Feature Article February 12, 2003
LAND O' LAKES NewsWeb HomeNational Farmers Union addresses South Frontenac Councilby Wilma Kenny Delegation from the National Farmers Union [NFU]:
Andrea Cumpson and Peter Dowling came on behalf of the NFU, requesting Councils support of their resolution concerning the Ontario Governments proposed Nutrient Management Regulations. As part of the Ontario Governments [post-Walkerton] Clean Water Strategy, a Nutrient Management Act was passed last June. This Act provides for province-wide standards to address the effects of the agricultural practices on the environment, especially as they relate to land-applied materials containing nutrients. But an Act only provides the bare bones: regulations must be developed to set out ways and means of accomplishing the intent of the Act. These regulations are slated to come into effect this spring. Although the NFU supports the immediate implementation of the Nutrient Management Regulations for large livestock operations, Cumpson and Dowling said the proposed regulations are complex and could pose a threat to the survival of small family farms. Their resolution urges the provincial government to exempt all Category I farms from the Nutrient Management Regulations and postpone the implementation of the Regulations for all Category II and III farms until a round of more effective consultation has taken place. They are asking for a series of communication workshops around the proposed regulations, and financial assistance to help family farms meet the cost of development, implementation and monitoring of plans. [Category I farms have less than 15 dairy cows or 180 finishing pigs, Category II have 15-75 cows or 180-900 pigs, and Category III have 75-150 cows or 900-1800 pigs.]
Councillor Hahn confirmed that this resolution would not exempt Category I farms from developing an environmental farm plan.A straw vote indicated Council will support the NFUs stand; a resolution to this effect will be brought to the next council meeting.
Wall Hangings for Township Hall Larry Reddan proposed that council fund a series of wall hangings for the Township Hall, to be stitched by area quilters. These would illustrate each of the logos of the four former townships and the new amalgamated one. Reddan said that when he was a member of the previous council, he had suggested wall hangings as a means of improving acoustics in the hall. The project proposal had disappeared somewhere around election time, so he had decided to follow it up by contacting quilters in the four districts. "We have women ready to make the four district logos, but still need a group to do the one for the amalgamated township," says Reddan. He added that all materials will be purchased locally. Couuncil voted $1500 for the project.
Block Parents
Councillor Willes reported that the Block Parent program is well underway in Sydenham. She noted that several village businesses have agreed to join the program.New Rule for Bedford Landfill Sites
Councillor Hahn announced that Bedford landfills will no longer accept refrigeration units unless accompanied by a certificate confirming that the Freon gas has been removed. Bout time!
Roads DepartmentIn his January report on the Roads Department, Public Works Manager G. Stefan admits, "[I] never fully appreciated before the work both in the field and behind the scenes that is required to maintain roads in winter and will not take a well-maintained road for granted again."
Sydenham Water Steering Committee
Council appointed Mayor Phil Leonard and Councillors Vic Pobran and Don Smith to form the Sydenham Water Steering Committee. This committee will supervise the design and tendering process, hear appeals from individual land owners and make recommendations to Council on these and other issues dealing with the Sydenham Water System.
