Clinton News Record, 2014-07-30, Page 7Wednesday, July 30, 2014 • News Record 7
Council favors idea of wharf expansion in Goderich
Tara Ostner
The Clinton News Record
A public meeting was
held in Clinton on July 21 to
consider a proposed zoning
by-law amendment and offi-
cial plan amendment under
Sections 34 and 17 of the
Planning Act. The rezoning
and plan amendment would
occur as a result of the
expansion of the wharf facili-
ties in the Goderich
Harbour.
Kelly Vader and Roland
Howe spoke to council
regarding the expansion and
described how it will specifi-
cally affect Central Huron.
Approximately 11 acres of
the property in question is
located within the Munici-
pality of Central Huron and
the project straddles the bor-
ders of Central Huron,
Goderich and Ashfield-Col-
borne-Wawanosh in
particular.
One of the main reasons
for expanding the wharf is to
receive new, larger cargos as
well as to possibly export. Up
until now, the area has been
"constrained by a lack of
space," Howe said. He also
stated that whatever equip-
ment is required, such as,
large cranes, "will be
brought in." Howe also
described how the mine will
benefit from the wharf
expansion.
Vader then pointed out
how various assessments of
the potential impact of the
expansion have been per-
formed including assess-
ments of the local geology,
fish habitat, noise and air
quality.
Coun. Brian Barnim
responded to the proposal
by stating that the expansion
would be "nothing but posi-
tive for the entire county."
Mayor Jim Ginn raised a
question regarding the
ownership of the land in
question and Vader con-
firmed that it is owned by
the Township of Goderich.
The Mayor also asked about
public access to the area.
Howe responded by
describing how there will
be a walkway along the
river much like a boardwalk
and said that people could
easily access the area by
foot.
Coun. Burkhard Metzger
raised a question about
funding and Howe
responded explaining that
the expansion is primarily
funded by the province of
Ontario and the agreement
was going to be signed in a
matter of days.
Council concluded the
discussion by pronouncing it
was in favor of the official
plan amendment.
Flood and erosion safety is key concern for MVCA
Tara Ostner
The Clinton News Record
Representatives from the
Maitland Valley Conserva-
tion Authority (MVCA),
Steve Jackson, Geoff King
and Phil Beard, presented
council with an outline of
the proposed restructuring
of the MVCA's services and
priorities in hopes of receiv-
ing council's feedback. Flood
and erosion safety is the
MVCA's main focus and was
the main area of discussion
at the July 21 meeting.
Steve Jackson talked about
the emergency plan that the
MVCA has in place in case of
flooding and explained how
$36 million worth of land along
Lake Huron is susceptible to
erosion. He described how the
MVCA goes to great lengths to
ensure that it has the expertise
that is required to deal with
high risk areas in the event that
they were ever impacted by
flooding and erosion. Geoff
King further emphasized how
important it is to control water
and keep the nutrients and soil
on the land and out of our
waterways.
With respect to cutting
down costs, it was noted that
the Maitland Mill in Gorrie
and Logan Mill in Brussels
are two locations that are
particularly in need of work.
The MVCA "cannot afford to
put money into structures
we don't use," stated Beard.
Falls Reserve Conservation
Area is another location that
is in major need of an
upgrade that would cost
between $700,000 and
$1,000,000. It was stated that
the MVCA's board of direc-
tors does not see the priority
in this upgrade and wishes
to lease the area out in 2016.
When the presentation was
finished council offered posi-
tive feedback. Coun. Alison
Lobb described the restruc-
turing of the services and pri-
orities as being "very progres-
sive" and stated that the
MVCA has "chosen the right
directions." She also noted
that a lot of staff energy must
have gone into making these
changes and decisions. She
agreed that climate change is
here and that the effects of
flooding and erosion are
going to prove to be costly.
Coun. Burkhard Metzger
asked about possible future
school programs that work
around the MVCA's initiative
and Beard responded that
the MVCA plans on looking
into youth programs in
particular.
Federal government launches $10 -million National Recreational Trails Program
The Honourable Denis
Lebel, Minister of Infra-
structure, Communities
and Intergovernmental
Affairs and Minister of the
Economic Development
Agency of Canada for the
Regions of Quebec, the
Honourable Rob Moore,
Regional Minister for New
Brunswick and Minister of
State (ACOA), and Jo -Anne
Farquhar, President of the
National Trails Coalition
(NTC) recently launched
the National Recreational
Trails Program.
Canada has a vast net-
work of recreational trails
which allow Canadians to
experience the outdoors
and appreciate this coun-
try's natural beauty. Thanks
to a partnership between
the Government of Canada
and the National Trails
Coalition, $10 million will
be available between 2014
and 2016 to help expand
and rehabilitate Canada's
snowmobile, all -terrain
vehicle and non -motorized
trail system.
Now that the National
Recreational
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responsible for selecting
and approving projects.
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