Archive for March, 2010
Hamilton Conservation Concerned About Eramosa Karst Feeder Lands
March 30th 2010This news just arrived about Hamilton Conservation Authority’s Eramosa Karst.
Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) has submitted a formal request to the Minister of the Environment to order that the Ontario Realty Corporation (ORC) comply with Part II of the Environmental Assessment Act for the ORC lands adjacent to the Eramosa Karst. HCA directors and staff say the Ontario Realty Corporation has recommended the sale and development of the Eramosa Karst feeder lands, without completing all required studies to make that determination and that their Environmental Assessment of the subject lands is both premature and incomplete.
In June of 2009, HCA correspondence to ORC indicated the need for additional studies to be undertaken in order to assess whether development on these lands was possible without adversely affecting the core area. Eight studies were listed, as well as concerns about preliminary stormwater management assessment. ORC responded to HCA’s concerns in September of 2009, agreeing to undertake six of the eight studies. These studies have not been completed and are scheduled to be carried out in a timeline ranging from a season to two years. ORC dismissed the need for two of the requested technical studies without an outline or discussion of its reasons for their dismissal.
Four months after agreeing to undertake the six multi-year assessments, the ORC filed its formal “Planning Approvals and Environmental Assessment (EA) Study Notification of Completion of the Environmental Study Report (ESR) – Category C” on January 26, 2010 with a public comment period until March 29, 2010. HCA planners strongly believe that this Environmental Assessment is premature and incomplete and does not meet the basic purpose of the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act, R.S.O. 1990, which is “the betterment of the people of the whole or any part of Ontario by providing for the protection, conservation and wise management in Ontario of the environment.” One of the considerations of the Minister is assessing whether or not to issue a Part II Order on a project is to decide if a submitted environmental report meets the purpose of the Act. HCA strongly believes that it does not.
The Eramosa Karst Conservation Area is a unique “karst” landscape made up of a network of underground streams and caves, and resurgent springs and sinkholes, carved out by the power of flowing water. The land was transferred to HCA by the province to protect it as an Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI). The ‘feeder lands’ in dispute are east and immediately adjacent to the conservation area. As the name indicates, groundwater “feeds” into the Karst from this area and HCA is seeking to protect these lands. HCA, the City of Hamilton and other interested parties have consulted with the ORC since 2007. Hamilton has included the Core and Feeder Areas of the Eramosa Karst, as part of its Natural Heritage System in its new official plan to ensure the ANSI’s long-term protection.
HCA staff submitted the formal request for a Part II Order in a letter to The Minister of the Environment, The Honorable John Gerrestson, on March 29, 2010, after HCA directors endorsed staff recommendations at their March 4 meeting to contact the Minister of the Environment with these concerns, requesting the issuance of an order to comply with Part II of the Environmental Assessment Act, and complete the agreed studies.
Do you support the feeder lands being protected from development?
Alternatives to Culling Deer at Iroquoia Heights Conservation Area
March 23rd 2010The following opinion piece by Paul Glendenning of Hamilton was published on March 18 in The Hamilton Spectator. To give it a broader readership along the Escarpment, we’re posting it here. Be sure to leave your comments by clicking on the word “Comment” below.
Iroquoia Heights Conservation Area is a favourite destination for many hikers, bikers, dog walkers, nature lovers, photographers and others. It may however, turn into a killing ground with most of the deer being slaughtered in an effort to calm complaints from a few neighbours and placate hunting interests at Six Nations and the Federation of Anglers and Hunters.
Despite assurances of an open process, both the Hamilton Conservation Authority and Ministry of Natural Resources staff have already publicly recommended a cull or a “controlled” hunt. A written report by the MNR backing this recommendation is to be released soon. Local nature groups appear to be disinterested, divided, or deem the question “too political” to challenge the proposal.
According to a preliminary report, the Hamilton Conservation Authority efforts began in reaction to neighbour complaints about deer. After carrying out an aerial count of the deer in January 2009, the HCA announced a preliminary finding of 102 deer which was later raised to between 168 and 182.
According to the MNR’s Wildlife Monitoring document aerial counts are not widely used in Ontario due to the difficulty in estimating the number of deer missed. Deer typically seek cover as the helicopter approaches, making it difficult to see them from the air. Given the many areas of dense brush at Iroquoia Heights a true perspective by air would be very difficult.
Careful independent observations also contradict the official estimate and suggest a far lower population of 47-61 deer as of February 2010.
Regardless of actual numbers, the HCA and MNR experts maintain that through a generic formula of 1 deer per 6 or 7 hectares only 11 deer are allowed, to keep the population within “carrying capacity”. When carrying capacity is surpassed, deer over-browse vegetation leading to starvation and disease.
As this formula does not account for differences in habitat and with no reports of illness or starvation, it seems many more deer are capable of surviving in the park.
Despite this, an all or nothing approach has been chosen with HCA Chair Chris Firth-Eagland being quoted as saying: “The other path is to do nothing and let nature take its course — disease, starvation and more coyotes coming in to hunt the weakened deer.”
