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Wingham Advance-Times, 1981-01-14, Page 12Iltam Advance -Times, January 14, 1981 Quarries Act also discussed Federation contiflui against absentee farm. By Alice Glbb Huron County Federation of Agriculture members are continuing their campaign against the absentee owner- ship of Ontario farmland. At their January meeting, held at Clinton Public School last Thursday, members approved a motion asking the provincial government to make funds for programs such as tile loans and capital grants available only to resi- dent Ontario farm owners. The resolution Mated "whereas limited money is 'available for such programs as tile loans, capital grant programs, etc. and whereas Canadian taxpayers should not be supporting absentee investors, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) should request the government make funding available only to Ontario residents. Tony McQuail, who seconded the motion put for- ward by Merle Gunby, said since the province isn't getting anywhere very quickly on limiting absentee ownership, the motion's' in- tent is to make sure the :*limited funding available for Ontario farmers isn't used up on absentee owners. In response to a query whether absentee owners already have received funds for tiling, Mr. Gunby said no examples of this were known to committee members, but it is a possibility they are trying to head off before- it tario accounts interest rates, which Mr. Laing called "a little sugar - with the bad medicine, I guess". Ori- ginally operators were to re- ceive only six per cent in- terest on the security 'de- posit. • The inspector also outlined regulations in Bill 127, the Aggregates Act, which the government has been trying Ali to pass for some time to re- place the Pits and Quarries Control Act. Under the new act, which has had a second reading; in' addition to the eight cents security fee operators also will have to pay a royalty fund of six cents per tonne, which will be divided between the municipality, the county and the province. The royalty fee won't be returned to opera- tors. Mr. Laing said this money will be used by government to repair roads and implement dust controls Jo repair damage by heavy truck traffic around pits. In response to a question from the audience, Mr. Laing said he didn't expect the Aggre- gates Act would be passed until a majority government was in office. The inspector was asked how a stockpile of crushed gravel would be affected by the . security fee "'regulations. Mr. Laing said operators have until July, 1981 to get rid of stockpiles, and after _ that they must pay the eight - cents -per -tonne fee on re- maining gravel. Ile said be- cause of the amount of lead time given 'operators, the ministry feels they should be able to get rid 'of stockpiles by July. Another audience member asked how recently pits must have been used to qualify for a licence, pointing out that gravel, from many farm pits is used only to gravel drive- ways and farm yards. Mr. Laing said if a farmer can swear, the ,pit was in use cotitln`uduiily► for a numbet"of years, the licence will be granted. The licence fee is $25 for individuals, and $100 for corporations .operating a pit. Mr, Laing said operators don't have to remove gravel from a pit during the year, just because the pit is licenced. No licences will be issued in Huron County until July 1. The inspector also was questioned about fencing regulations for the pits. Under the Act, operators are required to fence around the boundaries of a pit or quarry with heavy duty farm fence. However Mr. Laing pointed out there are allowances for non-compliance with fencing regulations. For example, if the pit is in an. isolated loca- tion or if fencing completely around, the boundaries will take .good agricultural land ouf; o£,. production, thea feneing regulations can be waived. Mr. Laing said the ministry particularly wants fences around pita bordering roadways or around pits con- taining water. • • : Another audience member asked Mr. Laing how gravel pits can be reclaimed. The pits inspector said" the land could' be reforested, could be returned to farmland or used g as a recreational area. He said operators must main- tain enough topsoil on the site to complete rehabilita- tion plans. In response to another question, he said operators can sell any excess topsoil after rehabilitation is complete. Doug Fortune of Turn - berry Township asked what e new rules would do -to the price of gravel. Mr. Laing said he didn't think there should be an increase in the price, but admitted "the money is tied up (in • the security deposit), there's no