Developers taking over Lake Simcoe !

'Wild West' causes concern
Developers taking over Lake Simcoe
Expansion could harm ecosystem


If left unchecked, development will kill Lake Simcoe, experts and officials warn.

"Lake Simcoe is under assault from all sides and we are concerned the ecosystem is at a tipping point," said Rick Smith, executive director of Environmental Defence.

Smith says the province's greenbelt legislation, which put a halt to development in a large ring around Toronto, has driven developers farther afield. And the South Lake Simcoe area is the first place these builders land when they drive north on Highway 400.

"Lake Simcoe is the Wild West of Ontario development right now," Smith said. "The size and number of some of these developments is unprecedented."

All told, the kind of intense development proposed in the south end of Simcoe County would increase the population by more than 250,000 people.

This has more than environmentalists worried.

Simcoe County Warden Terry Geddes "believes 100 per cent" that the very life of the lake hangs in the balance should the pace of expansion pick up.

"I would really be concerned if we became just one great extension (of Toronto) along the (highway) 400," Geddes said.

On Tuesday, Simcoe North Tory MPP Garfield Dunlop introduced a private member's bill called the Lake Simcoe Protection Act.

"There is a lot of concern about what is happening on the lake and how the leapfrogging of development from the greenbelt will affect its health," he said.

Private member's bills — introduced by MPPs who do not sit on the government side — have a poor track record when it comes to passage.

But Dunlop is hoping that if nothing else, his offering will nudge the Dalton McGuinty Liberals into coming up with their own protective measures for the 744-square kilometre lake about 100 kilometres north of Toronto.

The future of Lake Simcoe is a concern shared by the province, which has signalled its willingness to enter the fray by raising a red flag on at least one proposed development north of Barrie.

Critics are concerned about major development proposals for Big Bay Point on the northeast edge of Barrie.

County planners and provincial officials, fearing the worst, recently formed an Intergovernmental Action Plan (IGAP) to look at all aspects of development, particularly the impact on the lake. County staff has also been warned to advise County Council of all major development proposals that would have a significant impact on the "assimilative capacity" of Lake Simcoe and the Nottawasaga River.

IGAP is a joint provincial and municipal initiative created to provide a framework for urban growth decisions. This will include examining the Lake Simcoe and Nottawasaga watersheds to see if they can accommodate the impacts of urban growth.

There are 23 municipalities and four ministries participating in the growth management project. The province has committed $2.25 million to study how it affects the watersheds.

The threat of intense development comes at a time when the lake —- burdened for years with high phosphorous levels —- is starting to show small signs of improvement.

"If all these developments proceed we will be back at square one," said a senior planning adviser for Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister John Gerretsen, who asked not to be named.

Neil Rodgers, president of the Urban Development Institute of Ontario, said new development can be safely accommodated. The key is to halt polluting farm practices and replace the hundreds of antiquated septic systems that service lakefront cottages.

"Simcoe County is an area where planned and responsible development can — and probably should — accommodate some of the growth scheduled for Southern Ontario," Rodgers said.

The province has chosen a small development in Oro-Medonte as an opportunity to get on the record its concern about rapid development surrounding Lake Simcoe.

The province turned down the 396-home, adult-lifestyle community after approvals from both the local and Simcoe County councils.

The province has also plans to oppose the development at an upcoming Ontario Municipal Board hearing on grounds it could damage the lake.

Ron Golden, a Toronto dentist who has a cottage in Oro, said the development is simply in the wrong place.

Furthermore, the addition of some 1,000 residents to the tiny municipality of 15,000 just north of Barrie can't help but have a negative impact on the lake, Golden said.

"There is no need for this," Golden said. "We have a 20-year inventory of land already designated for development."

The province appears to agree. Gerretsen, in a letter to the OMB informing it of the province's intent to participate in the hearing, said he had numerous concerns with the development.

"I am of the opinion that a matter of provincial interest is, or is likely to be, adversely affected," said the letter signed by Gerretsen.

Warden Geddes, who is also mayor of Collingwood, has similar concerns.

"We really only wish growth to occur where it can be," Geddes said.

The fears of environmental fallout from development are not misplaced.

Last month the federal Fisheries and Oceans Canada department fined 669676 Ontario Inc. $100,000 after it pleaded guilty to one count of altering, disrupting or destroying fish habitat on a tributary to the West Humber River in Brampton. The fine is the second highest in Ontario history handed out by Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Bruce Singbush, a senior planner for the municipal affairs ministry, said there is a "host of major" development applications throughout the southern part of Simcoe County in Bond Head, Bradford and Innisfil.

