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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLakeshore Advance, 2011-06-15, Page 92011 • Lakeshore Advance 9 Zone 3 committee presented.findings to 1Ii-Municipal board Lynda Hinman-Rapley Lakeshore Advance '1111 Launbton Shores Zone 3 committee \vas permitted to delegate at the lune Tri -municipal Board meeting last week. Members from Bluewater, South i luron and Lampton Shores listened as ,e,ber DIck Matzka spoke to the group and gallery. 4L.,"My name is Uick Matzka. 1 am a life-long resident of tiaguthcott Pines and a member of the Zone 3 Community Group which is a citizen advocacy group founded in January, 2010 by north Lanibton Shores homeowners that were trou- bled by the municipality's lack of transparency in dealing with wastewater management services, When formed, each of the 5 ConlmunIty Associations had a representative. 'Ihe current members are shown on the left of this slide. Associates are individuals that have contributed to our efforts. The Commit- tee's original goal which still applies Is stated in its Mission statement:'I'o persuade the Municipality of Lambton Shores to adopt an ecologically appropriate and sustainable waste management system for Zones 3 & 4 through an accountable public process. Let me be absolutely clear, no member of the Committee is an engineer nor professes to be an expert in waste management but for the past Ili months, we have been educating ourselves and the public on issue's related to septic systems, sewers anti sanitary treatment fal'111IIe's" lie \\'t'llt 00 to say, "Milch of that education has involved field trips to: Woodslee, ON - where we were guided by the maintenance workers of their 94 unit low pressure / grinder pump system - they provided an honest assessment of the system and would not recommend it. New 1 lamhurg, ON - where we had a tour of an operating Sequential Batch Reactor plant. Again the plant operator provided an intimate view of the process and described strengths and weaknesses of the system. St. Jacobs, ON - where we had our first view of an oxidation ditch reactor or an 'Orbal' single channel plant. Finally, at Dr. '[hsfi's recommendation, we toured the 'Tilbury 'Orbit!' three chan- nel treatment facility. The plant was engineered by Dillon, and would be a model for the Grand Bend facility, Matzka explained the highlights of each design and their concerns. He explained the flows and plant size. ills last slide detailed the recent capital project in l.ambton Shores although he (lid not discuss this with the board." In summary, Matzka said ,"'this project has caused a great deal of confusion. As you have seen we have received multi- ple different reports concerning the amount of influent going into the lagoons. According to the 2008 reports LS pumped more influent in winter than we did in summer, now we know that's not possible. " "Ask yourself the following question. I low costly will this proposed facility really be, how much will it cost to operate and how much influent will this proposed facility really han- dle? Why does the single Tilbury unit handle up to 14,6721113 and the proposed l,aunbton Shores unit which is almost twice as big only handle 4,659 m3 and then only in the year 2031. In the long term Grand Bend will need an expanded and upgraded sanitary treatment facility. We feel the options were not honestly reported and the assumptions made were skewed to point to a plant type and size that will not be appro- priate, practical or economical for current or futures needs of Zones I to 4:' Matzka gave each board member a copy of the presentation as well as some questions. The board will review the informa- tion and conte back to the table in early July. To see the entire delegation check out www.Iakeshoread- vance.conl or Facebook Grant provides money for wetlands project Katie Brickman The Healthy headwaters Wetlands Initiative was the recipient of the RBC Blue Water Project Leadership Grant on June 10th. The $100,000 grant to Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) will be used towards the wetlands project to restore and enhance important wetlands, which will benefit the water qual- ity and quantity in Huron and Middlesex counties. "'Ihe Foundation works to raise funds to finance projects that are designed to conserve and protect natural landscapes in the Ausable River and Bayfield River. We rely on donations to carry- out these projects that will benefit our children, our grandchil- dren, and future generations," said F.nlie Miatello, Ausable Bay- field Conservation Foundation Chair. The grant will provide money towards staff time to design and materials to construct the wetlands. Laura Gainey, RBC Regional President for Ontario South was on hand to deliver the cheque at McNaughton Park in Exeter. "At RBC, we believe that virtually everything has to do with water because water is really fundamental to the sustainability to all life on our planet and of lack of clean, fresh water is consid- ered to be one of the major threats to human health and eco- nomic development across the world," she said. More than 20 RBC staff members were on hand to deliver the cheque and participate with approximately 25 children in the Ausable River who were looking for bugs and fish at the bottom of the creek. "'Ihe community will put the money to good use. RBC wants to assist in wetlands and water quality and quantity so future generations can have cleaner and better water;' Gainey said. 'Ihe grant will also provide technical and financial support for landowners to enhance and restore wetlands as well as offer education for students. "Restoring wetlands in this part of Ontario is one of the great- est environmental improvements," said Miatello. "RBC Founda- tion is making it possible for more landowners to undertake 4014. Need Mortgage Money? Farm & fiesidential 1 & 2 Motigage S 3.25 Interest or Less • No upfront fees • Personal loans/mortgages • Consolidate your debts • Problem mortgage specialist Head Office Ph: 519.744.6251 Licit 10163 if you qualify, payments: Amt. Anorox. Mo. Payment ' 5,000 ' 13.55 '10,000 ' 27.08 '50,000 '135,42 '100,000 '270.83 ASTRAL FUNDING INC. 84 10th Street. 1-800-387-1932 Hanover these important projects." Mari Veliz, Healthy Watersheds Coordinator with ARCA explained that the money will fulfill their mission for cleaner water. "'there was more wetlands in Iluron County, but with more land use, We don't have as much wetlands," she explained. "Wet- lands are important in purifying water, holding back water and erosion problems" The grant will be able to allow ABCA to work within the com- munity to enhance the local community, Veliz stated. "It seems like a lot of money, but a lot of work will be needed;" she said. Jim Ginn, ABCA Board of Directors was present to thank RBC for the grant. "I and very impressed with this generous donation. Water is the most valuable resource and the money will go towards tech- nical studies. Wetlands are important to water quality and quan- tity and it is the habitat for 600 plants and animals." The healthy headwaters Initiative is a local project, which works with landowners in 1 iuron and Middlesex counties to restore and enhance wetlands. So far, 332 acres of wetlands and trees have been restored through participation of local landown- ers over the past three years. The RBC Blue Water Project is a 10 -year, $50 million global commitment to project freshwater. "We are lucky to have world class organizations like Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority who are committed to environ- mental stewardship. The work that you do really is amazing and that's why we are so please to annotttice tiiis $1(1(1,(X)1 donaltioil;' said Gainey. "We really applaud your efforts and it's through your hard work and your dedication that future generations of PECKITTS MEN'S WEAR Special Father's Day Selection • 1)r\ 1('t11 (,1)11 ti111r1 • 1 1.1:,1;,11 ( ()11111)1 t 1',1111 • S11o1-t'- • 1 1111' til('(' t' X1)1)11 'Hirt,. 'ft' 011 Hwy 21 s. Grand Bend 519-238-6165 Olsen 363 Days a Year Canadians will be able to ensure a cleaner, more sustainable world in the future." Choices for Seniors Information on Independent Living Is There Hidden Salt in Your Food? The Heart and Stroke Foundation tells us that reducing the level of sodium in our diet would reduce the number of strokes and heart attacks in Canada and save countless lives. Foundation experts report. 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