Loading...
Huron Expositor, 2014-04-30, Page 22 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, April 30, 2014 ATVs and dirt bikes no longer allowed on ABCA areas and lands Officials made the decision due to irresponsible riding by some users Special to the Expositor The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) has decided to say no to all -terrain vehicles (ATVs) and dirt bikes in all of its conservation areas and conser- vation lands. ABCA had been one of only two con- servation authorities in Ontario that allowed off-road vehicles in certain restricted areas before announcing the prohibition. The conservation authority announced the change in policy based on damage caused by off-road vehicles, espe- cially when trails are wet. According to a press release, Recent studies showed that a number of species at risk are found in the areas where some ATVs were previously permitted. Off-road vehicles had been permitted in Parkhill Conservation Area and the Sadler Tract, since 1997, for members of the Ausable River Riders Club, through an agreement with the club. The ABCA had a positive working relationship with the bikes on trails and conservation club, said Kate Monk, ABCNs steward- lands, to keep off-road vehicles ship, land and education manager in the out of all our conservation lands." press release. This will help protect natural ACBA officials said the club was respon- areas, plant and animal species, sible for maintaining the trails but Monk and trails, according to AB CA said that having trails open for the club officials. members meant that other off-road vehi- Off-road vehicle riders will cle riders entered the areas during wet have to use alternative riding conditions and the off-season. options such as their own prop - "This created rutting and mud holes erties or sites where ATVs and and destroyed the efforts of club volun- off-road motorcycles are teers," she said in the press release. permitted. Monk also said that even with responsi- In the press release, ABCA offi- ble riding, there could be damage to areas cials said they will conduct a that are ecologically sensitive. The make- public education campaign up of local conservation areas, including about the policy change includ- sandy soils, makes the terrain less than ing direct mail to neighbours of ideal for off-road vehicles. Recreational riding can impact woodland species. Ero- sion, caused by riding, can impact aquatic species. "We just don't have ecosystems here that can support recreational riding," she said. "We thank the Ausable River Riders Club for all their positive efforts since 19977 Monk said. "We believe it is now time, with what we know now about spe- cies at risk and the impact of ATVs and dirt Own your home sooner with the best mortgage on the market. Compare our 5 -Year Fixed "We've Got Your Back" mortgage to the big banks* and you'll find we've got the best mortgage. Guaranteed. Welcome to co-operative banking Credit Unions of Ontario Visit meridiancu.ca/mortgages Call 1-866-592-2226 Or if you like, we'll have a Mortgage Specialist come to you. O.A.C. This is the rate for a closed, fixed rate mortgage with a term of 5 years. Rate is subject to change without notice. Some conditions apply. Inter- est is calculated semi-annually, not in advance. 2.95% APR assumes the typical example of a new mortgage with no costs of borrowing other than interest. Best mortgage on the market is based on a direct comparison of Meridian's featured 5 -Year closed fixed rate against the big banksspecial rates for comparable mortgage offerings posted online on their respective websites. Big banks are defined as: Toronto Dominion Bank, Royal Bank of Canada, Bank of Nova Scotia, Bank of Montreal and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. "Trademarks of Meridian Credit Union Umited. 02/2014. the affected sites, signs, flyers and clear, the ban is not open to con - online information. Staff mem- fusion, and the ban will be bers are blocking entrances used enforced, she said. by the off-road vehicles. Anyone who sees ATVs or dirt Anyone riding illegally on con- bikes on conservation lands is servation lands can face multiple asked to call Ausable Bayfield fines under the Trespass to Prop- Conservation Authority at 519- erty Act and the Conservation 235-2610 or toll-free 1 -888 -286 - Authorities Act and those fines 2610 or e-mail info@abca.on.ca can add up, according to Monk. or CrimeStoppers at 1 -800 -222 - "Our original decision to allow TIPS. ATVs in certain areas was made A list of permitted uses at con - in the hope that it would keep servation lands is located on the off-road vehicles out of our other conservation authority website at conservation lands," she said. abca.on.ca. "That did not happen!' Simply type in 'permitted uses' The new ban on off-road vehi- in the search box at the top of the cles in all conservation lands is home page. OCOA asks hunters to make 2014 turkey hunt a safe one The 2014 spring wild turkey sea- son in most of Ontario opened on April 25 and is a result of the reintroduction of wild turkeys to Ontario in the late 1980s. The subsequent growth of tur- key populations allowed for a lim- ited hunt that has expanded over the years as the number of birds continues to grow. The spring wild turkey hunt has become very popular over the years, so does the potential for abuse of both the resource and the private land upon which most hunting takes place, officials from the Ontario Conservation Officers Association (OCOA) stated in a recent press release. Officials said the combination of mandatory turkey hunter edu- Hunters are reminded that cation program, responsible permission is required to hunt on hunters, and active enforcement private land, where most turkey efforts by conservation officers hunting occurs. has resulted in many seasons of It is illegal in most of southern safe hunts. Ontario to hunt on or from pub - "Even though the vast major- lic road right of ways between ity of hunters obey the law, con- tracts of private land. In addi- servation officers continue to tion, it is illegal to hunt turkeys find a small percentage of indi- within 400 metres of where bait viduals who disregard the regu- has been deposited. lations while turkey hunting", "Conservation officers will says OCOA President Joe always investigate reports of tres- McCambridge, himself a field passing and road hunting, and conservation officer in Pem- we encourage responsible hunt - broke and active turkey hunter. ers to report illegal hunting "We will continue to actively immediately. This will help keep enforce the law and ensure that both hunters and members of the the sport of turkey hunting con- public safe during the hunt',' said tinues to be a safe sport" McCambridge. Health Unit looking for public input on transportation master plan Public meetings set for early -May in Goderich and Clinton environments that encourage active transportation plan. people to move more. • Tuesday, May 6 at 7 p.m. at "This is an opportunity for the Goderich YMCA. people to talk about what they • Thursday, May 8 at 7 p.m. at would like to see in their com- the Huron County Health munities in terms of active Unit in Clinton. transportation, both in the near Dekroon encourages all com- The Huron County Health and distant future," said Laura munity members to take part. Unit is looldng for your input on Dekroon, public health pro- "This is for all of us as citi- an active transportation plan moter with the Huron County zens, so I hope everyone who is for Huron County. Health Unit. interested in creating a healthy Active transportation is any According to a press release, community will come out," he method of going from one place the plan provides recommenda- said. to another using your own body tions for politicians, businesses Please RSVP to ldekroon@ - this could include walking, and individuals that would huroncounty.ca. cycling, kayaking, or cross- improve active transportation For more information call the country skiing. throughout Huron County. Huron County Health Unit at An active transportation plan There will be two open public 519-482-3416 or 1-87 7-83 7 - is a long-term strategy to create meetings to discuss the draft 6143. Three vintage cars damaged in Seaforth garage fire The Seaforth Fire Department personnel, along with Huron County OPP, were called to a garage fire on James Street just after 8 p.m. on April 21. The owner of the property dis- covered the fire and immediately called 911, however the fire continued to spread to an adjacent garden shed located on Church Street before officials arrived. Seaforth Fire Department per- sonnel were able to contain the spread of the fire but three vintage vehicles, a 1968 Mustang, a 1952 Mercury and a 1930 Model A Ford, kept in the garage sustained exten- sive smoke and fire damage. Damage is estimated at $100,000 dollars. The cause of the fire is believed to be from an electrical malfunction.