"If you add them up, it's about 242,000 people over and above what the current commitments are by the municipality to grow ... that's a phenomenal amount of people," he said.

The current population of Simcoe County, which takes in a large area right over to Owen Sound on the west, is about 420,000. Growth projections anticipate the area expanding to 667,000 by 2031, not taking into account the additional proposed developments. Singbush said it is vitally important that all the interested parties get a "firm handle" on the health of the watershed.

"The facts do show that the stress on the watershed continues and, in fact, may increase under some additional stress," Singbush said.

"That doesn't mean that there aren't ways that can be managed to mitigate those impacts, but it does clearly show some very tough challenges on those watersheds," he added.

Mark Aitken, chief administrative officer for Simcoe County, said the health of the watersheds is "paramount," because all levels of government seem to understand the potential dire outcome.

PUBIC EDITOR'S MEMO: The original version of this story has been changed to correct three errors in the text.

New site to visit - Lake Simcoe Bill...

www.CampaignLakeSimcoe.ca.

Environmental Groups Applaud New Lake Simcoe Protection Bill

Environmental Groups Applaud New Lake Simcoe Protection Bill
All parties urged to support legislation

TORONTO, April 25 /CNW/ - The Campaign Lake Simcoe coalition applauded
Simcoe North MPP Garfield Dunlop for introducing a bill in the Ontario
Legislature today that will protect Lake Simcoe. The proposed Lake Simcoe
Protection Act will create a comprehensive protection program for the Lake
Simcoe and Nottawasaga River watersheds and natural heritage systems.
Simcoe County is now the scene of an unprecedented land speculation rush
that has led to numerous urban expansion applications being appealed to the
Ontario Municipal Board. Residents and local politicians are becoming
increasingly concerned about Lake Simcoe's capacity to assimilate such growth
without significantly impairing lake water quality.
Lake Simcoe was once called "The Ice Fishing Capital of North America".
It teemed with distinctive species such as the Lake Simcoe whitefish. But this
once-abundant fish is now in peril. "Pollution and other insidious threats are
slowly killing Lake Simcoe," said Robert Eisenberg, Founding Chair, Rescue
Lake Simcoe Coalition. "This bill is a critical first step to protecting the
lake, and just as importantly, the watershed that sustains it."
Large-scale urban development is one of the biggest threats to Lake
Simcoe. Less than half of the lake's shoreline was included in Ontario's
Golden Horseshoe Greenbelt, and Simcoe County was excluded. The bill seeks to
address these gaps. Among the several enormous proposed urban developments in
Simcoe County is a subdivision that threatens to destroy one of Lake Simcoe's
last remaining natural shorelines, known as Moon Point. "This type of poorly
planned urban growth jeopardizes prime farmland, wetlands, forests and,
ultimately, the water quality of Lake Simcoe," said Dr. Rick Smith, Executive
Director, Environmental Defence. "All members of the Legislature should
support this bill to protect the lake for generations to come."
If passed, the bill will also restore and regenerate ecosystems
throughout the proposed protection area. "Ontario is a leader in protecting
natural heritage systems and water resources through provincial plans like
those for the Greenbelt, the Oak Ridges Moraine and the Niagara Escarpment.
Extending that type of protection to the Lake Simcoe and Nottawasaga River
watersheds will preserve habitats for endangered species, protect agricultural
lands, and ensure clean drinking water for communities throughout Simcoe
County," said Wendy Francis, Director of Conservation and Science, Ontario
Nature.
"The proposed Act will protect the lake's natural infrastructure like
wetlands, tributaries and natural shoreline areas that are just as critical to
Lake Simcoe's function as roads and sewers are to cities," said David
Donnelly, Gilbert's LLP, counsel to Environmental Defence and a number of
residents' groups fighting development projects. "Some day all watersheds will
be managed this way in Canada."

About Campaign Lake Simcoe: Campaign Lake Simcoe, supported by
Environmental Defence, Ontario Nature and Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition, is
dedicated to protecting the water quality of Lake Simcoe and green space in
Simcoe County. www.CampaignLakeSimcoe.ca.