But is doing nothing really the only alternative?
The sole investigation into vegetation health is an exclosure study started by the HCA in late 2008 which fences off small parcels of land to compare to habitat affected by deer. This type of study is unlikely to produce significant results for another 4 years with debatable value. A study aimed at overall vegetation health rather than “proving” deer are causing harm would provide more relevant information.
One of the primary causes outlined by the HCA for deer “overpopulation” is food left by neighbours and visitors. Various offerings have been found along trails, in neighbouring yards as well as park edges drawing deer into nearby communities.
Public education, placing signs, and enforcement would be effective alternative actions which would actually make long-term improvements. As deer population growth is tied tightly to food availability, the population will reduce naturally if an artificial abundance is truly being sustained.
Unfenced yards have also drawn deer to residential gardens, something easily remedied through proper barriers and planting with deer in mind.
Another suggested cause has been the encapsulation of the park by residential housing and highway 403. Without the ability to leave the park it has been proposed that the population will continue to grow out of control
While it is true that no thought was given to the migration of deer by city planning, deer are resourceful and do seem to find ways in and out of the park. Possible routes include the Bruce Trail, a nearby hydro corridor and several holes in park fencing.
By building proper wildlife corridors, something recommended in the 2003 Hamilton Natural Areas Inventory, safety may be maintained without the need for mass slaughter.
So there are many things still to be done which do not include the need to kill.
Unfortunately with no concrete evidence and little talk of solving the real issues, a “stakeholder” meeting is being set up to finalise management plans. An exception to the local firearm discharge bylaw must also be granted by city council. But should special interests succeed over sustainability, there is little hope for the deer of Iroquoia Heights. And with the root concerns remaining we can look forward to killing our deer many more times in the years to come.
Mountains, Caves and Limestone Outcroppings in West Virginia
March 22nd 2010Just back from a short break from magazine work, having gone with Mike to a favourite place of his in West Virginia. We crossed the border at Queenston and Mike took photos of fabulous views of the Niagara Escarpment from the American side. The Gorge, The Whirlpool and the American and Canadian falls are truly spectacular at this time of year, with heavy water flow and no leaves on the trees to obstruct views far across the gorge.
About 12 hours later, in the middle of the night, we arrived at “The Fieldhouse,” a cottage managed by the Potomac Speleological Club, where Mike had to get the indoor plumbing working and start a fire in the old woodstove, although it was actually warm enough outside without having to heat indoors. Spring is here!
Next morning we hiked among herds of grazing sheep and baby lambs which Kelly the border collie was good enough to treat with respect, although she couldn’t help but stare at and stalk them for a few steps. This had the mama sheep calling their wayward babies to their sides. Lambs returned the cries from various places on the hillside, and soon they had all herded up and moved away for safety.
Mike led the way to Smoke Hole Cave, an interesting set of caves with openings to light and air, two of my very favourite things when caving. A historic plaque on the road far below, which we saw later, claims that signs of smoke on the roof of a large cave indicates that native Indians may have used the cave to cure meat. After seeing the steepness of the climb to the cave and the lack of flat ground nearby for camping and preparing the meat, I doubt that the natives would care to carry haunches of deer meat there. The caves would, however, provide comfortable shelter around a central fire, so I can see people using them for that.
After the three-hour hike, we drove around the mountainous country where Mike says it takes one hour to go one mile. Spectacular jagged outcrops like Eagle Rock and Cave Mountain look like parts of our own Niagara Escarpment, although they are in a different geological formation, the Allegheny Mountains. We drove from the bottom, where a tributary of the Potomac River flows to Washington, up to the highest point we could reach by car, where a tent and campfire equipment showed that perhaps fishermen were spending the night.
So, after driving 12 hours in order to take a three-hour hike, we were back on the road, gratefully finding a Starbucks for cappuccino in Ohio, something not to be seen in West Virginia, where a couple seeing our Ontario licence plate, asked where we were from. Turned out they are from Stoney Creek, and were on their way to Myrtle Beach and then Florida. Also turned out that they had seen Escarpment Views, but not the spring issue, so we gave them a copy and returned home. Small world. Big mountains!
Have you gone anywhere interesting lately?
Artists With Greenbelt Exhibition Seek Venues
March 16th 2010Specialized Cancer-Care Products With Small-Town Service
March 11th 2010The spring issue has a “Worth the Visit” feature with a good photograph of part of Young’s Pharmacy’s Renaissance Woman boutique, which specializes in cancer-care products. Here is some more information provided by Young’s about this special new department in their store.
Young’s Pharmacy & Homecare, located at 47 Main St. S. in downtown Georgetown, has officially opened the new “Renaissance Woman” boutique. This elegant boutique specializes in post-mastectomy apparel which includes bras, camisoles, breast forms, swimwear, compression sleeves & giftware. We also carry the “Sunveil” line of sun protective clothing. We provide a discreet, private and comfortable location within our store to assist you with your individual needs. For those suffering from Alopecia or hair loss due to cancer treatments, we carry lovely scarves, designer hats, and wigs. Providing comfort, style and grace are our goals at Renaissance Woman. We’re open weekdays and available for consultations 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. or by appointment.
