Huron-Kinloss beach management agreement hits a snag

By Darrell Ziegler

The township’s beach management agreement has been put on hold until interpretations of where the original shore road allowance is situated are settled.

Stew Andrew, from the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) in Owen Sound said, “Basically I have found three survey interpretations of where the original shore road allowance is situated in the former Huron Township. I think this needs to be settled first before we can proceed as we don’t know where MNR ownership of the beach extends.

“I am currently gathering up whatever survey material I have and I will be sending it to Peterborough for the surveyor general’s office to make a determination. Once I know which of the three guesses is correct I will proceed as time permits to deal with agreement.”

The township has been trying to work out an arrangement with the MNR to take ownership of the beach to help insure it is safe and clean. It is also hope the township could then protect it from willful destruction, such as the case where a lakefront property owner deliberately destroyed all the plant life in front of his cottage.

This particular property owner has repeatedly tilled the public beach to improve his view and create a sandier beach.

Not only has that angered his neighbors and other township residents, but also the township, the Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation, the MNR and the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

It is hoped that if the township can take over the beaches, bylaws can be put in place and steep fines can be issued to those responsible for that type of destruction.

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