Jane Goodall and
school kids to release trout into Junction Creek
World-renowned wildlife
conservationist Jane Goodall will release brook trout into Junction Creek with
Sudbury school children this spring.
Jane Goodall is the world’s foremost
authority on chimpanzees and founder of the Jane Goodall Institute. The institute is home to ‘Roots and Shoots,’
an international environmental and humanitarian program for young people.
For the past few years,
Science North has hosted a Roots and Shoots conference each spring. The conference is an opportunity for young
Sudburians to learn about and get involved with environmental projects in their
community. It is unlike an adult
conference in that students spend much of the day engaged in hands-on
activities. Last year during Roots and
Shoots, several hundred students took part in the release of brook trout into
Junction Creek and spreading of lime in the Junction Creek watershed.
Conference organizers are
extremely pleased that Ms. Goodall has agreed to take part in this year’s
Sudbury Roots and Shoots event in early May.
She will speak to students at the conference and will take part in field
trips scheduled throughout the day.
During one of the field trips, Ms. Goodall will release brook trout into
Junction Creek, along with students from schools across Sudbury.
The Junction Creek Stewardship
Committee is helping organize that part of the day. The brook trout will be provided through the Community Fisheries
and Wildlife Involvement Program of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.
The Junction Creek Stewardship
Committee will also offer “Bug Search” field trips during the Roots and Shoots
conference. Students will have an
opportunity to learn about the restoration of Junction Creek and will collect
and identify benthic macroinvertebrates, much like the program offered at some
schools in the fall (and described in earlier issues of this newsletter).
Frood branch shows
signs of recovery
Results of research carried
out last summer show the Frood branch of Junction Creek appears to be
recovering rapidly.
The recovery is due in large
part to a diversion project completed by INCO Ltd. early in 2001. Before the diversion, acidic drainage and high
concentrations of heavy metals entered the Junction Creek through a tributary
near the Frood airstrip. Since the
project was completed, runoff is diverted for treatment.
Laurentian University biology
student Hassan Waberi examined chemical and biological changes below the
diversion area. He compared Nickel and
Copper concentrations, and pH data collected in 1996 with his own data,
collected in 2001.
Before the diversion, pH ranged
as low as 4.4, a level that is toxic to most fish and other aquatic
organisms. After the diversion, pH
stayed above 7 throughout the May to November period.
Nickel and Copper levels have
also dropped dramatically. Before
diversion, metal concentrations would become very high at times, especially in
the May to November period. In 2001,
Copper and Nickel stayed at low levels throughout the same period. High levels of heavy metals are also
detrimental to fish and other aquatic species.
Waberi also compared the
benthic macroinvertebrate population before and after the diversion. Certain types of benthic macroinvertebrates
(bottom-dwelling creatures without a skeleton) act as indicators of water
quality, based on the fact that some are more tolerant of pollution than
others.
In 2000, before the diversion,
very few types of benthic invertebrates were found below the diversion. In 2001, Waberi found a much larger number
and greater diversity of organisms. The
findings indicate that the Frood branch appears to be recovering.
INCO Ltd. has given another
$10,000 towards the restoration of Junction Creek. Last year, a $10,000 donation to the Junction Creek Stewardship
Committee was instrumental in helping to obtain a $75,000 grant from
Environment Canada’s EcoAction 2000 program.
The latter is a matching program, and grants are only awarded to groups
that can raise other funds within their own community.
In February of 2002, INCO
decided to contribute an additional $10,000 to the stewardship committee, in
recognition of the progress made so far.
The money will once again be used as matching funds to apply for grants
to support long-term projects into the future.
INCO has also generously
agreed to donate a surplus vehicle to the stewardship committee. Anyone who has seen our coordinator, Carrie,
driving her Toyota packed with waders, rubber boots, nets, planting spades and
trays of seedlings will know how much a larger vehicle will be appreciated for
volunteer activities and the school program.
It should also be mentioned
that INCO continues to support student research related to Junction Creek
(including Hassan Waberi’s project, above). The company is contributing a total
of $15,000 per year for five years towards research carried out through the
Co-operative Freshwater Ecology Unit at Laurentian University.
Perhaps the most valuable contribution by INCO to date, however, has
been the two million dollar diversion project on the Frood Branch, which made
possible the Frood branch recovery that is reported above.