For further information: or to arrange interviews, please contact:
Jennifer Foulds, Environmental Defence, (416) 323-9521 ext. 232, (647)
280-9521 (cell); Wendy Francis, Ontario Nature, (416) 444-8419, ext. 239;
Robert Eisenberg, Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition, (416) 484-1250

Georgina business park expected to get go-ahead (details on the 404 extension also)

Georgina business park expected to get go-ahead


The public last week got a close-up look at the final proposed design for the Keswick business park, expected to generate up to 7,500 jobs when it is completed.
Town planners and consultants answered questions before the crucial mandatory public meeting at council May 8, where the business park secondary plan is expected to get the green light.
Located on 560 acres of primarily farmland on the east side of Woodbine Avenue, the business park is also vital to addressing the serious shortfall in commercial and industrial tax assessment that is placing a tax burden on homeowners, Mayor Rob Grossi said.
The plan's approval comes after the province announced last week the four-year construction schedule for the Hwy. 404 extension to Ravenshoe Road and funding to build the four-lane expressway to Queensville Sideroad.
Mr. Grossi said council will be pushing hard to have the extension continue to Glenwoods Avenue, where an interchange and crucial access point adjacent to the business park is planned.
In addition to the potential employment bonanza, planning consultants were quick to point out the people-friendly aspects of the plan including a linked greenlands system with "high-quality landscaping", large stormwater ponds that can be used for recreation, parks, walking and cycling trails and a tree preservation and planting program.
Attention will also be paid to enhancing the health of the ailing Maskinonge River that winds along the east and north boundary of the business park, the audience was told.
"The greenlands system policies are aimed at protecting and enhancing the existing natural features focused on the valley system of the Maskinonge River," the planning report states.
A large portion of the south end of the development will remain environmentally protected land, the public was told.
Paul Harpley, president of the South Lake Simcoe Naturalists, disagrees with the plan, saying the town has enough potential commercial/industrial land on the west side of Woodbine.
"This is sprawl development," he said, adding there is enough industrial land for businesses in the south end of the region. "Why would they want to move all the way up here?"
Mr. Harpley scoffed at suggestions Hwy. 404 will reach Keswick in as little as four years.
"It's probably more like 15 years. You have to remember this highway is going through tGeorgina business park expected to get go-ahead

Apr 19, 2006
John Slykhuis, Staff Writer
= 1143285739 ; <= 1145877739" name=sf_dwb_psd_publish_dt


The public last week got a close-up look at the final proposed design for the Keswick business park, expected to generate up to 7,500 jobs when it is completed.
Town planners and consultants answered questions before the crucial mandatory public meeting at council May 8, where the business park secondary plan is expected to get the green light.
Located on 560 acres of primarily farmland on the east side of Woodbine Avenue, the business park is also vital to addressing the serious shortfall in commercial and industrial tax assessment that is placing a tax burden on homeowners, Mayor Rob Grossi said.
The plan's approval comes after the province announced last week the four-year construction schedule for the Hwy. 404 extension to Ravenshoe Road and funding to build the four-lane expressway to Queensville Sideroad.
Mr. Grossi said council will be pushing hard to have the extension continue to Glenwoods Avenue, where an interchange and crucial access point adjacent to the business park is planned.
In addition to the potential employment bonanza, planning consultants were quick to point out the people-friendly aspects of the plan including a linked greenlands system with "high-quality landscaping", large stormwater ponds that can be used for recreation, parks, walking and cycling trails and a tree preservation and planting program.
Attention will also be paid to enhancing the health of the ailing Maskinonge River that winds along the east and north boundary of the business park, the audience was told.
"The greenlands system policies are aimed at protecting and enhancing the existing natural features focused on the valley system of the Maskinonge River," the planning report states.
A large portion of the south end of the development will remain environmentally protected land, the public was told.
Paul Harpley, president of the South Lake Simcoe Naturalists, disagrees with the plan, saying the town has enough potential commercial/industrial land on the west side of Woodbine.
"This is sprawl development," he said, adding there is enough industrial land for businesses in the south end of the region. "Why would they want to move all the way up here?"
Mr. Harpley scoffed at suggestions Hwy. 404 will reach Keswick in as little as four years.
"It's probably more like 15 years. You have to remember this highway is going through the provincial greenbelt and will have to cross five or six streams that are headwaters of the Maskinonge and Black rivers."
The town should focus on other priorities, he said.
"Instead we have town staff busy running around with this business park that is many, many years in the future and spending hundreds of thousands of dollars doing it. From what I've seen here today, I have even more concerns."
After the expected council green light, the plan will then go to York Region for final approval, expected before the summer.
Full details can be found on the town's website www.town.georgina.on.ca
While the plan has the full support of the Georgina Chamber of Commerce, environmental groups continue to oppose it. York Region's official plan has set a target of 22,000 jobs in the town by 2026, when the population reaches the 75,000 mark.
he provincial greenbelt and will have to cross five or six streams that are headwaters of the Maskinonge and Black rivers."
The town should focus on other priorities, he said.
"Instead we have town staff busy running around with this business park that is many, many years in the future and spending hundreds of thousands of dollars doing it. From what I've seen here today, I have even more concerns."
After the expected council green light, the plan will then go to York Region for final approval, expected before the summer.
Full details can be found on the town's website www.town.georgina.on.ca
While the plan has the full support of the Georgina Chamber of Commerce, environmental groups continue to oppose it. York Region's official plan has set a target of 22,000 jobs in the town by 2026, when the population reaches the 75,000 mark.

