GRCA Minutes
Grand River Conservation Authority, 400 Clyde Road, Cambridge, Ontario N1R 5W6 Tel: (519) 621-2761 Fax: (519) 621-4844 Internet: http://www.grandriver.ca
January 2006 Province introduces melts occur. The average temperature Clean Water Act at Shand Dam was 2.9 degrees below Volume 12 – No. 1 the long-term average. This cold snap The Ontario government has intro- broke a trend of six consecutive duced the Clean Water Act to imple- GRCA months of above normal tempera- ment source water protection plan- General Membership ning across Ontario. tures. A review of watershed conditions Chairman - Peter Krause The Act is expected to become law in the spring of 2006. A series of regu- and an update of the flood warning 1st Vice-Chairman - George Wicke lations to implement the act will also system will take place at meetings 2nd Vice-Chairman - Vic Prendergast be adopted then. scheduled over the next two months. The act calls for the development of Townships of Amaranth, East Police and emergency co-ordinators a source water protection plan that Garafraxa, East Luther-Grand Valley, will meet on Jan. 24, while flood co- would identify the threats to drinking Melancthon and Southgate - Paul ordinators will meet on Feb. 15. water sources and then outline the Chantree actions needed to reduce the risk. Ministry promises Townships of Mapleton and The plans would be developed on a to review tornado grants Wellington North - Pat Salter watershed basis. A Source Protection Township of Centre Wellington - Jean Committee, representing municipali- The Minister of Municipal Affairs Innes ties, key stakeholders and watershed will review the size of grants given to residents would be responsible for Town of Erin, Townships of Guelph- Mapleton and Centre Wellington developing the plan. Much of the Eramosa and Puslinch - Archie townships to help them cover the cost research needed to support the plan MacRobbie of cleaning up tornado damage. will be undertaken by conservation MPP Brad Duguid, parliamentary City of Guelph - authorities and municipalities. assistant to the minister, told the David Birtwistle, Dan Moziar The process is expected to take up Ontario legislature that “the minister Region of Waterloo - to five years. When the plan is in will actively look at their requests.” Jane Brewer, Jean Haalboom, Ross place, municipalities and conservation Kelterborn, Peter Krause, Joe Martens, authorities would be responsible to The comment came in response to Claudette Millar, Jane Mitchell, implement portions of the plan. comments by Ted Arnott, MPP for Waterloo-Wellington, who criticized Ralph Shantz, Bill Strauss, Precipitation near normal Lynne Woolstencroft the Ontario government for not giving in most of watershed. Town of North Perth and Township enough money to the two townships of Perth East - George Wicke Heavy rains in late November and following the Aug. 19 tornadoes that swept through the area. Region of Halton - snowfalls in December have made up The province has allocated a total of J. Barry Lee for dry weather during most of the fall in many parts of the watershed. $335,000 to the two townships, which City of Hamilton - The two-month average ranged will then share the money with other Jeanette Jamieson from 75 per cent of normal at Guelph agencies that had cleanup costs, County of Oxford - Lake to 109 per cent at Conestogo including the Grand River Alan Dale Lake and Laurel Creek. Much of the Conservation Authority. There was rainfall fell during the last week of County of Brant - considerable damage to trees in cot- Gord Moore, Brian Coleman November. However, the late November rain, tage lot areas, as well as forests in the City of Brantford - followed by cold temperatures in Conestogo Lake and Belwood Lake Robert Hillier, Vic Prendergast December has resulted in frozen conservation areas. Haldimand and Norfolk Counties - ground conditions across much of the Arnott suggested the municipalities Craig Ashbaugh, Lorne Boyko watershed. That could result in less should be eligible for an additional infiltration and more runoff when $330,000.
THE GRAND - A Canadian Heritage River Community Conservation uments were turned over to the uni- The workshop is free, but partici- Grants approved versity in October. Also given to the pants must register before Feb. 10. To school were volumes of newspaper register, contact Cathy Smith at (519) The Grand River Conservation clippings dating back to 1935 and 740-4650, Ext. 4649 or by e-mail at Foundation and the GRCA have more than 45,000 photographic [email protected]. approved grants totaling $10,000 to images. eleven community and school groups The collection will be professionally Conference will highlight for a variety of environmental proj- catalogued and conserved by the uni- Grand River fishery ects. versity. Once cataloging is complete, Fishing experts from Canada and Seven of the grants are coming from the materials will be available to stu- the Thiess RiverPrize Fund, which the U.S. will gather in Brantford on dents and researchers at all three Jan. 28 for a symposium on a decade was created with the prize money watershed universities. The GRCA given to the GRCA when it won the of progress in the development of the retains access to original materials Grand River fishery. Thiess RiverPrize in 2000. should they be required in the future. Recipients of those grants are: Big “Grand Waters…Grand Fish: Brothers and Big Sisters of Brantford, GRCA seeks approval Celebration Dinner and Symposium” $1,200 for a youth environmental to install warning booms will recognize accomplishments since camping trip at Brant Park; the Grand River Fisheries Springtime In Paris festival, $1,000 for The GRCA has applied for permis- Management Plan was adopted 10 riverside tree planting; Guelph Field sion to install safety booms upstream years ago. The event will include an afternoon Naturalists, $1,000 for the Young of several dams in the watershed. symposium with speakers and dis- Naturalists Program; Langs Farm Applications were filed for four plays. The evening will be filled with Village Association of Cambridge, Grand River dams: Parkhill in several social events including a din- $1,300 for Youth Day Eco-Camp; Our Cambridge, Wilkes in Brantford, ner and auction for items such as fish- Lady of Fatima School in Cambridge, Caledonia and Dunnville. An applica- ing trips, boats and art. It will be held $500 for wetland rehabilitation and tion was also filed for the Guelph at the German Canadian Club, 914 education; St. Mary’s School in Elora, Dam on the Speed River. In the Henry Street from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. A $500 for schoolyard naturalization; St. future, the GRCA will apply for per- total of 160 tickets are available at $40 Teresa of Avila School in Elmira, $500 mission for about 25 more dams it each from Larry or Kim Mellors at for schoolyard naturalization. owns. 758-9400. Four of the grants are coming from The booms warn boaters, anglers Keynote speaker at the dinner will the Grand Champions Fund, which is and others on the water of the dan- be Rick Kustich of Grand Island, N.Y. made up of donations made by many gers associated with the dams. who is a noted flyfisherman and foundation donors over the years. The GRCA has applied for permis- author. Among his books are “Fly Recipients of those grants are: Social sion from the federal Department of Fishing for Great Lakes Steelhead” Planning Council of Cambridge and Transport which regulates navigable and "Fly Fishing the Great Lakes North Dumfries, $1,000 for an envi- waterways across the country. The Tributaries.” He’ll be talking about his ronmental forum for non-profit department’s permission is needed because the booms are an impediment experiences fishing the Grand River groups; Evergreen Learning Grounds watershed. Program of Waterloo Region elemen- to navigation. tary schools, $1,000 for a school tree Workshop on heritage planting participant recognition event; and ‘the competitive edge’ Laurentian Public School of Kitchener, This issue of "GRCA Minutes" $500 for schoolyard naturalization; The role heritage buildings and dis- was published in January 2006. and Paris Central School, $500 for tricts can play in giving a city a com- It is a summary of the schoolyard naturalization. petitive edge will be the theme of a December 2005 business con- The grants are awarded annually. day-long workshop scheduled for Feb. ducted by the Planning & Information about the program is in 20 at the University of Waterloo Operations; Administration, the foundation section of the GRCA School of Architecture on Melville Finance & Personnel; and website at www.grandriver.ca Street in Cambridge. General Membership University to archive The workshop is sponsored by the Committees. Space permitting, GRCA documents Heritage Working Group, an organi- other noteworthy happenings zation made up of heritage organiza- and topics of interest have been The University of Waterloo is the tions from throughout the Grand included. The Grand River new home of many studies, reports, River watershed. Conservation Authority wel- photos, meeting minutes and other Speakers will discuss the role of her- comes the photocopying and dis- materials produced by the GRCA and itage in cities as diverse as tribution of "GRCA Minutes" or its predecessor organizations since the Peterborough, Quebec City and visit our website at www.grand 1930s. Toronto, as well as communities in the river.ca About 100 boxes of papers and doc- Grand River Watershed.
THE GRAND - A Canadian Heritage River GRCA Minutes
Grand River Conservation Authority, 400 Clyde Road, Cambridge, Ontario N1R 5W6 Tel: (519) 621-2761 Fax: (519) 621-4844 Internet: http://www.grandriver.ca
February 2006 Krause acclaimed residents to exercise caution around Volume 12 – No. 2 as GRCA chair rivers, streams and ponds. Peter Krause has been acclaimed to Board urges more GRCA his ninth one-year term as chairman protection for Dumfries General Membership of the Grand River Conservation Authority. Krause, who is a represen- The GRCA wants to explore the Chairman - Peter Krause tative of the Region of Waterloo, was possibility of further protection for acclaimed to the position during elec- 1st Vice-Chairman - Alan Dale the Dumfries Conservation Area in tions at a GRCA board meeting on Cambridge. 2nd Vice-Chairman - Vic Prendergast Jan. 13 The park occupies land east of the Townships of Amaranth, East He operates a benefits consulting Garafraxa, East Luther-Grand Valley, Grand River, between Coronation Melancthon and Southgate - Paul business. He has been a member of Boulevard and Hespeler Road, in the Chantree the GRCA board since 1986 and chair- middle of a rapidly growing urban man since 1998. He is also chairman area. Townships of Mapleton and of Conservation Ontario, the umbrella The Region of Waterloo has pro- Wellington North - Pat Salter organization representing Ontario's posed designating another larger par- Township of Centre Wellington - Jean 36 conservation authorities. Innes cel of land in Cambridge and North Alan Dale, a cash crop farmer from Dumfries as an Environmentally Town of Erin, Townships of Guelph- Norwich Township in Oxford Sensitive Landscape which would Eramosa and Puslinch - Archie County, was elected first vice-chair provide it with protection under local MacRobbie and will serve as chair of the land-use planning regulations. The City of Guelph - Planning and Operations Committee. land is on the west bank of the river David Birtwistle, Dan Moziar and is known as the Blair-Bechtel- Vic Prendergast, a representative of Cruickston ESL. Region of Waterloo - the City of Brantford, was acclaimed Jane Brewer, Jean Haalboom, Ross second vice-chair and will also serve However, the Dumfries area does Kelterborn, Peter Krause, Joe Martens, as chair of the Administration, Claudette Millar, Jane Mitchell, not meet the criteria established by Ralph Shantz, Bill Strauss, Finance and Personnel Committee. the region to be included in that ESL Lynne Woolstencroft area. Watershed conditions Town of North Perth and Township In light of that, the GRCA board of Perth East - George Wicke January was one of the warmest in authorized staff to explore other Region of Halton - more than 50 years, with the result options such as land-use designations J. Barry Lee that there is little snow cover and that would provide the Dumfries land with additional protection. City of Hamilton - river flows have been higher than Jeanette Jamieson usual for this time of the year. The mean monthly air temperature at Camping fees rise County of Oxford - Shand Dam was 5.5 degrees above at GRCA parks Alan Dale the long-term average for the month. County of Brant - The price of daily admission to Gord Moore, Brian Coleman The Grand and its tributaries were GRCA parks will remain frozen this largely free of ice, reducing the possi- year at $4 for those over 14 and $2.25 City of Brantford - Robert Hillier, Vic Prendergast bility of ice jams. for those between six and 14. Haldimand and Norfolk Counties - As a result of a thaw and heavy However, rates for camping will Craig Ashbaugh, Lorne Boyko rainfall, a flood safety bulletin was rise for both overnight and seasonal issued on Jan. 30, advising watershed campers.
