The Grand Strategy Newsletter
Share the Resources Share the Responsibility
a message from Derek Doyle
Nearly every action we take on the watershed shows up in the rivers, for better or for worse. North Africa was the breadbasket of Rome yet mismanagement of the watershed, over-grazing, and a short term view converted this bread-basket to a dust bowl. Rivers aggregate vast amounts of information about the beliefs and values, commitments and management practices of communities.
Students of civilization recognize that we destroy our environments by insignificant increments. Each insult is seen as inconsequential. It's like the student going to play ball, "Just for an hour, Mom", rather than studying. Each transgression shows up in the report card. The 'big picture' and long term thinking seem absent where environmental degradation is very evident.
The basis of environmental enhancement is strong partnerships sustained by underlying values and beliefs. We have no right to sentence our children to clean
up our mess or to deny them a benefit we could easily bestow.
On March 22, 1996, the Coordinating Committee for The Grand Strategy was treated to the sight of a small lively man, with more than a hint of his native
Irish blarney, hugging a startled representative of the Headwaters Coalition. This was the Committee's introduction to Derek Doyle who has agreed to take on
the role of chair. Derek brings to this task energy, humour and a somewhat unorthodox but effective way of conducting business.
Derek has been involved in many aspects of river management. His public sector experience includes time spent as Assistant Deputy Minister for the Manitoba Department of Natural Resources, Director of the E.A. Branch of the Ontario Ministry of Environment and Energy, and as the Manitoba member of the Canadian Heritage Rivers Board. He is currently Vice-President and Manager, Ontario Region for UMA Engineering Ltd.
Derek Doyle sees rivers as report cards on watershed communities. Every action shows up in the quality and quantity of water in the river. Sewage treatment, flood and erosion control, land use patterns and countless other activities affect the river and are reflected in our report card.
As a member of the Canadian Heritage Rivers Board, Derek strongly advocated the designation of the Grand River. He said, "The people of the Grand can show all Canadians how to manage watersheds with diverse and competing values and interests".
Derek explains that designated rivers are frequently wild or protected by surrounding parks. The Grand is the jugular artery of its communities, meeting the needs of commerce, ecology and soul and providing a shared management challenge unsurpassed in Canada. Local, regional, provincial, First Nation and federal governments face the challenge of effective cooperation to benefit all watershed communities.
Derek and his wife Lorna enjoy canoeing and touring. They have many favourite Grand River valley stores, B & Bs and picnic sites where they take visiting friends. Formerly from Winnipeg, they are now Toronto residents, and Derek jokes that he has a label on the back of his neck that says 'Made in Ireland'.
Derek constantly keeps an eye on his own actions by asking "Is this for me, for others, or for the community?" Perhaps this is a question we would all do well
to ask ourselves.
Vision 2021 - A Look From the Future
A vision of the watershed for the year 2021 was unanimously endorsed by the Coordinating Committee on March 22, 1996. Entitled A Vision Realized - A Look from the Future, 2021, the vision has been refined over the past 2 years with the input of a wide array of Grand Strategy participants and is built on the vision described in The Grand Strategy for Managing the Grand River as a Canadian Heritage River, 1994.
Community Involvement Workshop
On March 15, 1996, the Grand River Conservation Authority, on behalf of the Coordinating Committee, hosted a workshop for community groups and stewardship councils. It's purpose was:
These opinions will be used to design participation options for the broad-based community groups and organizations within the watershed.
Fisheries Management Plan Town Hall Meetings
Five Town Hall meetings were held this winter in the communities of Dunnville, Brantford, Kitchener, Elora and Arthur to obtain public comments on fisheries management in the Grand River watershed. About 300 people participated in these meetings which were sponsored by several angling groups, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, the Grand River Conservation Authority, the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Wildlife Management Branch of the Six Nations.
Despite differing opinions, wants and needs, the Grand River watershed can accommodate a variety of angling interests and expectations. There are fewer conflicts and differences than was expected. Universal support was expressed for partnerships but there is a need for direction and priority setting.
Discussions focused primarily on existing resident fish populations and the impact of improving access by migratory species.
This information will be incorporated into a draft Fisheries Management Plan.
Grand River Water Quality Model
The Grand River Water Quality Model has been updated to reflect 1995 conditions. Partners in this initiative were the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, the City of Guelph, the Brantford Public Utilities Commission, the Ministry of Environment and Energy and the Grand River Conservation Authority.
The model is the only dynamic model available for use in North America. This state-of-the-art model will predict the impact of sewage treatment plants, urban storm water management, and farming practices.
On May 24, 1996, a workshop was held to present the completed Grand River Water Quality Model to staff from the agencies that supplied funding for the year-long project.
Significant Natural Areas Pilot Study
A pilot study to investigate the ecological significance of natural areas in the upper Grand River watershed is taking place in 1996. Through field work various methodologies will be tested. The goal is to assemble a manual that naturalists and citizens groups across the Province can use to identify local environmentally significant natural areas. This information will assist municipalities in land use planning.
