Connie Tabbert
Editor
Cobden’s beach on Muskrat Lake has been closed for several weeks now due to pollution, which is believed to have been caused by feces from seagulls and Canadian geese.
While the problem has been diagnosed, a solution has not, noted chief administrative officer Christine FitzSimons at last week’s Whitewater Region Township council meeting.
“In light of what’s happened this year between the geese and seagulls, which seem to be taking over that area, and several food outlets which are a real attractor, I would like to, if we can latch onto some funding for next summer, to think about hiring a student who could assist with the swim program, providing we can find a qualified instructor for next year,” she said. “If we could have a physical body down there every day scaring away birds and combing the beach, raking out the feces on a regular basis, making sure the garbage is under control and collecting it two or three times a day, because that’s another bird attractor. That’s really the only recommendation I can make, is that in order to cope with the birds, we need someone down there full time if we can find the funding.”
Councillor Allen Dick questioned if the Ministry of Natural Resources would be willing to help the township in some way.
“We are over-run with these fair-feathered friends and no one seems to want to do anything about this and it’s a problem,” he said. “I think it’s time the municipalities took a stand on this and said enough is enough.”
He was at the beach, and at one time there were 17 Canada geese.
“We need to convince the MNR to assist us in some way, or put a bounty on these animals so we can get rid of some of them.
“It’s nothing to see a hundred seagulls down there crapping all over the place, feathers all over the place,” he said.
But the birds are not the only problem that is upsetting to Coun. Dick.
Holding up some papers, he noted there are 17 issues he has with the beach area and there needs to be something done. The wharf needs some tender loving care and the third wharf needs to be replaced.
“It looks like we don’t care,” he said. “We should at least make it look like we’re interested in having the bass tournaments there.”
Councillor Cathy Regier suggested someone from the community could spear head something at the beach, similar to what is happening at Little Lakes, where BORCA (Beachburg Off Road Cycling Association) has taken on something like an ownership.
Mayor Jim Labow questioned if the geese problem is happening because the summer hasn’t been all that warm. The municipality is not alone with the geese problem noting Toronto is having a similar problem.
Ms. FitzSiimons suggested, and it was agreed, that a culture committee meeting be held where all the issues could be discussed regarding Cobden beach and area.
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