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COMMUNITY NEWS VOLUME 52 ISSUE 35
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Study finds Mapleton needs water quantity policy MAPLETON - GRCA and Lake Erie Source Protection Region (LESPR) representatives told council here on Aug.13 that the township needs to be more careful when granting water extraction permits. A preliminary water quantity assessment, part of a tier three water budget study that began almost three years ago, found nine wells in neighbouring Centre Wellington Township are “at risk.” Using a model measuring municipal well levels and the geographical placement of aquifers, the study found that by 2041 current infrastructure would not be able to meet the demands of the projected population increase in Centre Wellington. It also raised concern over water taking in Mapleton. The area identified by the model as in need of protection extends into southern Mapleton Township. “It’s essentially a flag to say, ‘Okay, in this area ... we need to be more careful,’” explained LESPR program manager Martin Keller. “It doesn’t mean that there is no additional water. Other wells can be drilled.” However, it does mean greater consideration of water taking applications in the future. “There needs to be additional scrutiny or studies, assessments to go forward, and that’s the kind of dis-
cussions we will have going forward to figure out what kinds of policies we would propose,” Keller said. The study Assessment studies of watersheds are mandated under the Clean Water Act. The local study started with a tier one assessment in 2009 that looked at larger watershed areas. The project team behind the tier three study includes the GRCA (Grand River Conservation Authority), LESPR and municipal staff in Centre Wellington. There is also a provincial peer review team and R.J. Burnside and Associates Limited reviews the study on behalf of Centre Wellington and adjoining municipalities. Keller noted the preliminary tier three study has not yet been fully completed. More in the study is needed in order to determine “what is actually driving the risk.” The group hopes to finalize the work by the fall or winter. Mapleton council While the study focuses on the quantity of water in the area, councillor Paul Douglas wondered if the risk assessment also factors in water quality. “Specifically say, Alma is growing, or if we want Alma to grow and it’s on septic right now, are you looking at nitrate flowing in from septic systems or are there more restrictions on growth in say Alma when you are looking
at these types of things?” Douglas asked. Keller told council the study scope is limited under the Clean Water Act. “That is a very good question ... In this case it does exclude Alma because we are only looking at municipal residential drinking water systems, not private wells,” said Keller. Councillor Dennis Craven asked if the risk assessment was going to affect the quantity of water for wells within Mapleton. “I realize this is mostly to do with the ground water, but you did mention near the end of your talk about having to be careful,” said Craven. Keller explained the two systems are linked. “The focus again is on impact ... we will try to protect the municipal wells so they can provide water, but the protection measures we are likely going to be discussing and coming up with policies,” Keller said. Mayor Gregg Davidson asked whether the study found a decrease in aquifer levels and whether it has been affected by the weather. “I guess the short answer is probably no,” replied Keller. “Municipal draw, like the drawing of water through the municipal wells; there is going to be a decrease in the water levels around those wells. “The question is whether that reduction ... is sustainable.”
Plane crashes into Conestogo Lake MAPLETON – Transportation Safety Board officials are investigating an airplane crash here last week. Emergency crews responded to the crash on Conestogo Lake on Aug. 20 at around 10:50am. Wellington County OPP officials say the two occupants of the home-built, amphibious plane managed to escape with some assistance and make it to shore. The 71-year-old pilot and 61-year-old passenger were transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.
Plane crash - Emergency crews responded to an Aug. 14 airplane crash on Conestogo Lake. Submitted photo The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) and the Transportation
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Safety Board were notified and are investigating the collision.
Modern classic - ABOVE: George White of Arthur poses with his 2015 Dodge Hellcat at the 11th annual Alma Car Show on Aug. 24. BELOW: Harvey and Doris Coote of Petersburg pose with their 1940 GMC truck at the 11th annual Alma car show at the Alma Community Centre on Aug. 24. Additional photos on page 2. Photos by Mike Robinson
Council endorses scope, process for creating recreation master plan By Patrick Raftis MINTO – Town council has endorsed the scope and process proposed by municipal staff to create a recreation master plan in-house. An outline of the project’s scope was presented by acting CAO Chris Harrow at the Aug. 6 council meeting. The intent of the exercise is to create a guiding document for the town that: - develops a clear plan on recreational needs for the community’; - identifies a direction for current and future recreational facilities; - formulates key strategies for cultural, programming and all other facets of
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recreation; and - provides an accountability mechanism to ensure the plan is followed appropriately when recreation-related decisions need to be made. Harrow’s report notes the project scope was presented to the parks and recreation advisory committee (PRAC) in June and again in July. “PRAC fully endorsed the plan and agree completing a bulk of the research and planning in house is the most effective way to complete the project,” Harrow states. A task force consisting of community members from various age groups and backgrounds will be selected from local residents who will be asked to submit their name
and a description of why they want to be a part of the process. Harrow pointed out there will be one member of PRAC and no council members on the committee. “It’s a separate task force that involves key people that are involved in different areas of recreation, culture and other areas that are on this task force,” Harrow told council. “That task force would answer to PRAC and (PRAC) would answer to you, so there’s checks and balances all the way along.” The task force will focus on one or two topics per fourto six-week period, gathering SEE RECREATION » 8
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