Georgina business park expected to get go-ahead

Georgina business park expected to get go-ahead




The public last week got a close-up look at the final proposed design for the Keswick business park, expected to generate up to 7,500 jobs when it is completed.
Town planners and consultants answered questions before the crucial mandatory public meeting at council May 8, where the business park secondary plan is expected to get the green light.

Located on 560 acres of primarily farmland on the east side of Woodbine Avenue, the business park is also vital to addressing the serious shortfall in commercial and industrial tax assessment that is placing a tax burden on homeowners, Mayor Rob Grossi said.

The plan's approval comes after the province announced last week the four-year construction schedule for the Hwy. 404 extension to Ravenshoe Road and funding to build the four-lane expressway to Queensville Sideroad.

Mr. Grossi said council will be pushing hard to have the extension continue to Glenwoods Avenue, where an interchange and crucial access point adjacent to the business park is planned.

In addition to the potential employment bonanza, planning consultants were quick to point out the people-friendly aspects of the plan including a linked greenlands system with "high-quality landscaping", large stormwater ponds that can be used for recreation, parks, walking and cycling trails and a tree preservation and planting program.

Attention will also be paid to enhancing the health of the ailing Maskinonge River that winds along the east and north boundary of the business park, the audience was told.

"The greenlands system policies are aimed at protecting and enhancing the existing natural features focused on the valley system of the Maskinonge River," the planning report states.

A large portion of the south end of the development will remain environmentally protected land, the public was told.

Paul Harpley, president of the South Lake Simcoe Naturalists, disagrees with the plan, saying the town has enough potential commercial/industrial land on the west side of Woodbine.

"This is sprawl development," he said, adding there is enough industrial land for businesses in the south end of the region. "Why would they want to move all the way up here?"

Mr. Harpley scoffed at suggestions Hwy. 404 will reach Keswick in as little as four years.

"It's probably more like 15 years. You have to remember this highway is going through the provincial greenbelt and will have to cross five or six streams that are headwaters of the Maskinonge and Black rivers."

The town should focus on other priorities, he said.

"Instead we have town staff busy running around with this business park that is many, many years in the future and spending hundreds of thousands of dollars doing it. From what I've seen here today, I have even more concerns."

After the expected council green light, the plan will then go to York Region for final approval, expected before the summer.

Full details can be found on the town's website www.town.georgina.on.ca

While the plan has the full support of the Georgina Chamber of Commerce, environmental groups continue to oppose it. York Region's official plan has set a target of 22,000 jobs in the town by 2026, when the population reaches the 75,000 mark.

Georgina business park expected to get go-ahead (details on the 404 extension also)

Georgina business park expected to get go-ahead




The public last week got a close-up look at the final proposed design for the Keswick business park, expected to generate up to 7,500 jobs when it is completed.
Town planners and consultants answered questions before the crucial mandatory public meeting at council May 8, where the business park secondary plan is expected to get the green light.

Located on 560 acres of primarily farmland on the east side of Woodbine Avenue, the business park is also vital to addressing the serious shortfall in commercial and industrial tax assessment that is placing a tax burden on homeowners, Mayor Rob Grossi said.

The plan's approval comes after the province announced last week the four-year construction schedule for the Hwy. 404 extension to Ravenshoe Road and funding to build the four-lane expressway to Queensville Sideroad.

Mr. Grossi said council will be pushing hard to have the extension continue to Glenwoods Avenue, where an interchange and crucial access point adjacent to the business park is planned.

In addition to the potential employment bonanza, planning consultants were quick to point out the people-friendly aspects of the plan including a linked greenlands system with "high-quality landscaping", large stormwater ponds that can be used for recreation, parks, walking and cycling trails and a tree preservation and planting program.

Attention will also be paid to enhancing the health of the ailing Maskinonge River that winds along the east and north boundary of the business park, the audience was told.

"The greenlands system policies are aimed at protecting and enhancing the existing natural features focused on the valley system of the Maskinonge River," the planning report states.

A large portion of the south end of the development will remain environmentally protected land, the public was told.

Paul Harpley, president of the South Lake Simcoe Naturalists, disagrees with the plan, saying the town has enough potential commercial/industrial land on the west side of Woodbine.

