HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1975-04-03, Page 10•
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PAGI 4A--GODERICH SIGNALSTAR, THi.JMAY, APRIL 3, 1975
Project covers 6,000 acres
ildlife develo
Six thousand acres is a
considerable span of property,
but is it large enough for both
hunters 'and wildlife? Can it
support a camping facility?
Does it require road im-
provements? How many
tourists can it handle?
These and similar questions
were the topics for discussion,'
debate and tentative resolution
at a recent seminar -workshop
on the Hullett Wildlife
Management Area. Over 50
persons, attended last Thur-
sday's' meeting to present their
views and represent their in-
terest groups to the Wingham
office of the Ministry. of Natural
Resources that has charge of
the development and main-
tenance of the reserve.
Ministry , officials' Dan
Mansell, district manager of
the' Wingham office, district
biologist Rene Jones and
planner Wendy McNab
presented the history of the
area, the preliminary master
`plan for development and the
issues to be resolved. Mr.
Mansell . stressed that the
master plan was by no means
the final version, since it would
require much rewriting prior to
final authorization from the
head office. "We want your
ideas," ' he told :the audience',
"we are not going to decide
what's going to happen today."
Miss, McNab explained that the
'master plan was "to act as a
focus ..: just a first attempt,.., .
' we. need more input from the
public, constructive" criticism,
comments and feedback."
Area Im' • t
The effect of HWMA.
development on the neigh-
boring farms, the township and
on Huron County was a major
concern for all present. These
interests were ably represented
at the meeting by Hullett
Township Reeve John Jewitt,
Seaforth Mayor Betty Cardno
and representatives, Warren
Zinn 'and Spence Cumniings of,
the Huron County Development
Board.
The major aspects of this
issue seemed to be the drainage
problem involved, the effect of
suggested relocation of power
_ lines and possible damage to
surrounding farms 'related to
area development.
Reeve Jewitt explained that
o farmers were worried about
the drainage situation; "They
, don't know what the ministry's
plans are .. it's a concern."
Ministry officials agreed that
"there would have to be some
policy, some agreement with
farmers bordering the area
who have to include the area for
drainage."
The suggested relocation of
hydro -electric power lines was
also' brought under fire. The
proposition was, included
among the relevant issues of
the master plan; since "hydro-
electric power lines ate a
hazard t• in flight," it
stated. is for relocating the
two power, • . lines presently
crossing the wildlife area were
quoted at approximately
$300,000'.
Reeve Jewitt opposed the
question of reldcatio.n: "I feel
the Ministry ,had better decide
they're not going .to move
them." He asked that the
ministry' representatives ,
consider the effect of"such a
move. "They're amundesirable
element wherever they are,"
he said. •
Mike Singleton of the
Federation of Ontario
Naturalists suggested that the
cost of power line relocation
could be "money better spent.
Priorities have to be looked at
pretty . closely." Jack Graul-,
chairman of the Maitland
Valley Conservation Authority,
added his voice in opposition to
relocation of the lines: "It's let
a sleeping dog lie sort of thing."
Nick Whyte, a farmer on
property to theeast of the
HWMA, expressed some
concern over possible damages
to- the' neighboring farms -
directly related to area
development. He included crop
damage due to wild -fowl
fee •'ngan• osso' an' roug
HWMA expansion plans among
his concerns, as well as
damage by tourists trespassing•
on neighboring farms.
Mr. Mansell reassured him
as to possible expansion: "We
see no need to expand," he said.
As ,.for damage to lands and
crops, "we can reduce the'
effect of the problem,,, he
explained. He • stressed the •
ministry's interest in "the right
kind of development ... with a
good' enforcement program —
fait, strict where necessary." •
Mr. Mansell also suggested the
possibility of monetary
recompensation for damages
directly related to area
development or operation.
The necessity for road im-
' provement was also questioned
by ministry representatives.
Reeve Jewitt, however, said
"it's good enough for us ,to use,
but we're ready to co-operate."