doubt about that." In -re- sponse to another question, he said with the new regu- lations, likely some smaller gravel pits that aren't used very heavily will go out .of production. Another man said he could see operators taking pits out of -production now and happens. `• The theme of the federa- tion meeting was regulations . governing the operation of pits and quarries in the county. Craig Laing, pits and quarries inspector for the Ministry of Natural Re- sources, Wingham office!, outlined the implications'' of the Pits and Quarries Con- trol Act - for farmers" with gravel pits on their, property. Under the act, which mo. covers all townships wit the area, operators must pay eight cents .per metric tonne security fee on extracted gravel, effective Jan. 1,1;,,1. The/ fee is paid to the treasurer of Ontario to guar- antee pits and quarries will be rehabilitated in the future. The deposit is re- , turned to operators when re= habilitation -is in progress or is complete on a, site. Also, effective July 1, 1981, pits and, quarries operators 'Must obtain a licence from the ministry for their pits;� outlining plans for the site, including rehabilitation, or else, operations at the pits must cease. • Mr. Laing told federation members pit operators ,pay the eight cents per metric tonne deposit on March 31 of. the following year, which means 'they must keep a record of the tonnage of gravel removed. from their pit'dha ing the year. kite pits inspector said the eight -cent security deposit "reflects more accurately he cost of rehabilitation and will provide incentive for re- habilitation when the pit is still in operation." Operators will be paid a :Otte of interest en the deposit equal to the Province of Ora waiting to apply for a licence until the price of gravel goes up. Mr. Laing cautioned it would be more difficult for operators to get a licence in the future if they allowed a pit to go out of operation. He said getting the licence again would require a bylaw change. Mr. Gunby. asked the in- spector what it would cost an average farmer with a one - acre pit on his farm to have a site plan prepared, as re- quired in applying for a licence. Mr. Laing said it would be hard for surveyors to give an estimate of site plan costs until they viewed the pit, the topography of the land, etc. He did advise operators to get two or three estimates on site plans since there is quite a difference in price. Federation president Gerry Fortune asked Mr: Leiug:�ilf there is a limit to the , nuraa#rer of wayside pit per- mits One .person will be issued. Mr. Laing said the minis- try is going to try to limit the municipalities from going into a wayside pit year after year, since they must open and close that pit each, time. He said the intent -of wayside pit licences is so the pit can be used for one-time road construction. He said the problem , with wayside pit permits is that municipali- ties want the cheap gravel from these pits whereas operators want to sell their gravel to' the municipalities, which means "we're be- tween a rock and a hard place." Members were asked at the start of the meeting if they wanted to send a dele- gate to the Ontario Con- ference of Agriculture, or- ganized by Minister of Agri- culture Lorne He„tldereon, which is being held in To- ronto in February. Jim McIntosh ' asked, "What can we expect to gain from this. meeting he's organizing?” He pointed out the federation had sent 20 delegates to the recent OFA convention to discuss issues ip the farm community, and now the minister. is asking the group to send tine dele- gate to his conference. Tony McQuail suggested that members request a More _ detailed agenda of Henderson's. planned con- ference before deciding - whether or not to send a delegate. Members were retfninded to complete their briefs for the '' annual members of parliament' dinner on Feb- ruary 21, when county farm organizations present briefs Control Act spurs Arguments Turnberry Township Council members' got into a heated discussion over, the '' Pits and Quarries Control Act during a general meeting last week. Tempers rose as the council tried to convince local inspectors that the municipally -owned pit should not be designated commercial because gravel from it isn't being sold. Craig Laing, a ' pit and quarry inspector for the Ministry of Natural Resor,t rtes, at Wingham, explained that . the muni cipality is considered an operator of its. pit on Con. 9 and would need a com- mercial lic owe. This would mean having a detailed site plan drawn -up and paying the rehabilitation security deposit for gravel removed :. at the rate of eight cents per "tonne. "A wayside