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Home My WebLink AboutTimes Advocate, 1991-08-28, Page 31 V jj j 1\1T l 1 Y ■ t 1 111 lU -w V waw, rr $6 million program announced to clean up Ontario's beaches PORT BLAKE - The Ministry of the Environment has unleashed a • $6 million program aimed at clean- ing up Ontario's rural beaches. Beach closings are becoming in- creasingly common. About 25 ru- ral beaches on the provinces lakes and waterways are posted as being unfit for swimming each summer. The publicity surrounding such closings is harmful to tourism even though the true source of the prob- lem may be far upstream or inland. The CURB program (Clean Up Rural Beaches) was announced Thursday morning on Port Blake's beach by Middlesex MPP Irene Mathyssen. "Clean beaches are an important part of life in our rural communi- ties," Mathyssen explained. "We are now seeing dozens of beaches in rural Ontario posted as unfit for swimming each year; this is unac- ceptable." The CURB program will be as- sisting farmers to eliminate runoff from manure storage and farm yards, and to improve poor manure handling practices. The program also aims at keeping livestock away from watercourses by helping farm- ers build fences and install water- ing troughs. The washwater from dairy operations also contributes to the bacteria build up in lakes and rivers if not handled properly. But the program is not just target- ed at improving agricultural prac- tices. It also recognizes that many Lakeshore cottagers do not have ad- equate or properly functioning sew- age systems, and those property owners will be assisted in making necessary repairs. "I'm excited about it...I've been following it very closely," said Grand Bend reeve Bruce Woodley who attended the press conference, He pointed out that Grand Bend suffered the consequences of hav- ing its beach closed to swimmers in 1983 and 1990. He said he had contacted the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority about im- proving the water quality at the Lakeshore and in the river, but this provincial program will go a long way to easing his concerns. "That's exactly what 1 wanted - to clean up the beaches," said Wood- ley. While there has been some su-- gestion that Ontario might avoid some beach closings by slackening its bacteria limits to 200 fecal colif- orms per 100 ml from the present 100 coliform standard, Woodley said he wanted an improvement m water quality, not a revision of the standards. "No, I don't want to see it backed off," said Woodley. MPP Paul Klopp said he was glad that the program recognizes the contribution of faulty sewer systems to the beach problem. He said farmers are feeling "dumped upon" and being blamed for pollu- tion. At least, said Klopp, the pro- gram is one which includes finan- Program announced - Middlesex MPP Irene Mathyssen (left) an- nounced the Ministry of the Environment's new CURB program at Port Blake Friday morning. Beside her is Tom Prout manager of the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority, one of the agencies which will be administering the $6 million program. Seip's 235-0262 cial incentives, not just harsher reg- ulations. Mathyssen agreed, and said those incentives were the most important part of the program. She said farm- ers are the "original conservation- ists" and "want to be part of the so- lution" to rural pollution. She said CURB will give the province's conservation authorities the opportunity to give farmers and property owners the money they need to help solve the pollution problems that contribute to the beach pollution crisis. The program, said Mathyssen, is "not finger pointing, but working in a positive way to find some solu- tions." The $6 million is being funneled to eight different Ontario watershed conservation authorities, and may, in future years, be expanded to as many as 20 watersheds. `ANew Spirit of Giving A Wirral prargruu tar enn urge giving and %oluntcering Page 3 A. John Hughes, C.D. Denture Therapist Box 839 37 Green Acres, Grand Bend. Ontario (519) 238-5300 409 Baker St. (Rear) London, Ontario (519) 439-9386 ANNOUNCEMENT The McKillop Mutual Insurance Company Seaforth, Ontario is pleased to announce the appointment of Exeter Insurance Brokers Ltd. as representatives of our company in this area, servicing, farm, commercial and residential policyholders We look forward to a very pleasant and profitable association. James Cardiff, Manager Summer Sale� • Display Sets • Umbrellas • Cushions • Complete groupings • Discontinued Lines • One only items CA$t�AL INDUSTRIES INC. 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