THE GRAND - A Canadian Heritage River The price for nightly camping will mental regulations and policies. The the Grand Strategy. rise by $2 to $26 for an unserviced site GRCA continues to provide munici- and by $3 to $31 for a serviced site. palities with reviews of their plans Seminar provides advice and policies without additional cost. on private land reforestation For seasonal campers, rates will rise $50 a season for an unserviced site. GRCA offers recommendations Landowners interested in reforest- Current rates range from $950 to for 'Places to Grow' plan ing part of their property can get $1,050, depending on the park. expert advice at a free seminar on Seasonal rates for serviced sites will The provincial plan for managing Wednesday, Feb. 22. growth in the Grand River region rise between $50 and $75. Current The seminar will run from 7 p.m. to rates range from $1,200 to $1,450. needs to include more protection for 9 p.m. and will be held at the Grand natural areas, says the GRCA in a River Conservation Authority head Rates for season passes will also go response to Places To Grow. up. The cost of a vehicle sticker will office, 400 Clyde Rd., Cambridge. The be $110, an increase of $10. The cost The GRCA report also says that seminar is sponsored by the GRCA of a walk-in button pass will be $45 conservation authorities need to be and Somerville Seedlings. It is geared for adults ($5 increase), $30 for chil- involved in the sub-area planning to those interested in reforestation, dren ($10 increase) and $110 for a process in order to provide input on rather than landscaping. family ($10 increase). natural spaces, water quality, water The seminar will present informa- supply and other issues. As well, the tion on financial incentives for tree The GRCA operates 12 conservation dams and reservoirs operated by the planting as well as suggestions on areas which record more than one GRCA should be recognized as an planning, site preparation, tree han- million visits a year. The parks oper- integral part of the water supply and dling and maintenance. ate on a break-even basis and gener- sewer treatment systems of watershed ate more than $5 million a year in rev- communities. The GRCA has also The seminar is free, but space is enue. proposed that more research needs to limited so call Brenda Armstrong to be done into the importance of register by Feb. 20 at (519) 621-2763, Flood co-ordinators moraines and other groundwater ext 250 or e-mail at barmstrong meeting scheduled recharge areas to ensure they are pro- @grandriver.ca tected in growth plans. The annual meeting of municipal flood co-ordinators will be held at the Workshop will focus on heritage GRCA office in Cambridge on Feb. 15 and economic development at 1:30 p.m. Cities and towns are always looking GRCA staff will provide the co- for a competitive edge when it comes ordinators with the most recent infor- to attracting industrial and commer- mation on watershed conditions to cial development. help the co-ordinators prepare for the spring runoff. Can protecting historic buildings and other heritage assets help give In addition, a presentation will be them that edge? made by representatives of the Albert This issue of "GRCA Minutes" Environment River Forecast Centre That's the question that will be was published in February 2006. about the June 2005 floods in that examined at a Heritage Day It is a summary of the Janaury province. Workshop and Celebration scheduled 2006 business conducted by the for Monday, Feb. 20 in Cambridge at Planning & Operations; Plan review fees the new campus of the School of Administration, Finance & increased by five per cent Architecture of the University of Personnel; and General Waterloo. The school is housed in the Membership Committees. The fees charged by the GRCA to historic Riverside Silk Mills on the Space permitting, other note- review development proposals will banks of the Grand River. worthy happenings and topics rise by five percent. The workshop is sponsored by the of interest have been included. The fees, paid by the proponents of City of Cambridge, Heritage The Grand River Conservation a development, cover the GRCA's Cambridge, Waterloo Regional Authority welcomes the photo- cost of providing plan review and Heritage Foundation, the School of copying and distribution of "GRCA Minutes" or visit our technical clearance services. GRCA Architecutre and the Grand River website at www.grandriver.ca staff review the proposals to see Conservation Authority. It is hosted whether they comply with environ- by the Heritage Working Group of
THE GRAND - A Canadian Heritage River GRCA Minutes
Grand River Conservation Authority, 400 Clyde Road, Cambridge, Ontario N1R 5W6 Tel: (519) 621-2761 Fax: (519) 621-4844 Internet: http://www.grandriver.ca
March 2006 Budget approved for 2006 three issues that needed to be addressed. The first - the height of the Volume 12 – No. 3 The general membership of the clay core in the dam - was resolved Grand River Conservation Authority when the core was raised in 2003. has approved a 2006 budget with GRCA expenditures of $23 million. For the The other two issues will be exam- General Membership 925,000 residents of the Grand River ined in more detail by Hatch Acres. watershed, their average contribution The company will examine a deficien- Chairman - Peter Krause through their municipal taxes cy in the stilling basin, the area down- amounts to $7.66 per year. stream of the dam which dissipates 1st Vice-Chairman - Alan Dale the energy from water discharged 2nd Vice-Chairman - Vic Prendergast The bulk of the GRCA's revenue through the gates. The company will comes from three sources: municipal also examine the fact that the dam Townships of Amaranth, East levies, provincial grants and self-gen- does not have the capacity to safely Garafraxa, East Luther-Grand Valley, erated funds. discharge the flow resulting from the Melancthon and Southgate - Paul The municipal share of the budget probably maximum precipitation. Chantree amounts to $8 million, about 35 per The company will recommend Townships of Mapleton and cent of the budget. Some municipali- plans to address the two issues. The Wellington North - Pat Salter ties also contribute additional cost of any proposed work on the amounts for specific programs such Township of Centre Wellington - Jean dam itself would have to be included as the Rural Water Quality Program. in future GRCA capital budgets. Innes Contributions to that program come Town of Erin, Townships of Guelph- from the Region of Waterloo, Wellington County, Brant County, New turbine to be installed Eramosa and Puslinch - Archie at Conestogo Dam MacRobbie Guelph and Brantford and total $700,000. City of Guelph - The hydroelectric turbine at David Birtwistle, Dan Moziar The provincial government will Conestogo Dam will be replaced at a contribute $3 million to the GRCA total cost of about $600,000. Region of Waterloo - budget, or about 13 per cent of the Jane Brewer, Jean Haalboom, Ross total budget. That includes general The 15-year-old turbine has been Kelterborn, Peter Krause, Joe Martens, operating grants plus special grants out of service for about 18 months Claudette Millar, Jane Mitchell, for source protection, maintenance of because of mechanical failures. Ralph Shantz, Bill Strauss, dikes and dams and other projects. The new turbine should be in serv- Lynne Woolstencroft The majority of the GRCA's budget ice in the spring. Once it's operating it will provide revenue of about Town of North Perth and Township - about $12 million, or 52 per cent - $211,000 a year, meaning the project of Perth East - George Wicke comes from self-generated revenues, which includes park admissions, will pay for itself in less than three Region of Halton - property rentals, hydroelectricity years. The new turbine is expected to J. Barry Lee sales, gravel sales, land rental and have a life expectancy of 30 years. City of Hamilton - grants from the Grand River Jeanette Jamieson Conservation Foundation. GRCA and municipalities apply for water research grants County of Oxford - Consultants will look at Alan Dale Conestogo Dam The GRCA and municipalities in the Grand River watershed and County of Brant - neighbouring watersheds have Gord Moore, Brian Coleman Hatch Acres Inc. has been hired at a price of $117,163 to carry out the next applied for a total of $2 million in City of Brantford - phase of the Conestogo Dam Safety grants to conduct studies that will be Robert Hillier, Vic Prendergast Study. It is expected that the Ontario used to help develop source water Ministry of Natural Resources will protection plans under the proposed Haldimand and Norfolk Counties - pay half of the cost. Clean Water Act. Craig Ashbaugh, Lorne Boyko An earlier study in 1997 identified The Ontario government is making
THE GRAND - A Canadian Heritage River $51 million available over five years Chemicals not affecting shed. The revisions were needed to to finance studies on groundwater Dumfries C.A. bring the GRCA regulations in line vulnerability, protection zones for with new provincial regulations. water intakes on rivers and lakes, Chemicals leaking from an industri- sources of pollution and other issues. al site in Cambridge have reached the The revised regulations will now be area underneath the Dumfries submitted to the Ministry of Natural The applications involve municipal- Conservation Area, but have not had Resources for approval. They are ities and four conservation authorities an effect on the property. scheduled to come into effect on May - Grand River, Long Point Region, 1. Catfish Creek and Kettle Creek - who A chemical called trichloroethylene will be working together to develop (TCE) has been found in the ground Rural Water Quality Program source water protection plans in the in Cambridge, coming from the now covers all of Lake Erie Source Protection Region. Northstar Aerospace property. Waterloo Region Northstar is working with the Ontario These special projects will supple- Ministry of Environment to contain Grants under the Rural Water ment work already being done by the the chemical and clean it up. Quality Program are now available to municipalities and the conservation farmers throughout Waterloo Region. authorities to develop a scientific The chemical has caused concern in foundation for the source protection residential neighbourhoods, because Until recently, only landowners plan. vapours can accumulate in base- located in priority areas upstream of ments. Waterloo, Kitchener and New The Clean Water Act was intro- Hamburg were eligible to apply. The duced in December. The province is However, there are no enclosed program is now expanding to include developing regulations to implement buildings on the park property and the remainder of the Townships of the Act, and is expected to schedule it's not expected to have any impact Wilmot and all of North Dumfries hearings by a legislative committee to on vegetation. Township. consider the act. Northstar and the Region of The Rural Water Quality Program is Waterloo are carefully monitoring a partnership between municipalities, Most reported spills several regional drinking wells in the came from sewage plants conservation authorities and farmers. vicinity. So far, they have not shown Financial sponsorship is provided by any signs of contamination. There were 88 spills reported to the the Region of Waterloo and the GRCA during 2005, of which 53, or 60 GRCA administers the program, per cent were sewage treatment plant Grand River tourism group including on-farm technical assis- bypasses. receives grant tance. Only nine involved raw sewage, Grand River Country, a tourism Since the inception of the program and they typically occurred at pump- promotion group representing the in 1998, there have been more than ing stations. The remainder occurred GRCA and several municipal tourism 525 projects completed in Waterloo at sewage treatment plants and in organizations, has received a $20,000 Region. To date, more than $5.5 mil- those cases the sewage was given at grant from the Ontario Ministry of lion has been spent on projects, with least partial treatment before the Tourism and Recreation to develop landowners contributing $3.4 million effluent made its way to the receiving new marketing tools and campaigns. and RWQP grants totaling $2.1 mil- creek or river. lion. Grand River Country includes The Guelph sewage plant recorded tourism agencies representing the largest number but in those cases, Guelph, Centre Wellington, the sewage had already been treated Cambridge, Brantford, Haldimand, This issue of "GRCA Minutes" to a high level and missed only the Six Nations and New Credit. It pub- was published in March 2006. final stage. The bypasses from the lishes a 48-page guide to GRCA con- Guelph plant occurred over a short servation areas and Grand River com- It is a summary of the period and were due to operational munities, does joint advertising and February 2006 business conduct- difficulties which have since been marketing, maintains a web site and ed by the Planning & addressed. pays for Grand River Country signs Operations; Administration, on Highways 401 and 403. The Cayuga and Caledonia plants, Finance & Personnel; and both owned by Haldimand County, The grant will allow the group to General Membership were also involved in several bypass- update its website and develop new Committees. Space permitting, es. Haldimand County has installed a marketing campaigns. other noteworthy happenings storage tank near a pumping station and topics of interest have been to reduce the frequency and volume Revised regulation sent to included. The Grand River of bypasses. Other studies are under- province for approval Conservation Authority wel- way to identify areas of high infiltra- comes the photocopying and tion into the sewage system which is The GRCA has adopted revisions to usually the casue of bypasses. regulations to manage activities in distribution of "GRCA Minutes" natural areas such as wetlands, or visit our website at slopes, floodplains and the Lake Erie www.grandriver.ca shoreline in the Grand River water-
