Issues

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=56 BGCOLOR="#666633" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="00fc8c83.jpg"> <div> Issues</div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=160 BGCOLOR="#666633" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <A HREF="id22_m.htm#the_elephant_lake_wetlands_development__" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Issues"><U><B>The Elephant Lake Wetlands Development.</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id22_m.htm#the_redstone_lake_ontario_municipal" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Issues"><U><B>The Redstone Lake Ontario Municipal Board hearing</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id22_m.htm#the_irondale_asphalt_plant__" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Issues"><U><B>The Irondale Asphalt Plant </B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id22_m.htm#the_pine_springs_septage_lagoon__" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Issues"><U><B> The Pine Springs Septage Lagoon</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id22_m.htm#the_coleman_lake_gravel_pit__" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Issues"><U><B>The Coleman Lake Gravel Pit.</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id22_m.htm#the_canada_geese_problem_on_head_lake___" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Issues"><U><B>The Canada Geese problem on Head Lake</B></U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=424 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B> <A NAME="update_on_navigable_waters_protection"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#0000BF" FACE="Arial" ><B>Update on Navigable Waters Protection Act</B></FONT></div> <div> <B>from the Canadian Rivers Network</B></div> <bR> <div> The Standing Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural</div> <div> Resources has indeed begun hearings on the Navigable Waters Protection</div> <div> Act amendments that became law with the passage the C-10, the federal</div> <div> government's budget implementation act.</div> <bR> <div> We hoped that we would be able to influence the Senate on the nature</div> <div> and scope of their hearings on this issue.</div> <bR> <div> We strongly urged that the committee:</div> <bR> <div> - hold hearings in different parts of the country</div> <div> - provide opportunities for participation remotely through video</div> <div> conferencing</div> <div> - provide funds to assist groups in traveling to the hearings</div> <bR> <div> We also expressed serious concerns about the need for adequate time to</div> <div> prepare presentations.</div> <bR> <div> <B>It appears that we have had zero influence on any of these points. In</B></div> <div> <B>fact we did not receive a formal response to our communications with</B></div> <div> <B>the Senate committee until last Thursday April 23, the day the</B></div> <div> <B>hearings began.</B></div> <bR> <div> Here is what we understand:</div> <bR> <div> - The hearings began April 23</div> <div> - The hearings will take place for two hours each Tuesday and Thursday</div> <div> up to May 14 (with the exception of Thursday April 30</div> <div> - A handful of groups have been picked by the committee to appear</div> <div> - Each speaker will have 5 to 7 minutes to speak followed by questions</div> <bR> <div> PARTICIPATING IN THE HEARINGS</div> <bR> <div> If you can and want to participate in these hearings, there is still</div> <div> time to contact the committee:</div> <bR> <div> Please contact:</div> <bR> <div> Lynn Gordon</div> <div> Clerk/Greffier</div> <div> The Senate/Le Sénat</div> <div> 1053 Édifice Chambers Building, 40 rue Elgin Street</div> <div> Ottawa Ontario K1A OA4 Canada</div> <div> tel. (613) 991-3620 tél.</div> <div> fax (613) 947-2104 télec.</div> <div> toll free 1-800-267-7362 sans frais</div> <div> gordol@sen.parl.gc.ca<mailto:gordol@sen.parl.gc.ca</div> <bR> <div> CANADIAN RIVERS NETWORK PARTICIPATION</div> <bR> <div> A representative of the CRN will be presenting at the hearings May 5.</div> <div> One of the things we will be saying is that the CRN is a network of</div> <div> diverse groups across Canada with equally diverse issues and concerns</div> <div> related to the NWPA amendments, and one representative cannot even</div> <div> begin to represent all of those issues and concerns.</div> <bR> <div> This is an unfortunate outcome. We do not believe these hearings are</div> <div> too short, too narrow and too late.</div> <bR> <div> But, now matter how small the opportunity we believe it is important</div> <div> to get some issues on the record.</div> <bR> <div> A report from these hearings will be tabled in the Senate.