pit is used for one specific project and whatever portion is used has ' to be rehabilitated after. It is not intended to be used year after year after year." Reeve' Brian McBurney asked, '"Why is a com- mercial licence needed if the gravel is not being sold? We don't have it (the pit) to make money; we have it to save money," Mr. Laing and George Booth, a new inspector at the ministry, hd .a ittle bit of trouble.with;that question as Council member continued to argue their point. Councillor John Cox said it wasn't the cost of the licence that bothered them, but the security deposit `and necessary book work. However Mr. Laing pointed out that the book work has to be done anyway in order 'for Turnberry to acquire road subsidy from the Ministry of Transportation and Coni- , munications. Mr.. Cox; - asked, "What value is 'it (commercial licence) to the township?" "Well nobody wants to pay the 12 cents (per ton), but they've got to," answered Mr. Lain "Well no they don't got to!" Mr. Cox argued. It was explained that a pit is for industrial, manufac- turing or commercial use and under the Act a wayside pit is classified as tem- porary. Mr. Laing claimed that most townships that own their own pits are applying for commercial licences. "We've been asked this question before and we've said it doesn't hold water with us." "Well you go back and find out why and that'll hold. water with us!' suggested Mr. Cox. "It's not that bad for an individual but it is bad for a corporation like a township that's not selling the gravel. It's no different than a farmer who uses some of his owa gravel 'to build up his Janeway."-' Mr. Laing promised to discuss the matter with the ministry's lawyers and attend a February meeting with more answers. Followingthe meeting the inspector explained operators, of wayside pits do not pay into -the security deposit and do not need a site plan as detailed as is required ,for a commercial licence. However he said the area disturbed for each pro7ectin a wayside pit must be` • rehabilitated im- mediately at the expense of the licence holder. The inspector outlined several changes in the Act, which has applied in this area since Jan.1. He said the interest paid on the security fund' has been increased to the same rate as the pre,, vincial savings office ffroai six per cent per annum. The new rate will fluctuate ac- cording to the prime rate. Another change is the maximum and minimum amounts necessary in the rete bilitation security. dep+ sit. Before Jan. 1 the amcunt necessary was $100 peri disturbed acre to a •maximum of $590. per licenc- ed acre or $100,000, whichever was greater. Now the Act calls for a minimum deposit of $400 per disturbed acre to a maximum of $1,200 per disturbed, not licenced, acre. Mr. Laing explained that these changes. will en- courage ' progressive rehabilitation and cut down ow the amount of disturbed land in a pit. " , • ' Turnberry. mill donate toward hospital project Turnberry Township The representative said it decided to contribute toward was the fairest because the the Wingham and District donation ainounts are based -Hospital building and on the percentage of hospital renovation. project. ` • use within each muni - After discussing the cipality. .. prt ect with Turnberry's "When you look>at it, it is hositalr.. board represen- only $4.00 per head," added tative, Hans Kuyvenhoven, Reeve BrianMeBurney. council decided to forward Mr. Kuyvenhoven en, the requested $8,000 in two couraged council members installments $4,000 in 1981 to arrange for a tour of the and $4,000 in 1982 hospital so they could see for During the discussion Mr. themselves exactly what is Kuyvenhoven explained that being planned. Council the project is necessary to decided that would be.:a good provide for better outpatient idea. services and laboratory facilities. After the. representative Councillor Ben Malda left the township passed a asked why more office space motion stating -that anyone is needed 'if' :the number! of , appointed by council to sit on beds used is declining. a committee would be paid "It's more' modernization $35 ' per meeting, plus than, anything else," an- . mileage at the rate of 26 swered Mr. Kuyyenhoven. cents per mile effective Jan. . Councillor Maf'da wanted 1, 1981. ' ° to know also if slating each • In other business, council municipality fora particular went into coaniinittee of the donation amount, "was the whole to discuss 'building fairest way to raise money or ,proposals for the • Eadie the easiest." Bridge as presented. by Ken Dunn, an engineer: After the discussion it was decided that Lorne Baird would be approached regaarrding