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Impact on community .reviewed
ment debated at Hullett seminar
Those present said they felt the
Hullett Township Roads were.
in excellent condition and
sufficient for the use of tourist'
influx, since visitors to the area
would not expect paved high-
ways anyway. '
Hunting
The• compatibility of hunting
on the HWMA with con-
servation 'goals was also•
questioned by.all those present,
Mrs. Janice Shouldice, RR. 1,
Londesboro, said she was
worried about the influx of
"Yank hunters who can't tell
the difference between Jersey
cows and deer or registered
German shepherds and wolve
. Yand, who shoot at everything
that moves.." Jim Melady of the
Grey -Bruce Separate School
Boards echoed her concern on
the compatibility of the two
aims. He, said he felt the
, ministry was trying to "use the
area for two different ends."
Opposing viewpoints were
represented by Reg ,Robinson
and L1'oyd Ratz of the
Federation of Ontario Anglers
and Hunters: Mr. Mansell
explained "We know it's a
problem, but we feel we can
solve, it We don't want to say
'that's a problem, so we don't
want to do it'." Mr. Jones also
suggested that the two interests
were not incompatible: "Our
goal is wildlife oriented
recreation, but hunting is not in
conflict with the, educational
aspect. It is a legitimate form
of recreation, ' and in -some
instances can, be used as .a
management tool ... There is a
wide gap between the people
a un an p
hunt .::.We need education to
show that both groups require
- the same. things, . namely,
respect for habitat
reproduction ... We can get
around the problem of conflict
of areas."
Education •
The • format for educational
programming was also
discussed by those present. Jim
Coulter of. the Huron County
Board of Education asked only
"an extensioncontinuance- of
co-operation." Hesaid he felt
"no need for 'specific facilities
for educational purposes" '
aside ,from,those already in the
planning. The major need, he .
said, was to develop "an un-
derstanding of whatis going on
here, rather than create an
artificial' situation ... This area
may become rather unique in
_southwestern Ontario ... then,
yes, other groups" will , be
coming in, but right. now let's
Dist learn what we have in our
own backyard." ^" "
Mr. Singleton said he is
disturbed by "the lack of
concept of urban children as to.
wildlife areas." He said thattoo
many people saw such areas as
environments , completely
divorced from real-life ex-
periences an3stressed the need
for "real -events in an area
suitable for interpretation
purposes." Mr. Singleton said
that use of the area by
educational groups in the area
was of prime concern..
Recreation
The various aspects of
recreation and tourist facilities
were brought under fire by
those present in debates on
camping areas, concession
Here'st good
neighbor
for life
stands and, AiSe of, selected
areas byZ.. snowmobilers,
bicyclist and motor vehicles.
The general opinion on
camping and concession rights
seemed to be that private
sectors be given a chance to
develop these rights. Mr.
Singleton suggested that
"private industry should be
provided with' as much op-
portunity as possible ... The
ministry could provide
guidelines to stimulate
imagination on design and
operation. Mr. Cummings
agreed -that it should,be "up to
commercial enterprises to
develop a tourism industry."
Mr. Robinson suggested that
a decision on this subject be left
till later.. `Isn't this something
you could play by ear?" he
asked, adding "Give the others
a chance first ... if nobody does
anything and you still feel a
need for it, then you can still do
it." Maurice Beane of the
Huron County Federation of
Agriculture jokingly proposed
another alternative: "For the
benefit of some parents,
wouldn't it be a, help not to have
eats here at all?"
The use of the • area for
seasonal , recreation was
heatedly debated: °Reeve Jewitt
tuggested that "on 6,000 'acres
here's room for a lot of
things." Miss McNab of the
Ministry `of Natural Resources
explained; however, that
"darns and dikes will cut out
some of the area .., and in the
winter we would like to provide
snowshoe and - cross-country
skiing trails which are more
compatible with wildlife
viewing than is snowmobiling."
Mr. Graul expressed similar
views, stating that "I don't
think it's our job to make
glorified snowmobile trails ... I
don't think this is the idea of
it," Mr. Singleton also
suggested that "wheel• vehicles
ate rough on, terrain and on
breeding sites." . He cited
compaction as a major con=
sideration, and said he hopes
"they would be given a specific
area . of specific trails" if
snowmobiling is ultimately
permitted.
More Work
The planning and develop-
mental preparations for Ape
HWMA are by no means
complete. Mr. Mansell ex-
plained that opinions and input
are still being requested and
asked for in the next few weeks.
The suggestions will then be
worked into a formal sub-
mission of plans to the regional
office, then to the provincial
office for approval. He said,"
that, hopefully, plans should be
ready for implementation by
the start of summer.
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