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> _______________________________</div> <div> Canadian Rivers Network</div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.ispeakforcanadianrivers.ca" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.ispeakforcanadianrivers.ca"><U>www.ispeakforcanadianrivers.ca</U></A></div> <bR> <div> NOTE: You are receiving this email because you are on the</div> <div> mailing list of the Canadian Rivers Network. We do not share</div> <div> our mailing list. To be removed from or added to this list please</div> <div> send an email request to <A HREF="mailto:canrivers@sympatico.ca" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:canrivers@sympatico.ca"><U>canrivers@sympatico.ca</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id50_lochlin_esker_under_threat.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Asphalt"><U>Lochlin Esker and provincially significant wetlands under threat by aggregate extraction.<IMG SRC="32cbb920.jpg" border=0 width="187" height="146" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">OMB hearing January 22, 2007 at 11 am at the Minden Hills Community Centre.</U></A></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="id36_what_s_bugging_us_.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Bugs"><U><B>SPECIAL ALERT:</B></U></A><B> <A NAME="alert_1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><A HREF="id36_what_s_bugging_us_.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Bugs"><U><B> </B></U></A></div> <div> NEVER BRING FIREWOOD INTO HALIBURTON COUNTY! NEVER TAKE WOOD FROM ONE PART OF THE PROVINCE TO ANOTHER. BURN WOOD THAT COMES FROM WITHIN THE COUNTY IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF THE ASIAN LONG-HORNED BEETLE. IF UNCHECKED, THIS BEETLE COULD LITERALLY DESTROY ONTARIO'S </div> <div> HARDWOOD FORESTS.</div> <div> <A HREF="id36_beetle_.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Bugs"><U><IMG SRC="13898920.gif" border=0 width="152" height="146" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <div> Click on the photo for details.</div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="08222c10.jpg" border=0 width="290" height="193" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <I>One of the issues EH! has been involved with is the problem of Canada Geese making a mess of Head Lake Park in Haliburton Village. </I></div> <div> <B>EH! takes local environmental issues seriously.</B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#666633" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> It's part of our mission statement to provide a strong voice to encourage positive initiatives and oppose those that could have an adverse effect on the environment.</div> <bR> <div> EH! has been involved in several major issues affecting many different people in many geographic areas of the Highlands.</div> <div> We listen to problems people have, decide if we want to get involved in their situations and offer whatever advice we can muster. Members of EH! have valuable experience in areas of planning, law, anthropology, forestry, biology, waste management, public service, communication and community activism. With this kind of expertise, EH! can usually provide some type of assistance to people facing environmental challenges.</div> <div> Sometimes we just offer advice. Sometimes we write letters. Sometimes we get deeply involved. Sometimes we don't get involved at all. It depends on the issue.</div> <div> If you think EH! can help, please <A HREF="default.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Environment Haliburton Home"><U>write</U></A> or <A HREF="mailto:info@environmenthaliburton.ca" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:info@environmenthaliburton.ca"><U>e-mail</U></A> us with as many details about your problem as possible. Or, contact one of our executive members and express your concerns to them. Then, ask to be put on an EH meeting agenda and come prepared to present your case and answer questions. </div> <div> EH can't fight every battle and we can't fight your battle for you but we do want to get involved in issues that can have a great impact on our environment.</div> <div> Some of the issues we have been involved in include:</div> <bR> <div> <I><B> <A NAME="the_elephant_lake_wetlands_development__"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></I><I><B>The Elephant Lake Wetlands Development. </B></I></div> <div> <IMG SRC="01dd99a0.jpg" border=0 width="217" height="154" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> The Township of Dysart et al recently approved an eight-lot subdivision to be built adjacent to a Provincially Significant Wetland. There are only two Provincially Significant Wetlands in Haliburton County and EH is concerned that cottages will be adjacent to such wetlands, even though the lots are large and there are some restrictions in place to safeguard the wetland. Dysart councillors say their hands were tied when they unanimously approved the project. </div> <div> When it comes to wetlands, there are two rules in Ontario. </div> <div> In southern Ontario, there is no development allowed on Provincially Significant Wetlands. Period. In northern Ontario (which includes Haliburton, thanks to a provincial decision to lower the boundary in 1997), development is permitted on Provincially Significant Wetlands as long as the developer does a study showing there would be no negative impact on the wetlands. The Elephant Lake developer (an Ontario numbered company) hired a well-known consultant who prepared a study. Dysart really had no choice but to approve it. Had they turned it down simply because they don't agree with development in a Provincially Significant Wetland, they would be faced with an expensive Ontario Municipal Board fight and, given recent OMB decisions, they would likely lose.