Cooperating organizations include Naturalist Clubs from Guelph, Kitchener-Waterloo and Brantford, the Federation of Ontario Naturalists, Canadian Wildlife Service, Grand River Conservation Authority, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and planning departments from the County of Wellington, the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, and the Townships of Brant County.
The Naturalist Clubs will survey migratory and breeding birds, classify vegetation communities and identify significant flora and fauna. Other studies may include reptiles and amphibians, soils, mammals, butterflies and moths.
For more information, about the pilot study, please contact:
Karl Konze, Inventory Project Coordinator, Canadian Wildlife Service, Guelph
(519) 826-2092
Graham Bryon, Federation of Ontario Naturalists, Don Mills (416) 444-8419
Wayne MacMillan, Grand River Conservation Authority (519) 621-2763, ext. 245.
Many individuals and organizations have undertaken activities that contribute to the health and enjoyment of our watershed. These actions are being compiled in a voluntary Registry of Accomplishments and Commitments. The following are highlights of only a few of these efforts:
The Lower Grand River Land Trust Foundation Incorporated
The Lower Grand River Land Trust takes a progressive role in heritage protection through education, preservation and working in partnership with other local conservation organizations. Recent activities include the maintenance and restoration of Ruthven Park, a national heritage site. The 150 year old Greek Revival mansion on a 1600 acre property, is located south of Caledonia beside the Grand River. The house was built by David Thompson who was a supporter of the Grand River Navigation Company's plan to make the Grand navigable from Lake Erie to Brantford. Ruthven was bequeathed to the Trust in 1994, by Marion Hartney, the last Thompson heir.
Earth Day at St. Joseph's, Guelph
Earth Day on April 22, 1996 was celebrated actively by about 200 students from separate schools in the Guelph area. They planted native tree and shrubs at St. Joseph's Hospital in Guelph to recreate a natural wildlife habitat and to buffer a local wetland. The planting builds upon past naturalization efforts that are part of St. Joseph's 'Healing Green' therapeutic garden adjacent to their long-term care facility. Supporting organizations included Trees for Guelph, local neighbourhood associations and the Grand River Conservation Authority.
Watershed Divide Sign
Mr. George Kollman of Stratford has donated a sign depicting the high ridge of land running though central Ontario from Dundalk to Lake Erie, dividing the Grand River and Thames River watershed. The sign is located on County Road 15, one mile west of Amulree. The Township of North Easthope has assumed responsibility for future maintenance.
Carroll Creek Watershed Rehabilitation Project
Collaborative partnerships for private land and water stewardship have increased in the Grand River valley. One example is the ongoing rehabilitation efforts in the Carroll Creek watershed, a tributary of the Grand River, near Elora.
Partners include the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, University of Waterloo, University of Guelph, Elora Centre for Environmental Excellence, Friends of the Grand River, Ontario Streams, Fergus Boy Scouts, Kitchener Fly Fishing Club, Centre Wellington District High School, and the Grand River Conservation Authority.
A Family and Friends Project
Karen Earle of Waterloo has organized family and friends in a yearly volunteer effort to clean up garbage and debris at Kaufman's Flats in Kitchener-Waterloo.
If you would like to see your actions featured in the Grand Actions Newsletter, contact Barb Veale at Grand River Conservation Authority -
Phone: (519)621-2763, ext. 274
Fax: (519)621-4844
Web Site: www.grandriver.on.ca
Watershed Group Directory
A Directory of Environmental Monitoring and Stewardship groups in the Grand River watershed is available for viewing or downloading on the World Wide Web. The Directory was produced as part of the University of Waterloo Eco-Research Program and can be found at the Universal Resource Locator address (URL) http://bordeaux.uwaterloo.ca/home.html
The draft of the "State of the Watershed Report" will be ready early this summer for review and input.
An information circular outlining the scope, direction and partnership opportunities of The Grand Strategy will be available in June.
According to the provincial Guide for Eating Ontario's Sportfish, it is quite safe to eat sport fish caught in the Grand River, with the exception of large (55 to 65 cm) walleye caught in the lower Grand. A limit of four meals per month is recommended for larger sizes of Northern Pike and Smallmouth Bass taken in some sections such as downstream of Canagagigue Creek.
The central part of the Grand River watershed is one of the fastest growing areas of Ontario. The population in the watershed is expected to grow by 30 % over the next 20 years, an increase of 250,000 people.
Vehicle licence plates spotted on the 1996 Victoria Day holiday weekend showed that 10 different American states were represented among anglers enjoying the Grand River near Fergus and Elora.
Do you have questions about the Grand River watershed? Is there a topic you would like to know more about? Let us know and we'll address your queries in future editions of Grand Actions.
The following people can be contacted at the Grand River Conservation Authority Administrative Centre at (519) 621-2763 to provide you with additional information regarding the progress of the following technical working groups: