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Champion Country Tuesday, Apnl 6, 2M04-17 Conference to address issue 0-f disdppeîi ÎîàpJ g [adl laîîd In A Beautiful Country Setting Fine Country Dining in a Cozy Rustic Bar and Dining Room Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner 7 days/week Weddings, Conferences & Meeting Facitities for up to 200 Saving Ontario's disappearing farmland will be the focus of the upcommng Farmtand Preservation Conference this summer. Slated for June 28 and 29 at the University of Guelph, the confer- ence - dubbed Preserving Fanwtand for Farmers -will bring together farmers, planners. aca- demics, politicians and conserva- tionists to explore options available to province-wide farmers. Ontario Minister of Agriculture and Food Steve Peters is expected to speak about the provincial gov- eenment's commitment to preserv- ing Ontario's fannland. Other speakers will include experts from the British Columbia Agricuttura Land Reserve and the Quebec Agricultural Land Protection Regime, and Tom Daniets of the University of Pennsylvania, who'lt speak about farmtand preservation in the US. "This is an important conference and an excellent opportunity for this govemment to respond to a positive public commitment to pre- serve Ontario's farmland. which developed ini the '70s, but was neyer effectively acted upon," said Melissa Watkins, research associ- ate with tbe Farinland Preservation Research Project. "The increasingly rapid bass of farmtand and encroachinent upon farming communities makes it imperative to develop a long-term ptan and vision of bow Ontario's farmland will be used in the future. Witbout an adequate land base of productive land for farming, the future of agriculture in Ontario could be doomed." Mayor questions if White Paper recommendations are overkill New in town? Get acquainted wiîh Milton and alI it has to offer by ordering a subscniptton to, lEbe (an4bian EMa»mpiwn Where To Shop! Where To Dine! Community News! Professional Services! .... And more! OnIy $49.00 per year Phone 878-2341 or mail cheque or money order to P.O. Box 248, 191 Main St. E., Milton, Ont. L9T 4N9 Ho.'m.,.e m WINDOW SALE Vinylguard Windows Be the f irst on the block with new windows! Order Now & Recieve... FREE LOW E GLASS ARGON OAS & THERMAL EDGE SPACER A SAVINOS 0F $7.60. /SO.FT. Have Home Instail it for you and we wilI buy back your old windows for $1.50 sq.Ift. See Steve Mula for details. WkIiltd~JfhiMM: Muu- -Fdiay EA89&%»-99" efrom CH on page 15 "Is this overkill? t question that as a lay person. Walkerton bappened because of one or two negtigent people not doing their job. 1 tbink yes (it is overkill)," Me. Krantz said. Conservation authorities will play a significant rote in the plans outlmned in the White Paper. Ontario's 36 conservation authorities will be divided into 16 region- ai authorities for the purposes of the source protection plans, said Bob Edmondson, director of watershed management services. CH passed a recomrmendation tbat it partner with Hamilton Conservation Authority, with a third party deciding wbich authority will take the lead role. lIn its recommendations, CH advised that in addition to safeguarding water supplies for drinking purposes, source protection plans should recognize the impor- tance of preserving the ecological mntegrity of tbe watershed - the land that drains mnto a creek, river or streamn. M. Edmondson said the cost for the new measures will be worth every penny. "How can you put a value on life?" be asked, adding theoe's a responsibility to make sure a tragedy like the one in Wslkerton doesn't happen again. 'It fell between the cracks." T'he first step is to bave a proper map of ground water areas to pinpoint which areas might be vulnera- ble to contamination or depletion. "tt's an issue of quantity and quality," Mr. Edmondson said. tn a presentation to the board, Me. Edmondson stressed the importance of monitoring water-taking, another issue addeessed in the White Paper, and mak- ing sure what's taicen - by farmers, water bottIers and golf courses, among others - is actually needed. Cbarging for water-taking was also recnnsmended. Tbe White Paper is open for public comment until April 12, after which it will be put mnto legislation. Regulations resulting from the White Paper are expected to come in the faîl, M. Edmondson said. Siephanie Thiessen con he reached at sthiessen@miltoncanadianchiampion.com. FURNITURE, HOME ACCENTS & GI1FT5 S o New 5prinig Linee arrivin0 daiIyI O Lotib of orcat ceter qift; kteae O IVaIian Charm 13racee ~ ~ O Fruite & F'aeion 13ath & B3ody Care Lime. C ioilday W..ks.nd Houri Goo4 Frlaay - *OPEN* 10-5 5traAprI 10 10-5 5unmlay ApHI il 12-5_ ~%# Ea9ter Monctay 10-6 265 Maini 5t. E. (905) miie.ca0 Dowit;own Milt;on www.acountr '