Loading...
The Huron Expositor, 1984-05-02, Page 15SECOND SECTION Serving the communities and ares of Brussels, Dublin, Hensall and Walton Huron � -r xpositor SEAFORTH, ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 1984 -- 8 PAGES B1 -B8 .ti & OFFICE COMPLEX CANOE TOUR of the Hullett Seven canoes made a tour Ildllfe Area wetland on April 25 as part of the opening ceremonies. The wildlife area Is divided Into seven major pools, each one larger than 25 hectares (75 acres). (Rod Hilts photo) "Wetlands aren't wastelands" BY ROD HILTS After nearly octan � lnNganad destelo r- ^ x, 1 Resources and Ducks Unlimited Canada, e creation of a valuable wetlands complex in Hullett Township has become reality. The Hullett Wildlife Management Area (HWMA) was officially opened by Minister of Natural Resources (MNR) Alan Pope and Vice President of Ducks Unlimited (DU) Duncan Sinclair on Wednesday, Apr. 2.5. The highlight of the cererhony was the unveiling of a pplaque in recognition of the site. IiWMA is located in an extensive flood• plain of the south Maitland River. Its purpose is to provide additional waterfowl habitat and when developed to its fullest extent will not only provide a variety of hunting and other recreational opportunities to the people of Ontario, but will also augment existing biological research. "This project reinforces my ministry's commitment to managing wetlands. Wet- lands are vital because they not only provide a habitat for fish and wildlife. but maintain and improve water quality and help control flooding," Mr. Pope said. This year marks the first full season of operation for the HWMA complex iii what is proving to be one of the most successful man-made wetlands ever created. HWMA Site Manager Doug Puffer has been involved with the project since May of 1980 and says the progress within the wetlands is on schedule. "It is definitely going to plan. There's been phenomenal growth, especially in water fowl population. Until Ducks Unlimited came along it was just a river flood plain with old pastures and second. third and fourth rate .farmland," Mr. Puffer said. In'1979, the MNR and DU (Canada) signed an agreement to cooperatively develop 2.100 hectares (5,000 acres) of land in Hullett Township into a manageable wildlife area Under the terms of the agreement DU undertook to design the water control structures and pay for constructionin the last three years, DU has provided 51.25• million to construct 20 kilometres of dikes, flooding 800 hectares (2,000 acres) in the wildlife area. DU also maintains and repairs the structures. MNR acquired the land at a cost of S825,000 and prepared it for flooding. They are also responsible for overseeing the day-to-day use of the area. Mr. Puffer said DU and MNR have contributed to the project. Recently retired, MNR Co-ordinator Roy Belanger was the first person to recognize the Hullett area as the ideal place for a wetlands project. STARTED IN 1956 ' Mr. Belanger explained that in the mid 1950's conservation officers were asked to look for places like the Hullett Marsh that flooded oyes in the spring. They were asked to submit a sketch and location to MNR. Mr. Belanger said he. submitted a sketch in early 1956 and sent it to Hespeller. which used to be MNR's head office. "1 fired off a sketch and ages later they ( MNR) said they'd do it." Mr. Belanger said. Most of the land purchases were carried out from the late 1960's until 1975. The process took over a decade. MNR's District Manager in Huronia, Dan Mansell, was one member of the ministry's negotiating team and he said the initial concern while making the deals was that the people didn't want to sell their land. "When the three of us representing the ministry weren't sure if we were going to get out unscathed. The local people were very worried about expropriation,' Mr, Mansell told the ministry magazine, Landmarks. recently. John Bain, the Provincial Manager for DU. said that his organization entered the scene when they learned that MNR was short of development funds for the project. He said MNR approached DU and asked them to consider the area and asked for their engineering imput. "Ducks Unlimited changed the concept of the Hullett Marsh and drew up the plans and here's what you see today," Mr. Bain said as he pointed across the vast complex. Prior to the Hullett Marsh project. DU and MNR were involved in another wetlands development project north of Barrie. in the late 1970's over 3.000 acres was developed into the first mutual wetlands project in Ontario. MNR Minister Alan Pope said that had it not been for the support of DU, the Hullett project may have been delayed six or seven years." Mr. Pope said in addition to the Hullett project, the MNR proposes to co-operately develop with..aD014 16,000 hectares.