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Attention All Nottawasaga Steelheader Members, Partners and Friends: Massive Quarry proposed for Shelburne Threatens Farmland and 2 Key Watersheds - The Nottawasaga and Grand Rivers ***Please note that the point regarding the status of Lake Sturgeon has been corrected. Lake Sturgeon have been changed to a status of "Threatened" from a previous status of "Species of Concern". This is one place above the "Endangered" status. For a listing of all species at risk, go to: http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/Species/2ColumnSubPage/276722.html#glossary Perhaps if you are not aware, its time you become aware and in case you are not involved, well in fact you should get involved!! I attended a recent meeting of NDACT (Northern Dufferin Agricultural Community Task Force) and community on Saturday, January 16th in Honeywood, just outside of Shelburne. A major event, that very well could play out, may result in irreparable damage to both the Nottawasaga and Grand River watersheds not to mention the consumption of thousands of acres of prime agricultural land. The fall-out effects, years and decades afterwards are enormous and may put into place situations we may never recover from. The location in question is in the North Dufferin, Sheburne area. The situation is that the Highland Companies, a large funded organization from the US has purchased a large piece (in fact a very large piece of prime land-7000-8000 acres loaded with highly prized aggregate for export and sale to the market globally). They have done so by offering several thousand dollars more than the going rate. The objective is to extract this aggregate from a massive quarry that will dwarf any previous quarry...approximately 2400 acres. The potential worth (per acre) of this aggregate is in the several millions of dollars. Multiply that by 2400 acres and you get the picture of the dollar draw to this group. This land in question could soak up potentially important Canadian and Ontario based agriculture. Well...if you wish to be even more dependent on the amount of vegetables you buy from other countries that this company will be exporting to, I guess you don't have a problem. If you are concerned and you feel the ripple effect downstream and I do mean downstream both ecologically and as well as economically, then you better put your gears in motion and get involved in supporting the effort to halt this proposal. The Highland Companies group on their website uses terms like "responsible" and saying its "their home". At the meeting Saturday, the NDACT and the community stated flat-out that they (Highland Companies) are NOT welcomed and have bought themselves in. They are from Boston and are supported by huge US hedge funds. Once they have exhausted the treasures they seek, they will go elsewhere leaving a huge hole in the ground. There is absolutely no way they can determine accurately "for sure" the ecological destruction that could occur from this high level of activity to the watersheds (Nottawasaga and Grand Rivers) that get their important water from this area. I am sure they can try to compensate farmers for loss of income. But they cannot compensate for loss of critical ecology immediately and downstream. It is bad enough that we have already seen changes in angling quality of many species in the Nottawasaga River watershed including walleye, rainbow trout and even sturgeon that have gone past the point of being designated in the Species at Risk of Ontario grouping of "Special Concern" to that of "Threatened". The risks of the legacy this quarry project could leave, are far more ominous than we could even start to understand and appreciate. Why? Because the effects may not play out for years to come. The wake could be felt for generations to come. They use the term "responsible". They couldn't even begin to understand that term because they are firstly responsible to their shareholders or investors. Their key principles, managers and executive do not reside here. So how could they really care as members of the community. Another important point to note is that this area is associated with the designation of critical and sensitive World Biosphere status. Perhaps even more ominous is the fact that government, at all levels, will see this as a real cash opportunity and since it involves international, the stakes are high. The community and NDACT, (after understanding the Site 41 fiasco and those that have suffered from it and continue to do so), have stated that they do not trust the government since the key government officials job as always is to find ways to make things like this happen and to"clear the way". They again have no conscience because they will not be held responsible or accountable for their decisions now for the outcome tomorrow. It is almost certain with the stakes this high, as we speak, that this group is putting all their ducks in a row and making sure by lobby or whatever power they have, that government will be their partner. NDACT needs your support both as a member and a financial supporter. Our road with them will require some deep pockets and associations with influential people. I ask you to do three (3) things: 1. After reading this, please pass this on to as many people you can, friends, relatives and people of influence (print it out for those who don't read email). 2. Go to the NDACT Website and become a member. It's only $30.00. http://www.ndact.com/NDACT/Welcome.html 3. Contact your local MP and MPP. Tell them you are strongly opposed and ask them for their support. Thank you Gary Christie President, Nottawasaga Steelheaders Visit our website at www.nottawasaga.org

