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Friday, June 2, 2006
from the Manitoulin West Recorder, page
14
MINDEMOYA - A Manitoulin Island business
has contributed toward the largest
stream restoration project in Northern
Ontario.
"Manitoulin Transport recently became
the first private business donator to
the project," stated Sean Barfoot,
project coordinator of the non-profit
Manitoulin Streams organization, at a
Manitoulin Municipal Association (MMA)
meeting last week.
"The project is made up of many
different groups and individuals working
together for the improvement of water
quality and to restore the fisheries
resource on Manitoulin Island," said Mr.
Barfoot. These stakeholders
include
landowners, farmers, fishermen,
cottagers and government representation.
"The project has a number of different
partners through the work that has been
done by local landowners, like the Lake
Manitou Area Association," continued Mr.
Barfoot. The four goals and
benefits of the project are to protect,
improve and enhance water quality on
Manitoulin, restore resources for future
generations to enjoy, create community
ownership and awareness of cold water
stream ecosystems on Manitoulin, and to
enhance tourism and angling
opportunities for Manitoulin and
surrounding areas.
Studies had been done by the MNR
(Ministry of Natural Resources)
confirming that both the Manitou River
and Blue Jay Creek were adversely
affected by the land use patterns of
more than a century of settlement and
activity, with this cumulative impact
reducing the ability of these streams to
produce and maintain stocks of trout and
salmon. "Seventy percent were
negatively affected by human practices,"
said Mr. Barfoot.
"So the MNR approached the citizens and
landowners of the Island, such as the
Lake Manitou Area Association, Paul
Methner, the United Fish and Game Clubs
of Manitoulin," continued Mr. Barfoot.
He pointed out along with the recent
contribution from Manitoulin Transport,
the Township of Tehkummah has been
involved with the project from the start
along with Manitoulin Secondary School
(MSS), the Department of Fisheries and
Oceans (DFO), College Boreal, "doing
habitat work on Manitou River, toward
better water quality and fish habitat."
"Tourism is the main industry on
Manitoulin, so by working on the
entrance of these two water bodies it
will provide esthetic beauty and water
quality," said Mr. Barfoot. He
pointed out LaCloche-Manitoulin Business
Assistance Corporation (LAMBAC) has been
involved in the project, which also
includes participation from Brian Bell
and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture
Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA).
"What we've accomplished to date is the
formation of a committee and strategy
plan for the Manitou River and Blue Jay
Creek and doing demonstration sites, for
work that has been done. Before we
did any actual work in the stream we did
a strategic plan and received approval
for the environmental assessment,"
explained Mr. Barfoot.
"This is the largest stream restoration
project in Northern Ontario," stated Mr.
Barfoot.
Mr. Barfoot provided a video display of
some of the work that has been done on
the two water bodies. "There have
been 10 projects done so far on the two
water systems, and $350,000 has been
invested in the project, while $170,000
has gone into the local economy, for
instance, with high school students
working on the project. There has
been a significant amount of money go
into the project work."
The work that has been done includes
rebuilding and repairing stream banks
with lunkers, soil and rocks, planting
trees and shrubs to provide plant
material and shade to the streams, in
stream cover restoration with rocks,
logs and rootwads, and cattle watering
areas which control the access to the
streams by livestock.
By controlling cattle access,
stabilizing stream banks and ensuring in
stream cover work done can reduce the
amount of sediments and nutrients that
enter the water, making it cleaner for
fish, birds, wildlife and humans.
"We work with the landowners on these
projects. If they don't want us on
their property we don't go on it.
After all, it is their land," said Mr.
Barfoot. "We first approach the
landowners to provide information on
what we are about and trying to
accomplish. We are trying to bring
more and more people on board."
Mr. Barfoot said private or public
sector funds has been dwindling.
"This winter we received a contribution
of $7,500 from Manitoulin Transport for
the project, and we are very grateful
for their contribution. They said
they will contribute in the future as
well."
With the success the project has had so
far, "we have recently been approached
by different committees on Manitoulin,
including those from the Mindemoya River
and Bass Creek who like the project and
want to be involved in similar work.
So we decided as a committee to expand
to include all watersheds on Manitoulin
in the project. But, unfortunately
we don't have the money to do this right
now, we're looking for more funding
dollars."
"There is a lot of funds available in
the private sector, for instance through
the Shell environment project and
Toyota, etc. but there is a catch: we
have to give a tax receipt," said Mr.
Barfoot. "In order to do that,
since we are not charitable
organization, we are coming to the
municipalities to allow for them write
tax receipts and issue them.
Basically we need a municipality to be
our banker and funnel any funding we
receive through this one municipality
and provide the tax receipts. Jim
Anstice, reeve of Tehkummah, has said
his township is interested in taking on
this role and he will be taking this to
the next council meeting for more
discussion."
"It sounds as if the project is a
rewarding experience. And when you
see the before and after photos of the
work that has been done in restoring the
water bodies, I would like to commend
you and your committee and everyone
involved in the project for your
dedication. And, I hope the
project carries on to help all the water
bodies on the Island," said Richard
Stephens, chair of the MMA.
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