2003-09 Coordinators Meeting

09:00 Saturday September 6, 2003
St Joseph's Church basement, Kingsbridge

Facilitator: Nigel Bellchamber

Information session

Attending

A total of 27 representatives from 16 lakefront associations and groups (of the 24 on record). The Green Acres association sent regrets. Reeve Ben Van Diepenbeek and Councillors Marilyn Miltenburg, Connie Black, Doug Fines, and Eric Gosse attended.

Handouts

Representatives attending were provided with a 10-page information package for themselves as well as copies for distribution to their association constituents. This package included a copy of the Meeting Agenda, an ACLA overview, 2003 ACLA Stream Testing program data, including a map of the testing locations, as well as an analysis of real estate tax assessments and details on the forth coming Fall township election. Information was also provided on the Bluewater Township Road Grants program to residents responsible for un assumed roads. A flyer providing details of the Huron County hazardous waste disposal program. Additional copies of this material are available on request from the ACLA.

Nutrient Management Issues (9:08am)

Presentation by Dr. Wayne Caldwell, Associate Professor, University of Guelph and also a staff member of the Huron County Planning Department, who has recently been appointed Chair of the Provincial Advisory Committee on Nutrient Management. A recent report by Dr. Caldwell on implementation of the Nutrient Management Act can also be seen at www.gov.on.ca/omafra/english/nm/municipal/caldwltc.htm. Dr. Caldwell presented an informative slide show, reviewing the following topics:

• Bill 81 (Nutrient Management Act) and the transition of responsibilities and regulations from municipalities to the Province;
• Trends in agricultural and rural communities related to factory farm developments;
• Myths examined:
  • The number of livestock is growing: No. The change is less than 1%; hogs are up and cattle are down.
  • Big (farms) is bad: Not necessarily. Larger operations usually meet higher environmental standards.
  • Bill 81 will put the screws to large operations: No; the Bill will make business more difficult for smaller operations.
  • Bill 81 will take-overregulation from municipalities: No, municipal regulations will apply to a vast majority of farms.
  • Bill 81 will reduce conflict in rural communities: No.
• Trends:
  • Increased size and scale of agricultural production.
  • Increased specialization of agricultural production.
  • Increased efficiency of farms.
  • 6.5 times increase in chicken production on the same land area.
  • Manure production per area of land is down.
  • Local farming is now an international business.
  • Farms now must accept environmental liability.
• Bill 81, Before and After:
  • Mandatory Nutrient Management Plans (NMPs).
  • New definitions -- nutrient.
  • Broad powers to make regulations.
  • Licensing and certificates re application of manure.
  • Appropriate geophysical studies of soil and groundwater.
  • Registration of NMPs -- Will these remain secret? So far, public access is restricted.
  • Clear authorities for enforcement and fines.
  • Role for both OMAF and MOE; there will be a new branch of OMAF and they are already hiring NM specialists and enforcement teams (25-30 people).
  • Local advisory committee for OMAF.
  • OMAF vs. Municipalities -- approvals and building permits: if greater than 5 Nutrient Units, then farms must register a NMP.
  • Spills Hotline at MOE: call if you see a spill (environmental contamination).
  • Application Records must be kept.
  • Source water quality standards measurement -- Provincial responsibilities.
  • Source Water Protection Act.
  • Local Mediation Committees.
  • Municipality By-Laws currently in effect will be superceded by Bill 81 (Sect 61 (1)).
  • Provincial and Municipal Approvals based on a 300 Nutrient Units threshold and will be specific to either New Operations or Expansion of Existing Farm Operations.
  • Certain Municipal bylaws will not be superceded by Bill 81.
  • Clearly if proposals to build barns are "legal", the Chief Building Inspectors must issue Building Permits.
  • Future By-Laws must be consistent with the Act.
• Dr. Caldwell also took a few questions.

Beach and Septic Issues (10:05 am)

Bob Worrsell, a staff member from the Huron County Health Unit, updated the group on this year's Lake Water Quality testing, beach sign postings, and septic issues.

