Archives for November, 2010
Posted on November 28, 2010.
From “Port Rowan Good News” community newspaper — December 2010
Norfolk County has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for engineering and environmental services for three wildlife culverts, or ecopassages, to be constructed under the Causeway at Long Point. The closing date for tenders is November 30. The project will be awarded on December 21, 2010 with the final report due to Council on June 14, 2011.
It’s the first step in addressing problems related to the Causeway, from wildlife mortality to siltation in the Inner Bay to public safety.
After the Causeway Improvement Committee received confirmation of nearly $400,000 in funding from Environment Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources in July 2010, spokesman Rick Levick went to Norfolk Council in August to ask for their assistance: “Levick asked Norfolk County Council to assume the lead in the design, engineering and approvals for 3 ecopassages under the Causeway, to provide interim financing and to direct County staff to work with the Causeway Improvement Committee on a tree planting and landscaping plan. Levick said the Committee had secured all of the funding “at no cost to Norfolk County.” (Port Rowan Good News, August 2010).
Following Levick’s presentation in August, Council voted overwhelmingly in support. Mayor Travale commented that, with respect to the proposed changes to the Causeway road, “I’ve been firm from day one. That’s our roadway. We should take care of that road as we see fit… the installation of these ecopassages will do nothing but improve the life that’s there in the marsh.”
Specifically, the proposal calls for an examination of the feasibility, costs and regulatory requirements for the “Installation of two terrestrial wildlife culverts that are not required for drainage purposes” i.e. ecopassages for wildlife and “Installation of a new larger aquatic culvert/structure to re-establish historic hydraulic connections (between Inner Bay and wetland)”.
Proposal requirements include consultation with all relevant regulatory agencies including Fisheries & Oceans Canada, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment Canada (CWS) and Long Point Regional Conservation Authority. In addition, consultation with local stakeholder organizations as well as non-regulatory and not-for-profit agencies is required.
Posted on November 28, 2010.
From “Port Rowan Good News” community newspaper — December 2010
Over ten thousand feet of heavy tarp was installed on both sides of the Causeway, with another 750 feet secured around the Canadian Wildlife Service building, in an effort to reduce wildlife mortality on the heavily travelled road. “It’s heavy” commented one worker from her truck, “like trampoline or ginseng tarp.”
Project superintendent Steve Armstrong is “very happy” with the progress of the crew. Steve has been clearing a trench-like path beside the road for Jim Cook and John Armstrong to install “about a thousand” stakes. A second crew secured the tarp to the stakes. Workers Michelle Newton, Jodie VanSeveren, Bianca Armstrong and Brenda Rieder were enthusiastic about the project. “I think it’s awesome” said one.”I’m a big frog girl, so it’s great” said another. “We saved a little snapper” said a third.
The total labour cost to hire local people for the six week contract was about $28,000. Most of the funding was provided by Environment Canada’s Habitat Stewardship Program and Ontario’s Species at Risk Stewardship Fund. The Causeway Improvement fundraising campaign provided funds for costs such as removing garbage found along the road when the old fencing was removed and ongoing maintenance.
The Long Point Causeway Improvement Project is a community-based effort to revitalize the 3.5 kilometre-long causeway that links Long Point with the Port Rowan area. It is an important initiative of the Long Point World Biosphere Reserve Foundation.
Posted on November 28, 2010.
Posted by Ashley DeGroote, CD 98.9, November 28, 2010
The Long Point Causeway will be getting thousands of new trees and shrubs thanks to nearly $10 thousand in funding from the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation. Nearly one thousand new Carolinian trees and 15 hundred native shrubs will be planted along the road. Chair of the Steering Committee, Paula Jongerden says these will be the first new trees and shrubs to be planted along the Causeway in many, many years.
Posted on November 28, 2010.
Simcoe Reformer, Nov. 27, 2010.
Thousands of Carolinian trees and native shrubs will be planted along the Long Point Causeway next year.
TD Friends of the Environment Foundation has donated $9,965 to purchase almost 1,000 Carolinian trees and more than 1,500 native shrubs. The Long Point Causeway Improvement Project, in corporation with the county’s forestry department, will be carrying out the planting.
“These will be the first new trees and shrubs to be planted along the Causeway in many, many years,” said Paul Jongerden, chair of the project’s steering committee. “While we’re committed to preserving the existing trees, it’s essential that we begin planting trees now to enhance the Causeway’s natural environment for the future.”
A few willows and poplars are the only remains of an avenue of trees that once lined the Causeway in the 1940s and 1950s. Country forestry staff has found that at least 18 of these trees will have to be cut down because either they are dead, damaged or pose a public safety risk.
Tree species that have been suggested for the corridor include bur oak, paper birch and white cedar. Options for native shrubs include silky dogwood, pussy willow and chokecherry.
Posted on November 23, 2010.
Port Rowan, Nov. 23, 2010 – Nearly 1,000 new Carolinian trees and more than 1,500 native shrubs will be planted along the Long Point Causeway next year thanks to $9,965 in funding from the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation. The tree and shrub planting will be carried out by the Long Point Causeway Improvement Project (LPCIP) in cooperation with Norfolk County’s Forestry Department.
“These will be the first new trees and shrubs to be planted along the Causeway in many, many years,” said Paula Jongerden, chair of the LPCIP’s steering committee. “While we’re committed to preserving the existing trees, it’s essential that we begin planting trees now to enhance the Causeway’s natural environment for the future.”
The existing willows and poplars are all that remains of an avenue of trees that lined the entire length of the Causeway back in the 1940s and 1950s. Windstorms, floods and old age have taken their toll and many of the remaining trees are approaching the end of their natural lives. A survey last fall by the County forestry staff found that at least 18 trees will have to be cut down because they are dead, damaged or pose a public safety risk.
“We consulted with the St. Williams Nursery and Ecology Centre about what species of native Carolinian trees and shrubs would thrive in the Causeway environment,” said Jongerden. Among the suggested tree species are Bur Oak, Paper Birch, White Cedar, Eastern Cottonwood, Hackberry, Swamp Maple, and Peach-leaved Willow. The native shrubs could include Silky Dogwood, Pussy Willow, Chokecherry and Ninebark.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (TD FEF), a national organization formed by TD Bank Financial Group that funds local projects dedicated to preserving the environment. TD FEF has provided more than $53 million in support to more than 19,000 grassroots environmental projects like the Long Point Causeway Tree Planting Project.
The Long Point Causeway Improvement Project is managed by Steering Committee comprised of representatives from 16 government agencies and local organizations and several individuals well-known in the community. The LPCIP receives financial and administrative support from the Long Point World Biosphere Reserve Foundation, which promotes research, monitoring, education and projects that support the goals of conservation and sustainable use in the Biosphere Reserve.
