| Fall Newsletter 2005 |
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Watershed Quarterley |  |
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Greetings! Welcome to the Fall edition of Essex Region Conservation Authority's e-newsletter. Read on to learn about our latest activities and forthcoming events.
On Thursday, September 08, 2005, the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) presented its draft 2006 Business Plan and related Budget Estimates outlining some of the environmental program highlights planned for the upcoming year. “The 2006 Business Plan and related budget estimates have been prepared using our Strategic Plan as a guide,” said Tom Wilson, ERCA Chair. “There are many environmental improvements that need to be made locally in order to achieve a sustainable future for the Essex Region. Top priorities for 2006 continue to be protecting and improving water, protecting and enhancing biodiversity, protecting people and property from the dangers of flooding and erosion, conservation education and communication, and nature based recreational opportunities. Source Water Protection Plans, a second Surface Water Quality Report card, and more than 100 water quality improvement projects top the list of ERCA’s 2006 projects. ERCA also plans to plant and distribute more than 190,000 trees through its forestry program, protect significant natural lands in the Spring Garden Complex and other priority locations, and will restore more than 150 acres of land to natural habitat. A sustainable management plan for Leamington, and shoreline and flood control protection projects in the City of Windsor will continue, and more than 10,000 students will participate in Conservation Education and Heritage Field studies. As well, regional trail development and conservation areas maintenance will continue. More than 80,000 visitors explore ERCA’s conservation areas annually. The 2006 budget is estimated at $9 million. This represents a per household tax contribution of $13.32, based on a home valued at $200,000. Comparable information collected from the other 31 Conservation Authorities in Southern Ontario indicates that this is still well below the average tax rate contribution to other Conservation Authorities. In fact, in 2004, ERCA was ranked 20th out of 31 for levy contributions. In 2005, the contribution dropped even lower, ranking ERCA with the 6th lowest levy contribution in Southern Ontario.
Revisions to the Conservation Authorities Act by the Province of Ontario have resulted in a new directive: Ontario Regulation 97/04 - Development, Interference with Wetlands and Alterations to Shorelines and Watercourses. The Essex Region Conservation Authority will be hosting two public information meetings to present the new regulation and mapping. A separate public information session will be scheduled on Pelee Island at a later date. Development within areas that are adjacent to or close to watercourses, valleys, wetlands, or shorelines may be affected by this regulation. Dates and locations: Tuesday, October 18, 2005 Thursday, October 20, 2005 For more information contact: Mr. Tim Byrne, Senior Water Management Technician Mr. Paul Morad, Watershed Engineer
The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement between Canada and the United States expresses the commitment of each country to restore and maintain the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the Great Lakes basin ecosystem. The governments of the United States and Canada intend to launch a review of the operation and effectiveness of the Agreement in early 2006. The Agreement was first signed in 1972 and last amended in 1987. The governments have asked the International Joint Commission to consult with the residents of the Great Lakes basin to find out how well they think the Agreement has worked so far and how they would like to see it changed. The International Joint Commission will be hold fourteen public meetings across the Great Lakes basin, conduct an online dialogue and accept written and oral submissions. For more information, call toll- free at 1 866 813-0642 or visit www.ijc.org/glconsultations. Meeting dates and locations may change closer to the date. Please be sure to check them at www.ijc.org/glconsultations or 1 866 813-0642. November 2 at 3 p.m. in Detroit, Michigan, the Detroit Regional Chamber, One Woodward Avenue, Suite 1900 November 2 at 7 p.m. in Windsor, Ontario, the Cleary International Centre, 201 Riverside Drive West Call toll-free: (866) 813-0642 Fax: (613) 993-5583 Write:
Deadline for submissions: Midnight, November 30, 2005
We all have the opportunity to create a cleaner, healthier, and sustainable environment for our future. Each of us can make minor modification to our lifestyles that cumulatively, can have a big impact on the Earth. Each newsletter, we’ll feature one or two tips that you can make part of your daily routine to help create a sustainable future – for our children, and for theirs.
A Little Hay is Thrown at the ‘One Horse Open Sleigh’: - The Questers Gateway Heirlooms #788 Chapter has generously offered funds to restore the mid 1800's cutter (sleigh)! You may have seen the sleigh on display in the horsebarn during our Christmas and Pioneer Winter programs. This small ‘one horse open sleigh’ is a delight for visitors of all ages; it prompts many discussions on warmth, winter travel, pioneer modes of transportation, courtship, sport and more. These funds will allow for a thorough cleaning, sealing and reupholstering of the cutter (which currently has bare springs for its seat bottom and back!) Look for the ‘unveiling’ of the revived cutter at our Christmas special event. A special thank you to Bette Turner, Gateway Heirlooms Chapter of Questers, Ab Ives and Beaul’s Upholstery for their work on this project.
The affects of the Emerald Ash Borer and Dutch Elm disease are even more far reaching than the destruction of trees. The unusually large number of fallen trees and other amounts of debris caused by human activity at various locations along the Belle River have caused substantial blockages and flooding and drainage problems along the upstream tributary. “These blockages also increase the potential for large build-up and rapid release of flood waters, as occurred in February 2001 and resulted in flooding in the lower reaches of the watercourse,” explains Tim Byrne, Senior Water Management Technician for the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA). It will cost approximately $100,000 to remove the selected blockages. As the Belle River is a natural watercourse, there is no provision for such works to be carried out as maintenance under the Drainable Act. Similar work undertaken by ERCA along the Canard River has demonstrated that the selective removal of blockages can be a cost effective and environmentally sound alternative. These works also help to improve fish habitat. ERCA has been able to access 50% Provincial funding for this project, with the balance of the cost to be paid by the benefiting municipalities of Kingsville and Lakeshore.
The Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) has obtained $1 million dollars to assist the City of Windsor in major shoreline protection and flood control works. ERCA previously commissioned engineering studies for shoreline protection and related improvements for the Windsor Central Riverfront Parks. These studies have identified the highest priority works at sections of the shoreline in the area east of Centennial Park and west of the Caron Avenue Pumping Station. ERCA has obtained funding in the amount of $850,000 to complement the $1million set aside by the City of Windsor to move forward in this important protection project. This project will provide shoreline protection and related enhancements for a one half kilometer of waterfront. In east Windsor, over the summer months, ERCA has commissioned Flood Control Works associated with the Little River Dykes. The works authorized to date are nearing completion, and ongoing engineering assessments have identified the need for additional works to conduct major repairs to and replacement of several drainage inlet structures, as well as to remove brush from the flood control channel. These works are necessary to maintain the function and integrity of this major dyking system and to provide for the continued operation of existing drainage system for adjoining lands. This project is expected to cost $300,000, and ERCA has secured 50% of the funding on this basis. “These partnership projects are important examples of the benefits that can be realized by working together,” said Tom Wilson, Windsor City Councillor and ERCA Chair.
The dykes in southeast Leamington experienced extensive damage due to severe rainfalls in May of 2004. Engineering evaluations have identified repairs to the various dyking systems at a total cost of $5.4 million dollars. Of these identified works, the repairs to the Road 1 Dyke were identified as the highest priority in terms of maintaining some degree of flood protection for portions of the subject areas. “While these repairs are only one component of addressing the overall sustainable management of this area, these works are an essential component of any long term solution, and urgent in nature,” explains Ken Schmidt, General Manager of the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA). This repair work is estimated at a cost of $700,000, and ERCA has obtained $350,000 of Provincial funding towards this cost. As well, ERCA is commissioning a comprehensive study of coastal processes and management strategies for sustainable management of this area. The study is expected to be complete in 2006.
Do you know someone who has contributed to environmental improvements in the past year? If so, we want to hear about them! The Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) is calling for nominations for its 2005 Conservation Awards. These awards honour and recognize those in the community who have made outstanding contributions towards improving our natural environment, and ultimately the health and quality of life in the Essex Region. There is a critical need for local environmental protection and restoration. While the United Nations has indicated that at a minimum, at least 12% of any region must consist of natural areas, in the Essex Region, merely 7.5% of our local landscape remains in its natural state. It is extremely important to recognize and thank all those who make a tangible contribution toward achieving this goal. The Annual Awards will be presented to individuals and organizations in three categories: The Education Award for excellence in conservation education programs or projects in schools, organizations, companies, youth groups, etc.; The Volunteer Award for outstanding effort in volunteering time and services for conservation programs and projects; The Environmental Achievement Award for programs or projects undertaken which have enhanced the region’s renewable natural resources. In addition to individuals and organizations, municipalities can also be nominated for environmental achievements. To submit a nomination, simply write a one page summary of the individual or organizational accomplishments that merit the receipt of the award, or contact ERCA to receive a nomination form. Please be sure to include the category, name, address and phone number of the nominee, in addition to your own name, address and telephone number. Nominations close on Friday, December 16, 2005. The awards, presented since 1992, will be presented at ERCA’s Annual Meeting on January 19, 2006. For more information on any of these awards, please contact Phil Darrell-Smith at 776-5209 ext. 398. Nominations can be faxed to 776-8688, e-mailed to pdarrellsmith@erca.org
You can download the nomination form as a pdf file.
Sunday, October 23, 2005 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Friends of Pike Creek Friends of Canard River Friends of Canard River Tickets are $15, available at Knights of Columbus Hall or via Caroline Biribauer T: 776 5209 ext. 245, email: cbiribauer@erca.org – includes a presentation by Larry Silani, Director of Planning, Town of LaSalle. Friends of Turkey Creek
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“Recognizing the financial challenges faced by our municipal
partners, we have prepared our 2006 plan in the most fiscally
responsible manner possible. However, we have greater environmental
stresses and challenges that perhaps any other region in Ontario.
It is critical to ensure that the significant environmental
priorities of this region are addressed,” Wilson continued.
“Environmental health, economic health, and the human health
of our residents are unquestionably linked, and we must make
a concerted effort to protect and restore our natural environment.”
The International Joint Commission Invites
Your Views on The Future of the Great Lakes Water Quality
Agreement:-
Virtual Tour brings historic site into the 21st
century! A photographic slideshow and informative text
about the history of the Homestead can now be enjoyed at www.erca.org
by selecting ‘John R. Park’ from the menu under ‘Conservation
Areas’. The virtual tour will be valuable to teachers, students,
patrons, researchers and more. A special ‘thank you’ to Don
Waffle for volunteering to undertake this task, and for creating
a high-quality product. 
Sunday, December 4, 2005 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. 
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