At last night’s public meeting of the Friends of Silver Lake, Councillor John Wells referred to documentation that was recently made available on the Norfolk County web site that provides an update on the status of the project to Misner Dam. To access this document, you can click on the link below:
All of this is rather “late breaking news”. However, the positive here is that the Ministry of the Environment has concluded in a letter dated November 4th with respect to Misner Dam that:
“...there are no further environmental assessment requirements that the County would be subject to. There are no other approvals or permits required from this Ministry for the purpose of dam repairs.”
However, the Ministry goes on to say that:
“As for Silver Lake until such time as a range of options has been identified, it is not possible to determine whether this ministry would have any approval role. It is our understanding that the County will formally ask for Ministry review and input into the sediment sampling that was undertaken in August and September so that we can assist the County in identifying its options.”
We are also pleased to note that the County and Ministry of Natural Resources have agreed on a way “to expedite a resolution”. On behalf of the County, G. Douglas Valleee Limited has requested in a letter to the Ministry of Natural Resources dated November 3rd:
“that the Ministry of Natural Resources provide us with their requirements for proceeding with an application for permit with respect to repairing the dam as outlined in our previous two reports.”
These letters are attached to the documents that can be found by clicking on the link above.
The Friends of Silver Lake believe that these recent developments are a direct result of the visible community support across Norfolk County for the repair of Misner Dam and restoration of Silver Lake. This reinforces the message delivered last night at our public meeting by Carla Aitken on behalf of the overwhelming majority of Sutton Pond condominium owners who recently signed a survey indicating their dissatisfaction with the decommissioning of Sutton Dam in Simcoe. As Carla stated, “Our learning was not to remain so silent and to rely on our politicians and approval authorities to do what was in our – the residents - best interest. We should have lobbied harder to ensure our interests were met. We are urging you not to make the same mistake we made.”
We are hopeful that Norfolk County staff as well as the staff of all the approval authorities including the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ministry of Environment, Department of Fisheries and Oceans and Long Point Region Conservation Authority will place the repair of Misner Dam and restoration of Silver Lake at the top of their priority lists and work together to quickly resolve the issues so that the work can begin and we – the community - can “DIG IN!”
In the meantime, we encourage everyone to make their voice heard! Buy a “Silver Lake Lawn” sign, contact your Mayor, Councillor, MPP and MP to express your support regardless of where you live - Norfolk County, Haldimand County, Brant County and the City of Brantford. Save Silver Lake!
Jim Dover
Secretary, Friends of Silver Lake
519-426-5677
The Friends of Silver Lake are a committee of the Port Dover Waterfront Preservation Authority made up of the following community organizations committed to the repair of Misner Dam and restoration of Silver Lake:
* Port Dover Board of Trade * Port Dover Enhancement Association * Port Dover Harbour Authority * Port Dover Kinsmen * Port Dover Lions Club *
Port Dover Yacht Club * Silver Lake Rowing Club *
For more information regarding our organization, please contact:
Rick Misner, President: 519-583-2150
Pat Hall, Treasurer: 519-583-0180
Jim Dover, Secretary: 519-426-5677