THE GRAND - A Canadian Heritage River GRCA Minutes
Grand River Conservation Authority, 400 Clyde Road, Cambridge, Ontario N1R 5W6 Tel: (519) 621-2761 Fax: (519) 621-4844 Internet: http://www.grandriver.ca
April 2006 GRCA to work with Chinese in the west side of Brantford. It will on environmental issues involve five hectares of land in the Volume 12 – No. 4 central part of the park. The GRCA and the University of GRCA Waterloo will be working with a The second burn in Paris will Chinese university and a Chinese city involve a small parcel, about 0.1 General Membership to exchange information on watershed hectare of land, west of the town on land adjacent to the Paris landfill site. Chairman - Peter Krause management. The purpose of prescribed burning 1st Vice-Chairman - Alan Dale A Memorandum of Understanding is to maintain and enhance the tall- 2nd Vice-Chairman - Vic Prendergast will be signed by the four parties dur- ing a ceremony in Dalian, China in grass prairie and other native plants Townships of Amaranth, East April. on the site and reduce the presence of Garafraxa, East Luther-Grand Valley, woody plants and invasive species. Melancthon and Southgate - Paul The GRCA is a partner with U of W Chantree in EcoPlan China, which is funded by Flood operations centre the Canadian International Townships of Mapleton and busy in March Development Agency (CIDA) and Wellington North - Pat Salter administered by the university. Five flood messages and one safety Township of Centre Wellington - Jean bulletin were issued by the GRCA Innes The university is helping Dalian University of Technology create a new between March 9 and March 17 when Town of Erin, Townships of Guelph- graduate program for environmental melting snow and rainfall combined Eramosa and Puslinch - Archie studies and assisting with the imple- to raise water levels across the water- MacRobbie mentation of environmental demon- shed. City of Guelph - stration projects. There was minor flooding in com- David Birtwistle, Dan Moziar The GRCA is providing advice to munities along the Nith River, includ- Region of Waterloo - the university and the City of Dalian ing New Hamburg and Ayr, and in Jane Brewer, Jean Haalboom, Ross about developing a watershed man- Grand Valley on the Grand River. Kelterborn, Peter Krause, Joe Martens, agement plan for the Biliu River The GRCA used its reservoirs to Claudette Millar, Jane Mitchell, watershed. moderate flows in most of the water- Ralph Shantz, Bill Strauss, shed. Maximum flows were reduced Lynne Woolstencroft Representatives of the Canadian by 30 to 50 per cent, lowering the and Chinese groups have traded vis- Town of North Perth and Township threat of flooding to stores in Elora, its. of Perth East - George Wicke houses in West Montrose, a trailer Region of Halton - EcoPlan China will cover the costs park near Guelph and others trailer J. Barry Lee of the GRCA's participation in the parks in Haldimand County. program. City of Hamilton - Overall, precipitation during the Jeanette Jamieson past three months has been about 20 Prescribed burns planned to 60 per cent above normal. Warm County of Oxford - for Brantford, Paris Alan Dale temperatures meant that much of it fell as rain. County of Brant - Prescribed burns will take place on Gord Moore, Brian Coleman two GRCA properties sometime in April to help maintain the remnant Public meeting held on future City of Brantford - of Grand in Paris-Brantford Robert Hillier, Vic Prendergast prairie and savannah habitats in the area. Haldimand and Norfolk Counties - A public meeting was held Craig Ashbaugh, Lorne Boyko One burn will take place at Brant Wednesday, April 5 to review a report Conservation Area on Jennings Road, outlining what type of action is need-
THE GRAND - A Canadian Heritage River ed to protect and improve the The committee held its first meeting The County of Brant, which pays Exceptional Waters stretch of the on March 31 and discussed the poten- the cost of trail maintenance, has also Grand River between Paris and tial for generating power at other set up a committee to review the Brantford. dams along the Grand River system, issue. including the Parkhill Dam in The meeting was at the Apps' Mill Cambridge. Terms of reference for the Nature Centre, 308 Robinson Rd., just committee will be discussed at its next west of Rest Acres Road. meeting. The meeting was a follow-up to one held in February at which 35 members New water connection for of the public met with GRCA officials Brant Conservation Area and others to discuss this stretch of the river. Brant Conservation Area will be tied into a new Brantford water line after The purpose of the February meet- the park's old connection, which ing was to collect suggestions on the passed under the Grand River, recent- steps that should be taken to improve ly failed. public access as well as protect its nat- ural features. Those suggestions have The failure of the line, which is now been gathered into an more than 30 years old, was noticed Exceptional Waters Resource by park staff on March 16. The line is Management Plan which was present- owned by the GRCA ed at the April 5 meeting. The park will now tap into a new The section of the Grand between main which was constructed in 2005 the Penman's Dam in Paris and by the city to serve the northwest part Cockshutt Bridge in Brantford has of Brantford. The line runs adjacent to been designated an Exceptional Brant Conservation Area. The GRCA Waters reach because of its history, will have to cover the cost of con- structing a 500 metre connection and a natural features and importance as a new meter valve building. Cost of the recreational area. project is expected to be about It is an extremely popular stretch of $150,000. It is hoped to have the work the river for boaters, anglers, hikers done by the end of April or in early and bikers. May. It is also an important natural area, Policies regarding horses providing a home to many fish species, including several rare and on trails will be reviewed endangered ones. A staff report will be prepared on The City of Brantford draws its the use of horses on trails owned or drinking water from this part of the operated by the GRCA. The issue river. arose as a result of a concern about the presence of horses on a rail-trail This issue of "GRCA Minutes" The work has been overseen by a running southwest of Brantford, near was published in April 2006. community committee, with support the village of Mount Pleasant. The It is a summary of the March from the GRCA and the Ontario GRCA licenses the right-of-way from Ministry of Natural Resources. 2006 business conducted by the the provincial government and the Planning & Operations; licence agreement allows for horses on Administration, Finance & New committee to examine the trial. However, concern has been Personnel; and General energy production raised by the Brant Waterways Membership Committees. Space Foundation, which helped finance the permitting, other noteworthy A special committee has been creat- trail, about the presence of horses happenings and topics of inter- ed to examine the potential for the which it says represents a danger to est have been included. The GRCA to participate in additional both the riders and other users. Grand River Conservation electricity generating ventures. The report will outline the GRCA's Authority welcomes the photo- The GRCA already generates hydro- present policies on trail use. In addi- copying and distribution of electric power at its Guelph, Shand tion, a legal opinion will be sought on "GRCA Minutes" or visit our and Conestogo dams. Profits from the the question of whether horses must website at www.grandriver.ca sale of electricity are used to help pay be allowed on the trail to satisfy the for other GRCA program. terms of the licence agreement.
THE GRAND - A Canadian Heritage River GRCA Minutes
Grand River Conservation Authority, 400 Clyde Road, Cambridge, Ontario N1R 5W6 Tel: (519) 621-2761 Fax: (519) 621-4844 Internet: http://www.grandriver.ca
May 2006 Updated regulation governs ing number of cormorants have been activities around natural areas invading nesting sites historically Volume 12 – No. 5 occupied by great blue herons in the The Ontario Ministry of Natural 5,200-hectare Luther Marsh, which is GRCA Resources has approved an update of west of Grand Valley, straddling the the regulation which governs activi- Dufferin-Wellington county border. General Membership ties in or near natural areas such as GRCA terrestrial resource manage- Chairman - Peter Krause rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, wet- ment staff said they were concerned lands, slopes and the Lake Erie shore- that the cormorants may have a harm- 1st Vice-Chairman - Alan Dale line of the Grand River watershed. ful impact on the significant heron 2nd Vice-Chairman - Vic Prendergast The document is called habitat. Townships of Amaranth, East "Development, Interference with Garafraxa, East Luther-Grand Valley, Wetlands and Alterations to Rural Water Quality Program Melancthon and Southgate - Paul Shorelines and Watercourses - receives award from rural group Chantree Regulation 150/06" A program that helps farmers pro- Townships of Mapleton and Anyone planning any work, such as tect water quality on their land in the Wellington North - Pat Salter building, construction, changing the Grand River watershed has been rec- Township of Centre Wellington - Jean existing grade, adding material or ognized with an Award of Rural Innes removing material in regulated areas, Excellence by the Foundation for Town of Erin, Townships of Guelph- may need a permit from the GRCA. Rural Living. Eramosa and Puslinch - Archie The regulation was adopted by the The Rural Water Quality Program, MacRobbie GRCA in April and became effective which is a partnership of the GRCA, City of Guelph - on May 8. A copy of the regulation municipalities and farmers, was the David Birtwistle, Dan Moziar and other information is posted on the winner of the award for the Region of Waterloo - GRCA website at www.grandriver.ca Outstanding Partnership with Business. The Foundation for Rural Jane Brewer, Jean Haalboom, Ross In order to implement one portion Living is a non-profit organization Kelterborn, Peter Krause, Joe Martens, of the new regulation, the GRCA also dedicated to building sustainable Claudette Millar, Jane Mitchell, adopted an interim Lake Erie rural capacity and enhancing the qual- Ralph Shantz, Bill Strauss, Shoreline Protection Policy. Lynne Woolstencroft ity of life for rural citizens through the growth and development of commu- Town of North Perth and Township Planned cormorant cull deferred nity investment in the form of philan- of Perth East - George Wicke thropy, citizenship and collaboration. A proposal to cull cormorants at Region of Halton - Luther Marsh Wildlife Management The awards program recognizes and J. Barry Lee Area to protect the great blue herons honours rural communities, organiza- City of Hamilton - has been deferred and will be dis- tions and groups who, through pro- Jeanette Jamieson cussed again this fall after more study grams, projects, and initiatives, act on County of Oxford - is done on the cormorant and heron their vision of a better rural Ontario. Alan Dale populations. County of Brant - The proposal called for a GRCA Brant County donates Gord Moore, Brian Coleman staff member, who is a licensed trap- important wetland property per, to shoot and kill adult cormorants City of Brantford - The County of Brant is donating in the Luther Marsh Wildlife Robert Hillier, Vic Prendergast wetland properties in the Oakland Management Area before they estab- Swamp to the GRCA. The four pieces Haldimand and Norfolk Counties - lished a breeding colony. Craig Ashbaugh, Lorne Boyko of landlocked property have a total Over the past two years, an increas- size of 11 hectares. This is the first