700 wind turbines proposed for lakes Erie, St. Clair February 19, 2010 Sharon Hill / The Windsor Star WINDSOR, Ont. -- Seven hundred offshore wind turbines are being proposed for Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair including 165 turbines north of Lakeshore and wind farms off Amherstburg, Colchester, Kingsville and Leamington. SouthPoint Wind of Leamington had already proposed 15 turbines in three spots off the shores of Kingsville and Leamington. If SouthPoint gets approval for that project, it is proposing a 1,400 megawatt project with 13 wind farms: three in Lake St. Clair and the rest south of Essex County and Chatham-Kent in Lake Erie. Each wind farm could have 55 turbines and could be one to 2.5 kilometres from shore. “Why should we be the guinea pigs?” Leamington Deputy Mayor Rob Schmidt said Wednesday. If it could be the first offshore wind farm anywhere in fresh water, there should be more research done, Schmidt said. There are offshore wind farms proposed on the Great Lakes including Lake Ontario but none approved or constructed in the province. “On something that has this many potential negative impacts, we don’t want to be the first ones,” Schmidt said, citing concerns over drinking water intake pipes, tourism and wildlife from migrating birds to the commercial and sports fisheries. SouthPoint Wind representatives wouldn’t talk to a reporter Wednesday but in a news release Wednesday said the project would be “the first of many new offshore generation plants in the Great Lakes region.” The news release went on to say “the development of this project will bestow the community with first mover status in the offshore wind energy market, undoubtedly creating a succession of job growth and manufacturing expansion in surrounding areas.” It didn’t say how much it would cost. SouthPoint Wind is one of a group of companies owned by the Liovas family of Leamington. The company is advertising public meetings March 27 and its interest in both the 15-turbine project and the 700-turbine project. The news release said the company is following the legislation of the province’s new approval process which will involve “assessing the feasibility of a sustainable” 15-turbine project. Kingsville Coun. Tamara Stomp said she was “reeling from shock” that the provincial government would allow the proposal to be suggested. So far, the provincial government didn’t seem to know the details. SouthPoint Wind’s advertising said the notice of the public meeting has to go forward before submitting an application. There is a draft application on its website. Kate Jordan, a spokeswoman with the Ministry of the Environment, said there are several offshore wind proposals in the planning stages in Ontario and the province is still working on regulations for offshore developments under the new Green Energy Act. In the past, such projects went through environmental assessments but that process is being streamlined under the new act. So far only the land-based regulations for wind farms have been developed, Jordan said. The process for the offshore wind farms would involve first going to the Ministry of Natural Resources to get permission to build on the Crown lakebed. Then a proponent would go through the renewable energy approval process under the Green Energy Act of the Ministry of the Environment. She said it’s up to proponents to study the project and identify any negative environmental impacts and ways to overcome them. Public consultations must be held. Any approval would have to come from the Ministry of the Environment. For now, Jordan said it would be a site specific review if the company applied. If allowed, a draft application on SouthPoint Wind’s website said the wind farm construction could begin in 2012 and last until December 2014. Municipalities were concerned that under the new act, they don’t have control over whether a project is approved. Schmidt said SouthPoint Wind had not fully answered questions and concerns posed to the company under the old regulations. The Ontario Commercial Fisheries Association hasn’t taken a stand on turbines in Lake Erie but had not been persuaded the wind farms wouldn’t be bad for the fishery in the last proposal, said association executive director Peter Meisenheimer. “Everybody always knew it wasn’t about 15 turbines.” Meisenheimer said people figured once the turbines were built, the company would want to add to the wind farms and the association has been paying close attention to the issue with members expressing “deep concern.” In 2006, opposition to offshore turbines in Lake Erie saw the provincial government ban offshore developments. But the ban was lifted by 2008 and the Citizens Against Lake Erie Wind Turbines fought the proposal again. September meetings in Kingsville and Leamington on the 15 turbines attracted more than 100 people. Under the old approval process, those councils wanted the provincial government to do an independent environmental assessment. Gord Meuser, a member of Citizens Against Lake Erie Wind Turbines, said the concerns for Pigeon Bay off Point Pelee are the same regardless of the number of turbines. The 15-turbine proposal sparked a petition with about 6,000 names, but now the group will have to start again from scratch. Meuser, like others interviewed Wednesday, had not had the chance to read the draft proposals on the company’s website. Lakeshore Mayor Tom Bain’s first response was “wow.” He had not heard of any turbines proposed for Lake St. Clair. Bain questioned why offshore power would be considered since there are already projects approved for the land that aren’t being built in Lakeshore because they don’t have contracts to sell the electricity to the power grid. In Lake St. Clair the turbines are proposed north of Belle River, Deerbrook and Lighthouse Cove. In addition to offshore wind farms south of Leamington and in two spots off Kingsville’s shores, SouthPoint Wind is proposing wind farms south of Colchester and Amherstburg in Lake Erie as well as off Wheatley, Port Alma, Port Crew, Sandison and Cedar Springs south of Chatham-Kent. Information in a draft application on the company’s website said the wind farm would last an estimated 20 to 25 years. The white turbines would reach a maximum height of 125 metres from the water to the tip of the upper blade. The turbines would be in rows and would be 300 metres apart, the draft said. Public meetings have been scheduled for March 27. There is one scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the Puce Sports and Leisure Centre on Old Tecumseh Road in Lakeshore. For Lake Erie, there are meetings scheduled for noon to 2 p.m. at the Kingsville arena, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Leamington Princess Centre, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Harrow arena and at 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Recreation Centre in Amherstburg. There is a Chatham-Kent meeting at 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Wheels Inn in Chatham. For more information visit www.southpointwind.com. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Related Story: Will Canada's wind turbines invade lakes?

