ENVIRONMENTAL UPDATES

I will probably be posting two or more articles in regards to the recently received 2010 Annual Monitoring Report (Chemtura). Although a number of interesting facts and figures, still the report, indeed the whole "cleanup" is based upon a false premise.

Today's K-W Record advises us that the province of Ontario has substantially increased compensation payouts to farmers for livestock losses due to predators, primarily coyotes. There is not a breakdown by Region although it would seem likely that Waterloo Region and Woolwich Township would suffer losses based upon both coyotes and coydogs locally.

Saturday's K-W Record advises us that the Conestoga Dam northwest of Elmira is in need of $20 million in upgrades. These include a massive spillway to prevent a catastrophic collapse of the dam under major flood conditions. The Conestoga River discharges into the Grand at the south end of the village of Conestogo in Woolwich Township.

Finally last Friday's K-W Record informs us as to ongoing initiatives around the Grand River landclaim by First Nations members. What seems very clear due to both the lack of denials by government and the time frames that negotiations have been ongoing, is that indeed our native Canadians are the proper owners of approximately six miles on both sides of the Grand River. While to date there is no suggestion of the land's ownership actually changing, if the government doesn't start to make progress regarding compensation, then what other choice is there? The Grand River flows through Waterloo Region (K-W, Cambridge) as well as parts of Woolwich Township such as West Montrose, Winterbourne and Conestogo.