonnell has sold his garage property in Hensall includ- ing fine stock of supplies of all kinds and equipment to Mr. Boe of London, who is moving here and taking up living rooms over A.W.E. Hemphill's drug store. Mr. Parlmer's grocery in Hensall is looking much improved in the interior after the painting of the ceiling and decoration above the shelving. Many friends in Seaforth and dis- trict will join the Expositor in extending congratulations and best wished to Thomas Stephens of the Queen's who celebrated his 90th birthday on Sunday last. Mr. Stephens has been a resident of Seaforth for 65 years. FEBRUARY 17, 1956 Parking on Goderich Street West, Seaforth will be banned if approval of the Department of Highways can be obtained, Seaforth council decid- ed at a meeting Monday evening. A scarlet -coated Mountie was guest of honor on the occasion of the annual father and son dinner of the men's club of First Presbyterian church on Tuesday evening and held the attention of the more than 50 lads who, with their dads, attended the affair. Saturday night was old-timers night at the Seaforth arena when the stars of another day, not so far back, met on the hockey lanes as veterans of the Army competed with the Navy and Air Force. FEBRUARY 18, 1981 Seaforth may get a new fire hall this year or next. Council agreed at its February meeting to consider taking part in the construction pro- ject, pending the participation of McKillop, Hullett, Tuckersmith and Hibbert, who all get fire pro- tection from the local brigade. Hensall council met with a dele- gation from the United Church senior citizens' committee at their regular monthly meeting, Monday. Irene Davis and Bill Fuss asked for council's support to try to establish a means of getting a geared -to - income rental apartment for seniors started. With his announcement Tuesday, Jim Britnell, 52, of Goderich became the first person to step for- ward to seek the PC nomination for the riding of Huron -Middlesex in the March 19 provincial election.