</div> <div> Dysart did have the option to ask for a peer-review but didn't do so. (In a peer review, the township chooses an environmental consultant to review the developer's study and then bills the developer for the review -- it doesn't cost taxpayers anything.) It seems appropriate for studies in controversial matters to be peer-reviewed as this does offer the township a completely unbiased look at the study to make sure everything is correct.</div> <bR> <div> EH would like to :</div> <div> 1. Encourage all municipalities to ask for peer-reviews, especially developments involving environmentally delicate areas such as wetlands and Provincially Significant Wetlands.</div> <div> 2. Encourage the new provincial government to erase the wetlands boundary in Ontario, making the rules for wetlands development the same in all parts of the province. Up to 70% of southern Ontario's wetlands have been destroyed -- if we don't do something to protect northern Ontario's, we could wind up like our neighbours to the south. Ducks Unlimited has been pushing to get rid of that boundary for some time.</div> <bR> <div> <B>What can you do to help?</B> </div> <div> Write a letter to Dalton McGuinty and ask him to get rid of the wetlands boundary. Write a letter to your MPP (Laurie Scott) asking her to support the removal of the wetlands boundary. Write a letter to your municipality asking councillors to use every avenue possible, and that includes peer reviews, to protect our wetlands. Find out everything you can about wetlands because they are more important than you might think. </div> <bR> <div> <I><B> <A NAME="the_redstone_lake_ontario_municipal"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></I><I><B>The Redstone Lake Ontario Municipal Board hearing</B></I></div> <div> This hearing was regarding an applicant's plans to build a boathouse near the shoreline when Dysart et al's by-laws forbid such a development. EH! sent a letter to the OMB expressing our support for the township. Unfortunately the OMB supported the applicant, allowing him to build the boathouse, contrary to Dysart et al and the lake association's wishes.</div> <div>  <A NAME="the_irondale_asphalt_plant__"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id50_asphalt.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Asphalt"><U><I><B>The Irondale Asphalt Plant  </B></I></U></A></div> <div> EH! members assisted Gooderham/Irondale area residents in their battle to keep a proposed permanent asphalt plant from being built by Beamish Construction/Royel Paving on Crown Land on Highway 503, not far from Bark Lake. EH! members wrote letters, made phone calls and attended public meetings. The plant has been stalled because people managed to convince the Township of Highlands East Council to not support the proposal. (Beamish needed comments from the council to include with their application to the Ministry of Natural Resources. To date no application has  been made.) This asphalt plant battle followed closely on the heels of Royel's failed attempts to build a permanent asphalt plant in Carnarvon. The Township of Algonquin Highlands was extremely supportive of the community in the Carnarvon battle, changing their Zoning Bylaw to forbid permanent asphalt plants in the township. </div> <div> <B>EH! would like to see all other municipalities in the county place a similar ban when they write their Zoning Bylaws.</B></div> <bR> <div> <I><B> <A NAME="the_pine_springs_septage_lagoon__"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></I><I><B>The Pine Springs Septage Lagoon. </B></I></div> <div> The Township of Algonquin Highlands is to be congratulated for taking the lead in dealing with septage, the sludge that is pumped out of holding and septic tanks. However, EH! does have concerns with the township's plans to put a lagoon near the Pine Springs landfill site, not too far away from Kushog Lake. EH! will be working with the Kushog Lake property owners association to bring these, and other concerns, to the township.</div> <div> For more information, visit the Algonquin Highlands' web site:</div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.algonquinhighlands.ca/pinesprings/index.