- Enortscontinue to make "Phrau Free Zone" *~{113

By Kimberly Judy McDonald and Rose of their shoreline, thanks to the landowners to under­ to treatment in Ward 4. The responsibility for the section Powell-McConaghy Heipel and progress is being an initiative of the West stand that it is difficult to use LSPCG has been successful of Highway 21 which runs made in Port Franks, where Ipperwash Beach oan Argo in these areas and in its grant application to the through the municipality. The Lambton Shores much touch up is required Association and the Centre legislation prevents spraying Land Stewardship and Lambton Shores has Phragmites Community because of the density of the Ipperwash Community over water," Vidler adds. Habitat Restoration Fund mapped the occurrence of Group (LSPCG) continues monoculture stands and Association. The West Another challenge is the and has received $11,000 to Phragrnites in municipal to make progress in habitat many challenges arise. Ipperwash Beach large parcels of privately put towards restoration ditches and drains and is restoration within the com­ These challenges include Association is partnering owned shoreline property. work. "While this does not working towards control. munity. transporting equipment to with Pete Cloud, of Kettle "We have asked the cover all of the cost, it defi­ "Over the past three years, The Phragmites initiatives island properties, higher Point for the spraying of this Ministry of Natural nitely helps," says Vidler. with the support of our com­ are being led by a group of water levels, weather and property and future plans Resources to help us look "We continue to rely on con­ munity, tbe LSPCG has volunteers known as the winds, safety issues and include tackling the ditches for solutions for these tributions from property moved ahead restoring natu­ "Phrag Fighters" made up of damage to equipment. "A and drains and the Nature 'orphaned habitats' that owners. We also have a new ral habitats and protecting Nancy Vidler, Bill huge obstacle is the inability Conservancy of and would be very costly for partner- the St. Clair Region our coastal dunes and wet­ MacDonald, Derek Scott, of our contractor to have Ministry of Natural individual landowners to Conservation Authority." lands," says Vidler. "We are Paul Petersen, Ray Horban, access to safe chemicals Resources properties. In manage and if left untreated, will begin making progress and are Grace Dekker, Curtis Morris which can be used over Kettle Point, Pete Cloud and will re-contaminate the to treat the ditches and determined that. Lambton and Carole Cleave working water," says Vidler. "This his crew of volunteers are work already done. Many of drains along county road­ Shores will become a 'Phrag to protect the natural her­ has prevented us from working to restore habitat. these areas have environ­ sides this month, beginning Free Zone'. The Lambton itage of the Municipality of beginning work in 'L' The Lambton United mentally significant desig­ along Lakeshore Road and Shores model is one that can Lambton Shores. This group Lake." She adds that the Church Centre, Lake Valley nation." the LSPCG will work to be used by other municipali­ has dedicated many hours to area is being closely moni­ Grove, Sunnidale, Pine Tree Despite the challenges, engage the province and ties throughout ." on-the-ground work, with tored and will be treated Estates, Ccdarview Beach there has been a bright side plan to ask that they take volunteers now monitoring when an opportunity pres­ and Cedar Cove Marina all the sites that have been ents itself. have restoration projects treated. Herbicide application along underway driven by Rick "Please keep in mind that the banks of Mud Creek east England, Carole Cleave, eradicating the Common of the bridge on Outer Drive Larry Moore, Ellie Jackson, Reed will not happen with will continue and many Larry Neumann, Dave one treatment," say_s native plants are retuming to Donald, Rui Baptista and the LSPCG Chair Nancy Vidler. the treated areas, says Cedarview Beach "Touch up is imperative and Vidler .. "We have made great Association. in some cases will be progress on the Port Franks The group is faced with a required for many years. beach and along Mud Creek new set of challenges in The good news is that with west of the Outer Drive these areas within Ward 4, each treatment, there is less bridge," she adds. The Port says Vidler. The shoreline is Phrag and managing Franks project is highlighted rocky with many rocky becomes less costly." on the Great Lakes groins which makes it more To date, touch up work Phragmites Collaborative difficult for the contractor along the shoreline in Grand website. and so much of the work is Bend was completed in The lpperwash cottage being completed using back June, thanks to a crew led by associations are taking care packs. "It is important for