HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-11-08 Minutes
CLARINGTON AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
THURSDAY, November 8, 2007
MEMBERS PRESENT:
STAFF:
REGRETS
ABSENT:
Tom Barrie
Ted Watson
Henk Mulders
Gary Jeffery
Orwin Bandstra
Brenda Metcalf
Donald Rickard
Jennifer Knox
Councillor Gord Robinson
'F'~ye'tanQ~aid
Eric Bowman
Mary Ann Found
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. Marlene Werry . ",'"
Mark Bragg
Chair called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
Adoption of Aaenda
07 -19 Moved by Donald Rickard, seconded
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07 -20 MoveCf.by GaryJeffei'y,..secondecfby'TedWatson
"That the minutes of the October 11, 2007 be approved."
CARRIED
GUESTS
Pam Lancaster and Mark Peacock from Ganaraska Region Conservation
Authority
Mark provided a presentation on Source Water Protection and how it could affect
farmers. Pam provided a presentation on the Clean Water - Healthy Land Financial
Assistance Program. (members as the meeting received handouts, attached for those
not in attendance).
Questions/Answers
Q-Lake Ontario has unlimited water quantity why be worried.
A-Not really unlimited, lots of water is being pulled out, the lake levels are down from
historic levels and they are international waters that we have agreements on.
Q-How are private wells protected by Clean Water Act
A- They were pulled out of Act as it was felt to be too broad and cumbersome.
However, if a private well is affected by others there are other types of recourses
available. The example cited was MTO having to drill new wells for a number of
residents south of 401. Staff have made this comment with regard to the 407, that there
should be monitoring of private wells and also replacement if need be.
Q-How far does are of influence go for lake supply area or streams that feed the
lake.
A-Is 2 hours, it depends on soil types, surfaces, etc. For many of the lake supply areas
it is the urban areas that are affected more than rural.
Q-The funding program is for GRCA but what about farmers that are not in that
watershed.
A-CLOCA has similar programs, Faye will provide their brochure to the members that
are in the CLOCA watershed.
Q-Funding is up to 50%, are there other ways to oft-set.
A- Yes, there are other program that can be teamed up, like Environmental Farm Plan,
Tree planting funds, Oak Ridges Moraine funds. Whatever we can find we will team
them up. In-kind work also counts.
Pam will send us notices on the Community Forums (info sessions) for Source Water
Protection which are coming up in Orono/Kendal/Newcastle Website for the Trent
Source Water Protection Committee is www.trentsourceorotection.ca
For the Credit Valley, Toronto, CLOCA Source Water Protection Committee the
municipal representative is John Presta, the Director of Water Plants for Durham
Region. For the Trent Source Water Protection Committee the Municipal Rep is Bruce
Craig from Cobourg, he will work with a Municipal Working Group to bring all the
municipal reps together.
The Orono Wellhead Protection Zone Map should be added to the minutes.
AACC
November 8, 2007
BUSINESS ARISING
2007 Watershed Awards
Mitch Morewetz will receive a 2007 Watershed Award for his environmental farm plan
for a solar watering system for sheep, fencing of the creek valley and crossing. Mitch
prepared the environmental farm plan as part of one of his classed and used a CLOCA
stewardship grant to assist in implementing the plan. Awards will be given out on
December 4th.
Resolution to Attorney General regarding penalties for vandalism, trespass, theft, etc.
Faye is working with By-Law and will bring something back to next meeting.
DAAC Farm Tour, Council received the report on the success of the tour.
CORRESPONDENCE
The Well Wise Centre is holding a half day workshop about water testing, well
maintenance and groundwater source protection for members of the agricultural
community. The workshop will work to ensure that members of Durham's agricultural
community have access to accurate and consistent information about well management
practices. The workshop will be held on November 12 from 9 am to 12 noon at the Well
Wire Resource Centre in Orono. Space is limited so please register before November
1.
Other Committee Reports
407 Committee
Staff report is being drafted. Will be available by November 16th, Faye will e-mail pdf to
members. Report will be at November 19th GPA meeting at 9:30 a.m. and Council on
November 26th at 7:00 p.m.
DAAC
Ted, Eric and Faye attended the meeting on Tuesday evening to hear Dr. Ollson from
Jacques Whitford, the consultant on the Energy from Waste Facility for the Region
explain his comments about agricultural crops within the area of the EFW. Dr. Ollson
apologized for his comments and did not realize that they had been misinterpreted as a
warning to not buy local. The Region will be providing a fact sheet for DAAC to review
that will explain the effects of the EFW on local crops, etc. Durham Farm Fresh is also
working on messaging with the Region in this regard.
DAAC is working on submission to Finance Committee (at Region). Ted was looking
for examples of issues that have affected assessments, suggestions were the apple
storage! co-op, maple sugar operations, "green" energy on farms all being deemed as
commercial enterprises.
The student position on DAAC is vacant, suggestions are welcome.
AACC
November 8, 2007
Durham Federation of Aqriculture
Farm Connections, Mary Ann was preparing submission for Premier's Awards,
Committee provided a letter of support.
OTHER BUSINESS
BioSolids Workshop
Members attending received the handout on the upcoming workshop in London on
December 12.
Bev Oda
Forum last Friday in Blackstock went well about 150 attendees.
Fisheries Permits
Ditches and creeks, etc are regulated by the Conservation Authorities and sometimes
fall under the federal Fisheries Act. The fines under the Fisheries Act can be quite
hefty, if you are doing ditching or other erosion control works get a permit from the CA.
There is currently a farmer in Eastern Ontario that has been charged under the
Fisheries Act for cleaning out a drainage ditch without a permit and is facing a $50,000
fine.
Worker Safety
A Leamington Area farmer has been charged by the Ontario Ministry of Labour when
his worker broke an ankle because of farmer not ensuring the worker was in a safe
position when he backed the harvestor up.
Future Aoendas
Next Meeting December 13, 2007 (Jennifer Stone from Clarington this Week) .
Moved to adjourn Donald
Adjourned 9:15
AACC November 8, 2007