Pine River Watershed Update

Huron-Kinloss Council

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Nicole Elliott, Project Coordinator for the Pine River Watershed Improvement initiative, presented an update at Monday night's Huron-Kinloss council meeting.

The Watershed falls within the jurisdiction of the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority (SVCA) and the intent is to ensure "clean water and a healthy ecosystem within the Pine River Watershed".

According to Elliott, stewardship programs need constant funding. "Since 89% of the land in the Watershed is agricultural," says Elliott, "we really need the support of the farmers."

In 2006, two landowners agreed to take part in two pilot projects as part of the Environment Canada's Adopt-a-Waterhed program. One project was to install a level cattle crossing across the river and put up additional fencing. The second, saw fencing installed to keep 200 cattle back from the river and the planting of 200 hundred trees.

In 2007, volunteers became a key component for the Watershed initiative with 4-H club members and the SVCA planting approximately 8,000 trees. In addition, three more projects were started. One was the installation of alternative water sources for cattle, such as solar panelled pumps that provide river water to a trough, and putting up more fencing to keep them back from the river. As well, four nitrate filters were installed in municipal drains as pilot projects which, according to Elliott have proven to be very successful.

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08/05/2009 08:40 PM

 It is anticipated that an additional 68,000 trees will be planted this year at 15 different locations thanks to a special grant through the SVCA 50-million tree program. "The Pine River Watershed is the most lacking in trees," explained Elliott, "along with the Penetangore. Unfortunately, they [the latter] didn't have an organization or coordinator to go 'round and talk to local land owners, as we did here."

In 2008, extra grant money came through from Environment Canada's Ecoaction Initiative along with the Adopt-a-Watershed program. Also, once again, 4-H and community volunteers planted another 9,000 trees and seven new projects were started in addition to the maintenance of projects from the two previous years.

Councillor, Anne Eadie, who is the council representative on Pine River Watershed Board said that it was thanks to the Lake Huron Framework's financial contribution that Nicole Elliott had been hired. "We are trying to get charitable status through and, if that happens, we can apply for some Trillium money to hire a coordinator for a three-year period to provide some consistency."

"We are also hoping that Federal funds don't dry up under the Ecoaction program," added Eadie. "Lake Huron Framework did say they would be willing to help again if they could but they are also worried about funding.
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