Posted with permission In 2013-14 Margaret Bain and I consulted with the Region of Durham and CH2M Hill (their consultant) regarding the proposed future expansion of the Nonquon sewage lagoons/STP. They wanted to know what the birding community wanted and then tried to determine if it met with their business plan. Their report is now out and the Region of Durham listened and has established what will happen to the lagoons in the future.
I am pleased to advise that the Region is building a small plant onsite (north of the aerated lagoon) and will keep all the lagoons in service. These lagoons will be used to balance flows and allow for in-season storage of liquids. The western most lagoon will be used primarily for solids storage. Essentially the lagoons will look like they have in the past – bodies of water of varying depths depending on flows and times of year. The southern most lagoon (#4) will be almost continuously drawn down specifically to allow shorebird habitat! This is wonderful news. The operators have agreed that periodically they will allow #4 to fill to avoid excessive plant growth and will flood it and then drawdown another cell to allow shorebird habitat in its place. They are also aware of the use of the site by Black Terns and the proposed changes should not negatively impact them. One must remember that this facility is first and foremost a sewage treatment operation, so the rules can change but I am confident that they will continue to cooperate at this project unfolds. Several Butternut tress will be planted to the east of cell #1 to accommodate one tree that had to be removed during construction of the plant. This will not interfere in any way with the habitat enhancements that are planned. The construction will start in February or March this year and take about 2 years to complete so there may be some disruptions to birders. I will let you know if I hear of any restrictions. The permit system will remain in place. The next step I’m working on is to convince the Region to allow online/telephone or fax renewals of permits. This is a ponderous process that I hope will finally come to fruition this year but it is not within my control to guarantee it will happen. I have asked for this every year for over a decade but will keep trying. I’ll keep you posted. thank-you Geoff Geoff Carpentier AVOCET NATURE SERVICES Contact me at: 905-852-2011 or avocetnatureservi...@gmail.com Visit my website: www.avocetnatureservices.com Specializing in Environmental & Natural History Surveys and Expedition & Personalized Guiding Services _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
