Search
Better Farming OntarioBetter PorkBetter Farming Prairies

Better Farming Ontario Featured Articles

Better Farming Ontario magazine is published 11 times per year. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


Hibernating turtles slow drain fix

Friday, April 8, 2016

When Dunnville-area farmer Arie Vanderknyff noticed that a contractor building a wind turbine access road used a too-small culvert in the local municipal drain, he contacted Haldimand County. The grower of annual flowers worried backed-up spring runoff would flood his greenhouse and expected his municipality to fix the problem right away.

The county's engineering director inspected the culvert and agreed a fix was needed.

Only there was a problem. Work would be delayed because threatened turtles might be hibernating in the ditch.

Vanderknyff couldn't believe his ears. Flooding would have come and gone by the time the turtles woke up. Moreover, other than the painted turtles in his pond, he'd never noticed the critters around.

Asked if he'd considered approaching council, Vanderknyff said no. "Who can you fight if the engineer comes up with this nonsense?" he said. "I wouldn't even know where to start."                 

Tyson Haedrich, the engineer, says the repair is up to Niagara Region Wind Farm Corporation (now FWRN LP), which is establishing the wind turbine on Vanderknyff's property and building the problematic access road.  

He said the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources likely flagged the construction as requiring approval because of the presence of the turtle. "And so there's only certain windows that you can work so you don't disturb their hibernation," he said.

Haedrich didn't know the turtle species. Likely a yellow-throated Blanding's turtle, said Michael Reles, communications specialist with the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority.

It's described as "threatened" on the province's endangered species list. BF

Current Issue

December 2024

Better Farming Magazine

Farms.com Breaking News

December Better Farming Ontario available online

Thursday, December 12, 2024

The December issue of Better Farming Ontario has been held up, like many publications, by the Canada Post strike. Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), which provides their members with a Better Farming subscription, has graciously agreed to share the digital version of the... Read this article online

New fund targets invasive phragmites spread

Thursday, December 12, 2024

The Ontario Phragmites Action (OPA) program has announced the launch of the Invasive Phragmites Control Fund (IPCF) and is now accepting project proposals. Supported by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, this fund aims to enhance efforts to control invasive Phragmites across the... Read this article online

Farm Fresh Ontario is now Agritourism Ontario

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Agritourism Ontario (formerly Farm Fresh Ontario—the name change took place on December 2, 2024) is heading into 2025 with a new name and look that is more reflective of what the association does. It is also taking on some big projects thanks to the support of the Ontario Ministry... Read this article online

BF logo

It's farming. And it's better.

 

a Farms.com Company

Subscriptions

Subscriber inquiries, change of address, or USA and international orders, please email: subscriptions@betterfarming.com or call 888-248-4893 x 281.


Article Ideas & Media Releases

Have a story idea or media release? If you want coverage of an ag issue, trend, or company news, please email us.

Follow us on Social Media

 

Sign up to a Farms.com Newsletter

 

DisclaimerPrivacy Policy2024 ©AgMedia Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Back To Top