Lakeshore Advance, 2013-05-01, Page 1312 Lakeshore Advance • Wednesday, May 1, 2013
County of Huron shows its commitment to protecting water quality through
support of Huron County Clean Water Project and landowner projects
Hundreds of projects
have protected and
improved water
thanks to county
investment, Landowner
participation: Millions of
dollars in improvements
have helped water and the
economy
'the County of 1 luron has continued to
show its support of landowner projects
that protect and improve water quality.
'the county has announced 2013 funding
of $400,000 for the 1 luron County Clean
Water Project.
The county initiative has provided
grants to landowners for their water pro-
tection projects since 2004.1 luron County
(;lean Water Project may be one of the
most successful on -the -ground water
quality improvement ventures in Ontario.
The combination of county support and
contributions from other funders and
landowners has resulted in more than
1,500 completed projects by county resi-
dents. 'Otis work has helped to keep lAtke
11uron clean.
The County of 1 luron has contributed
$1.75 million since 2004 in support of
projects to protect and improve water
quality. Each dollar provided by the
county has led to more than three dollars
of work completed through additional
contributions by property owners and
conlplementaty programs from national,
pmvillcial, and local sources. Iandowners
taking part have completed work with a
total project value of more than $5.8 mil-
lion. A project spokesperson says that's
good for the environment and the
economy.
The county initiative has provided
financial incentives for projects such as
MUNICIPALITY OF BLUEWATER
MUNICIPAL CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
FOR SEWAGE COLLECTION AND TREATMENT FACILITY UPGRADES
(HENSALL SEWAGE TREATMENT LAGOONS)
NOTICE OF FILING OF ADDENDUM
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PROCESS (1996):
In 1996, the former Village of Hensall initiated a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) process
to evaluate options for upgrading the community's sanitary sewage treatment facilities. Several deficiencies
had been identified with these facilities, including excessive flows which exceed the hydraulic capacity of the
facility and inadequate sewage treatment. The Class EA process was conducted to examine these deficiencies
in detail, and to investigate alternative solutions to the defined problems.
As an outcome of the Class EA process. the Village selected a preferred strategy for upgrading the existing
treatment facilities. The preferred alternative selected through the Class EA process was documented in an
Environmental Study Report (ESR), presented at a public information meeting and described in a Notice of
Completion. The project did not proceed to construction following municipal amalgamation due to financial
constraints.
PROJECT REVIEW PROCESS:
The Municipality of Bluewater recently received funding assistance for this project through a Provincial grant
program and is planning to proceed with project implementation during the 2013 construction season.
The Class EA procedure document mandates that a review process must occur for any project which has not
commenced within five years of the filing of the Notice of Completion This review allows for a reassessment
of the project within the context of the current environmental setting, The Municipality initiated this review
process in 2009. Based upon study findings to date, it has been concluded that the preferred upgrading plan,
which includes Improvements to the main sewage pumping station, facilities for chemical (alum) addition,
construction of effluent sand filters, removal of accumulated sludge in existing lagoon cells, and relocation of
the plant outfall, is still the most appropriate plan to address ongoing deficiencies at the lagoon facility.
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT:
An Addendum to the Class EA has been prepared to document the review process and to provide details on
design modifications proposed for the project. This document Is available for public review at the Bluewater
Municipal Office (19 Mill Avenue, Zurich, ON NOM 210) and the Hensall Public library (108 King Street) during
normal hours of operation.
For further information on this project or to review the Class EA Addendum process, please contact the project
engineers: B.M. Ross and Associates, 62 North Street, Goderlch, Ontario, N7A 2T4. Telephone (519) 524-2641
Fax (519) 524-4403. Attention: Kelly Vader, Environmental Planner (email: kvaderePbmross net). Subject to
comments received as a result of this Notice, the Municipality intends to proceed with the construction of this
project.
If environmental concerns arise regarding this project which cannot be resolved in discussion with the
Municipality of Bluewater, a person or party may request that the Minister of the Environment make an order
for the project to comply with Part II of the Environmental Assessment Act which addresses Individual
environmental assessments. Requests must be received by the Minister at the address below within 30
calendar days of this Notice.
Minister of the Environment
77 Wellesley Street West,
11th Floor, Ferguson Block
Toronto, ON M7A 2TS
A copy of the request must also be sent to the project engineers and the Municipality at the addresses noted
above. If there Is no request received by May 24, 2013, the project will proceed as planned.
This Notice Issued April 24, 2013
Steve McAuley, C.A.O.
Municipality of Bluewater
rwcrKn r 1,
BLUEW TER
windbreak and tree planting,
upgraded wells, proper decom-
missioning of old wells, decom-
missioning of manure storage
sites, and fencing cattle out of
streams. Other projects have
included wetland creation, diver-
sion of water from manure and
exercise yards, erosion control,
stewardship
guide implementation, stormwa-
ter management, fragile land
retirement, and community and
special projects. Huron County
residents are eligible for grants up
to 5() per cent of the cost of their
eligible voluntary projects. This
funding has also been combined
with other cost -share programs,
when available. A local review
committee was established to
approve projects that are highest
priority.
Participating landowners, with
funding help from the county
project, have during the initiative's
successful history:
• Fenced cattle out of almost 40
kilometres of streams
• Planted more than 150 hec-
tares of trees
• Established almost 90 kilome-
tres of windbreaks
The Huron County Clean Water
Project has also supported projects
by county residents to:
• Upgrade 289 private well
including faulty wells
• Decommission 360 unused
wells
"Ihe 1 luron County Clean Water
Project has been funded by the
County of I turon and delivered by
the Ausable Bayfield and Maitland
Valley conservation authorities.
""Ihe County of 1 luron has shown
great leadership in helping county
residents complete projects to
keep the lake, rivers, and creeks
clean," said Kate Monk, Supervisor
of Stewardship and Conservation
Lands. "If you have a project in
mind, please give Maitland Valley
or Ausable Bayfield a call to find
out about grant rates and projects
that are eligible for funding." For
information on the program, grant
rates and eligible projects visit
WW1V.I11VCa.011.Ca or WWW .al)ca.
on.ca or call 519-335-3557, 519-
235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-
2610. Landowners in Huron
County are encouraged to call as
soon as possible to find out about
funding for their projects.
ATTENTION ADVERTISERS!
DEADLINES
Our Weekly Deadlines are as follows:
ADVERTISING & EDITORIAL
Friday @ 2:00 pm
01"9 Alivaimo
58 Ontario St. S, Grand Bend
PH: 519-238-5383
•urnnwoo.
OFFICE HOURS:
Mon. & Fri. Bann - 4pm
Thurs. & Fri. gam - 4ptn
CLOSED TUESDAYS
eel)