HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2007-07-04, Page 66
Times–Advocate
Wednesday,July 4, 2007
Opinion Forum News
SWOOP brings tour and conference to Exeter
rural Canada," Vink adds.
The first event of SWOOP is a two-
day environmental bike tour July 7-8
from Bayfield to Exeter to Cromarty.
Other SWOOP activities in the sum-
mer of 2007 include two Encouraging
Personal Involvement in Change
(EPIC), week-long action gatherings.
A week-long EPIC conference takes
place in Exeter from July 23-27 for
youths aged 13 to 19. The event
includes a trip to Camp Sylvan for an
overnight stay. Registration deadline is
July 18.
A week-long EPIC conference also
takes place in Mitchell Aug. 13-17. It
also includes a wrap-up overnight stay
at popular Camp Sylvan. Registration
is required by Aug. 8.
"Our dream is that SWOOP will help
educate local young people about local
and global environmental issues," says
Docking.
"We hope that taking part in these
dynamic events will motivate them to
make positive changes in their own
lives and become present and future
champions for a sustainable environ-
ment," Docking adds.
For information on registering for
SWOOP programs or for information
on SWOOP visit www.syc-cjs.org, e-
mail swoop.syc@gmail.com or phone
519-301-5812.
"The full slate of summer activities is
only possible with the support of gen-
erous donors," says Emily Murray of
Mitchell, the fundraising and outreach
co-ordinator for SWOOP.
All this summer's projects are fund-
ed locally, according to Murray.
"We appreciate anyone who can
help support our efforts to foster envi-
ronmental conscience, knowledge and
positive action in the rural youth of our
area," adds Murray.
Activities to raise money for SWOOP
include a Three -on -Three Basketball
Tournament June 29-30.
Bike tour —The Greencycle, hosted by the Southwestern Ontario Outlook
Project (SWOOP) July 7-8 is an environmental tour for youths aged 12-25, featur-
ing two to three dozen people bicycling about 70 kilometres from Bayfield to
Exeter to Cromarty.Above from left are SWOOP co -coordinator JosinaVink,
SWOOP co -coordinator Angie Docking and SWOOP fundraising and outreach
co-ordinator Emily Murray. (photo/submitted)
PERTH — Two environmentally -
minded youths from Perth County
decided last year that initiatives to fos-
ter environmental conscience are as
important in rural areas as they are in
cities.
Angie Docking of Staffa and Josina
Vink of Fullarton developed a concept
called the Southwestern Ontario
Outlook Projects (SWOOP). They took
the idea of community action projects
in rural Canada to the Sierra Youth
Coalition of the Sierra Club of Canada,
and with the support of that non-profit
organization, SWOOP was born this
year.
"We believed it was important to
develop understanding and action for a
greener tomorrow and to do that
here," says Vink.
"There has been some exciting envi-
ronmental education and action events
in urban centres and we felt it was
important to extend that model into
Ceremonial key —The Municipality of South Huron is considering the idea of
having a ceremonial item for special guests to the community. One concept so far
is having a "key" to the community, seen above held by Coun. Pete Armstrong
(left), Saf-T-Cab plant manager Dave Bryson and Mayor Ken Oke. Saf-T-Cab of
Huron Park made the key and donated time and material to produce it.Armstrong
said he wanted a local company to produce the item and chose Saf-T-Cab when he
learned the plant had a laser cutter.The key includes the municipal name, logo, and
an etching of the white squirrel.Armstrong thanked Saf-T-Cab at Monday night's
council meeting.They key is still a concept and council may explore other options
for a ceremonial item. (photo/Scott Nixon)
ABCA names new chairman to Water Response Team
EXETER — Conservation of water resources is a
good idea at any time but the new chairman of the
Ausable Bayfield Water Response Team (WRT) says
local people, businesses and municipalities should pay
special attention to any low-water advisories
issued this summer.
Central Huron farmer and municipal Coun.
Jim Ginn was named chairman of the WRT
last month.
"This team has an important role to play
making people aware of low-water condi-
tions and the way individuals and organiza-
tions can preserve the water supply upon
which we rely," says Ginn.
"I'm honoured to be named chair and help
with this important ongoing initiative," Ginn
Precipitation amounts for May and the first part of
June this year have been below normal. If this trend
continues, the WRT may need to consider issuing a
Level 1 low water advisory in early July for portions of
the ABCA watershed area.
The WRT was formed on a watershed basis to
develop actions suited to local needs regarding
current low-water conditions, according to
ABCA water and planning manager Alec Scott.
The team uses a combination of water data,
provincial and local legislation, communication
techniques and local tools to advocate for water
conservation.
Voting members on the local WRT include
representatives from municipalities, aggregate
producers, Ontario Federation of Agriculture,
adds.
People can watch for low-water advisories on the
website of the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority
(ABCA) at www. abca. on. ca
A dynamic new low-water advisory alert tool has
been developed for the website and is ready for launch
in July.
There are no low-water advisories in effect in the
watershed but three levels could be issued: Level 1;
Level 2 and Level 3. Level 1 involves a request for a 10
per cent voluntary reduction in water use, Level 2 calls
for an additional 10 per cent voluntary reduction in
use (for a total of 20 per cent) and Level 3 may involve
mandatory water use restrictions.
golf course owners, vegetable growers and food
processors and Ontario Federation of Anglers and
Hunters. Non-voting members include representatives
from the Ontario Ministries of Environment;
Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs; and Natural
Resources. Staff from the ABCA provide technical sup-
port for the program using information from the exist-
ing precipitation, water level and groundwater moni-
toring networks.
In cases of extreme drought, the WRT ensures that
key local and provincial decision -makers participate
actively in the process to see that water allocation deci-
sions are understood, supported and enforced.
The WRT, originally formed in 2001 was made possi-
ble by the Ontario Low Water Response Plan, which
was created after extremely dry weather in 1999. The
plan is intended to ensure provincial preparedness, to
assist in co-ordination and to support local response in
the event of a drought.
The WRT reviews watershed conditions on a monthly
basis. It is possible that a low-water advisory could be
in effect at a time when the ground is wet and rivers
appear to be flowing above normal.
But the WRT still feels that low water indicators need
to be looked at based on no shorter than monthly infor-
mation.
"A good example of why this approach is needed can
be seen with a heavy rainfall occurring in a very dry
period," says Scott.
"For a couple of days, the ground may be wet and
stream flows elevated, but then everything dries up
and we return to the original conditions. For reporting
low water conditions, we don't want to be jumping in
and out of advisories on a daily or weekly basis," he
adds.
This approach is supported by the indicators that are
used to determine watershed conditions – monthly pre-
cipitation, three-month precipitation and monthly
flows.
For information on what you can do to help reduce
water use, contact the ABCA at 235-2610 or 1-888-
286-2610 for a factsheet with water conservation tips
or visit www.mnr.gov.on.ca, www.ene.gov.on.ca or
www.gov.on.ca/omafra