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.algonquinhighlands.ca/pinespr"><U>http://www.algonquinhighlands.ca/pinesprings/index.html</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <I><B> <A NAME="the_coleman_lake_gravel_pit__"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></I><I><B>The Coleman Lake Gravel Pit. </B></I></div> <div> EH! members worked with members of the Coleman Lake property association to help alleviate their concerns about a proposed gravel pit in their area in Guilford township.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B></B></I><I><B>The Canada Geese problem on Head Lake. </B></I><I><B> <A NAME="the_township_of_dysart_et_al_requested"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></I></div> <div> The Township of Dysart et al requested EH!'s advice on what to do about the number of geese polluting the water and park area in Haliburton Village. EH!'s main suggestion was to return the shoreline to a natural state because clipped grass attracts geese.</div> <div> For many waterfront property owners, the thought of a flock of Canada geese making a home out of their shoreline is not a desirable one. Goose droppings, safety hazards caused by flocks of geese and damaged shorelines are just some of the negative results of problem geese.</div> <div> There are a number of ways to prevent geese from making your waterfront property their home and most ways are environmentally friendly and won't harm the geese.</div> <div> First of all, don't feed the geese! Canada geese do not need to be fed. There are plenty of natural sources of foods for them to eat. Feeding geese concentrates them near roads and areas of heavy human use, which can cause safety hazards. Geese also may become accustomed to human contact and be more aggressive toward people.</div> <div> The easiest way to discourage geese before they get established in an area is to encourage shore habitats that do not make it easy for them to move from the water to the shore.</div> <div> Geese are attracted to flat, open areas they can get to easily, like a well-manicured lawn that goes right to the shoreline (have you noticed all the goose poop in Head Lake park?). They enjoy the lush young shoots of fertilized, heavily watered grass. Letting grass grow to higher lengths, eliminating fertilizer application and reducing watering will make your lawn less attractive to the geese.</div> <div> For the most part, Canada geese avoid feeding, nesting and congregating in areas where tall vegetation blocks the view of surrounding areas and their escape route.</div> <div> Vegetation along a shoreline needs to be about 60 cm (24 inches) high and dense enough to keep geese from seeing through it. Ideally the barrier should be at least 7.5 metres (25 feet) deep, with a narrow S-shaped path so people can get to the water's edge without the path being noticeable. However, a one- to two- metre buffer zone is better than none at all. Natural shoreline areas also act as filtering buffers, removing pollutants and excess nutrients from runoff going into the lake.</div> <div> Geese also congregate at night in large open fields such as golf courses - so more of these developments mean more goose-friendly habitat.</div> <div> For a low-maintenance shoreline option that is less appealing to geese, you can choose from a variety of attractive, native groundcovers. </div> <div> If you would still prefer to have some lawn between you and your lake, you can use a mixture of warm season grasses like switch grass, bluestems, wheat grass and Indian grass combined with wildflowers - letting it grow to its full height. Using a combination like this requires much less maintenance and can be appealing if you use the combinations to blend with the natural contours of your yard.</div> <div> Taller species of native trees can also be used in combination with grasses and shrubs to screen the shoreline. Make sure the trees are spaced properly to allow for their mature size. </div> <div> If you are planning on naturalizing your shoreline, talk with your neighbours before you start. With proper coordination, the population of geese should shift away from your shared waterfront, towards a more suitable habitat.</div> <div> For more information on discouraging geese or any other shoreline-related issues, please contact Peterborough Green-Up at (705) 745-3238 or visit the Green-Up website at www.greenup.on.ca.</div> <bR> <div> For more information about geese as pests, see:</div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.on.ec.gc.ca/wildlife/homepage/canadagooseconflict-e.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.on.ec.gc.ca/wildlife/homepage"><U>http://www.on.ec.gc.ca/wildlife/homepage/canadagooseconflict-e.html</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.cce.cornell.edu/publications/natural-resources.cfm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.cce.cornell.edu/publications/"><U>http://www.cce.cornell.edu/publications/natural-resources.cfm</U></A> (On this website are books you can order from Cornell University -- it also has an interesting-looking book about fending beavers away from driveways without hurting them.)</div> </td> </tr></table></body>