• Bob provided a slide show reviewing the beach water testing program the Health Unit pursued in 2003.
• Only public beaches with lifeguards or aquatic programs were tested (Provincial mandate).
• Samples taken over last 10 years. Summer students were hired to assist with testing.
• Samples were taken weekly and high risk conditions were identified 16 times.
• The Health Board advertised the telephone hotline number and distributed a pamphlet summarizing the program.
• Larger warning signs were posted this year; coloured red if the water was judged polluted (permanent signs) and coloured blue (where high bacteria counts were identified).
• 7 locations were posted as high risk: Amberley, Ashfield Beach, Blacks, Goderich, Exeter Port Albert, and Wingham Dam.
• Website experienced problems due to change in providers; warnings were not put on site due to a management decision.
• Generally, if you can see your feet in about one metre of water, it should be considered safe to swim.
• The Health Unit was making following recommendations for 2004.
• Streams and river/creek samples would be taken 5 days a week (Sunday-Thursday).
• In order to more accurately measure rainfall in various testing locations, the Unit was considering the purchase and installation of rain gauges throughout the county.
• The Unit was considering partnering with various private beach associations to assist with the testing process.
• Sediment sampling would be added to the water testing process based on the belief that contaminants continue to exist in the sediment for prolonged periods.
• Offshore water and sediment samples would also be added to the testing process (most water samples currently taken are from the immediate beach area only).
• The 2003 annual report would be available in the near future.
• Camp Kintail was not tested this year; the Camp was doing their own testing.
• Questions included: why was the Hotline and website not making changes all Summer?
• Bob made the following comments on septic systems and related topics.
  • Holding tank pumping was subject to Provincial regulations.
  • Future requirements to treat this waste were delayed as facilities have not as yet been funded or built.
  • Huron County had abandoned Reg 170 because new septic tank minimum size specs exceeded what lot sizes for older properties could accommodate -- also impossible where there were drilled wells on the same lots.
  • Healthy Futures program was a good one but needed new funding; urged everyone to upgrade septic systems if funding becomes available.
  • Mandatory inspection of septic systems appears to be illegal or there is no legal basis for these inspections under current laws and regulations.
  • If anyone sees sewage on the ground from a malfunctioning or full septic system, please call the Health Unit immediately.
• Due to time constraints, Bob was only able to present a part of his presentation.

Stream testing (10:35 am)

Mike McElhone updated the group on the stream-testing program undertaken in conjunction with the Maitland Valley Conservation authority and supported by the Beach Associations and ACW Township. A detailed 5-page handout was circulated (in addition to the summary included in the general handout materials). These materials provide details of the testing and results of same for 2003. Test results are also posted on the ACLA website.

On testing, the ACLA continues to fund this program with assistance from the Township although we continue to believe testing should be done by the Health Unit, or the Conservation Authority, or the Provincial MOE.

The focus of the presentation was to seek support for DNA testing of water sample sat a facility in the State of Florida to determine their source: animal, human or both. Samples to be tested would be from locations chosen by the HCHU and MVCA. We are also seeking to establish the connection between stream pollution and lake pollution.

ACLA funding for DNA tests of local samples was unanimously approved at the meeting and Mike undertook to collect samples and send them to Florida as soon as possible.

Garbage Collection Review (11:10am)

Rob Stephenson lead a brief discussion of what worked in 2003 and what needs improvement for 2004. Clearly, while weekly garbage collection proceeded without serious difficulties whether at curbside locations or at bins paid for privately by beach associations, pick-up of recycling continued to be an unresolved issue for cottagers who were required to use designated "Transfer Areas" (i.e. beaches with roads too narrow for garbage trucks to enter or turn-around). Several commented that their transfer areas had worked pretty well, while others noted that vermin / wildlife had torn up their unprotected bags laying on the ground while awaiting pick-up on alternate Mondays.

Question raised on whether the Township has any By-laws on littering. Reeve Ben noted we did not. He told of a recent situation where a load of worn-out auto tires were dumped on a roadside, and that the Township had to go out and pick-up the tires. We were asked that if we see people dumping garbage, we should call the Township immediately. Several attendees asked that he raise this issue and get such a by-law in place with fines and other penalties imposed for violations.