land. purchases for thebridge. . " '.A general borrowing • bylaw for $350,000 was passed for revenue .necessary until the taxes are collected. Another bylaw was passed - hiring George Adams as the township livestock evaluator for $25 for the first three hours of a call and $4.75 after that,. He will also be paid 26 cents per mile for mileage. Fenceviewers and poundkeepers will be paid $20 percall to a maximum of three hours, after which $4.75 per hour will be paid, plus mileage. Their wages were increased from the township labor rate off $4.75 per hour and 23 cents per mile. George Merkley will receive compensation from Turnberry for three of his sheep, which he said were. killed by dogs eh Dec. 16. Mr. Merkley reported that the three bred ewes, valued at $150 each, were fenced in a barn yard on Lot 9, Con. 6, when they suffocated after being frightened by dogs. Council had no objections to a severance application from Canadian Vanities Inc., Plan 2, Lot 32, which called for the severance of about two acres for a new lot. The lot will be used for a truck terminal. GOING SKIING at the Falconer Trail was the Icing on the cake for those who- took part in a cross country skiing course offered lest weekend through the Wingham Recreation Department. Quite a .4 0 • number of local skiers, from novices on up, took the course and were rewarded with beautiful weather In which to hon* slab' skills. eade: n:1 . Inti: and Avert Rlntoiul;. sea `.., y'. ere e. _ es i aw hang.. Il e sn#.mittees, l!aut all: ark headed by verb capable Following . the opening e[ereises therewere several items of business, the most ithportant beim . the .in- formation about Aha, alter national Seniors' Congress to be held in Toronto Ii .May. Thin is a very prestigious meeting, as it involves semor."s from all over the world,, and may not be hell again in Canada for many years., It is open to all seniors; any questions about cost of attending, etc. should be directed to the executive. After several other minor items of ` business were conducted, the meeting closed with `The, Queen' . Six tables of euchre and a nice lunch rounded out the afternoon, Prize winners were: high white, Mrs. Reta 'Haselgrove; low white Gordon Francis; high pink, Mrs. Bill Merkley; .low pink, Mrs. Ella Johnston. Retiring president George Taylor expresses his thanks to all who were ready at all times to lend a helping hand duringhis three years at the helm. He said it was a great experience, and' one which be appreciated and enjoyed. New: Year thoughts theme BELGRAVE — The Eve- ning Unit of the UCW of Knox United Church held its regu- lar meeting at the home of Mrs, Kenneth Wheeler on Tuesday, Jan. 6. The theme for the worship service was "Message for The New Year", led . by Mrs:. John Roberts and assisted by, Mrs. Kenneth Wheeler and yrs• Shberttlrasli -•. , '•••••-- Mrs. George Michie was in charge of the program which was, "Thoughts for the New Year": Mrs. William Coultes gave a 'reading on the meaning of Epiphany, which is Jan. 6. Mrs. ..George Procter closed the program with a New Year's blessing. .The meeting concluded with a social hilt hour and lunch served. by Mrs: 'Agnes-Bie= man and Mrs. Ross Ander son. Presbyter l held f ts first meet' Ie new year in, the app roam of the Church on Tuesday or last. week. President Mrs. Wall opened the needs; with .a ea l to w hip. hdlg to the theme'�and a ahyymn was "sung, Mrs. D. A. Ritchie read' scripture and delivered the meditation which was taken from the 1981 Presbyterian calendar. Mrs. T. Currie led in prayer. The, offering was receivedbyMrs. R. Hastings arid Miss Agnes Williamson R , d In rawow o tall, Who had away du►lt ' Whlt,year, . it l latrodueed the udy i for the year. - Mc re�Mrs. R. Kay read; minutes of the last meeting , and the corropgace . called t1>te roll. Mrs; G. Daher gave the treastffeetkrePett. Mrs, Robert - Campbell installed the Axecutive.. for the coining year and after a closing; hymn, Mrs. W.,.. Congrarn closed the meeting with praYer. A social hour ,followed. • „at lil rnm SHOUT Coliseum\Complex Exhibition Ply,. Toronto - January 27 - Janucity 30, .1981 Show hours -10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Over 550 Exhibitors Horse Pull and Sale January 28 Winter Select Ontario Charolais Cattle Sale January 28, 700 PM Winter Classic Ontario Hereford Cattle Sale. January 29, 1110 PM Ontario Aberdeen Angus Caftle Sale . January 30,100 PM Tractor/Truck Pili January 29, 30 Ladies' Program . .Dally Canada's largest indoor agricultural eith bttkm' Canada Farm Show, 36 Sutterick Rodd Toronto, Ontario M8W 328. 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