Scientist promises urgent quest for methods to prevent Asian carp from overrunning Great Lakes February 26, 2010 John Flesher / www.canadianbusiness.com (AP) - Scientists are stepping up the quest for new poisons and other tools that could prevent Asian carp from gaining a foothold in the Great Lakes, Obama administration officials told a congressional panel Thursday. U.S. Geological Survey experts are looking at short- and long-term methods of reining in the invasive fish amid rising fears they may have eluded electrical barriers on Chicago waterways and are poised to colonize Lake Michigan, said Leon Carl, the agency's Midwest executive. "The pressure is on our scientists," Carl said, adding that money provided under the Obama administration's $78.5 million carp control plan would help researchers make progress. "I think we're going to do some really exciting research." Nancy Sutley, head of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, said the studies and other proposals in the government plan have good prospects to succeed — despite complaints from many in the region that the strategy is inadequate because it doesn't close shipping locks that could open a carp pathway to the lake. "The Great Lakes face perhaps their most serious threat from invasive species yet in the Asian carp," Sutley said during a Senate Water and Power Subcommittee hearing in Washington, D.C. "We think, however, there's a chance to stop this invasive species before it gets established." The carp, the largest reaching 100 pounds and 4 feet long, have migrated up the Mississippi and Illinois rivers for decades and infested rivers and canals near Chicago that flow into Lake Michigan. If a large population spreads across the Great Lakes, the plankton gobblers could unravel the food chain and starve out prey fish on which popular sport varieties such as salmon depend. Silver carp, one of the invasive species, sometimes spring from the water and collide with boaters. Scientists say even if some carp reach Lake Michigan, as DNA evidence suggests already might have happened, it doesn't necessarily mean all is lost. The key is preventing them from reproducing in large numbers — a top goal of USGS researchers, Carl said. They will experiment with methods such as using noisemakers or water cannons to frighten or kill the carp, he said. Longer-term studies will attempt to develop poisons that would kill carp but not other fish, or will seek ways to disrupt carp spawning in tributary rivers. Another possible measure is using pheromones — chemicals emitted by animals to attract potential mates — to lure the fish to places where they could be netted or poisoned. "A whole (group) of management tools could be coming on in future years as we move forward," Carl said. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, chairwoman of the subcommittee, repeatedly prodded federal officials to move faster. "We have a great sense of urgency," the Michigan Democrat said, as the carp could damage the region's $7 billion sport fishing industry and a boating industry valued at $16 billion. Stabenow's most pointed criticism was directed at the Army Corps of Engineers, which says it needs two years to evaluate severing man-made ties between Lake Michigan the Mississippi River basin. Environmental groups describe "ecological separation" as the only sure way to stop invasive species from moving between the two watersheds — a position endorsed this week by the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, an agency representing the eight states adjacent to the lakes. "It is of great concern to me when we read about a study being completed in 2012," Stabenow said. "We know that these fish are on the move."

