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As noted in an earlier website posting, The Haliburton Wildlife & Forest Reserve Ltd. is proposing to build a Biochar plant on Kennaway Drive, on the south side of Drag Lake. They have applied to the Township of Dysart et al for a zoning by-law amendment to permit the construction of a 13,000 square foot structure on land previously occupied by a sawmill which has been closed for a number of years. The area is primarily residential and is roughly a mile from the shores of Drag Lake
Our President, Karl Gonnsen attended the Planning Committee meeting and an information session to express concerns about what is proposed and to find out more information. Whatever concerns there might be, the Board recommended approval with little discussion, and with a number of questions left unanswered.
The matter then went to Dysart Council. Members of the DSLPOA executive attended the Council meeting, and expressed concerns to the Reeve, Murray Fearrey, and to our Councillor for Ward 2, Dennis Casey. Council seems to recognize that there may be some problems with the proposed Biochar plant, but approved the by- law amendments in principle, and deferred passage until they have more information and feedback from the Ministry of the Environment.
It is not surprising that more information is needed, as this is a new and developing technology. Researchers are interested in converting sawdust and waste wood to biochar to sequester carbon. Biochar is reported to be useful for containing moisture in soils and scrubbing mercury released when coal is burned.
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Note – a dock has been spotted frozen in the ice at the mouth of Depot Bay. Be aware as a potential winter hazard, and if you recognize it as yours, time to plan your spring rescue…
NOTE: Watch your shorelines – Drag/Spruce water levels are currently significantly higher than average. See below – current level (blue line) vs average level (red line).
Biochar Plant
- Dysart Council defers decision to the new year
- for write up in Haliburton Highlander (see page 7) – click here
FOCA December Elert – click here
- Dock permitting
- Hydro One
- and more…
And in case you were wondering, yes winter has arrived in Haliburton, with authority…
Best of the Season!!
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Land Acknowledgement
We respectfully acknowledge that the County of Haliburton is located on Treaty 20 Michi Saagiig territory, and in the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Nations, collectively known as the Williams Treaties First Nations, which are Curve Lake, Rama, Hiawatha, Alderville, Scugog Island, Beausoleil and Georgina Island First Nations.
We acknowledge a shared presence of Indigenous nations throughout the area, and recognize its original, Indigenous inhabitants as the stewards of its lands and waters since time immemorial.