THE GRAND - A Canadian Heritage River land acquired by the GRCA in the 800 The Region of Waterloo is reviewing to 152 per cent of the long-term aver- hectare provincially significant wet- changes in the area in Kitchener age. Rainfall ranged from 59 mm at land. The acquisition means the prop- around Highway 8 and River Road Woolwich Reservoir near Elmira, to 75 erties will remain in their natural state where there are significant wooded mm at Shade's Mills Reservoir in in perpetuity. The GRCA will pay the areas and wetlands. Several alterna- Cambridge. The majority of the rain legal costs to complete the transaction. tives for the roadways have been came in two rainfalls -- one during the examined as part of the South first week of the month and the sec- GRCA and university sign Kitchener Transportation Corridor ond over the weekend of April 22. agreement in Dalian, China Study. That rainfall helped top off the GRCA's reservoirs to meet storage tar- The study steering committee has The GRCA and the University of gets. recommended Alternative 4C with a Waterloo have signed an agreement 70 km/h design speed. The report Monthly average temperatures were with a Chinese university and a water from GRCA staff said this alternative about 1.8 degrees above the long-term management agency to develop provides the best protection for average at Shand Dam. This contin- watershed management programs in Hoffstetter Creek, several wetlands ued a trend, with 10 of the past 12 Dalian, China. and other natural features in the area. months warmer than normal. Peter Krause, chair of the GRCA The GRCA's comments on the study and Dr. Bruce Mitchell, associate Fuel tank to be installed will be included in the final report. provost of the University of Waterloo, took part in a signing ceremony on Gabriel Maintenance Ltd. of St. April 20 in Dalian. They were joined Study planned of watersheds in Catharines was awarded the tender by Song Guanglu, general director of eastern part of Waterloo Region for the installation of an underground the Dalian Water Affairs Bureau and fuel tank at the GRCA administration The Region of Waterloo, Kitchener Dr. Guo Donming, vice president of centre in Cambridge. The price of the Cambridge and Woolwich and the the Dalian University of Technology. contract is $64,200. The GRCA pur- GRCA will work together to study chased a new 30,000 litre, three-com- The agreement will further water- several watercourses and surrounding partment fuel tank in 2005. The new shed management on the Biliu River land in the eastern part of Waterloo contract is for removal of the old in Dalian. Region, north of the Speed River. tanks, which had reached the end of The GRCA is a partner with the The area is drained by the Chilligo, their normal life span, and installation University of Waterloo in EcoPlan Hopewell and Freeport creeks, as well of the new one. China, which is funded by the as the Breslau and Randall drains. It Canadian International Development has been identified as an area for Agency (CIDA) and administered by future urban development, particular- the university. The university is help- ly industrial development. ing Dalian University of Technology The subwatershed studies will create a new graduate program for examine natural areas such as the environmental studies and assisting streams, wetlands and woodlots and with the implementation of environ- answer questions about the state of mental demonstration projects. The the natural environment. The informa- GRCA is providing advice to the uni- tion will be used to help draw up versity and the City of Dalian about This issue of "GRCA Minutes" potential development plans that will developing a watershed management was published in May 2006. allow for protection of the natural plan for the Biliu River watershed. areas. It is a summary of the April Representatives of the Canadian and 2005 business conducted by the Chinese groups have traded visits. The GRCA and the region will split Planning & Operations; the cost of Phase 1 of the study which EcoPlan China will cover the costs Administration, Finance & has been budgeted at $100,000 in 2006. of the GRCA's participation in the Personnel; and General program. Membership Committees. Space April was warmer permitting, other noteworthy and wetter than usual Plan for Kitchener road happenings and topics of inter- est have been included. The upgrades would have least April was a little wetter and a little impact on environment Grand River Conservation warmer than normal. Authority welcomes the photo- The preferred plan for upgrades and Precipitation across the watershed copying and distribution of new roadways in south Kitchener is was above the long-term average in "GRCA Minutes" or visit our the one that offers the best protection April, continuing a trend that started website at www.grandriver.ca for the environment, said a staff in January. During April, the total report presented to the GRCA board. precipitation ranged from 99 per cent
THE GRAND - A Canadian Heritage River GRCA Minutes
Grand River Conservation Authority, 400 Clyde Road, Cambridge, Ontario N1R 5W6 Tel: (519) 621-2761 Fax: (519) 621-4844 Internet: http://www.grandriver.ca
June 2006 Submission planned slightly above average across much of Volume 12 – No. 6 on Clean Water Act the watershed. The GRCA will seek to be on the Policy approved GRCA speakers list when public hearings are for wetland areas General Membership held on the proposed Clean Water Act. A policy statement that will help implement revised regulations for Chairman - Peter Krause The legislation has been given sec- areas around wetlands has been 1st Vice-Chairman - Alan Dale ond reading and will be the subject of approved. 2nd Vice-Chairman - Vic Prendergast public hearings by a legislative com- Townships of Amaranth, East mittee later this year. The "Policy for Areas of Interference Around Wetlands" will be used as a Garafraxa, East Luther-Grand Valley, The GRCA presentation will be guide to implement the wetland poli- Melancthon and Southgate - Paul made on behalf of all four conserva- cies contained in Regulation 150/07: Chantree tion authorities in the Lake Erie "Development, Interference with Townships of Mapleton and Source Protection Region. The four Wetlands and Alteration to Shorelines Wellington North - Pat Salter are the Grand River, Long Point and Watercourses." The regulation Region, Catfish Creek and Kettle Township of Centre Wellington - Jean requires that anyone doing work in or Creek conservation authorities. Innes near a wetland seek permission from Town of Erin, Townships of Guelph- An outline of proposed comments the GRCA. Eramosa and Puslinch - Archie to serve as the basis of the formal sub- The policy was developed to ensure MacRobbie mission was approved by the GRCA a consistent and fair approach to deci- City of Guelph - board. sions regarding permit applications David Birtwistle, Dan Moziar for construction projects around wet- Wet weather continues in May Region of Waterloo - lands. A copy of the policy is available Jane Brewer, Jean Haalboom, Ross Precipitation in May was at or in the "Planning and Regulations" sec- Kelterborn, Peter Krause, Joe Martens, tion of the GRCA website. Claudette Millar, Jane Mitchell, above the long-term average across Ralph Shantz, Bill Strauss, most of the watershed, a continuation Progress of Exceptional Lynne Woolstencroft of a trend that started earlier in the year. Waters Program outlined Town of North Perth and Township of Perth East - George Wicke During May, rainfall ranged from 79 Significant progress has been made Region of Halton - per cent of normal (58 mm) at Luther in protecting and enhancing the sec- J. Barry Lee Marsh to 124 per cent (93 mm) at tion of the Grand River between Paris City of Hamilton - Shades Mills in Cambridge. During and Brantford during the past 30 Jeanette Jamieson the last six months, precipitation months. amounts have been eight to 37 per New river access points, signage, County of Oxford - cent above normal. Alan Dale various scientific studies and a lot of County of Brant - May was slightly cooler than normal promotional work has been accom- Gord Moore, Brian Coleman - about one degree less at Shand Dam plished under the terms of a grant - breaking a trend of warm conditions from the Ontario Trillium Foundation City of Brantford - going back to January. Ten of the past which ends on June 30. Robert Hillier, Vic Prendergast 12 months have been warmer than A report to the GRCA board noted Haldimand and Norfolk Counties - normal. Craig Ashbaugh, Lorne Boyko that a community advisory committee River and stream flows were at or has developed substantial awareness
THE GRAND - A Canadian Heritage River in the community about the improv- al warning symbol for boaters. They Participants can download a copy of ing quality of the Grand River as a are in addition to existing warning the registration form, or register recreational and tourism resource, in and portage signs. online at the foundation's website at addition to its key function as the sole www.grandriver.ca/foundation Buoys were also placed at the Paris source of water to the City of (Penman) Dam on the Grand River. Brantford. The dam is owned by the County of A resource management plan is Brant which contracted the GRCA to being developed for this section of the install the buoys to add to the existing river. It will be the basis for develop- warning and portage signs. ment of an implementation plan that could generate future Trillium Nominations open Foundation funding. for Watershed Awards
Trees Ontario Foundation helps Nominations are open until July 31 rebuild tornado-damaged forests for the GRCA's annual Watershed Awards. Awards are presented to Sections of the tornado-destroyed individuals and families, groups and forest at Belwood Lake Conservation firms to recognize their efforts to Area were planted with new trees in improve the Grand River watershed. May, thanks to a grant from the Trees Honour Roll awards are given to Ontario Foundation. The grant was recipients that have shown a sus- used to purchase 10,000 trees to be tained commitment to the environ- planted in portions of the forest that ment over a period of time. were so heavily damaged that there The awards are presented at the was little chance of natural regenera- GRCA's annual meeting February. tion. More information and nomination Thousands of trees at Belwood Lake forms are available in the "Watershed and Conestogo Lake conservation Awards" section of the GRCA website areas were destroyed when two torna- at www.grandriver.ca dos ripped through Wellington County on Aug. 19, 2005. Golf tournament will help envi- The GRCA also planted 3,500 trees ronmental projects at Conestogo Lake. Forest rehabilita- Golfers will be able to help the envi- tion continues at both conservation ronment by participating in the first areas. Grand River Conservation Foundation Golf Tournament, to be held June 27 Warning buoys placed at six at the Galt Country Club. GRCA dams The tournament is a fund-raising This issue of "GRCA Minutes" The Grand River Conservation event for the foundation. Proceeds was published in June 2006. Authority has installed warning buoys from the tournament will support upstream of six of its dams on the environmental projects of the Grand It is a summary of the May Grand and Speed rivers to provide River Conservation Authority. 2006 business conducted by the additional notice to canoeists and Planning & Operations; kayakers to stay away from the dams. This year the tournament is dedicat- Administration, Finance & ed to the memory of Grant Erwin who Personnel; and General The buoys were installed on the died in 2004. Mr. Erwin, owner of Membership Committees. Space Grand River at the Dunnville Dam, Taylor & Grant Specialties, was the permitting, other noteworthy Caledonia Dam, Wilkes Dam first vice-president of the foundation happenings and topics of inter- (Brantford), Parkhill Dam and a key strategist of the $2 million est have been included. The (Cambridge) and Bissell Dam (Elora). Living Classroom - Campaign for Grand River Conservation Buoys were also installed at the Outdoor Education. Authority welcomes the photo- Wellington Street Dam on the Speed copying and distribution of Tickets are $225 and include a bar- River in Guelph. "GRCA Minutes" or visit our beque lunch, gala dinner, prizes, a website at www.grandriver.ca The buoys are marked with a bright partial charitable receipt, and of red diamond, which is an internation- course a day of exceptional golf.