You want me to order some in for you Mike? Personally I'll put them right up there with split rear grips.

I feel so left out.

Thanks Terry, that is some great advice and I'll try to keep it in mind should I ever get started (I've always wanted to). I fear my worst critic will be myself but as you mentioned I'll try not to be to rigid. Thanks again.

I'm full....

Thank you. I constucted the legs from Swiss Straw, first tearing it into thin strips then knotting each one and then dipping them into fly head cement. Tedious to say the least. Sorry I'm not currently selling any but perhaps in the future when time allows me to make them. I can promise you though that they'll be under my float this spring.

Clearly she's busy keeping Kevin away from the computer....

I had a 1976, 25 horse Johnson that had similar issues, first time it was power related, changed a coil and I was good to go. A few years later it was jumping in and out of gear, that was the clutch dog. Both are fairly easy fixes.

Well your sort of right Roy, I do have a life, sad as it may be. It's three feet away from the puter desk to the rod building & flytying desk.

Bump this back a day or two ahead of the day Lorne, I'm likely to forget. Not sure I'll fish but I may come down for a visit. The dog loves long walks.

Hmmff!!

Very nice Terry. I've always wanted to try my hand at painting and if I ever do I'd be happy to produce something half as good as your work.

LOL....You're quick Wayne but not quick enough.

Funny looking laker.

So he's got a couple inches on you then.

Yowza, great picture.

While I've never fished the creeks up that way for Brookies and Browns Bill I'm sure you can't go wrong with Stoneflies, Caddis nymphs and Mayfly nymphs. One of my faves for small creeks is actually nothing more than red squirrel hair tied on a small lead head jig hook. It easily probes into log jams and undercut banks far more effectively than tradional flies. It can represent anything from caddis larva, minnow fry and even small crayfish. I've only recently gotten back into fly tying and have a few threads showing some pictures. You can see them here..... http://www.ofncommunity.com/forums/index.p...c=40140&hl= http://www.ofncommunity.com/forums/index.p...c=39716&hl= And yes the flies I've been tying lately are bead heads tied on jig hooks specifically for use with the float rod. But I'm sorry to say at this time I'm not selling any, I'm now busy building rods and truth is they pay better.

But you already have a boat Peter. Honestly I haven't looked at the prize list yet but I agree, who wants a car.

Thanks Michael, very kind. Don't stall to long on fulfilling that bucket list. Fly Fishing is exciting and yet also frustrating at times but don't let that deter you.

I concur !

Awesome trip guys, great, no fanatastic fish and a great report Wayne. I hope that I'll get to be a part of this one year. Sorry to hear of your roadside woes Loyd but as Wayne said "Our hats off to the Manager", that's hell of a manager.

You're very welcome.

Doug, Doug, DOUG, pay attention. I have what you're looking for as seen here. I have all three sizes just let me know which one you want (measure the cork diameter).