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Lakeshore Advance, 2012-07-25, Page 122 Lakeshore Advance • Wednesday, August 3, 2011 Reducing mosquito problem key to three partners CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 General Manager and Secretary Treasurer of the ABCA. We will continue to work with the people in the comrnunity to help make it possible once again for residents to enjoy all areas of Parkhill, both inside and outside." Actions undertaken so far include the application of mosquito larvicide to 11 additional catch basins with more loca- tions pending. Some potential mosquito habitat has been removed, as well, and water flow is being improved in ditches, creeks and drains based on information provided by the public. Great Lakes Lawn Care has also started applying garlic to a parcel of land at the Great Canadian Hide- away campground near Parkhill to evalu- ate its effectiveness. Also underway is an in-depth investiga- tion of a 25 -hectare (62 -acre) manage- ment area, downstream of the Parkhill Dam, that is a combination of conservation authority, municipal, and private land. Follow-up action is expected to increase flow where water is stagnant, irnprove drainage, and reduce standing water and low-lying areas where mosqui- toes can breed. Further action is scheduled for August, including removal of obstructions in Cam- eron -Gillies Drain to improve flow and reduce stagnation. Activities to reduce potential mosquito habitat will also take place at locations upstrearn of the dam, adjacent to sewage ponds, at catch basins on private property, at the landfill site, and along the old railway tracks. The munici- pality has created opportunities for resi- dents to take part in the clean-up effort along the former milway trades. lhe tenta- tive date for that volunteer clean-up effort is Saturday, August 13. Rain date is Satur- day, August 20. Visit www.northntiddlesex. on.ca or phone 519-2.94-6244 for details. A sign-up list is available at lbwn Hall. Senior staff from the three organizations Nth a Splash O Our Free Ecalash August 51611171 2011 Free Admission • Rain or Shine - Details at www,grandbendaquaf est,ca Three days - Five venues: Brand Band Mon and Optimist Youth Ca e% River Roads, Main leach, Pinery Provincial Paris, and Wait gpparwaah Binh Highlights include: Juno Nominated Singer Songwriter Danny Michel Dr. John Ibvmid Comedian AIoolelion of PhysIotana for the Environment Great Lakes Chowder Competition with Chef Anthony Walsh of Canoe Calderon Mien Jon Trio Water Acknowledgment Ceremony Educadiona l Activities Art Exhibits Photo !how Ws* Demos Eco -Displays Canoe Rides Hike Face Painting Bouncy Castle Iter • Ihewsar Msgr. Ism • RNatp el Grad Ne d • TO Mods addle Ilawresarst • dee Ilse %rlr seasts1 Pad 11 Leaden Comes sty Pesedadiee • Audis M1rfsId CesenvaMea • PlesdadesWilda Ohm • • • Mess Sank Isamu Der*** Nay Csaaklllad si Mai elft Mary Grand Mind Lague Grad lead Optimists Aunt Gunalt's kIIIN's Mtn holm Twit 21 Grlpitlx • Ri tr Road Gdiery • Pur y's =durst, • Paddialton'* hub • Oaltwood ion • Gmad lited Yaacht Chub • Hairy': Cum • Hoene Hatrdwtn • Monop Media • tnad+a Partot►t • timid Bend Community Nlundxtlon will meet again August 31 to monitor progress, and schedule another public meeting to provide a progress report. The local organizations have also agreed to develop a public webpage where citizens can access regular updates about the joint mosquito control response and obtain answers to questions asked by the public. A Zink to that site will be posted at www. northmiddlesex.on.ca by the end oiliest week Backgrounder Residents of Parkhill have reported high numbers of mosquitoes in some past years but the Increase in mosquitoes this year, following a wet spring, has prompted widespread public concern and national media interest. The mos- quito abatement and larvidding program that has been used in the past does not appear to have been as effective this year. A public meeting held on Tuesday, July 19 drew more than 400 Parkhill -area resi- dents. Comments expressed by residents underlined the extent of the mosquito problem in Parkhill and the need for short -terra and long-term action, provid- ing local agencies with helpful informa- tion about areas of standing water and habitat where mosquitoes could breed. The Municipality of North Middlesex, the Ausable Hayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA), and the Middlesex - London Health Unit (MIND) are working cooperatively, with the public, to reduce mosquito habitat and standing water in areas identified by the public at that com- munity meeting. Senior staff of the local organizations have met twice in July to coordinate the response, A 25 -hectare (62 -acre) management area downstream of Parkdrill 1)am, that is a mix of conservation authority, munici- pal, and privately owned land, remains ip — — so no — P a ca.:0 ,.O e "irC./7 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 w/cart Any Day Anytime With coupon Expires Aug. 31, 2011 Some conditions apply. Plan Weekends - Save HIGll w/cart After 3pm Sat, Sun & Hol Tournament Packages From $5 Golf / Cart / Maw 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1.1.16 I%, i„,• 1dt1 1 (1‘,111 Nth; ;1i) vyw‘ti 1)1.11 kli.