Lakeshore Advance, 2012-03-14, Page 5Wednesday, March 16,2011' • Lakeshore'Advance ?
Phragmites invading Port Franks and area
Lynda Hillman -Replay
Lakeshore Advance
1.atnbton Shores is gearing up for another
summer with the invasive phragmites aus-
- alis, The invasive Common Reed, found
46i'troughout Port Franks and area, creates tall,
dense stands of grass which degrade coastal
areas and wetlands by crowding out native
plants and animals, blocking shoreline views,
reducing access for swimming, fishing and
hunting and, in addition, can create fire haz-
ards from dry plant material. Common Reed
typically grows on coastal beaches, interior
wetlands, roadside ditches and other low, wet
areas, although occasionally it has been
found to grow in dry areas.
In a delegation presented by Port Franks
residents March 71h , it was agreed staff will
come back with a report and work long -terns
with the residents to deal with this issue.
Phragmites grass is rather easy to identify,
as it can stand up to six metres high. It grows
along the highways and throughout Port
Franks. bill MacDonald, president of the
Windsor Park Association told council phrag-
mites have been identified as the number
one threat to Ontario's coastal wetlands. I le
said the Phragmites infestation has serious
implications for recreational lake use, prop-
erty values and tourism. Also in attendance
were Paul Petersen, Port Franks Beach !Lome
Owners Association, Nacy Vidler, a director
of both associations and Geoff Peach, Coastal
Resources Manager for the Lake I Laron Cen-
tre for Coastal Conservation. Peach is a
coastal ecosystems expert.
Peach says, „The establishment of Com-
mon Reed along the Lake 1luron coastline is
extensive. Small stands, and often extensive
patches of Common Rued have been
observed in a variety of coastal habitats,
Although Common Reed thrives in coastal
meadow marshes, it has also established
along open sandy beaches, and in sand dune
habitat where 1t can access the water table.
Common Reed can displace rare species in
good quality dune habitat. This can lead to
the alteration of dune ecosystems, which
could ultimately lead to beach and dune deg-
radation." '11115 invasive reed is not specific to
Port Franks is is being dealt with at many
council tables.
Common Reed typically colonizes a new
area from seeds or small fragments of rhi-
zomes (underground stems), dispersed by
water, animals, machinery and humans.
Once established, new sterns grow from the
underground rhizomes and the plant begins
to spread. During the growing season, rhi-
zomes spread horizontally in all directions
and when fragmented, readily grow into new
plants. Seeds — as well as rhizomes broken
by natural actions such as waves, or human
actions such as dredging, tilling or operating
motorized vehicles along beaches --- quickly
spread and take root in new locations. Rapid
expansion is also promoted by other distur-
bances that give this invasive plant a com-
petitive edge, including soil disturbance and
the clearing of vegetation.
The delegation explaineri options to
remove the reeds and Peach stays this could
take up to three years to combat the issue
before regular maintenance can begin. Coun-
cil agree this is an issue and have asked staff
to bring hack a report as soon as possible.
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Phragmites growing on both sides of Outer Drive, near Port Frank
III IN IIII MI MI IIIII MI IIII
United Communities Member/Owners:
it's almost that time of year again...
Spring is almost here and so is the United Communities Credit Union Director
Elections and Annual General Meeting.
Come out and cast your vote for your United Communities Board of
Directors. Elections will be completed by in -branch voting only, from
March 23 through March 31, 2011 inclusive as allowed by Bylaw 1A.
Special voting rules apply for all corporations, unincorporated associations
and registered partnerships.
Meet the Candidates
Member information meetings will be held March 21 in the Heartland Region
Et March 22 in the Woodslee Region, to give Member/Owners the
opportunity to meet the candidates and hear directly from them.
For complete details on the Director Elections, Member Information
Meetings, and Annual General Meeting, visit myunited.ca.
Board Candidates
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Toni Fucrth
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Dennis Gerard Hogan Robert F. Jaques
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David Rats 111,11.11.111
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For the purpose of receiving reports and financial statements for the
year ending December list, 2010; appointing auditors; and tax
transacting of all otter btnlress of an Annual Meeting, as outlined on
the agenda for the meeting. Pursuant to section 7.14 of United
Communities Credit Union bylaws, no other business may be
considered at this meeting.
Copies of the financial statements, and the reports of the audit al
operational risk committee, the auditor and the loan offker, shall be
available at the meeting and at the olikes of the Credit Union ten
days before the date of the meeting.
VI. United
dor Communities
Credit Union
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