The full 79 page publication is too large for this site to host but available in pdf format at the Coastal Center’s site. Click here to obtain a copy.

The Coastal Center’s press release concerning this document appears below.

“Media RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A Plan to Protect Oliphant’s Coast

July 5, 2010  -   The Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation, a non-governmental organization dedicated to the conservation of Lake Huron’s environment, has just released a new report entitled “Coastal Stewardship Plan for Oliphant.” The plan is in response to concerns about human impacts to the shoreline, and the degradation of a once pristine environment. With low lake levels in recent years, the flat open shorelands have attracted vehicle traffic, which is particularly destructive to the wetlands.

The shoreline at Oliphant is part of a coastal wetland complex that is home to many rare and at-risk species. The coastal wetlands at Oliphant, commonly called coastal fens, are particularly rare, and support a wide range of land and water species. Wetlands are also important water filtration features that provide clean water for people to swim in.

The Plan is intended:

1)      to educate and inform the community about beach and wetland processes, their sensitivities to human impacts, and how to minimize those impacts;
2)      with this information, empower the community to care for these resources, and enact insightful stewardship over the long term;
3)      to guide stewardship efforts that will help the shoreline heal itself, and restore the ecological balance to this shoreline area.

The Stewardship Plan describes some of the necessary measures needed to begin the healing process. “Controlling vehicle access to specific areas, and putting an end to driving over the shorelands will be absolutely key to the success in protecting Oliphant’s coastline,” noted Geoff Peach, Coastal resources Manager with the Coastal Centre, and main author of the plan. “Of course, the second main threat to Oliphant’s coast is invasive species, notably the highly invasive Phragmites australis.”

The Plan provides the municipality, local agencies and the public with a set of “best stewardship practices” aimed at improving the health of the coastal environment at Oliphant. “We are excited to be implementing, with the help of other community groups and the municipality, stewardship measures identified in the Plan that are based on sound coastal science principles and conservation approaches,” said Donna Stewart, chair of the local Friends of Oliphant Coastal Environments. “This is so important to the long term health of our shores.”

Funding for the plan was provided through Ontario’s Species at Risk Stewardship Program, Bruce Stewardship Resource Network, and the Town of South Bruce Peninsula. For a digital copy of the Plan, contact the Coastal Centre at coastalcentre@lakehuron.on.ca

For more information contact:

Geoff Peach, Hons. B.A., CCEP
Coastal Resources Manager
The Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation”

Sunday June 6th

Pancake Breakfast Get Together
Oliphant Dock – 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. ; Rain location – Oliphant Women’s Institute.
Courtesy of Karin Van der Heyden and Paul Thomas of Marketside Food Shop and Café, Owen Sound

Saturday July 3rd

Geology of the Bruce Peninsula: What Makes Oliphant So Special?
Presenter: Victor Last, Coauthor of Landforms of the Bruce Peninsula.
Location – Oliphant Camper’s Church – 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday July 14th

Bruce County Astronomy Association Presentation and Viewing
Location-Outdoor Education Center – 8:00 p.m. (Please watch for
further information)

Saturday July 24th

Shoreline Birds and Migration
Presenter: Peter Middleton, President of Owen Sound Field Naturalists, retired Outdoor Educator and local birding expert
Location – Oliphant Women’s Institute – 7:00 p.m.

Saturday August 14th

Cottage Septic System- Everything You Need to Know
Presenter: Wayne McFadden, Chief Building Official Town of South Bruce Peninsula
Location – Oliphant Camper’s Church – 7:00 p.m.

Saturday Aug. 28th

Annual Meeting – The Oliphant Stewardship Guide
Presenters: Geoff Peach/Patrick Donnelly, The Lake Huron Center for Coastal
Conservation – 7:00 p.m.

We believe that our community and visitors can be stewards of this incredible place, now and in future. We are thrilled to announce that The Oliphant Stewardship Guide is complete and will be released shortly by the Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation. This guide was commissioned by FOOCE and made possible through the support of The Town of South Bruce Peninsula, the Species at Risk Fund and the Bruce Stewardship Network.

We have followed the process carefully and are very pleased with the guide. It contains seven key recommendations to provide guidance and direction in making environmental stewardship a way of life in Oliphant. The guide will soon be available on our website.

The Town of South Bruce Peninsula has passed a resolution to implement some preliminary stewardship measures to reduce impact to the shoreline. These include containing vehicles in areas that are already heavily damaged and the installation of educational signage. We thank them for their leadership! We had hoped the municipality would have been able to implement that resolution by May 24th weekend. Unfortunately, that has not yet taken place, but we look forward to sharing news of their progress with you as it becomes available.

We have recently learned that we have received a grant from Freshwater Futures for $3000. These funds will go towards the cost of educational signage. The municipality has agreed to assist with installation.

You can read about more of our activities and download “Protecting Oliphant’s Coast” and “Damaging Wheels” from the our publications section (sidebar). These publications have been produced through The Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation and are part of our strong educational focus.

If you have interest in assisting with our educational series or committees that focus on particular environmental issues such as the spread of phragmites, or measures to increase awareness, such as our signage project, or our fundraising efforts, please let us know. (info@fooce.org) Please tell others about FOOCE! ($20/year for a family membership.)

On the 29th March approximately 50 people attended a meeting arranged by the Town of South Bruce Peninsula  to address environmental concerns brought forward by  FOOCE and the complaints of some area residents about kiteboarding.

The meeting was chaired by Mr. Phil Dwyer, Public Works Manager, Town of South Bruce Peninsula. In attendance were:

Oliphant residents and sporting enthusiasts
FOOCE
Oliphant Campers Association
Grey-Sauble Conservation Authority
Ministry of Natural Resources
Grey-Bruce Kiteboarding Association
Note: Saugeen Ojibway Nation were invited but did not attend.

Donna Stewart made a  presentation on behalf of FOOCE which was well received. The powerpoint presentation she provided summarizes FOOCE’s submissions and will be posted to this site as soon as a technical posting issue is resolved.

The Owen Sound Sun Times covered the meeting. Click here to read their article.

The attached questionnaire was provided by the Town to canvas the views of stakeholders. Interested parties are strongly encouraged to complete the survey by the 9th of April and to forward it to Christine Beard Laaber, Assistant Public Works Manager, Town of South Bruce Peninsula.

Click here for pdf version of Questionaire

Completion Instructions:

The questionnaire  is in pdf format. It can either be completed on the computer or printed and completed manually. Please note that if it is completed on the computer it can not be saved. Once completed you must print it (with an extra copy for yourself) and mail it or fax it to:

Christine Beard Laaber
Assistant Public Works Manager
Town of South Bruce Peninsula
315 George Street,
PO Box 310,
Wiarton, Ontario, Canada,
N0H 2T0

Facsimile: 519-534-4862

General Contact info for Town of South Bruce Penisula
Phone:        519-534-1400
Facsimile:     519-534-4862
Toll Free:    877-534-1400
Click here for contact info for Mayor and Council.