+i`4•+1.+11 + .1 !)19 39!, 0009 an area of focus. The response by the three local organiza- tions will also reduce potential mosquito habitat at other loca- tions, including areas upstream of the dam, adjacent to sewage ponds, in catch basins adjacent to houses, in the landfill site, along the former railway line, and by reducing obstructions in the Carneron-Gillies Drain. Actions to reduce mosquito habitat and standing water, and to Increase flow to reduce stagnant water, include: • The Municipality of North Middlesex receiving permis- sion from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to remove blackings in the Cameron -Gillies Drain between Victoria Street and MW Craig Street. This work will take place the first week of August. • The municipality is creating volunteer opportunities for residents to take part in a clean-up effort along the former raihvay trades. The ten- tative date for the volunteer dean -up along the rail line has been set as Saturday, August 13 with rain date as Saturday, August 20. Individuals or groups wishing to assist with this effort are invited to pro- vide their name and contact information to the municipal- ity. Visit northmiddlesex.on.ca or contact the municipality at 519-294-6244 for details. A sign-ap list is also available at the Tbwn Hall. • MLFIU staff members have been fielding calls from the public about mosquito breed- ing habitats in town and catch basins on their properties for testing and control, The Health Unit has conducted site visits, answered questions, and treated 11 additional catch basins with larvicide. The treatment of other locations is pending. Contact information for reporting these areas is 519-245-3230 or 519-663-5317 or e-mail health@ntlhu.on.ca • The MI.FIU is adding a sec- ond adult mosquito monitor- ing station in Parkhill. • ABCA has removed some potential mosquito habitat and is undertaking in-depth investigation of a 25 -hectare (62 -acre) management area downstream of Parkhill Dam. Follow-up action from the review is expected to improve flow and drainage, and reduce standing water and stagnation. Some obstructions have already been identified. • The organizations have also agreed to develop a public web page where citizens can access regular updates about the joint mosquito response and obtain answers to questions asked by the public. A link to that site will be posted at www.north- rnlddlesex.on.ca by August 5. • A Twitter account will be established by August 5 to pro- vide the public with updates and links to information about the joint mosquito response it ie Parkhill. • The Municipality of North Middlesex is accepting the navies of individuals who would be interested in assist- ing the municipality with the control of the mosquito prob- lem in Parkhill. One of the ways being considered is the fonnation of a spedal commit- tee of council which would involve citizens who would meet to strategize and develop an approach for the long-tenn control of the mosquito popu- lation. Recommendations would then be forwarded to coundl for consideration. • ABCA will conduct an eleva- tion survey to assess low-lying areas where water could pool and that may be re -graded or otherwise enhanced for better drainage and less standing water. • ABCA will work to find fund- ing support for a long-term strategy to implement on -the - ground actions to reduce mos- quito habitat and standing water in Parkhill. • North Middlesex and ARCA staff will walk the Parkhill Creek downstream of Parkhill I)am and identify, for the pur- poses of removal, obstructions in the creek, between McInnis Road and Parkhill Dam. • Municipal staff will ask for council approval to selectively harvest trees on municipal land in the area of focus in order to increase evaporation and reduce mosquito habitat. • Old tires are being removed from the landfill site on a weekly basis to reduce mos- quito habitat. • The organizations have also agreed to provide regular updates, on actions taken, to public and media. • Senior staff from the three agencies will meet again on August 31. • A public meeting will be scheduled to report on progress of the joint mosquito control effort. While mosquito numbers declined recently at a monitor- ing station downstream of Parkhill Dam, overall mos- quito populations in the Parkhill area remain high.