Four new anti-pollution groups formed on the weekend in the London area mostly in reaction to the closing of many of lake Huron’s prime beaches. They go after farm operations, faulty septic sewage systems of cottages and residences and want to bring in the toughest environmental laws.
In the meantime in Huron County, hog farmers announced that they plan to put up their own regulation system to deal with “their few bad citizens”. An hotline is to be put up and complaints about pork farmers will be analyzed and handled by a peer group. That can go up to the Ministry of Environment if the faulty farmers don’t take action and fix the problem . A manure spill in the Stephen Township was successfully handled that way last week. Also a scientific study will be backed by the producers to identify the pollution sources of Lake Huron’s beaches.
The Huron County pork producers consider that they have a share of the problem but that the attention of the environmental groups should be also on the pollution problems coming from septic tank systems which is the main treatment system for rural residences.
Joe Gleason (environmental activist) presented two bylaws directed to septic systems homeowners and farmers. The 1st one requiring yearly inspection and certification of septic systems and the 2nd one requiring that the review and certification that the farm practices are environmentally proper. In both cases a $1 000-a-year environmental tax would be paid if the homeowner or the farmer don’t go through with the inspection and certification process.
Gleason also calls for meetings and other group set ups to support and lobby the bylaws. He also wants to set up a Web site to share information about pollution.

Two different things are happening: environmental activist groups’ organization and farmers’ organization. Even if measures are taken by farmers, the groups don’t seem to consider it and go ahead with their bylaw projects. As in many case the communication and the will to work together lack. Solution will come by proposal endorsed by both parties.