THE GRAND - A Canadian Heritage River GRCA Minutes
Grand River Conservation Authority, 400 Clyde Road, Cambridge, Ontario N1R 5W6 Tel: (519) 621-2761 Fax: (519) 621-4844 Internet: http://www.grandriver.ca
July 2006 Dry June affects river flows to protect wells and its water intake downstream of the gauge. Volume 12 – No. 7 After a relatively wet start to the year, the weather turned warm and dry in The gauge will also provide informa- GRCA June which had an impact on river tion about high water levels. and stream flows in parts of the General Membership watershed. The $91,686 cost of the project will be split between the GRCA and the Chairman - Peter Krause Precipitation was 25 per cent of nor- Region of Waterloo. Drexler 1st Vice-Chairman - Alan Dale mal in Cambridge and 38 per cent of Construction Ltd. was the successful 2nd Vice-Chairman - Vic Prendergast normal at Shand Dam near Fergus. bidder on the project. Even the wettest part of the water- Townships of Amaranth, East shed, in the Conestogo Lake area, Life-jacket loaner program Garafraxa, East Luther-Grand Valley, received just 91 per cent of normal Melancthon and Southgate - Paul precipitation. launched at swimming areas Chantree Townships of Mapleton and The average rainfall in June is typical- The Grand River Conservation Wellington North - Pat Salter ly about 80 mm. Authority has started a life-jacket loaner program at its beaches and Township of Centre Wellington - Jean Flows were down in many parts of pools this summer. Innes the watershed, notably the Speed Town of Erin, Townships of Guelph- River above Guelph Lake reservoir, Parents or guardians will be able to Eramosa and Puslinch - Archie and the Nith River. borrow life-jackets to be used in pools MacRobbie and beaches at the 11 conservation The GRCA is using water from its City of Guelph - areas. The use will be free of charge, reservoirs to maintain minimum flows although there is a refundable deposit. David Birtwistle, Dan Moziar in much of the watershed. About 90 Region of Waterloo - per cent of the flow in the Grand at Twelve life-jackets in a variety of sizes Jane Brewer, Jean Haalboom, Ross Grand Valley came from Luther have been purchased for each of the Kelterborn, Peter Krause, Joe Martens, Marsh reservoir. parks. Claudette Millar, Jane Mitchell, Ralph Shantz, Bill Strauss, Through the central portion of the The program was implemented fol- Lynne Woolstencroft watershed, 56 per cent of the flow in lowing an audit of beach safety stan- the Grand near Kitchener and 30 per Town of North Perth and Township dards, commissioned by the GRCA cent of the Grand at Brantford came of Perth East - George Wicke following drowning deaths in June from GRCA reservoirs. On the Speed 2005. Region of Halton - River, about 40 per cent of the flow at J. Barry Lee Guelph was water from Guelph Lake. The GRCA conducted an internal City of Hamilton - audit of its beach safety practices and Jeanette Jamieson New water quality gauge also hired a consultant to conduct an County of Oxford - planned for Grand River independent, external review. Most of Alan Dale the consultant's recommendations The Region of Waterloo and the involved standardizing already-exist- County of Brant - GRCA will team up to build a new Gord Moore, Brian Coleman ing procedures at the 11 natural water quality gauge in the Grand beaches. The cost to implement the City of Brantford - River near Victoria Street in improvements was about $25,000. Robert Hillier, Vic Prendergast Kitchener. The gauge will provide Haldimand and Norfolk Counties - advance warning to the region of New warning signs, standardized Craig Ashbaugh, Lorne Boyko spills and other problems in the river, buoy lines and updated phone equip- giving the region time to take action ment are part of the program.
THE GRAND - A Canadian Heritage River Nominees sought made during the water forum and put Long, who has been a foundation for environmental awards them in the larger perspective of envi- board member since 2001, has lived in ronmental concerns across the Kitchener for 28 years and is a finan- The Grand River Conservation province. cial consultant with the Scotia Private Authority is looking for nominees for Client Group. He is a conservationist its 2006 environmental awards. Two panels of experts will address who enjoys hiking and canoeing, and innovations in water technology and is involved in many areas of local Each year the Grand River watershed management. philanthropic work. Conservation Authority presents awards to individuals, families, organ- Innovation in Technologies for The new vice-president is David Hales izations and businesses that have Healthy Waters will include speakers of Waterloo, who recently retired as a taken action to protect and enhance on ecological goods and services, vice-president of Manulife Financial. the natural environment of the Grand wastewater treatment, drain and wet- Thomas Pick of Kitchener becomes the River watershed. land restoration, urban development foundation's past president. and natural channel improvements. It presents two awards: the Honour A new member of the board is Roll Award for a sustained record of Innovations in Community Crawford Reid of Brantford. Reid is a achievement over an extended period Development will have speakers on past president of TCG Materials, past of time; and Watershed Awards for community development, children's chairman of the Canadian Automobile outstanding examples of conservation water festivals, the Exceptional Waters Association and an active philan- and environmental work. program and the Rural Water Quality thropist in the Brantford area. Program in the Grand River water- The deadline for nominations is July The Grand River Conservation shed. 31. A nomination form is available Foundation is a registered charity cre- from the GRCA website at ated in 1965 to raise funds for envi- www.grandriver.ca. Look for the Tornado cleanup ronmental projects of the Grand River "Watershed Awards" section of the work continues Conservation Authority. home page. Work to clean up tornado-damaged The nominees are selected by the forests at Belwood Lake and Special Recognition Committee of the Conestogo Lake is continuing. To GRCA board. The winners are hon- date, forestry cleanup activities have oured at the GRCA annual meeting in taken place on damaged forests February. amounting to approximately 30 hectares at Belwood Lake and 12 Water Forum will provide tools hectares at Conestogo Lake. During for building better watersheds the spring 10,000 new trees were planted at Belwood Lake and 3,500 "Building the Toolkit for Healthy were planted at Conestogo Lake to Waters" is the theme of the Sixth help restore forest cover. Annual Grand River Watershed Water Forum, which will be held Sept. 15 at The successful regeneration of the the Grand River Conservation damaged forest areas and the newly Authority headquarters, 400 Clyde established forests that have been This issue of "GRCA Minutes" Rd., Cambridge. The forum runs from made to replace them will be moni- was published in July 2006. 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. tored on a regular basis through the It is a summary of the June GRCA's forest monitoring and inven- Registration information is available 2006 business conducted by the tory program. Survival assessments Planning & Operations; at the GRCA website at will be performed on the newly plant- www.grandriver.ca Administration, Finance & ed seedlings and ongoing monitoring Personnel; and General Keynote speakers at the event are of the natural regeneration will take Membership Committees. Space Herb Gray, co-chair of the place in the fall to determine the need permitting, other noteworthy International Joint Commission, the for additional restoration work. happenings and topics of inter- Canadian-U.S. body which monitors est have been included. The the Great Lakes; Paul Emerson, chief Kerry Long elected Grand River Conservation administrative officer of the GRCA, president of foundation Authority welcomes the photo- who will present an update on condi- copying and distribution of tions in the Grand River watershed; Kerry Long of Kitchener was elected "GRCA Minutes" or visit our and Gord Miller, environmental com- president of the Grand River website at www.grandriver.ca missioner for Ontario, who will pro- Conservation Foundation at the foun- vide an overview of the presentations dation's annual meeting.
THE GRAND - A Canadian Heritage River GRCA Minutes
Grand River Conservation Authority, 400 Clyde Road, Cambridge, Ontario N1R 5W6 Tel: (519) 621-2761 Fax: (519) 621-4844 Internet: http://www.grandriver.ca
August 2006 Terrestrial Resources - Cancellation of August Volume 12 – No. 8 2005 summary report committee meetings Staff presented a report summariz- As in previous years, the Board will GRCA ing the activities undertaken on not hold Planning & Operations or General Membership GRCA lands in 2005 (GRCA owns Administration, Finance & Personnel approx. 20,000 hectares/50,000 acres), committee meetings in August. Permit Chairman - Peter Krause as well as projects undertaken in con- approvals will be delegated to staff and all business will be conducted at 1st Vice-Chairman - Alan Dale junction with municipalities and groups to improve environmental the Full board meeting on August 25. 2nd Vice-Chairman - Vic Prendergast lands and resources throughout the Townships of Amaranth, East watershed. Moratorium placed on cottage Garafraxa, East Luther-Grand Valley, lot development applications Melancthon and Southgate - Paul For GRCA lands, the report high- Chantree lighted major topics such as species at The GRCA has approved the risk documentation, an update on the attached motion, to prohibit new Townships of Mapleton and status and preparation of master development on the 733 cottage lots Wellington North - Pat Salter plans, tree planting and forest man- leased by tenants that surround its Township of Centre Wellington - Jean agement, ecological restoration and Belwood Lake and Conestogo Lake Innes land acquisition. reservoirs: Town of Erin, Townships of Guelph- "Whereas Belwood and Conestogo Eramosa and Puslinch - Archie On a watershed-wide basis, the report outlined wetland mapping and dams and reservoirs were built specif- MacRobbie ically to control floods, provide water the new Generic Regulations, GRCA supply, and improve water quality in City of Guelph - participation on municipal commit- David Birtwistle, Dan Moziar the Grand River watershed; tees, assistance with private and pub- Region of Waterloo - lic land restoration and tree planting "And whereas the Grand River Jane Brewer, Jean Haalboom, Ross efforts, with a specific section on Conservation Authority continues to Kelterborn, Peter Krause, Joe Martens, implementation of the Grand River have a responsibility to operate the Claudette Millar, Jane Mitchell, Watershed Forest Plan. reservoirs, without restriction, for Ralph Shantz, Bill Strauss, these purposes and to protect the Lynne Woolstencroft Land acquisition, disposition quality of the water in the reservoirs for current and future use, both Town of North Perth and Township and easements of Perth East - George Wicke human and ecological; Region of Halton - An easement was granted to the "And whereas given the projected J. Barry Lee Region of Waterloo to install a population growth in the watershed City of Hamilton - pipeline across GRCA lands for the and the associated increase in water Jeanette Jamieson Ayr Waste Water Treatment Plant, demand, there is a need to protect and an easement was provided for a potential drinking water resources, County of Oxford - private water pipe across the including the Belwood and Conestogo Alan Dale Cambridge to Paris Rail-Trail. A reservoirs, from contamination and County of Brant - small unopened road allowance from restrictions that would under- Gord Moore, Brian Coleman through the Pinehurst Lake mine the opportunities for future City of Brantford - Conservation Area was acquired from water supplies; Robert Hillier, Vic Prendergast the County of Brant, and two small "And whereas the proposed Clean Haldimand and Norfolk Counties - properties with houses were Water Act and accompanying Craig Ashbaugh, Lorne Boyko approved for disposition near Guelph Regulations may add additional regu- Lake. latory requirements for the protection
THE GRAND - A Canadian Heritage River of these sources of drinking water; 1990 through 1997, and his support Thomas Pick, Pride Leasing, Rae & and experience will be missed. Lipskie Investment Counsel and "And whereas the implementation Trillium Environmental. of the Grand River Conservation Authority's Development, Interference Watershed update with Wetlands and Alteration to GRCA Environmental Although sometimes occurring as Management System Shorelines and Watercourses severe summer thunderstorms, there Regulation may impact the cottage lot has been relatively consistent precipi- On July 1, 2006, the Grand River program due to changes in the area tation throughout the watershed dur- Conservation Authority activated an and activities regulated by the Grand ing July. This has eased the low flow Environmental Management System. River Conservation Authority; conditions experienced in other sum- This program is designed to guide the "And whereas recreation is an ancil- mers since 2000. operations of the GRCA in an envi- lary use of the reservoirs and the sur- ronmentally sustainable and responsi- Not as much flow augmentation has rounding lands; ble fashion. been required from GRCA reservoirs "Therefore be it resolved that Grand to maintain river levels, and there has The GRCA's Environmental River Conservation Authority not been no need to invoke low water Management System is based on the approve any new applications for the conservation measures from partners ISO 14001-2004 International Standard construction of, or alterations or addi- who use the rivers for irrigation and for Environmental Management. It tions to, cottages or auxiliary build- other purposes. creates a process for an organization ings at Belwood and Conestogo Lakes like the GRCA to identify the parts of Canoeing is somewhat better this save and except those applications its operations that negatively impact summer due to stronger river flows, where the proposed improvements the environment. The system deter- although swimming and other day and maintenance on the leased lot mines the environmental significance use activities at GRCA Conservation address hazards or public safety; of these operations, and creates objec- Areas is down somewhat due to the tives to reduce these environmental "And that staff bring back a report relatively wet weather. impacts. to the General Membership by April, 2007, recommending new policies and Water Forum set for Sept. 15 The GRCA has retained the services procedures for approving proposed of National Strategic Registrations of improvements to leased cottage lots A reminder that the sixth Annual Canada to audit its Environmental that promote the above objectives." Water Forum, entitled, "Building the Management System. Once this audit Toolkit for Healthy Waters", is being process is complete, the GRCA can Krause to attend ninth held at GRCA on Friday, September become an ISO 14001 Registered com- pany. This registration will demon- International Riversymposium 15th. Keynote speaker is Herb Gray. Registrations can be made online in strate that the GRCA is committed to Peter Krause will represent GRCA the "Conferences/Water Forum" sec- running its day-to-day operations in at the annual Riversymposium in tion of the GRCA website at an environmentally sustainable man- Brisbane in September. It is at this www.grandriver.ca ner. conference that the GRCA was award- ed the prestigious Thiess Riverprize in Foundation hosts first 2000. Mr. Krause indicated the inter- annual golf fundraiser nal foundation supported by this This issue of "GRCA Minutes" The Grand River Conservation group will be awarding up a grant of was published in August 2006. up to $50,000 for the joint GRCA/San Foundation successfully raised more Roque watershed project in Argentina. than $18,000 and honoured the memo- It is a summary of the July ry of Grant Erwin, a former GRCF 2006 business conducted by the Archie MacRobbie leader, at its 1st Annual GRCF Golf Planning & Operations; Tournament on June 27, 2006. Administration, Finance & It is with great sadness that GRCA Participants enjoyed a day of excep- Personnel; and General staff and board learned of the passing tional golf, steak dinner and prizes at Membership Committees. Space of Archie MacRobbie on July 20th. the beautiful Galt Country Club, in permitting, other noteworthy support of GRCA programs. happenings and topics of inter- As former reeve of Puslinch and a est have been included. The warden of Wellington County, Archie All funds raised will be placed in a Grand River Conservation was a long-time appointee to the discretionary fund, to support ongo- Authority welcomes the photo- GRCA, representing the Town of Erin ing needs at the GRCA. copying and distribution of and Townships of Guelph/Eramosa Among the event’s sponsors were "GRCA Minutes" or visit our and Puslinch, serving for 25 years Taylor & Grant Specialties Limited, website at www.grandriver.ca from 1981 to present. Bev Hayes, AquaResource Inc., Archie was GRCA Chairman from Canadian General-Tower Limited,
THE GRAND - A Canadian Heritage River GRCA Minutes
Grand River Conservation Authority, 400 Clyde Road, Cambridge, Ontario N1R 5W6 Tel: (519) 621-2761 Fax: (519) 621-4844 Internet: http://www.grandriver.ca
September 2006 Shand Dam turbine studied tion by 10 per cent under the Low Water Response Plan. Volume 12 – No. 9 An analysis on the Shand Dam hydro plant is proposed to determine Water from the GRCA’s reservoirs GRCA the economic viability of investing in was used to maintain minimum flows new equipment. The turbine, which in the Grand, Conestogo and Lower General Membership can produce up to 600 kilowatts of Speed rivers. About 70 per cent of the electricity, failed in July and repairs water in the Grand at Kitchener, and Chairman - Peter Krause could cost about $800,000. The study 42 per cent at Brantford, was supplied 1st Vice-Chairman - Alan Dale will determine if the income derived by the reservoirs. On the Speed, in 2nd Vice-Chairman - Vic Prendergast by selling the power will be sufficient Guelph, 60 per cent of the flow came to cover the cost of repairs. The exist- from Guelph Lake. Townships of Amaranth, East ing turbine produced revenues of Garafraxa, East Luther-Grand Valley, $140,000 to $180,000 a year. GRCA investigating buffer merits Melancthon and Southgate - Paul Chantree A turbine at the Conestogo Dam The Grand River Conservation should be back on line in September Townships of Mapleton and Authority has been awarded one of 10 after being replaced earlier this year. Wellington North - Pat Salter Greencover Canada demonstration The GRCA also generates electricity at projects confirmed recently for Township of Centre Wellington - Jean Guelph Dam and a review will take Ontario. Innes place to determine the best way of Town of Erin, Townships of Guelph- replacing its turbine when it reaches Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Eramosa and Puslinch - Vacant the end of its operating life. is investing $628,400 from a total budget of $15 million allocated to the A study of the potential for City of Guelph - province until 2008, in the 10 demon- installing a turbine at Parkhill Dam in David Birtwistle, Dan Moziar stration projects. The GRCA project Cambridge has shown that the $4.2 Region of Waterloo - million cost of the project could be will assess existing watercourse Jane Brewer, Jean Haalboom, Ross recovered in about eight years. buffers for ecological performance. Kelterborn, Peter Krause, Joe Martens, Revenues would range from $765,000 Greencover Canada funding is pro- Claudette Millar, Jane Mitchell, in the first year to $1.25 million in the vided under the Agricultural Policy Ralph Shantz, Bill Strauss, 20th year. Framework, a federal-provincial-terri- Lynne Woolstencroft torial initiative. The Ontario Soil and Town of North Perth and Township Rainfall drops in August Crop Improvement Association deliv- of Perth East - George Wicke ers the Greencover Canada program August was a dry month, which led Region of Halton - in Ontario, in partnership with to low flows in several parts of the J. Barry Lee Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Grand River watershed. The Upper and the Ontario Ministry of City of Hamilton - Speed River, Whitemans Creek and Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Jeanette Jamieson the Nith were all below average for The aim of the demonstration proj- County of Oxford - parts of the month because of low ect component of Greencover Canada Alan Dale rainfall. is to showcase management practices County of Brant - Rainfall totals were only 26 to 55 per which offer environmental and eco- Gord Moore, Brian Coleman cent of normal. Most of the rain that nomic benefits to farmers. The indi- did fall came in brief scattered show- vidual projects are geared to improv- City of Brantford - ers or storms. Robert Hillier, Vic Prendergast ing water quality and quantity, Along the Upper Speed and enhancing fish and wildlife habitat, Haldimand and Norfolk Counties - Whitemans, major water users were controlling erosion, and reducing Craig Ashbaugh, Lorne Boyko asked to reduce their water consump- greenhouse gases.
THE GRAND - A Canadian Heritage River Safety upgrades proposed ings, channelization, stream enclo- George Sousa, manager of resource at GRCA dams sures and utility crossings. In the science, information and policy was Grand River watershed, the GRCA joined by Gus Rungis, a senior water Safety upgrades to protect boaters would receive applications for both resources engineer, on the trip. They are proposed for many GRCA dams permits, but they would be issued met with their counterparts in the over the next few years. separately. Dalian Water Affairs Bureau to dis- The GRCA is putting warning cuss water quality monitoring, dam However, the province has operation and other issues. buoys or booms, plus additional reviewed the permitting process and warning signs, at most of its 32 dams come to the conclusion that issues The trip was done under the aus- as part of a program to comply with around this kind of work can be ade- pices of EcoPlan China, a project led the Navigable Waters Protection Act. quately addressed by conservation by the University of Waterloo in con- junction with the GRCA, Region of Booms and buoys have already been authorities alone under update regula- Waterloo and City of Hamilton. The installed at Bissell, Caledonia, tions governing work around wet- Canadian International Development Conestogo, Dunnville, Guelph, lands, watercourses and shorelines. Agency covers the costs of the pro- Parkhill, Rockwood No. 1, Shade’s The province will continue to han- gram. Mills, Shand, St. Jacobs, Wellington dle permits for construction of new A visit by Chinese delegates to the and Wilkes dams. dams or work around existing dams. Grand River watershed was planned Over the coming years, buoys or for September. booms will be installed at Breslau, Money available for community Drimmie, Everton, Luther, New conservation projects Hamburg, Victoria Mills and Woolwich dams. Each year, the Grand River Conservation Foundation awards The booms and buoys are installed grants of up to $2,000 to qualified in the spring and removed in the fall. groups (must be a registered charity), The number of buoys is determined or up to $500 for elementary schools by the size of the river. Booms are undertaking conservation projects in used where buoys are not sufficient to communities throughout the Grand reduce the hazard to boaters. River watershed. Eligible projects must be tangible and available for the Province taking a look at use or benefit of the entire communi- Highway 24 corridor ty. The GRCA has notified the Ontario Deadline for receipt of grant appli- Ministry of Transportation that it cations is Oct. 31. The award recipi- wants to be involved in a study of the ents will be selected by the end of Highway 24 corridor between November. A formal cheque presenta- Brantford and Cambridge. tion will be held at the GRCA Annual The ministry has launched an envi- Meeting in February 2007. A final report may be requested of grant ronmental assessment of the area This issue of "GRCA Minutes" recipients within one year, or upon between Highway 403 in Brantford was published in September the successful completion of the proj- and Highway 401 in Cambridge to 2006. develop a plan for improved trans- ect. It is a summary of the August portation capacity for moving people Applications can be downloaded and goods. 2005 business conducted by the from the Foundation section of the Planning & Operations; GRCA website at Province streamlines approvals Administration, Finance & www.grandriver.ca/foundation or by Personnel; and General for work around watercourses contacting the Foundation at (519) Membership Committees. Space 621-2763 ext. 271 in Cambridge. The Ontario government plans to permitting, other noteworthy get out of the business of issuing per- happenings and topics of inter- GRCA staff members share mits under the Lakes and Rivers est have been included. The Improvement Act for work around knowledge with Chinese Grand River Conservation watercourses. Authority welcomes the photo- Two engineers from the GRCA visit- copying and distribution of In the past, permits were required ed Dalian, China as part of a continu- "GRCA Minutes" or visit our from both the Ontario Ministry of ing project to help with watershed website at www.grandriver.ca Natural Resources and the local con- management programs in the Biliu servation authority for water cross- River watershed.