Reeve Ben Van Diepenbeek commented that cottagers impacted by the need for transfer sites might install "dog-run" type metal mesh-fencing enclosures for their garbage and/or clear recycling bags (no tags required), which they could purchase and install at their own expense. The fencing would keep wildlife/vermin out. There was less garbage and more recycling this year he said. Generally, the new garbage program was successful. Lakeshore residents and their associations should take responsibility for their areas. If there were problems with Canadian Waste service, we should call them.

Rob indicated the ACLA would continue to support weekly garbage pick-up and bi-weekly recycling pick-up for lakeshore residents during the Summer months.

Taxation 2003 (11:20am)

Nigel Bellchamber led a discussion of the property assessment system in place in Ontario, who does the assessments, what values are based on, how to contest assessments, and how market-valuation will impact on ACW Lakefront property taxes in 2003 and for 2004. The handout materials included 3 pages on assessments and property taxes. The widespread impression among lakeshore residents is that property taxes are increasing because assessments are rising due to recent property sales. Assessments are based on increasing property values.

Residents attending noted a few significant property sales prices in their areas, noting how these were sure to impact their taxes going forward. A few cottagers noted that they had contested assessments without success, although in one case the assessment was found to be incorrect and was changed. An attendee noted that assessment increase caps for various classes of property should be imposed in an attempt to slow down tax increases.

Nigel also added remarks on Township spending, with several other attendees adding their views.

Township Council (11:50am)

Reeve Ben Vandiepenbeek provided an update on Township activities, drawing our attention to local newspaper advertisements on the forthcoming elections as well as Township Budget information. Doug Fines reviewed necessary truck fleet upgrades, recent road paving activities, and standards for un assumed roads. He also added comments on the quality of OPP policing services for the Township.

Election 2003

There were brief comments on the coming November election for Township Council and school trustees. Attendees should check for information on candidates will be posted on the ACLA website and additional information included in the handouts provided at the meeting.

Adjournment(12:10am)

Business Meeting

ACLA members only attending.

• Details of the 2003 dues paid, association dues not (yet) paid and expenditures would be provided in the near future by the new Treasurer, Carolyn Carter, who was unable to attend the meeting.
• A wide-ranging discussion on Mike McElhone's proposal for the ACLA to pay for DNA testing of stream water testing resulted in a unanimous vote to pay up to $3,500 for the testing and to proceed with it ASAP; the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority would assist in the gathering of samples to be gathered from around the area which would be sent to Atlanta for the testing.
• Heinz Puhlmann sought support for the hiring of a Summer student in 2004 to assemble and co-ordinate available environmental data relevant to our area from among the various government websites; a $3,500 grant was apparently available for this research.
• Warren Harold urged the ACLA to write a press release on the DNA testing and insure everyone in government and the local press received a copy.
• A discussion proceeded on the best strategies associations used to get lakeshore associations to pay ACLA dues; some smaller associations appear to vote for per cottage contributions to be paid out of an annual fees, while larger areas have voluntary contributions (e.g. 105 of 130 properties in Amberley); the value-add of ACLA to some cottagers remains unrealized based on the number of unpaid associations; the need to more widely promote our activities and successes was clear.
• A hand-out summarized details of the Bluewater Township Road Maintenance Grants implemented last October; the ACLA will press ACW Town Council for similar grants.
• Brief discussion on Building Permit By-Law infraction penalties re. cottage construction and renovation or the lack thereof; several attendees noted that in some cases where building permits were obtained, contractors proceeded to ignore guidelines and build whatever structures they wanted; no follow-up by the Township or penalties were imposed apparently; attendees asked for examples of these situations and for guidance on what to do about it.
• A handout summarized various proposed Mission Statements for the ACLA; after some discussion, particularly in an attempt to shorten the proposed statements, the following received the most support:

  The mission of the ACLA is to co-ordinate advocacy on common concerns of the lakeshore community.

• The next ACLA meeting would be scheduled for the week before the 24 May week-end to enable points raised in discussions to be carried back to Spring association meetings. The Fall meeting would in turn be scheduled for the week-end before Labour Day. A Steering Committee meeting would be scheduled for 2-3 weeks before the annual general meeting to agree on the agenda and appoint members to prepare materials and presentations; a target date of August 1 was agreed set for submission of annual dues from associations.

Adjournment at 12:59.

Recorded by : Robert Stephensen.