AGM Recap – September 2008

The French River Stewardship Council held its Second Annual Public Meeting on August 10.

Council gave its report to the 50+ people and MCTV News, who attended the meeting.

Question & answer periods were provided to address any concerns from the public.

The 2008 projects discussed were:

• Plant a free tree for the environment day with trees donated by Vale Inco.
• The French River Stewardship council’s contest at the French River High school to design a Logo for the French River Stewardship.
• The Phosphate Water sampling program on the French river.
• New spectrum water testing of 12 elements from two sites in Ranger Bay.
• The benthic sampling of the French River and public survey by Ian Wells from the Lake head University.

Discussions around the 2007 sampling results were the main interest.

It was stated that a trend of 3 – 5 years would be required before any firm conclusions could be made. The phosphate sample testing in 2007 indicated an average range of 10 – 15 parts/ billion (20 is considered unacceptable). The need for public awareness and participation was stressed. Now is the time to protect and improve the water quality of the French River. Simple things such as planting trees by the shore, leaving shore weeds intact and using phosphate free products could make a substantial difference.

The stewardship council announced it was applying to be incorporated as a charitable corporation and elections for board of directors will begin next year. This will enable the stewardship to issue tax receipts for membership fees of $25.00. All monies collected go to protecting the French River awareness programs.

Anyone wishing to join our organization or wishing to find out more about the French River Stewardship Council programs can access our web site at WWW.frenchriverwater.ca.

The French River Stewardship Council would like to thank all of its members, volunteers, Vale Inco, Guest speaker Blake Block, from the Sudbury District Health Unit and the general public for their support an encouragement in the protection of the French River Watershed.