Drought impact assessment in the works gŏđŏ
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tions than historically recorded. “One of the main goals of the project is to identify areas of the South Nation wa- tershed that would be most subjected to adverse impacts as a result of a shortage of water and to make recommendations for adapting to the situation,” says Sandra Man- cini, SNC Team Lead, Water Resources. The agency’s Water Response Team is to present a report to the board of directors by March, 2014. Studies on changing weather patterns indicate that low water levels may become more common, potentially compounded by the province’s steadily increasing demands for water in addition to climate change. There could be an intense effect on sur- face water resources, including changes in flow, evaporation rates, and discharge amount of snowmelt. It could lead to com- promised ecosystem health, particularly of
aquatic and riparian species. In an effort to help mitigate socio-eco- nomic and ecosystem stress associatedwith low water conditions, the Ontario Low Wa- ter Response program has been developed. It’s intended to ensure provincial prepared- ness, assist in co-ordination, and support lo- cal response in the event of a drought. Under terms of the project, the following watershed aspects will be examined: water quantity, climate change trends, potential expansion of the regional rain gauge sys- tem, development of forest fire prevention procedures, water requirements of the ag- ricultural sector, forestry impacts, needs of aquatic species, and identification of high risk areas. What a difference a year can make. Last spring and summer, Eastern Ontario experienced an unusually extended period of low rainfall and high temperatures. The
Hay East project shipped in emergency live- stock feed from the West, La Nation held a drought preparedness exercise, and South Nation Conservation implemented usage restrictions to cope with one of the lowest surface water levels in 50 years. Despite recent high heat and humidity, this summer, it’s a whole other story. Thanks to solid precipitation in May and June, stream flow throughout the 4,000 square-kilometre watershed is close to nor- mal. In May, precipitation was close to 90 per cent of normal throughout the region while in June, it was more than 100 per cent of normal. “In June, stream flowwas higher than nor- mal in the South Nation and all of its tribu- taries,” says Mancini. “It’s a great position to be in, especially when there’s no related flooding as there has been in some other jurisdictions.”
RICHARD MAHONEY richard.mahoney@eap.on.ca
FINCH| Abnormally dry summers have prompted the South Nation River conser- vation authority to undertake a “drought stress analysis.” The watershed has in recent years been experiencing more severe drought condi-
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Essential supplies continue to be provid- ed fee-free to students attending Upper Canada District School Board schools. Under a policy adopted in 2012, students do not pay for essential learning materials, supplies, activities and textbooks. The poli- cy does not apply to materials for enhanced programs or optional programs and activi- ties. “The board passed the policy last year because we believe that all our students – whatever their economic circumstances – have the right to attend school without their families having to worry about paying for materials essential to their learning,”said Director David K. Thomas. “Returning to school is a cause for celebration. It should not be a financial burden on any family.” Materials used to supplement a student’s educational experience and that are not re- quired under the core curriculum – such as expenses for yearbooks, graduation gowns, optional field trips not curricular in nature, school dances, and student recognition programs – may be subject to fees. Additional fees may be charged to a stu- dent if a school community wishes to offer programming and materials “beyond what is necessary to meet the learning expecta- tions of a particular grade or course.” For instance, if a student is building a bench in woodworking class, and wants to use a spe- cialized wood not supplied in the course, the student may be charged for it. However, for those students who wish to build the same bench as part of the curriculum ex- pectations, the board must provide neces- sary materials to ensure they can complete the project.
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