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Times-Advocate, 1986-03-12, Page 27} Events planned at several locations Authority details The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority will reach a milestone in 1966- its 40th anniversary. Back in 1946 on July 30, the Ausable River Conservation Authority was official- ly created (the first conservation authority to be formed in Ontario under the new Conservation Authorities Act). With expansion of its jurisdiction in the early 1970's to include the Bayfield River watersh- ed and part of Goderich Township, the Authority became known as the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority. The ABCA feels that 40 successful CONTRACTORS AT OPEN HOUSE — Bob Boogemans of the Exeter and District Co -Op chats with area contractors Lyle Steeper, Wayne Shapton and Keith Davey at Thursday's Open House at the Masonic H,.II T -A photo Ppg t by Stephanie Levesque For the past week or so, conserva- tion authorities across the province have been holding annual meetings. For the Ausable-Bayfield Conserva- tion Authority, its annual meeting was special because it was their 40th, the same number of years that con- servation authorities have been in ex- istence in Ontario. Ontario agriculture minister Jack Riddell was the guest speaker. . The Ausable-Bayfield Conservation • Authority honored some of its retir- ing members during the annual meeting. The longest serving member to retire was John Tinney of Hay Township. He is also a past chair- man of the authority and served for 19 years. Others awarded at the AMCA an- nual meeting were Jacob Reder of Goderich Township after 14 years, John Duncan of West Williams Township with 15 years, Lloyd Huff- man of Bayfield with two years, Carl Vock of Logan Township with four years, Jacob Lagerwerf of McGillivray with two years, Brian Campbell of McKillip Township with two years, Clarence Rau, of Stanley Township with five years, Mervyn Falconer of Tuckersmith Township with throw/gars, Rom Ballantyne of_ Usborne Township Civith two years, Keith Westlake of Zurich with three years, Charlotte Postma of Adelaide Township with five years, Harold Green of Grand Bend with six years, Harry Klungel of llensall with seven years, Jack Kinsman of Hibbert Township with six years, and Anges Moore of East Williams Township with one year service. The Ausable Bayfield Conservation authority wasn't the only authority to hand out awards. The Upper Thames Conservation Authority also honoured its retiring members. Those from Perth County retiring from the Upper Thames Conservation Authority were Ken Duncan of RR 1, Kirkton after 17 years, Dr. D.P. Fit- zgerald of Stratford, Laverne WHITE'S PET SUPPLIES ATTENTIO Farmers t Pet Owners Wood $ ip o O 10 Bales Shavings • up 1 - 10 Bales $3.00 Ws now carry a complete line of feeds and accessories. For competitive prices call: Free delivery for the month of March Phone 229-6156 Open Mon. -Fri. 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday 8 a.m. to Noon Gordner of Logan Township after 12 years, Calvin Innes of Downie Township after two years, George Kollman of North Easthope after 10 years and Ivan Norris of Hibbert Township after three years. Province tunding tor the 38 conser- vation authorities across Ontario has been announced by Natural Resources Minister Vincent Kerrio. In 1986, the province will provide a total of $39.3 million for the conserva- tion authorities to undertake various water management, conservation and recreation projects within their watersheds. Kerrio noted that changes to the level of grants, to be used for captial projects as well as for general ad- ministration, are fully in line with ad- justments to the 1986 funding levels for all agencies which receive provin- cial transfer payments. For the conservation authorities located with the ministry's southwestern region, the funding has been allocated as follows: Ausable- Bayfield $691,154, Catfish Creek $493,655, Essex Region $976,515, Grey- Sauble $830,978, Kettle Creek $272,512, Long Point $422,224, Lower Thames Valley $480,749, Maitland Valley St.323,894„Saugeen Valley,$1,810,703, *Clair Region $751,624, Upper Thames River $1,381,746. Budget said disappointing A major disappointment, this was how Harry Pelissero, president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, described the new federal budget. Although seemingly innovative at first glance, the proposed commodity- baged mortgage plan does not pass closer scrutiny, says Pelissero. He pointed out that the mortgages will help only 5,000 existing FCC clients, less than ten percent of the 58,000 farmers all over Canada the FCC has classified as suffering from "moderate to severe financial dif- ficulty”. Repayment under the proposed plan is directly tied to commodity prices, but the ability to pay is' more realistically tied to profitability, stated Pelissero. Commenting on the advisory debt - review panels mentioned by the Finance Minister, the OFA president noted that these are not what the farm organizations have been asking for. "We want court -formulated ar- rangements binding on all parties." The OFA chief further commented that the rural transition program an- nounced in the subject was a "sad commentary on farming in Canada when we're designing programs to help farmers leave farming, instead of maintaining the viability of the industry." • "The Mulroney government has so far come out with two disappointing budgets," said Pelisero. "I don't know if farmers want to go to bat a third time." Two Way Radio • Rentals from $3000 per month • Rent to own plan available • Wide area repeaters covering Middlesex Elgin and South Huron counties • Featuring Motorola 2 way radios • Used equipment call Spectrum Communisations 809 Dundas St., London, Ont. 663-2109 celebration flans years of operation is worthy of some celebration. Chairman Gordon Johnson explains that the Ausable Bayfield is proud to be the longest established Conservation Authority in the province, and proud of its record of operations over the 40 years. Johnson feels that tree planting has been one of the primary conservation activities of the ABCA in terms of numbers of trees planted and acres of soil protected from erosion. "Of course, the erosion control works in Port Franks along the Cut, in Grand Bend and in Bayfield have been equally important because they have stabilized those river .banks and greatly improved the recreational value for boating." Looking to the future, Johnson an- ticipates the continuing response of the ABCA to local conservation needs. Johnson does see one specific pro - Hearing set for London Local public hearings on Ontario Hydro's proposed 500 -kilovolt transmission system expansion in London on March 18, 10 a.m. at the Holiday Inn, City Centre Complex, 300 King Street. Local hearings are also scheduled to start on April 15 inVlin- ton and May 13 in Simcoe. The first phase of these hearings, conducted by the Joint Board began in mid-November and concluded on February 7. The second phase, reviewing Ontario Hydro's proposal for a 500 -kilovolt transmission line from the Bruce Nuclear Power Development to the Essa Transfoormer station near Barrie started in Markdale on February 18 and concluded recently. Local hearings scheduled to start March 18 in London will concentrate on Hydro's proposal for a new transformer station west of London in Caradoc township. The hearings in Clinton will address the proposed route for a transmission line from Bruce NPD to the new London area transformer station. Similarly, the Simcoe session will deal with Hydro's proposal to connect the . new transformer station to the Nanticoke Thermal Generating Station on Lake Erie. The three members of the Joint Board, who are conducting these hearings are members of the Ontario Municipal Board and the En- vironmental Assessment Board. The Joint Board acts under the legislation of the Consolidated , Hearings Act which enables them to 'receive evidence and make decisions on Hydro's-proposal for expanding the'' electrical transmission system. In the first phase, Ontario Hydro witnesses explained to the Joint Board that these additional facilities are essential in order for Hydro to im- prove the electrical system reliabili- ty, transmit locked -in power from the Bruce Nuclear Power Development, reduce acid gas emissionsfrom coal- fired generating stations and main- tain adequate interchange capability with neighboring utilities. Several provincial Ministries in- cluding Agriculture and Food, En- vironment, Energy and Natural Resources are taking part in the hear- ings. The ministries while generally supportidg the need for new transmis- sion facilities, still wish to ensure the pqtential effects of the transmission lines on area within their jurisdiction are closely examined. A number of interest groups and private citizens are also. participating in the hearings. The Foodland Hydro Committee and Central Ontario Coali- tion are two active organizations that represent property owners in the study areas. The local hearings offer property owners and other members of the public an opportunity to attend and participate in the public hearings process. gram area t requires more atten- tion. " The ABCA should strive to pro- tect Environmentally Significant Areas; such as Hay Swamp, and this requires government funding sup- port," says Johnson. The ABCA has planned several public events during 1996, in recogni- tion of its fortieth anniversary. On Ju- ly 12, there will be a bus tour for the general public of the northern half of the ABCA's watersheds, a picnic and a brief dedication at the Clinton Con- servation Area. Formal anniversary celebrations will occur on July 30 at the Conserva- tion Authority's Administration Cen- tre at Morrison Dam (Exeter). Ac- tivities there will include lunch, hike, official ceremonies, and a barbecue. On August 9, the focus will shift to the Port Franks Conservation Area - official opening for the new washroom/gatehouse and fish fry; then to Rock Glen Conservation Area - official opening for the new museum/information centre and a light snack. Chairman Johnson suggests that the anniversary gives the Conserva- tion Authority the opportunity to "put forward our mandate, highlight our priorities in flooding and erosion con- trol work, and to keep those main items of the conservation effort in the minds of the decision makersandthe public." Times -Advocate, March 12, 1986 Page 15A PIONEER. PIONEER DAYG 'IS March 17-21 Extra Value 5% Cash Savings on all Seed i:.`. Volume Discount on following • Pioneer brand seed corn Alfalfa seed Sorghum Sudangrass seed Sita -Bac silage inoculant Contact: George Sereda RR 1 Centralia 235-0274 or Bill Coleman Kippen 262-5031 s.: "Attention" Farmers Are you interested in a Malting Barley Contract? 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