"This is sprawl development," he said, adding there is enough industrial land for businesses in the south end of the region. "Why would they want to move all the way up here?"

Mr. Harpley scoffed at suggestions Hwy. 404 will reach Keswick in as little as four years.

"It's probably more like 15 years. You have to remember this highway is going through the provincial greenbelt and will have to cross five or six streams that are headwaters of the Maskinonge and Black rivers."

The town should focus on other priorities, he said.

"Instead we have town staff busy running around with this business park that is many, many years in the future and spending hundreds of thousands of dollars doing it. From what I've seen here today, I have even more concerns."

After the expected council green light, the plan will then go to York Region for final approval, expected before the summer.

Full details can be found on the town's website www.town.georgina.on.ca

While the plan has the full support of the Georgina Chamber of Commerce, environmental groups continue to oppose it. York Region's official plan has set a target of 22,000 jobs in the town by 2026, when the population reaches the 75,000 mark.

Georgina business park expected to get go-ahead (details on the 404 extension also)

Georgina business park expected to get go-ahead




The public last week got a close-up look at the final proposed design for the Keswick business park, expected to generate up to 7,500 jobs when it is completed.
Town planners and consultants answered questions before the crucial mandatory public meeting at council May 8, where the business park secondary plan is expected to get the green light.

Located on 560 acres of primarily farmland on the east side of Woodbine Avenue, the business park is also vital to addressing the serious shortfall in commercial and industrial tax assessment that is placing a tax burden on homeowners, Mayor Rob Grossi said.

The plan's approval comes after the province announced last week the four-year construction schedule for the Hwy. 404 extension to Ravenshoe Road and funding to build the four-lane expressway to Queensville Sideroad.

Mr. Grossi said council will be pushing hard to have the extension continue to Glenwoods Avenue, where an interchange and crucial access point adjacent to the business park is planned.

In addition to the potential employment bonanza, planning consultants were quick to point out the people-friendly aspects of the plan including a linked greenlands system with "high-quality landscaping", large stormwater ponds that can be used for recreation, parks, walking and cycling trails and a tree preservation and planting program.

Attention will also be paid to enhancing the health of the ailing Maskinonge River that winds along the east and north boundary of the business park, the audience was told.

"The greenlands system policies are aimed at protecting and enhancing the existing natural features focused on the valley system of the Maskinonge River," the planning report states.

A large portion of the south end of the development will remain environmentally protected land, the public was told.

Paul Harpley, president of the South Lake Simcoe Naturalists, disagrees with the plan, saying the town has enough potential commercial/industrial land on the west side of Woodbine.

"This is sprawl development," he said, adding there is enough industrial land for businesses in the south end of the region. "Why would they want to move all the way up here?"

Mr. Harpley scoffed at suggestions Hwy. 404 will reach Keswick in as little as four years.

"It's probably more like 15 years. You have to remember this highway is going through the provincial greenbelt and will have to cross five or six streams that are headwaters of the Maskinonge and Black rivers."

The town should focus on other priorities, he said.

"Instead we have town staff busy running around with this business park that is many, many years in the future and spending hundreds of thousands of dollars doing it. From what I've seen here today, I have even more concerns."

After the expected council green light, the plan will then go to York Region for final approval, expected before the summer.

Full details can be found on the town's website www.town.georgina.on.ca

While the plan has the full support of the Georgina Chamber of Commerce, environmental groups continue to oppose it. York Region's official plan has set a target of 22,000 jobs in the town by 2026, when the population reaches the 75,000 mark.

Georgina business park expected to get go-ahead (details on the 404 extension also)

Georgina business park expected to get go-ahead




The public last week got a close-up look at the final proposed design for the Keswick business park, expected to generate up to 7,500 jobs when it is completed.
Town planners and consultants answered questions before the crucial mandatory public meeting at council May 8, where the business park secondary plan is expected to get the green light.

Located on 560 acres of primarily farmland on the east side of Woodbine Avenue, the business park is also vital to addressing the serious shortfall in commercial and industrial tax assessment that is placing a tax burden on homeowners, Mayor Rob Grossi said.

The plan's approval comes after the province announced last week the four-year construction schedule for the Hwy. 404 extension to Ravenshoe Road and funding to build the four-lane expressway to Queensville Sideroad.

Mr. Grossi said council will be pushing hard to have the extension continue to Glenwoods Avenue, where an interchange and crucial access point adjacent to the business park is planned.