THE GRAND - A Canadian Heritage River GRCA Minutes
Grand River Conservation Authority, 400 Clyde Road, Cambridge, Ontario N1R 5W6 Tel: (519) 621-2761 Fax: (519) 621-4844 Internet: http://www.grandriver.ca
October 2006 Province makes changes in Cambridge, causing significant Volume 12 – No. 10 to proposed Clean Water Act local damage. Several suggestions made by the September was marked by several GRCA GRCA and other conservation author- all-day rainfalls spaced throughout ities were included in amendments to the month, which is ideal for ground- General Membership the Clean Water Act that were water recharge. Rainfalls ranged announced in September. between 92mm (Conestogo Lake) to Chairman - Peter Krause 135mm (Shade’s Mills). During the 1st Vice-Chairman - Alan Dale The act, if approved, will implement past year, rainfall has been about 10 source water protection planning 2nd Vice-Chairman - Vic Prendergast per cent above average across the across the province. watershed. Townships of Amaranth, East Garafraxa, East Luther-Grand Valley, The GRCA made a presentation to An intense, localized storm which Melancthon and Southgate - Paul the legislature’s Social Policy hit the northern part of Cambridge on Chantree Committee in Walkerton during a Sept. 13 dumped as much as 90mm in Townships of Mapleton and week-long series of public hearings on just 90 minutes, causing Groff Mill the legislation. The presentation was Wellington North - Pat Salter Creek to rise and forcing the closing made on behalf of the four conserva- of Coronation Boulevard. The side- Township of Centre Wellington - Jean tion authorities in the Lake Erie walk was washed out, and there were Innes Source Protection Region: the Grand also reports of flooded basements in Town of Erin, Townships of Guelph- River, Long Point Region, Kettle the area. Eramosa and Puslinch - Vacant Creek and Catfish Creek conservation City of Guelph - authorities. Water Forum provides toolkit David Birtwistle, Dan Moziar The presentation urged the govern- Region of Waterloo - ment to set up a “stewardship fund” About 335 people attended the sixth Jane Brewer, Jean Haalboom, Ross to provide financial support and annual Grand River Watershed Water Kelterborn, Peter Krause, Joe Martens, incentives to landowners undertaking Forum to learn about ways to protect Claudette Millar, Jane Mitchell, work to protect water sources. It also and enhance the natural environment. Ralph Shantz, Bill Strauss, said the proposed Clean Water Act Lynne Woolstencroft should contain language about the Entitled “Building the Toolkit for Town of North Perth and Township importance of public education and Healthy Waters,” the forum gave del- of Perth East - George Wicke voluntary activities as part of source egates a chance to hear from speakers protection plans. on topics ranging from urban residen- Region of Halton - tial design to source water protection J. Barry Lee The province announced the cre- planning. City of Hamilton - ation of a fund worth $7 million in the Jeanette Jamieson first year, as well as other changes in Keynote speakers were Laurel County of Oxford - the language of the bill. Broten, minister of environment for Alan Dale Ontario, and Herb Gray, Canadian co- Third reading debate started on Oct. chair of the International Joint County of Brant - 2. Regulations to implement the act Commission, which oversees manage- Gord Moore, Brian Coleman are expected to be released for public ment of the Great Lakes. City of Brantford - comment in the next few months. Robert Hillier, Vic Prendergast The event was held in a tent on the lawn of the GRCA headquarters in Haldimand and Norfolk Counties - A wet start to fall Craig Ashbaugh, Lorne Boyko Cambridge. Exhibitors and sponsors Rainfall was above average across set up display booths inside the build- the watershed, with one major storm ing.
THE GRAND - A Canadian Heritage River Watershed award New mapping tool EcoPlan China initiative which is led winners named available on website by the University of Waterloo with support from the GRCA. Ecoplan The late Archie MacRobbie, former The GRCA has put a powerful map- China is funded by the Canadian chair and a long-time member of the making tool and much of its huge International Development Agency GRCA board, has been selected for a store of watershed data into the hands (CIDA). GRCA Honour Roll Award. of visitors to its website. MacRobbie, who died in July, was the The new tool allows visitors to the Foundation adopts chair or vice-chair of the GRCA for 16 accountability code years, and a board member for 25 GRCA website at www.grandriver.ca to make maps showing a wide variety years. He was the representative of The Grand River Conservation of natural and man-made features. Guelph-Eramosa Township, Puslinch Foundation has adopted Imagine The maps can be superimposed on Township and the Town of Erin. Canada’s Ethical Fund Raising and high resolution black and white aerial Accountability Code, a designation Winners of the Watershed Awards photos of the watershed taken in 2000. that was created in response to grow- for 2006 are: David Morris of The free map-making tool, called ing public concern about accountabili- Brantford; Walt Crawford (posthu- ty in the charitable sector. mous) of Elora; Tom and Barb Parker the Grand River Watershed Viewer, of Halton; Marilyn Murray, Robert contains information on soil types, Fewer than 700 of Canada’s more Murray and John Harris, all past-pres- land cover, bedrock types, wetlands, than 78,000 registered charities cur- idents of the Grand River forests, rivers, streams, contour lines rently adhere to this code, the primary Conservation Foundation; Reuter and many other natural features. The purpose of which is to assure donors Walkers Club of Cambridge; Trees for tool also includes information layers of the integrity and accountability of Peel of Drayton; and four Cambridge for municipal streets, rail lines, power charities that ask for and receive their corridors and other infrastructure. Rotary Clubs. financial support. Lines showing floodplains and other The awards will be presented at the The code is a set of standards and lands regulated by the GRCA can also GRCA annual meeting in February. benchmarks enabling organizations to be added, although users are cau- manage their funds responsibly and tioned that if they plan any work report their financial affairs accurately Money for community around a regulated area, they should and completely; the foundation’s conservation projects available consult GRCA planning staff for pre- adherence to the code provides anoth- cise information and advice. er layer of assurance to the thousands Each year, the Grand River of foundation donors that their contri- Conservation Foundation awards butions are well-managed and spent. grants of up to $2,000 to qualified Water managers groups (registered charities), or up to from China visit Grand $500 for elementary schools undertak- Water managers from northeastern ing conservation projects in communi- China visited the Grand River water- ties throughout the Grand River shed from Sept. 18 to 22 to learn about watershed. Eligible projects must be water quality monitoring as part of a tangible and available for the use or continuing partnership to help the benefit of the entire community. Chinese develop watershed manage- This issue of "GRCA Minutes" was published in October 2006. The deadline for receipt of grant ment programs. applications is Oct. 31. The award They took part in workshops at the It is a summary of the recipients will be selected by the end GRCA headquarters in Cambridge September 2006 business con- of November. A formal cheque pres- and at the University of Waterloo. The ducted by the Planning & entation will be held at the GRCA delegation also visited Shand Dam Operations; Administration, Annual Meeting in February, 2006. A and Belwood Lake reservoir near Finance & Personnel; and final report may be requested of grant Fergus, the Region of Waterloo’s General Membership recipients within one year, or upon Mannheim Intake in Kitchener, and Committees. Space permitting, the successful completion of the proj- the City of Brantford water treatment other noteworthy happenings ect. plant. and topics of interest have been included. The Grand River Applications can be downloaded The goal was to provide the Chinese Conservation Authority wel- from the Foundation section of the with the knowledge they will need to comes the photocopying and dis- GRCA website at develop a water quality monitoring tribution of "GRCA Minutes" or www.grandriver.ca/foundation or by network on the Biliu River. visit our website at contacting the Foundation at (519) 621-2763 ext. 271 in Cambridge. The five-day visit is part of the
THE GRAND - A Canadian Heritage River GRCA Minutes
Grand River Conservation Authority, 400 Clyde Road, Cambridge, Ontario N1R 5W6 Tel: (519) 621-2761 Fax: (519) 621-4844 Internet: http://www.grandriver.ca
November 2006 GRCA chair applauds colony was deferred by the GRCA passage of Clean Water Act board. The proposed cull has been Volume 12 – No. 11 dropped, and instead, new heron The Clean Water Act has been nesting structures will be placed in GRCA passed by the Ontario Legislature, areas that are unsuitable for cor- setting the stage for the development morants to ensure the herons always General Membership of a source water protection plan in have enough places to nest. the Grand River watershed. Chairman - Peter Krause Funding is being sought from a 1st Vice-Chairman - Alan Dale Peter Krause, chair of the GRCA variety of sources to add 20 new nests said he is pleased to see the act 2nd Vice-Chairman - Vic Prendergast a year over the next five years at receive final approval because it is an Luther Marsh. During this time, the Townships of Amaranth, East important piece of legislation that impact of the cormorants on the Garafraxa, East Luther-Grand Valley, allows conservation authorities, herons will also be monitored closely Melancthon and Southgate - Paul municipalities and their residents to by GRCA staff. Chantree further protect the sources of munici- The heron colony at Luther Marsh Townships of Mapleton and pal water from pollution. became established soon after the Wellington North - Pat Salter Krause, former chair of Luther reservoir was created in 1952. Township of Centre Wellington - Jean Conservation Ontario, represented Innes Ontario’s 36 conservation authorities Cambridge stormwater study Town of Erin, Townships of Guelph- on several advisory committees Eramosa and Puslinch - Vacant appointed by the Ontario government Three major floods within the last 14 to help it develop a process for source months have caused property damage City of Guelph - protection planning. The new legisla- along Groff Mill Creek in Cambridge David Birtwistle, Dan Moziar tion will make Ontario “an example to and the city has initiated a stormwater Region of Waterloo - the world” when it comes to protect- management study. Jane Brewer, Jean Haalboom, Ross ing municipal drinking water sources, Kelterborn, Peter Krause, Joe Martens, he said. The first phase will study Groff Mill Claudette Millar, Jane Mitchell, Creek, a tributary of the Grand River that drains 10 square kilometres of Ralph Shantz, Bill Strauss, New heron nests Lynne Woolstencroft Cambridge, while the second phase for Luther Marsh will be city-wide. Both will result in Town of North Perth and Township recommendations to be implemented of Perth East - George Wicke The GRCA plans to erect heron nesting structures in areas around in the future. Region of Halton - Luther Marsh Wildlife Management The GRCA wants to minimize the J. Barry Lee Area to protect the great blue heron risk of flooding, erosion, property City of Hamilton - population by ensuring they have damage and other impacts on public Jeanette Jamieson enough places to nest. health and safety. Dumfries County of Oxford - Double-crested cormorants have Conservation Area is within the study Alan Dale moved into Luther Marsh and taken area and GRCA staff will participate in the study. County of Brant - over some heron nests. Monitoring Gord Moore, Brian Coleman found that in 2004 there were four New elevator for Conestogo dam City of Brantford - nesting pairs of cormorants. In 2005 that increased dramatically to 25 Robert Hillier, Vic Prendergast An $85,570 contract for a new eleva- pairs, but the increase this year was tor at Conestogo Dam was awarded to Haldimand and Norfolk Counties - more moderate at a total of 31 pairs. Craig Ashbaugh, Lorne Boyko ThyssenKrupp Elevator Canada Ltd. This spring a proposal to cull adult of Hamilton. The current elevator was cormorants to protect the heron installed during construction of the
