Hi folks
Well it is already one year that I have been participating as Director for the Georgian Bay Association, and I still need more time to learn all I can about the tremendous number of initiatives being tackled on our behalf. This group of 24 or so highly motivated volunteers and the networking that is initiated through them is truly a marvel.
What drives these people to commit so much personal time and energy to target, investigate and battle issues that threaten to disturb our peaceful enjoyment of Georgian Bay’s diverse and finite islands, coastline, and waterways? The answer is obvious. Like us, their hearts all beat to the same rhythm when they set foot on the shores of the Bay – that special place – that fragile and threatened natural environment we all know and take pleasure in. Such is the driving force that promotes stewardship, an active concern for the future of our water-based communities.
Every Director is asked to find an avenue through which to focus their efforts in supporting the initiatives of GBA under one of its 4 clusters: Government Relations; Communications; Boating; and, Environment. As you may well guess the environment cluster takes up approximately 70% of all concerns that are tabled by the GBA.
I have concentrated my efforts to two areas of duty for GBA’s Environment cluster: 1) Conducting a weekly check of the EBR (Environmental Bill of Rights) website maintained by the Ontario Government. Here we check for proposals listed by government, industry or others for such actions as dredging Georgian Bay (or adjoining) waterways, taking water from Georgian Bay (e.g. Pipelines), boating, fishing, or other types of plans, like cormorant control that may affect us. If I find anything, I send it off to John Birnbaum, GBA’s executive director and measures are put in place to formulate an appropriate response to these proposals in a timely and insistent fashion.
2) I serve with others as a watchdog of the freshwater netcage aquaculture industry. At present there are eight fish farms operating in the North Channel, and one in Depot Harbour (just around the bend from our South Channel). Unlike fish farmed in contained systems (tanks) on land, there are no measures in place to control the pollution (fish feces, feed, and antibiotics in the feed) that falls from these open nets into the waters of the Bay. Here’s what’s happened in just a few months time span:
· July 2002, under direction from the Federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, the Office of the Commissioner for Aquaculture Development (OCAD) began a series of regional workshops across Canada and solicited input in preparing a draft Vision Statement for sustainable aquaculture development in Canada
* July 10, GBA sent representatives to the OCAD meeting in Parry Sound (myself and Aquatic Biologist, Karl Schiefer). We were the only “other stakeholders” in attendance. The Township of the Archipelago had not been informed of this meeting. Others were from the aquaculture industry or a related sector (e.g. research groups). So much for a full spectrum of those who may be affected by the Vision.
* Sept. 3, GBA’s aquaculture subcommittee met in Toronto along with John Birnbaum (Ex. Dir.) in order to draw up a plan. At this time, we consulted, by teleconference with the David Suzuki Foundation. Sent a Letter to the Commissioner for Aquaculture Development outlining our concerns about the format of the regional workshops and our recommendations for truly sustainable aquaculture operations
* Sept. 7, In response to its invitation, GBA sent a rep (me) to the AGM of the Ontario Aquaculture Association in Owen Sound, where insight was gained regarding the industry view on opportunities and challenges.
· Sept. 29, OCAD sent out its Draft Vision Statement
* Oct. 30, GBA sent its response to OCAD’s Draft Vision
· Oct. 23, Premier Ernie Eves announces that production of farmed rainbow trout will increase thanks to a government investment of $177,422 – all part of a $670,487 expansion project for aquaculture production in Northern Ontario. The Parry Sound site (along with 3 others) is included in this expansion project. (So much for waiting for a Federal Vision from which to plan!) ……GBA will keep you informed….
Other GBA News:
® The Greater Bay Area Foundation Forest Ecosystem Monitoring Project – Twelve sites have been chosen throughout eastern Georgian Bay to observe and track environmental changes and impact ensuing from development, climate change, drought, disease, and insect infestation. In our South Channel, a forest plot was chosen on McLaren Island. (due to its diversity of forest growth, etc.) I was asked to arrange for volunteers to be trained in observing this site, and I thank those of you who have already shown interest. As a result of the newness of such a project, many glitches caused a delay in the process for volunteer activity. But please stay interested, and I will be contacting you as soon as I hear word of the “go “. (Read more about the project in the latest GBA UPDATE )
® Bears / Snakes / Other Wildlife – There have been fewer problems throughout the province regarding nuisance bears. This has been accredited to improved natural food sources. The SCA executive will be looking over a model (shared by the San Souci Copperhead Association) for an incident reporting and education program. Watch for further news. To learn more about snakes, esp. the Massasauga see our GBA UPDATE. GBA has created a new Wildlife Committee. Come spring, there will be a request for volunteers from each cottage association. We’ll keep you informed. In the meantime, consider volunteering.
® Water Level Initiatives / St. Lawrence Seaway Feasibility Study – GBA recommended the appointment of a binational nonpartisan organization to conduct the study and look at environmental impact. We may hear good news about this soon.
Have you ever felt confused when people talk of the GBA and / or the GBA Foundation? Well, it took me awhile to get straight just what exactly these two entities were, how they worked together, and how they differed. So here’s a quick review.
The Georgian Bay Association (GBA) is the watchdog group consisting of 24 volunteer Directors and one paid Executive Director. It’s the umbrella Association that represents 20 resident associations like ours. ( Honey Harbour, Cognashene, Wah Wah Taysee, Manitou, San Souci & Copperhead, Sandy & Martyr Island, West Carling, Pointe au Baril Islanders, Bayfield-Nares, Northern Georgian Bay, McGregor Bay, and Bay of Islands are some of its other associations that span eastern and northern Georgian Bay)
The Greater bay Area (GBA) Foundation is a Registered Canadian Charity. Through our donations, it is able to conduct solid research in conjunction with qualified educational institutes and others, to form a scientific backing for water and land issues concerning Georgian Bay. In addition, it funds educational workshops and conferences to spread awareness on issues of environmental protection, conservation, safety, and the preservation of natural features of the Georgian Bay area.
Without the scientific backing and educational funding provided by the GBA (Greater Bay Area) Foundation, the GBA (Georgian Bay Association) would be severely disadvantaged in its advocacy efforts on our behalf.
If you think of the Georgian Bay Association (GBA) as a machine that produces results, the volunteer will is the fuel, and the Greater Bay Area (GBA) Foundation is the lubricant that helps things run smoothly and with precision. Within every issue of the GBA UPDATE are invitations to donate to the GBA Foundation.
Now doesn’t that make sense.