For more information or to set up your private consultation, please call Lilian at 905 877-2711 or 905 873-4021 extension 133. Here’s more information about Young’s Pharmacy.
New Online Event Listings
March 04th 2010 Due to the wealth of great information we’re getting about public events happening up and down the Escarpment, we’ve just added a new Calendar of Events! These listings are FREE for anyone who sends us the information. If there’s a webpage with complete details about the event, make sure you give us the link so we can easily point people to it.
If you want the public to know about your event, this free calendar listing will help spread the word. Make sure you tell your contacts to check the calendar for your details.
Send us your info and give us a few days to post it. We love to spread the news about things that are on, all along the Niagara Escarpment.
$5,000 Discount Certificate for Bennett Village
March 03rd 2010 Do you know of anyone who is interested in buying a suite in The Gallery at Bennett Village, Georgetown’s new seniors’ retirement living community?
We have a FREE certificate for $5,000 to give away to the first person who contacts us!
There are only nine suites left at The Gallery. The $5,000 discount offer expires March 31, 2010. Email us now!
Niagara Escarpment Commission Wants Protection of Mount Nemo
March 01st 2010Here’s some interesting news about Mount Nemo, the area of the Niagara Escarpment that songwriter and musician Sarah Harmer has been helping to work to protect for years. Harmer’s community group Protecting Escarpment Rural Land (PERL) sent us this report.
Niagara Escarpment Commission votes 13 to 1 to send Nelson Quarry re-designation request to Provincial Cabinet
Commissioners of the Niagara Escarpment Commission (NEC) voted nearly unanimously on Feb. 18 to support “the protection of the Mount Nemo Plateau,” an environmentally-sensitive area located on the Niagara Escarpment in Burlington, Ontario. Speaking in favour of the motion were PERL, Burlington Mayor Cam Jackson, and Burlington Ward 3 Councillor John Taylor.
Mayor Jackson had previously moved a Halton Region amendment calling on the McGuinty government to stop a proposed Joint Board hearing and put the rightful designations on this ecological area. That motion carried 18 to1, and was approved by all four of Halton’s Mayors (Burlington, Oakville, Milton and Halton Hills). The Joint Board hearing, so called because it includes both the Ontario Municipal Board and the Environmental Review Tribunal, is scheduled to start in September 2010.
“For over 100 years, Mount Nemo has served as a primary source of aggregate for the Greater Toronto Area; it’s time to let Mother Nature heal herself,” said Mayor Jackson, speaking to the NEC.
“This decision from the Commission is the latest in a long line of support to protect Mount Nemo from future quarries. Now, the Ontario Cabinet should follow suit,” said Dr. Rick Smith, Executive Director of Environmental Defence.
Mount Nemo is under threat from a proposed quarry. The Nelson Aggregates quarry license application falls squarely within one of the most sensitive parts of the Greenbelt, in a headwaters area that contains Provincially Significant Wetlands, Regionally Significant Woodlands and the habitat of the provincially and nationally threatened Jefferson salamander. There are only 27 known locations of this critical indicator species left in all of Canada.
In supporting the motion, Councillor Taylor recited the NEC Staff Report that states, “some lands on the Mount Nemo Plateau do contain Escarpment slopes and related landforms, either existing or proposed to be designated as environmentally sensitive by the municipalities in their official plans which may, after further review, fit the Escarpment Natural Area or Escarpment Protection area designations in the Niagara Escarpment Plan (NEP).” Both the “Natural” and “Protection” area designations prohibit quarries.
PERL legal counsel David Donnelly presented the case for re-designation to the Commissioners.
“Nelson pleaded guilty to the serious offence of altering a watercourse without permit on November 26, 2007 thereby waiving any expectation it may have had to have its new quarry application assessed against a decades old land use designation,” Donnelly told the Commission. “There is precedence for Cabinet to re-designate the proposed quarry site, for example the Milton Outlier, and other areas like North Leslie, Boyd Park and the Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve. Mount Nemo should be added to this protected list.”
Conservation Halton, Region of Halton, the City of Burlington and the Niagara Escarpment Commission have all voted against the quarry application, citing serious concerns relating to the loss of provincially significant wetlands and significant woodlands, species at risk (the Jefferson salamander and the Butternut), and changes in flow contribution to downstream watercourses.
“The serious fear is that the millions of dollars that are needed to restore Mount Nemo will be spent on a hearing that should not take place,” said Sarah Harmer, Co-Founder of PERL. “After Mount Nemo’s 100 years of service to the aggregate industry, Premier McGuinty and the Ontario Cabinet must stand with PERL, Burlington, Halton, the Niagara Escarpment Commission, the Conservation Authority, and dozens of local and national environmental groups to act, so that nature can reclaim this exceptional area.”