THE GRAND - A Canadian Heritage River dam in the 1950s and it requires due to construction that has been tak- planting advice is free. The order upgrades to the hoisting equipment ing place downstream. The reservoir deadline for trees to be planted by the and motor control systems. The eleva- will be drawn down to its normal GRCA is Dec. 1 and March 1 for trees tor covers 22 metres between levels of operating range in November. to be planted by landowners. the dam including the main level, The water level in Lake Erie is at the The GRCA has worked with private maintenance floor, electrical turbine long-term average. landowners since 1954 to reforest the floor and the inspection gallery at the Grand River watershed, helping base of the dam. Half of the cost will Apps’ Mill Nature Centre thousands of landowners plant more come from the Ministry of Natural than 26 million trees. Resources and the remaining cost will celebrates 25 years come from the 2006 GRCA budget. Landowners who plant trees can The Apps’ Mill Nature Centre has Work on the elevator is expected to expect many environmental benefits. been a resounding success because of begin in November and be completed Trees can help reduce energy costs by the strength of the partnership that in March. providing shade in the summer and led to its construction 25 years ago, acting as windbreaks in the winter. Paul Emerson, CAO of the GRCA said Winter lot fee for cottagers Reforestation of retired, fragile agri- at the anniversary celebration Oct. 24. cultural land, such as that along rivers The winter-use licence fee for cot- Emerson commended the two local and streams, will reduce erosion and tagers was approved at $75 per school boards and S. C. Johnson and help protect water quality. month, up from $67 per month last Son, Limited of Brantford for their More information, including tree year. involvement in developing the GRCA information sheets, can be found in nature centre, which opened in The fee is for cottagers at Conestogo the Forestry section of the GRCA web- October 1981. He also thanked the Lake and Belwood Lake who wish to site at www.grandriver.ca, or contact Grand River Conservation Foundation use their cottage for occasional recre- the GRCA at (519) 621-2763, Ext. 277 for leading the fund-raising efforts ational use between Nov. 1 and April or Ext. 250, or e-mail Nathan Munn, that led to the construction of the 30. The licence agreement limits the GRCA forestry specialist at centre. number of days for which the cottage [email protected] can be used and it is offered to tenants Since then, more than 250,000 in good standing who are only students have attended curriculum- required to pay for the months during based outdoor education at Apps’ which they expect to use the cottage. Mill. SC Johnson donated $250,000 to The Living Classroom–Campaign for The new licence will be mailed to Outdoor Education which, along with those who occupied their cottage last the support of other local donors, winter, new cottage lot tenants or helped the campaign reach its goal of upon request. more than $2 million. On Oct. 25 a green energy demonstration project October ideal for recharge costing $25,000 was unveiled. The project includes a 30-metre high wind Rainfall in October was well above generator and a bank of solar panels average across the watershed with which power several small devices in several all-day rains that were ideal the nature centre. Students will get a This issue of "GRCA Minutes" for groundwater recharge. chance to observe the equipment at was published in November October’s monthly average precipi- work during their visits to the nature 2006. tation ranged from 1.5 to two times centre. It is a summary of the October the long-term average. Rainfall was 2006 business conducted by the above average for three of the last Trees available Planning & Operations; four months and the Shand Dam for spring planting Administration, Finance & recorded the fourth wettest four- Personnel; and General month period since 1940. Gentle rains Landowners who want to plant Membership Committees. Space have come over several hours on trees in the spring can get trees, permitting, other noteworthy many days, rather than coming in advice, and possibly financial support, happenings and topics of inter- short down bursts. through the GRCA. est have been included. The Riverflow has been well above aver- To take part in the GRCA’s tree- Grand River Conservation age with little reliance on reservoirs to planting program, a landowner must Authority welcomes the photo- augment the levels. The Shand and have at least one hectare (2.5 acres) of copying and distribution of Guelph reservoirs are at normal lev- property and must order a minimum "GRCA Minutes" or visit our els, but the Conestogo reservoir is of 200 seedlings. The landowners pay website at www.grandriver.ca three or four metres above normal, for the trees and planting but the
THE GRAND - A Canadian Heritage River GRCA Minutes
Grand River Conservation Authority, 400 Clyde Road, Cambridge, Ontario N1R 5W6 Tel: (519) 621-2761 Fax: (519) 621-4844 Internet: http://www.grandriver.ca
December 2006 Luther Marsh 15 year plan kW due to vibration problems. Volume 12 – No. 12 The GRCA has endorsed the renew- Staff will bring repair options and al of the Luther Marsh Wildlife costs to the board in January and the Management Area Management Plan. board will decide whether to repair GRCA the plant in 2007. General Membership The current plan has guided the area since 1991 during which over 100 Flood warning issued Chairman - Peter Krause projects, programs and actions were 1st Vice-Chairman - Alan Dale undertaken which were beyond the November was dryer and warmer day-to-day maintenance and adminis- than average across the watershed 2nd Vice-Chairman - Vic Prendergast tration of the area. These included and came on the heels of very wet Townships of Amaranth, East more than $250,000 invested in habitat weather during September and Garafraxa, East Luther-Grand Valley, restoration alone, such as 100 hectares October, but rainfall of about 50 mm Melancthon and Southgate - Paul of new wetlands created at Monticello over 24 hours resulted in the GRCA Chantree and more than 70 hectares of forest issuing a flood warning on Dec. 1. Townships of Mapleton and restoration. The first half of the month was Wellington North - Pat Salter The Luther Marsh steering commit- characterized by wet overcast condi- Township of Centre Wellington - Jean tee will begin soliciting public input at tions, but that was followed by warm, Innes meetings, but it is recommending dry weather, then heavy precipitation. Town of Erin, Townships of Guelph- increased restoration efforts for the The public was reminded to exercise Eramosa and Puslinch - Archie next 10 years, along with more inven- caution around rivers, streams and MacRobbie tory and monitoring. About 400 water bodies. hectares of new natural habitat will be Monthly average precipitation in City of Guelph - restored, as some farm fields are David Birtwistle, Dan Moziar November was 59 to 79 per cent of the converted from agriculture to natural long-term average, while the tempera- Region of Waterloo - habitat. This will increase opportuni- ture was 1.7 degrees higher than nor- Jane Brewer, Jean Haalboom, Ross ties for outdoor recreation at Luther mal, perhaps due to El Nino. In fact, Kelterborn, Peter Krause, Joe Martens, Marsh. the winter may be warmer and dryer Claudette Millar, Jane Mitchell, than average thanks to this air mass, Ralph Shantz, Bill Strauss, Shand shutdown but this could be moderated by the Lynne Woolstencroft impact of other weather systems. Town of North Perth and Township The Shand Dam hydroelectric of Perth East - George Wicke generator was shut down in July due Water flows have been higher than to mechanical failure and it has not average and the reservoirs are in the Region of Halton - generated electricity since then. normal operating range. Lake Erie is J. Barry Lee tending toward below the long-term City of Hamilton - The GRCA board has agreed to hire average water level, and Lake Jeanette Jamieson Hatch Energy for $45,000 to prepare Superior and Huron are low, so we design specifications and tender can expect that for Lake Erie next year County of Oxford - documents for repair work on the as well. Alan Dale generator and turbine. This firm also County of Brant - provided the design specifications for Park revenue takes a hit Gord Moore, Brian Coleman the Conestogo Dam hydro plant, City of Brantford - which was recently completed. Poor weather and an abundance of geese have combined to take a toll on Robert Hillier, Vic Prendergast The Shand hydro plant went into revenue at conservation areas in 2006. Haldimand and Norfolk Counties - service in 1987 with a maximum rated Craig Ashbaugh, Lorne Boyko capacity of 690 kW, but it usually Inconsistent winter weather hurt generated a maximum output of 625 cross-country ski and ice fishing rev-
THE GRAND - A Canadian Heritage River enue, bringing it down to $40,000, embarking on three projects. four Pioneer award recipients at the compared to $103,000 during the 2006 A. D. Latornell Conservation The projects are an environmental winter of 2005. Less filming in the Symposium. assessment for the rehabilitation of the parks also took a bit out of revenue. Drimmie Dam in Elora, construction Stormont embarked on a 22-year Summer and fall weekends were cold- career at the GRCA in 1969 and his er and wetter this year, with only of a water quality station at Victoria dedicated vision, hard work and eight days when the temperature Street in Kitchener and construction of marketing savvy have laid a solid reached 30 degrees during the sum- a new water gauge near York in foundation for conservation authori- mer, compared to 17 such days during Haldimand County. ties in Ontario. Stormont pioneered a 2005. Representatives of the Confederacy program which led to four permanent The ever-increasing goose popula- appeared before the GRCA board, nature centres on conservation author- tion is taking over beaches and they saying that they respect the work of ity lands providing four school boards were posted with warnings about the GRCA and do not intend to cause with quality outdoor education for water quality with greater frequency delays, but they would like their expe- students. — 220 days, compared to 130 last rience to be considered before these environmental assessments begin. He also acted as technical advisor in year. The goose droppings contami- the production of GRCA educational nate the water and the GRCA is look- movies and videos about the Grand ing at solutions to this problem. GRCF offers a gift that keeps on growing River that reached a broad audience. The bright spot for conservation He had a hand in the formation of the areas was large events at Guelph Lake This holiday season, give a greener volunteer-based Grand River Conservation Area, such as the Girl Grand River watershed for genera- Conservation Foundation in 1965. It Guide World Jamboree and two first- tions to come. has raised over $10 million since its time large company picnics that inception and undertaken many helped bring in about 50,000 visitors With a donation of $30 to the Grand conservation projects, including major to this conservation area. This offset River Conservation Foundation, you reforestation work, land acquisition what would have been an overall can cover the cost of planting a tree in and trail development. The decline in visitors with total atten- the Grand River watershed as part of Foundation’s successful “Grand River dance of 1.11 million in 2006. our 2007 reforestation program. Reflections” coffee table book was the Each year the GRCA plants more result of another of Stormont’s mar- This resulted in revenue of $5.44 keting ideas. million, just $10,000 shy of the target. than 100,000 trees across the water- The 12 conservation areas are operat- shed to make it a healthier and green- The prestigious Pioneer awards are ed on a cost-recovery basis, with rev- er place. presented annually to individuals enue offsetting the cost of operation. Donors will receive a card certificate who have been pioneers in conserva- bearing the name of the gift recipient tion. The other recipients are Sally Security problems decrease as well as a charitable donation tax Beaton of Richmond, Robert Bowles of receipt. This is an ideal choice for the Orillia, and Ron Reid of Washago. Security problems in Grand River person who has everything, and it is conservation areas declined in 2006 also an investment in our natural when compared to the previous year. world. Orders must be placed by Dec. In 2006 there were 11,500 warnings 15 to ensure certificate delivery. This issue of "GRCA Minutes" issued in the parks, compared to The GRCF supports priority pro- was published in December 13,800 warnings the previous year, a grams of the GRCA, enriching the nat- 2006. decline of nearly 17 per cent. Evictions ural values of the Grand River water- It is a summary of the decreased by nearly 50 per cent to shed and encouraging people to enjoy November 2006 business con- 3,059 from 4,584 in 2005. Charges and learn from the outdoors. ducted by the Planning & were laid against 91 people in 2006 Operations; Administration, Please note that gifts cannot be compared to 47 in 2005. Finance & Personnel; and ascribed to specific trees. An alcohol ban at the Elora Gorge General Membership took place for the second straight year For more information, see the GRCF Committees. Space permitting, and is expected to continue. Student section of the GRCA website at other noteworthy happenings security officers do an excellent job of www.grandriver.ca/foundation or and topics of interest have been keeping the conservation areas under call (877) 29-GRAND. included. The Grand River control and enjoyable to visitors. Conservation Authority wel- Pioneer award comes the photocopying and dis- Six Nations to be consulted for George Stormont tribution of "GRCA Minutes" or visit our website at The GRCA has opted to consult the Former GRCA communications www.grandriver.ca Six Nations Confederacy before director George Stormont was one of
THE GRAND - A Canadian Heritage River