In addition to the potential employment bonanza, planning consultants were quick to point out the people-friendly aspects of the plan including a linked greenlands system with "high-quality landscaping", large stormwater ponds that can be used for recreation, parks, walking and cycling trails and a tree preservation and planting program.

Attention will also be paid to enhancing the health of the ailing Maskinonge River that winds along the east and north boundary of the business park, the audience was told.

"The greenlands system policies are aimed at protecting and enhancing the existing natural features focused on the valley system of the Maskinonge River," the planning report states.

A large portion of the south end of the development will remain environmentally protected land, the public was told.

Paul Harpley, president of the South Lake Simcoe Naturalists, disagrees with the plan, saying the town has enough potential commercial/industrial land on the west side of Woodbine.

"This is sprawl development," he said, adding there is enough industrial land for businesses in the south end of the region. "Why would they want to move all the way up here?"

Mr. Harpley scoffed at suggestions Hwy. 404 will reach Keswick in as little as four years.

"It's probably more like 15 years. You have to remember this highway is going through the provincial greenbelt and will have to cross five or six streams that are headwaters of the Maskinonge and Black rivers."

The town should focus on other priorities, he said.

"Instead we have town staff busy running around with this business park that is many, many years in the future and spending hundreds of thousands of dollars doing it. From what I've seen here today, I have even more concerns."

After the expected council green light, the plan will then go to York Region for final approval, expected before the summer.

Full details can be found on the town's website www.town.georgina.on.ca

While the plan has the full support of the Georgina Chamber of Commerce, environmental groups continue to oppose it. York Region's official plan has set a target of 22,000 jobs in the town by 2026, when the population reaches the 75,000 mark.

Time to build up the dikes

Time to build up the dikes
Short-term fixes are needed to address flood risk while area waits for approval for its canal project
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Holland Marsh flood fears


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
April 5.

If Bradford West Gwillimbury Mayor Frank Jonkman really shares the fears of Art Janse about the Holland Marsh filling up with water, why is the town governance sitting on its laurels waiting for approval for a grand project when it could be doing something right now to build up the dikes at the lowest point? Why has it not cleaned out the canals for more than two decades and let things get to the point where it is demanding $4 million out of a few farmers' pockets?

My grandmother, a Holland Marsh resident and landowner, received a letter in 2001 from a drainage engineering firm commissioned by the town stating that the canals were full of sediment and that there is a high flood risk. What they did not state and which I found out after talking to Janse is that should the dikes be breached, the water will come up as high as eight feet on the house where my grandmother lives.

The fire department's rescue plan is non-existent. They are convinced that sandbagging will fix any dike breach. Is my grandmother to sit on her roof awaiting rescue? Driving out in time is not an option. By the time she notices the water, Canal Road, the only way out of the marsh for her, will be flooded over. In 1954, marsh residents knew a flood was coming because they were all on party phone lines and the phones were ringing non-stop in the evening when they were in from the field. Everyone listened in on the news at the same time. Today's flood warning system consists of a press release from the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority. And the conservation authority relies on an outdated hydraulic warning system, rather than a newer user-friendly software model.

The least the municipality could do is warn residents to stock up on food and water in case they need rescuing. The most it could do is put forth short-term fixes as options to temporarily address flood risk while it waits for approval for its grand canal project, and aggressively lobby government for funding.

Fertile farmland is at risk because of flood fears

Fertile farmland is at risk because of flood fears.



The fertile farms of Holland Marsh are just one big rainfall away from a $200 million disaster that could make them the "New Orleans of the north," a local official warns.

Art Janse, drainage superintendent for Bradford West Gwillimbury, said the area's system of canals and dikes just isn't capable of withstanding a big storm.

"There's a huge disaster just waiting to happen," Janse said yesterday, standing on the bank of one of the canals that keep water from overflowing into nearby low-lying farms north of Newmarket — often called the breadbasket of Ontario.

"If we'd gotten another 2-inch rainfall in the middle of March, it would have flooded the marsh and wiped out this year's crops."

That, he said, would cause an $84 million loss to local farmers and businesses, growing to $200 million as the impact spread to associated food processors, transportation companies and higher vegetable costs across the province.

"We're in for a lot of grief," said Janse, 68, who retired three years ago but has remained on the job on contract. "And it's not just the marsh. It would flood Highway 400 for at least a week."

Nearly 22,000 hectares of higher ground drain into the Holland Marsh area. All that keeps runoff from flooding the area are 28 kilometres of canals and earthen dikes.

Janse has lived along the canals since he was 11 and has been advocating the construction of a new canal system since 1993, when a study showed the canals to be heavy with sediment and sludge. Some areas have since filled in completely.

