Huronia’s four mayors seeking federal aid to deal with impact of water levels

By DOUGLAS GLYNN Midland Free Press November 8, 2012

Huronia’s four mayors are asking other shoreline municipalities to join them in seeking provincial and federal aid to deal with the economic impact of low water levels in Georgian Bay.

“These impacts include marinas having to dredge new access routes or even closing, water intakes that have to be relocated, loss of wetlands/fisheries (and) wells that have to be re-sited to name a few,” they say in a letter to more than 40 mayors and county wardens.

The letter is signed by mayors Gordon McKay of Midland, Gerry Marshall of Penetanguishene, Scott Warnock of Tay Township and Ray Millar of Tiny Township.

“Mayors from many shoreline communities are actively engaged in discussions about the changing water levels in the Great Lakes,” the letter notes.

“The discussion has been informed by extensive research and consultations with political figures, scientists, environmental groups, the public. The debate has led to a focus on large-scale solutions that are both controversial and unlikely to be acted upon over the next few years,” it adds.

“While we all hope that a solution exists that will return us to normal water levels in the future, the economic impact for Georgian Bay communities is affecting us today.”

Mayor McKay said the idea of writing the letter arose from a discussion the four mayors had about the declining water levels.

“People are aware there has been a long ongoing discussion with the International Joint Commission and two federal governments (Canada and the United States) about what the cause is and what we should do about it.

“It always comes back to this grandiose plan to put dams on this lake and that lake,”?he said.

“The cold reality is we have a lot of marinas, a lot of municipalities, a lot of citizens who are seriously affected by declining water levels and it seems to be localized around Georgian Bay,”?McKay said.

“So we said let’s talk to our fellow mayors, let’s send them a letter saying (we) have a real problem right now and in a normal situation the senior levels of government — provincial and federal — should come and assist with this.

“If I’ve got to dredge my marina, if I’ve got to relocate my water intake pipes they should have a program to help out with this. If the other mayors agree with us, then we will take it up to Ottawa,” said McKay.

“Much as I like the debate about whether it is being caused by evaporation or by the St. Clair River, I have a problem today and I have people who are hurting today. I want some government assistance to deal with that.

“The other matters have to be dealt with as well, but right now I have a problem. Our Midland sailing club says some of the deeper keeled boats are having trouble,”?McKay noted.

“This last month or so we have lost, just by observation, maybe a foot, a foot and a half. Even though we have a nice deep water port it’s not something you want to let proceed too far.”

Is he optimistic of getting aid from the province or Ottawa?

“Being a politician I’m always optimistic. What we are trying to say is, if you try to deal with all five of the Great Lakes you’d be all over the map… It’s specifically Georgian Bay. I’m hopeful we can do something in the short term.”

McKay says he wants to bring the other mayors on board, then approach Simcoe North MP Bruce Stanton.

“He’s a very supportive person on these sorts of things.”