Search

This report covers the period from the fall of 1973 to the summer of 1977 during which time a variety of research and monitoring activities were taking place under the auspices of the I.J.C. Pollution from Land Use Activities Reference Group (PLUARG), Task C, Agricultural Watershed Studies. Two distinct studies were undertaken on the topic of the environmental impact of feedlots and manure storages. They were carried out consecutively, the first was concerned with surface water, the second with groundwater. The reports of these two studies are presented in this volume as two separate sections. Only the discussion of implications for remedial measures and the list of references are common to the two studies, and these appear at the end of the document.

As a result of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement of April 15, 1972, the International Joint Commission (IJC) established the Pollution from Land Use Activities Reference Group (PLUARG). The Reference Group was requested to conduct studies on the impact of land-use activities and practices on the water quality of the Great Lakes basin and to recommend remedial measures for maintaining or improving Great Lakes water quality. As part of the Task C program, several pilot watersheds were chosen in the United States and Canada for intensive study, to cover a wide variety of potential sources of pollution to the boundary waters of the Great Lakes. Using criteria based on climate, geology, soil characteristics and land uses, and information available from completed or ongoing studies, the Grand River basin was chosen as a pilot watershed for intensive study under Task C in Canada. The Grand River basin is the largest river basin in southwestern Ontario, and has a predominantly varied and extensive agricultural use and an extensive urban population in the central part of the basin. Ontario Ministry of the Environment International Joint Commission

As a part of the overall study of the Pollution from Land Use Activities Reference Group (PLUARG), this survey was conducted to assist the Reference Group in the formulation of remedial measure recommendations which were presented to the International Joint Commission in July 1978.The Reference Group, which was charged with the responsibility of studying pollution of the Great Lakes from land use activities, had in the early stages of the study identified urban and agricultural land use activities as being of prime concern. Realizing that the successful implementation of remedial measures, especially in agriculture, would to a large extent rely on the voluntary cooperation of farmers; the Reference Group undertook this survey to provide them with much needed information on the agricultural community. The survey was undertaken in the summer of 1977 and through the selection of a stratified random sample of Ontario farmers, interviewers were able to visit some 1755 farms and complete 1484 valid records. The study concentrated on gathering information in three different areas. Two of these dealt with specific problem associated with agriculture - erosion and sedimentation and livestock manure and the third was directed towards the problem of implementing remedial measures. Fisheries and Environment Canada

The Southwestern Ontario Soil and Water Environmental Enhancement Program (SWEEP) has been developed to respond to existing and potential deterioration of soil and water resources. This co-operative federal-provincial initiative has as its goals 1) The reduction of phosphorus loading to Lake Erie by 200 tons per year by 1990, from non-point agricultural cropland sources and 2) the increased productivity of the primary agricultural sector in southwestern Ontario by reducing or arresting soil erosion and degradation. Included in the SWEEP mandate is the evaluation of existing methods and development of new technologies which may be effective in addressing soil erosion and/or phosphorus loading problems. This report will attempt to facilitate this process by reviewing our current understanding of these problems as well as our ability to prescribe and implement solutions. Soil erosion and phosphorus loading will be examined with regard to physical processes, extent and distribution, perceived impacts and available remedies. In addition to documenting current knowledge and methods, informational deficiencies, which may impede the successful development of remedial measures, will be identified. It is hoped that identifying key issues and information gaps will help define research priorities and ensure that the financial and human resources of SWEEP are focused on areas of greatest need and potential. The desired end result of the research program will be the development and validation of technologies that are not only effective, but also acceptable to land managers in both their cost and complexity.

Remedial and preventative measures for the control of non-point sources of water pollution are the subjects of this extensive state-of-the-art study. The control of sediments, nutrients, pesticides and chemicals from eleven different land use activities is discussed. A description, evaluation and cost estimate is presented for each of the approximately one hundred remedial and preventative techniques contained in the catalogue. References to over two hundred documents on the control of non-point sources of water pollution are listed. Analytical techniques used to evaluate the application of remedial measures are discussed. Fisheries and Environment Canada

This report summarizes the results of a three year study conducted in the Canadian Great Lakes Basin to ascertain the nature and extent to which agricultural land use contributes to the sediment load of the Great Lakes. Two years of stream water monitoring data in representative agricultural watersheds indicated a loading rates of

A framework is presented for establishing a vibration standard for buildings. Its major components comprise a description of the source function, the response determination at the receiver, and the criteria of acceptable vibration applicable at the receiver., CSCE Speciality Conf. on Computer Applications: 12 May 1986, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

This is the third annual progress report of the International Reference Group on Great Lakes Pollution from Land Use Activities. It provides an update on the Reference Group's activities during the period July 1976 to July 1977 and forecasts activities for the next, and final year. This report discusses selected loadings to the lakes, problem areas on the land and the philosophy of remedial measure development. It also highlights items of general interest including baseline data on the Great Lakes Basin and, in the appendix of this report, a status of all activities.

The questions of the frequently occurring floods of the Grand River and the water supply and sewage disposal of the municipalities adjoining the river have become matters of concern to the various local authorities. The Grand River Valley Boards of Trade, being representative of the municipalities along the valley, decided to inquire into the general situation, in order that a solution to the various problems could be arrived at. To this end they petitioned the Government of the Province of Ontario, and a meeting was held of a deputation from that body and yourself as Minister of Lands and Forests, on March 6th, 1931. At the request of the deputation for engineering assistance in the consideration of the problems, the undersigned were requested to proceed with an investigation and report on the following matters: municipal water supply; sewage disposal; flood control; power development possibilities; and, afforestation.