"It's all fallen on deaf ears," he said. "I'm just waiting for a disaster.

"This spring, all the factors were perfect for a real disaster.... The whole canal system would have maxed out."

Mayor Frank Jonkman shares Janse's fears.

But both men say they've been stymied by government red tape in their efforts to protect the valuable farmland.

"If we can't get started, we'll never get finished," Jonkman said. "One breach of the dike and we wouldn't be able to stop it until Lake Simcoe finished draining into it."

Janse explained that if surrounding lands were saturated with water and a heavy rainstorm was to strike when the silt-filled canals were unable to handle the torrent, the overflow would pour into nearby floodplain lands until it got higher than dikes. Then it would pour into the 2,800 hectares of marsh farmlands.

"That could take as little as five hours to fill 'er up if it broke the dikes at more than one spot," Janse said last night.

New Orleans suffered billions of dollars in damage last August when high water whipped by Hurricane Katrina breached an earthen dike and flooded the low-lying Louisiana city.

Al Shaw, an aquatic biologist and environmental consultant who has studied the Bradford canals, said they are ripe for a flood.

"There are portions of those canals you can walk across," Shaw said last night. "Their main purpose is to keep water from the slopes from going into the Holland Marsh.

"They cannot possibly do the job that they're designed to do if they're filled (with sediment)," he said.

"Under the right circumstances, there would be considerable damage."

The canals were last dredged in 1955, a year after Hurricane Hazel devastated southern Ontario and flooded the marsh. The effects on the marsh weren't as bad then, because the storm struck in the fall, after growing season.

At that time, the canals were widened and made deeper. But that eliminated a buffer between the roads atop the dikes and the canals, an issue that resurfaced in February after a mother and her 4-year-old son drowned when their car went into the canal.

"It's the most productive land in Ontario and among the best in Canada," Janse said. "If you just fill it full of carrots and onions, it can produce half of what this nation consumes in a year.

"But the problem is that nobody seems to care about it."

It would take $14 million and between five and seven years to build new canals, using soil removed to fill in the old ones. Janse said that in the long run, that's more economical than trying to scoop out the existing canals.

A full environmental assessment of the area, ordered by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, is expected to be completed in the coming months.

Janse said it is only the latest in a string of studies commissioned on the canals.

"We've been stuck in red tape for too long," he said.

"And the mayor and the town are more concerned about development and building new sewers for housing.

"Everybody thinks everybody else should foot the bill."

Major project launched on the Oak Ridges Moraine

Major project launched on the Oak Ridges Moraine to encourage landowner participation in conservation efforts
4/4/06 1:17PM
(King City, April 4, 2006) A major new landowner information project, created by 23 conservation and environmental organizations working together to provide coordinated conservation services, has been launched in selected areas of the Oak Ridges Moraine.

The ‘Caring for the Moraine Project’ (CMP) has been made possible with a grant of $230,000 from the Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation. Contributions in staff and technical services from the project partners total $460,000.

This is the first time that major conservation and environmental protection agencies and organizations on the Moraine have come together to develop a strategic plan and provide comprehensive, coordinated conservation services for landowners living in particularly important areas of the Moraine.

The CMP is strictly a voluntary program. It has been designed to be a user friendly, one-stop starting point for people who own land on the Oak Ridges Moraine and are seeking advice on land management and stewardship, on protecting their drinking water sources, and on how to continually improve their property value while helping to protect its natural features.

The Oak Ridges Moraine is one of Ontario’s most prominent ecosystems. Its rolling hills, unique kettle lakes, hiking trails and vistas stretch across the top of the Greater Toronto Area. It is a big area – more than 160 kilometers in length. Stretching from the Niagara Escarpment in Caledon to east of Rice Lake, it is the starting point of the 65 rivers flowing into Lake Ontario, Lake Simcoe and the Kawartha Lakes, and is the source of drinking water for over 250,000 people. It is important that Moraine landowners get good advice and support to help them protect these vital areas.

“More than 90% of the Moraine is privately owned. If we are going to protect this vital area, we need to make it easier for landowners to find the right information and the best people to talk with about their properties,” explained Michael Scott, Executive Director of the Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation. “This project is a portal, through which Moraine landowners can access the resources, experience and expertise of almost two dozen organizations, ranging from Conservation Authorities, Trout Unlimited, Stewardship Councils, the Wetland Habitat Fund, the Nature Conservancy of Canada, or the Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust.”

Since the Moraine is large, the Caring for the Moraine program is initially focused on three areas which have sensitive natural features, such as forest tracts and wetlands, and are located in the headwaters of important water sources.

