[All] Reminder of Open House, Jan 20th re: Bald Eagles

[Gregory C. Michalenko]

Dear Grenwiches,

There may be an appropriate solution to this.  The eagles come to roost in the winter.  I am on EEAC (the Environmental and Ecological Advisory Committee to the Region) and one of the most interesting controversial cases we have had to consider was the OMB- approved extension of the Doon Valley golf course onto the south side of the 401 next to the Grand River, on a property that has an environmentally sensitive policy area, a provincially significant wetland, and the largest breeding  population of least flycatchers in the Region.  The bald eagles were also an important issue, but easily resolved.  Luckily golf is a summer activity so the new portion of the golf course is closed to one and every human being from November through to April at which time the eagles happily depart to their summer haunts.  We were also faced with the problem of making recommendations to control non-indigenous species of plants on the property.  One of the prime roosts of the eagles is the old Manitoba maples along the river there, which are not native.  We found a nifty solution to that too.  Manitoba maples are what biologists call "dioecious", literally "in two houses", and have separate male and female plants.  Our proposal is to cut down all the female trees, leaving the mature male ones, and replant with native sugar maples or black willow.  These can start growing and meanwhile the aging male Manitoba maples will eventually fade away.  

The golf course architect is a follower of the classical old school that believes in fitting the courses into the landscape rather than carving the landscape to suit the golf course.  I was given a personal tour late last fall and was very interested to see how much had been preserved and the thoughtful measures that had been put into place to unobtrusively keep the golfers where they belong.  For example, on one walk ( accompanied by Bill Wilson, the noted bird watcher who works with "rare") we found a nice group of yellow lady slipper orchids, and EEAC recommended that a small fence be put in to keep the golfers on the adjoining tee from straying into the orchid meadow.  On the fall tour I noticed that the architect had an even better solution:  instead of a fence, he just inserted a sliver of water wide enough and deep enough to discourage human beings unless they want to soak their pants and get their shoes mucked up. I think the new golf course will set a precedent for ecologically-minded golf course construction in our area -  in so far as such things are possible.  

EEAC did discuss the matter of a public trail, which had been proposed, and had some differences of opinion.  I'm a strong believer in equity for the public good. I myself had concerns that golfers, who tend to be reasonably well off, were getting a better deal from the project than hikers, some of whom have modest means.  I've been numerous times along the old rail line trail thrugh "rare" and have talked to hikers and cyclists, and found that some didn't have cars of their own, so trails accessible from adjoining urban areas were important to them. I felt that a trail would be okay for May through October, after which the access restrictions to look after the welfare of the eagles on that stretch should apply to one and all.  My arguments were not shared by the majority or EEAC members who turned down the proposal for a trail.  There was some feeling that a public trail would disrupt breeding waterfowl on that stretch of the river.  However, I went on two walks at dawn and early morning along that stretch of the river in May and June, and did not see any evidence of duck or other waterfowl broods on the river or the banks at that point.  It seems that the river there has most importance for wintering waterfowl and eagles, than summer breeding. (An osprey pair nested quite happily on a provided platform by the river off fountain St. The Walter Bean bunch do have a point that it would be nice to have a continuous trail without a break caused by the golf course.

The MNR brought in a recognized bald eagle expert from Vancouver to discuss the situation of the eagles and the consultations with him  were very valuable for addressing various development issues concerning the eagles in a stretch of the river several km long.  A report was produced that has maps showing all recorded eagle sightings in the area.  It is a public document and I'll check to see if it is available online.  EEAC also was asked to consider a new subdivision on the other side of the river that has a high bank.  We recommended appropriate setbacks from the river with restricted access because of the eagles.  

It's not clear from Neil's message which jurisdiction is proposing the trail this time around.  The land south of the 401 is Cambridge, and north of the 401 is Kitchener.  The Doon Valley golf course is owned by the City of Kitchener, so we will now have a  City of Kitchener golf course in the City of Cambridge!

I will try to attend the open house.  Please contact me if you want to go and need a ride. I live in uptown Waterloo.

- Greg Michalenko                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
________________________________________
From: all-bounces at gren.ca [all-bounces at gren.ca] On Behalf Of Deb Swidrovich [deswid at gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, January 18, 2010 11:02 AM
To: GREN
Subject: [All] Reminder of Open House, Jan 20th re: Bald Eagles

Hi everyone:

I would like to thank Neil Taylor and Louisette Lanteigne for bringing attention to the planned trail and bridge near the wintering grounds of a number of bald eagles near Doon in the City of Kitchener.

I must admit that I am not a big fan of trails, but I do support trails that are planned properly for recreational enjoyment and especially, to direct human traffic away from sensitive habitats and wetlands.  It is my understanding that bald eagles do not function well in close proximity to humans, and there is a very real risk that these magnificent birds may not continue to use the present area as wintering grounds should the trail and bridge be built as planned.

As many of you have experienced in your dealings with planners and consultants, the displacement of birds and animals is often considered acceptable in terms of the return to humans.  In this case, it is particularly disappointing to learn that the plan for these trails was initiated and financially supported by the Walter Bean Grand River Community Trails Foundation.

Please try to make it out to the Public Information Meeting on January 20th, from 6:30-8:30 pm at the Banquet Room at the Doon Valley Golf Course Club House to learn more, and to voice your opinion to those city planners/councillors who may be in attendance.  It is critical that we remind them of the importance of placing these creatures first.

See you there,

Deb Swidrovich
519-746-8403