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A4 -The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday January 22, 2003 Councillor charges Town failing to protect Environmentally Sensitive Areas By Kim Amott SPECIAL TO I I I I ; HEAVEU The plight of Iroquois Shoreline Woods was the springboard, and Ward 4 councillor Allan Elgar used it to dive headfirst into the predicament of Oakville's environmentally sensitive areas on Monday night. After council voted unanimously to commit to preserving the ailing 35hectare Iroquois Shoreline woodlot, Elgar noted that several other local envi ronmentally sensitive areas are in equal need of sympathy and attention. In a presentation entitled. " How well has Oakville council protected its Environmentally Sensitive Areas (E S A )?," Elgar concluded that the Town has done a poor job. In particular, he drew attention to Wildflower Woods and Joshua Creek Valley. Both are officially designated envi ronmentally sensitive areas that have been damaged so badly the region is contemplating removing their designa tions. Wildflower Woods, located near the Ford Plant, was designated an ESA in 1978, but has decreased in size since then due to the construction of Ford Drive and residential development. The most significant portions of the ESA - a wet meadow, open pond and marsh - were destroyed by develop ment. noted Elgar. " The remaining area no longer con tains the range and type of biodiversity that would qualify it to be an E S A ." he added. The Joshua Creek Valley has suf fered a similar fate. Also designated in 1978. it has suf fered the loss of its distinctive sand dunes and been "negatively impacted by surrounding residential develop ment." Along with creek Hoods, the region has noted that the area has been dam aged by planned and unplanned trail systems. In the case of Iroquois Shoreline Woods, about half of the area originally designated as an ES A has already been developed, and the remaining portion is being seriously impacted by oak decline. Elgar also pointed to Bronte Burloak Woods and the Tableland Woodlot. both areas previously designated as ESAs. which have since been lost. "In my opinion, we have failed to protect the environment and very few people are aware of the degradation of our ESA s." said Elgar. Mayor Ann Mulvale described Elgar's presentation as "a naked tree." adding. "There's a whole lot of foliage that needs to be put on it to put it in con text." But several Town councillors appeared sobered by Elgar's presenta tion. "This shows what can happen if an area like (Iroquois Shoreline Woods) is allowed to decline," said councillor Kevin Flynn. "I'm hoping it's not too late to turn back.". Following the presentation, council approved a motion asking town staff to report back on the status of the town's environmentally sensitive areas, along with potential ways to rehabilitate Joshua Creek Valley and Wildflower Woods. " I think it's really important to keep at least what we have left, before we pave it over." said Elgar. But Mulvale noted, "W e haven't paved it over. We're continuing to pro tect (the ESAs). "It's a matter of whether you keep them well - that's the bigger chal lenge." MOVING SALE! We will be moving up the street to larger premises Town will give guided tours of dying woodlot CHARLESA U STIN ·SHOES* Our new address will be: (Continued from page A1) clustered together and weakened by other environmental stresses. Bob McFarland, the Town's director of Parks and Recreation, says Town staff is expecting to receive a consul tant's report within the next few days that w ill outline a plan for rehabilitating the woodlot. Three forest monitoring plots have also been established to record the health of the trees and predict the rate and spread of oak decline over the next several years. McFarland added that forestry staff has scheduled two public walks in the forest to explain the issue of oak decline. The first walk w ill be held Feb. I. with a second one to be held Feb. 8 if necessary. Anyone interested in participating in the walks should call Janet Devenish at 905-845-6601 ext. 3076 to register. Participants will be required to wear hardhats that will be supplied. The removal of the dead and dying trees is planned to begin on Feb. 3. McFarland said winter removal of the trees should minimize damage to pathways through the park. The Iroquois Shoreline woodlot, located at the southwest corner of Upper Middle Road and North Service Road, is believed to be one of the largest remaining below the Niagara Escarpment between Hamilton and Toronto. It is owned by the province, which leases it to the Town for recreational use. The lease runs through until April 2033. w ith a 50-year renewal clause. 232 Lakeshore Rd. 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