The three areas are: (1) The Humber Nottawasaga Headwaters area (located in the far western end of the ORM, overlapping the Simcoe and Peel County boundaries); (2) The Durham Headwater area (located toward the centre of the Moraine, primarily in Durham Region) and (3) The Ganaraska Hills Project area (encompassing the Ganaraska Forest, just south-west of Rice Lake). Detailed maps of the project areas can be found at www. ormf.com.

The partners in the ‘Caring for the Moraine Project’ have launched an extensive outreach program this week. The first step is distributing the Caring for the Moraine tabloid through community papers. The tabloid contains maps of the three zones and describes the program. Project representatives will then be directly contacting owners of properties in priority areas, to ensure they know about the available conservation services. Program area landowners can also contact Kate Potter at 905-579-0411x106 or kpotter@cloca.com.
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For more information contact:
Michael Scott, ORMF Executive Director @ 905-833-5733 or m.g.scott@ormf.com

The ORMF website is www.ormf.com.
For high resolution area maps for print reproduction - contact Jason@dakisdna.com or 416-516-7335 x 4.

The Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation was created in 2002 to help protect, preserve and restore the Oak Ridges Moraine, one of Ontario’s most prominent geological landforms, extending 160 kilometers across southern Ontario, from the Trent River to the Niagara Escarpment.

Water key to future?

Water key to future?
TRCA, LSRCA look ahead to continued watershed protection


It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. It is a tale of two watersheds.
This year, the Toronto Region Conservation Authority celebrated its 50th anniversary and Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA) celebrated 55 years of serving their respective communities.

But, after more than half a century in operation, the question is what exactly do the two conservation authorities in York Region do?

While most people think they are primarily concerned with looking after birds and animals and parks, the main purpose of the TRCA is actually to look after your water sources.

HISTORY OF CONSERVATION

Both authorities were born out of the conservation movement of the 19th century.

At that time, the Germans were just beginning to explore the field of forestry in British India, managing forests using early climate change theories.

In 1898, Prussian-born Bernard Fernow founded the forestry school at University of Toronto, one of only two at that time in North America.

The two original schools of thoughts behind conservation still exist today -- one side believes forest lands should be regulated for public activities and commerical use, the other feels this will lead to commercial overuse and ruin the pristine wilderness.

THE PRESENT

According to Brian Kemp, acting director of conservation lands at LSRCA, over the years, they have refined their approach.

"The way we do business has changed," he said,

"The lesson of Walkerton is that we can't just treat the water, we have to look at a more holistic approach of protecting water at the source."

This means being conscious of the fact the water we use in our everyday lives doesn't just go down the drain and vanish, it goes back into a system.

"We hear horror stories about water quality from Third World countries and you think that could never happen here, but it can," he said.

At LSRCA, protecting Lake Simcoe means bringing it back to earlier levels of health by generating awareness about the impact of phosphates and encouraging people to conserve water.

Community groups concerned with the health of Lake Simcoe are consulting with LSRCA to ensure the long-term health of Lake Simcoe.

LSRCA's approach has been to involve the community groups in efforts to clean up the lake by forming community partnerships.

"We don't want to dictate to a community what they can and can't do, that doesn't make us any friends," Mr. Kemp said.

THE FUTURE

Finding innovative ways of working with the community is key for the TRCA as well and the group has made great strides working with different sectors.

"The easiest way to protect the land is to own it," said Mr. Kemp.

He would like to see more acquisition of lands on the Oak Ridges Moraine and he stresses the need to provide linkages among protected lands.

Brian Denney, chief administrative officer for the TRCA, also feels preserving greenspace is an important mandate for conservation authorities.

It is easy to take for granted the impact the conservation authorities, now more than half a century old, have on the environment.

Each year, they hold tree planting events such as the Sunoco Tree Plant April 29 at George R. Richardson Park in Newmarket.

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CONSERVATION AREAS

· SHEPHERD'S BUSH, OFF INDUSTRY STREET, AURORA: trails, children's summer programs, picnic area

· WHITCHURCH, 10 KM EAST OF AURORA OFF AURORA SIDEROAD: picnic pavilion, trails

Roger's Reservoir

North of Newmarket off Green Lane

· ROGER'S RESERVOIR, NORTH OF NEWMARKET, OFF GREEN LANE: fishing, cycling, hiking, "ghost" canal system

· MABEL DAVIS, NEWMARKET OFF DAVIS DRIVE OR BAYVIEW PARKWAY: fitness trail, covered paviliion, playground

· FAIRY LAKE: hiking trails

For more information go to www.lsrca.on.ca