- of waterfowl habitat throughout Oritflrio by 1987. "This fulfils some of the objectives of a five-year waterfowl management agreement signed on April 28, 1983 between Ducks Unlimited (Canada) and my ministry," he said. The minister said he was committing S250,000 annually for the next three to four years to complete the inventory and classifi- cation of southern Ontario's wetlands. BREED AND GROW The importance of, the Hullett Wildlife Management Area can't be over estimated, Not only does the wetland help control the spring runoff but It gives wildlife a place to breed and grow. Deer, coyotes, foxes, raccoons. beavers, muskrats, minks, weasels and "frogs by the millions" are the major creatures that roam the Hullett marsh, "When it was created. a rot of animals came to the area. Wildlife and other growth has been stable for the last 10 years. There's an especially healthy deer population of between 50-75," Mr. Puffer said. The wildlife area is divided into seven major pools, each one larger than 25 hectares (75 acres). The largest pool of water is 570 acres in size. Water levels in the marsh arc monitored and can be manipulated to ensure that the area remains highly productive. The original concept of HWMA called for a dam and dike s'ystem. The plan was to build a dam across the Maitland River and back the water up to form a large marsh. DU revised the plans to allow the river to remain on its historical course. The present dike system runs parallel to the river and doesn't inte rsect it at any point. Mr. Puffer said the dikes are set back far enough to allow an adequate flood plain (200 to 300 metres). Marsh rejuvenation occurs when the water levels recede and the germination of the vegetation takes place. Mr. Puffer said because of HWMA's system. they can actively duplicate the process of receding the water levels. He calls it a "draw down system'. "Marsh rejuvenation is a tricky business I Se IMI =Mr MI OMMIllaC fir' ...rt.rard4\iMWlt/d' �it.t1rrNMr4rlw.'Nb4*-��44r�,w�IAN!YtA w.,c'w:r.da+.,.na% t,.t,«,rew.rrdiA.t 4 .. Otafteatelr F veare , .4.610.1 ill 14 e Iiik lli rtliNtirs tirwl9kor...'r. ': kMr avan n"mfn...11.11e PLAQUE UNVEILING—The official opening ceremony at the Hullett Wildlife Manage- ment Area on April 25 included the unveiling of a plaque. Pictured (from left to right) is Minister of Natural Resources Alan Pepe, Dudes Unlimited Provinclef Manager John •Barn and Vice President of Ducks Unlimited Duncan Sinclair. (Rod Hilts photo) It has to be done at the right time of year so you can establish the right vegetation." Mr. Puffer exptithe'drawing down system occurs about once every seven or eight years. Pools three and four were flooded for the first time this year. Pool 1 and 1A were also flooded for the first time this year. Pools 2 and 2B have been underwater for their second season. Pool 2A has been underwater for three seasons. Mr. Puffer said the smaller pools have been'underwater for four seasons now and are Wept at a depth of 12 to 18 inches. HWMA is divided into two' sections. Section A is the wetlands area and section B is upland, with rolling terrain. DUCKS AND GEESE Because of its marshy characteristics. section A is a migratory zone inhabited by ducks, geese, coots, gallenules, rails and herons. Mr. Puffer said that Mallard. Blue -winged teal and wood ducks are the most popular water fowl in the marsh in addition to many Canada Geese. "Five or six years ago there were 150 geese and ducks in the marsh. Migratory popula- tion in the spring and fall is now up to 20,000 birds. The resident population is growing tremendously. There are over 2,000 pairs of water fowl breeding here," Mr. Puffer said. One of the main reasons DU got involved with the project was because the Hullett marsh is located in the natural fly ways of geese and ducks. He said the birds fly up the Atlantic coastal route and along the Mlssiss• ippi Valley and meet over the area of the Hullett marsh. "The location couldn't be better." said Mr.'Puffer. "There's no other place like this in Southern Ontario. it's unique. The land purchases couldn't have been made at a better time." Mr. Puffer said. Mr. Bain, the Provincial Manager for Ducks Unlimited 'said the natural fly ways intersecting over the Hullett Marsh certainly made the site attractive but their prime consideration was the high quality of the wetland. The HWMA is under the direction of a management committee made up of two members from MNR and two from DU. Mike Malhiot. the District Biologist from the Wingham office and Area Manager Glen Sturgeon represent MNR while Ron Schiedl. a London -area Biologist and Dave West, Regional Manager for Southwestern Ontario represent Ducks Unlimited. The committee meets every spring and fall to discuss operational strategy. HUNTING CONTROLLED Hunting in the marsh is controlled by parking spots that correspond to the hunter location number. Each hunting site is marked with a stake. Shooters must stand within 10 metres of the mark and hide themselves as best they can without building a blind. Hunters must make sure that what they're hunting is in season, For those people who enjoy boating more than hunting, a boat launching location is on the site. Mr. Puffer noted that during the sensitive time of year from mid-May to Aug. 1 the water fowl are breeding and signs are posted to prohibit boaters in certain areas. He said the waterfowl must be able to raise their young undisturbed. "The main idea for the project is management for wildlife species. Public recreation is secondary. Whatever the area can stand ecologically. it is primarily an area for wildlife," said Mr. Puffer. "Within five years we should be at our full potential for wildlife management. But we could go a lot further for visitor recreation. We don't have the money for guided tours. The funds we have are primarily for maintaining wildlife habitat, Mr. Puffer said. OFFICIAL OPENING—Minister of Natural Resources Alan Pope (left) and Ducks Unlimited Canada Duncan Sinclair officially opened the Hullett WtldItfe Management Area on April 25 Mr Pope is seen wearing a Dudes Unlimited hat as a good public refations'gesture (Rod Hilts photo) WETLANDS—The Hullett Wildlife Manage- rftent Area was created after nearly two decades of planning. This year marks Its first 0 full season of operation in what Is proving to be one of the most successful man-made wetlands ever created (Rod Hilts photo)