The Rural Voice, 1980-08, Page 16GUEST COLUMN
Environmental problems?
The Ministry of Natural Resources can help you
BY NORM RICHARDS, DISTRICT MANAGER, WJNGHAM
MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES
The Ministry of Natural Resources is concerned with the
physical resources of land, water, trees, fish, wildlife and
minerals for outdoor recreation and resource development. The
Ministry therefore has a major reponsibility to sustain the supply
of renewable resources as well as to utilize and manage natural
resources so as to minimize adverse environmental effects.
Within the Wingham District, which includes all of Huron and
Perth Counties, the southern townships of Bruce County (Huron,
Kinloss, Culross and Carrick) and Minto Township in Wellington
County, the Ministry attempts to provide the public with an
integrated resource management package of services interpreted
within an agricultural context.
Examples of services which should be of interest to rural
landowners in the District include: woodlot evaluation and
marking, tree planting, woodlot management, advice on the
construction of structures abutting lakes and streams, law
enforcement associated with hunting, trapping and fishing, and
information on outdoor recreation activities such as camping,
canoeing, fishing, hunting, trapping, snowmobiling and cross
country skiing.
The Ministry staff are very much aware that in this part of the
province the management of natural resources has to fit in with
farmingShowever on occasion certain regulatory powers which
the Ministry has over development, for examplesnatural stream
alterations, are a source of irritation to landowners who may not
place the same value the Ministry does on whatever aspect of
resource management is at issue. Such conflicts are inevitable
when a government agency is mandated to regulate in pursuit of
objectives established for the good of the public in general, that
is in this case to protect fisheries habitat. while the landowner
desires to improve the drainage of his land by proposing to
dredge or divert a stream. Various types of alterations to streams
may do irreparable damage and can cause social and economic
losses to fisheries, if not carefully planned. The respective laws
and regulations do not mean that the Ministry will be blocking
every project possibly affecting fish habitats. It simply means
that each project is reviewed to determine its impact on fisheries,
public rights and the rights of adjoining property owners.
Accordingly, if you are planning work near the water it is
advisable to contact our District Office to discuss the proposed
construction plans.
In recent months mainly due to the afore -mentioned example
of potential conflict the Ministry is making a determined effort to
inform the public of its regulations as well as more clearly define
its role and responsibilities in managing natural resources in an
agricultural community.
If we can be of assistance in any way concerning our services,
please contact our office at Zenith 92000.
HOW IT WORKS;
20" disc. blades, mounted on individual pivots, are
rotated by hydraulic motors to cut bean plants off
below ground surface. Each pivot -mounted section
rests on two depth wheels. Two or three windrows
are produced, depending on the number of blades.
The Smyth Bean Cutter can be mounted on the front
or on the rear of a tractor. This compact machine is
not bothered by mud or'trash.
Canada's first rotary bean cutter is a product of
the George Smyth Welding and Machine Shop.
THE FIRST NEW IDEA IN BEAN
PULLING IN 70 YEARS
SMYTN
Welding and
Machine Shop
RR 2, Auburn, Oncario (519) 529-7212
PG. 14 THE RURAL VOICE/AUGUST 1980