‘Ponderosa’ in the
spotlight (again)
The area commonly known as the
‘Ponderosa’ was the center of attention at an Ontario Municipal Board hearing
on February 25. The hearing was the
latest twist in a long-standing struggle between Sudbury’s municipal government
and a landowner who wants to develop some of the land in the area.
The Ponderosa area is
currently a sizable green space, extending from just east of Notre Dame to the
Barrydowne Arena area. It includes a
large wetland area that serves an important role in the Junction Creek
system.
Like other wetland areas, it helps
prevent flooding by storing water in times of high precipitation, and also
helps filter contaminants. As well, the
Ponderosa is home to many wildlife species.
The disagreement over the fate
of the area began in 1987, when the former City of Sudbury approved its
Official Plan, and designated the area ‘Private Open Space.” This designation allows for very little
development besides parks and public green spaces.
A landowner, who was at the
time interested in building housing, a golf course and other commercial
development in the area, filed a complaint with the Ontario Municipal Board.
In 1994, the Ontario Municipal
Board finally ruled that “special policies” must be adopted for this area. This meant the area was no longer off limits
to development, if certain conditions are met.
The proponent would have to provide a comprehensive development plan and
technical studies at his own expense.
Before any development could
take place, the city’s Official Plan would have to be amended, something that cannot
proceed without public notice and a public hearing.
In 1995, the City adopted a
new comprehensive zoning by-law, to update the one in place since the early
1960s. The same landowner launched
another appeal with the Ontario Municipal Board. Ever since, the City of Sudbury (and now the City of Greater
Sudbury) and the developer have been negotiating, rather than leave the
decision to the board. Recently, a compromise was reached, and the recent
hearing before the Ontario Municipal Board was a way to finalize that
compromise.
Both the City and the
developer agreed the area should be re-designated “Future Development.” Residents within 120 metres of the
boundaries of the land in question were notified of the hearing.
Despite taking place during
the day, about 25 concerned citizens attended.
Several came forward to speak when the opportunity was given, and
expressed their views that no development should take place in this area.
Art Potvin, Manager of
Development Services for the City of Greater Sudbury, explains that the
designation “Future Development” does not confer development rights. Any development would still require an
amendment of the Official Plan, a process that requires public notice and
opportunities for public comment, he says.
A comprehensive development
plan would have to be submitted at the proponent’s expense, and would have to
address flood, soil, sewer and other issues.
The “Future Development” designation is, however, a necessary step towards
development, so this is an issue we will be watching out for in the future.
A Walk-a-Thon with a twist!
You are invited to participate
in Sudbury’s first ‘Trail-a-Trout’ event on Saturday, June 1.
Where does the funny name come
from? You’ll be “trailing” a huge trout that will be paddling the creek in a
boat. Along the way will be fun
activities, on the theme of making the creek a healthier place for trout (and
other creatures, including humans).
We’re asking participants to
collect pledges beforehand, to help raise money for the Trans-Canada Trail
along Junction Creek.
Trail-a-Trout starts at the
Hnatyshyn Park, just across from the City Centre mall in downtown Sudbury. You’ll walk along the Junction Creek trail,
stopping along the way to go “Fishing for Garbage,” become a “Bug Detective” and have fun at other activity stations.
The trail continues as far as Wilma Street, then loops around to head back. There’s also a shorter “Little Trout” loop
with activities especially geared to younger kids. The Big Trout loop is about 2.5 km, and the smaller loop about 1
km.
Complete each activity to get
a stamp on your “troutcard.” Collect
all the stamps to receive a “Friend of the Trout” certificate and be entered in
a draw for some great prizes. A
barbeque will be waiting when you return to Hnatyshyn Park, with hot dogs and
drinks for a loonie. The event starts
at 10 am and is expected to run until about 1 pm.
The Junction Creek Stewardship
Committee is working together with Rainbow Routes Association to plan this
event. Rainbow Routes is a non-profit group dedicated to developing and
promoting the Trans-Canada Trail throughout the Sudbury area--a perfect partner
for Trail-a-Trout.
Collect the highest pledge
total to win Pizza for a Year! (Two
large pizzas every month, for a year, courtesy of Topper’s. Value approximately
$260)
Keep an eye out for our
“Colour-and-Win” contest in the April 26th issue of Northern Life. Kids under 12 can colour in the Trout in a
Boat and send it in to be entered in a draw to win a great prize.