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~»ERRPPPIFHRLLPAIPPN* : P w mt e on Eu_i w _2 M i Tw «ds im c ehlueter } ;. P â€"â€"_..aAâ€"=> r cHOOSE P PA a Over 75 Preâ€"Owned Vehicles CCb '«i ie o eoe IN STOCK & A, l o se â€"mom. *‘ mm ‘A ome Block north of Eniversity & Weberi 884.9000 '97 VENanE VANS en oo tssc One owner lease returns, # of doors, kms etc vary. Â¥cblweter S a name yor can trist to bring you ontstandmg valwe in todays competitive maiket You just have to come in and see our great selection of people movers. The Grand River named the grandest r I The _ Grand River Conservation _ Authâ€" . ority has been awardâ€" ed the world‘s most prestiâ€" gious environmental award â€" the Thiess Environmental Riverprize â€" for maintainâ€" ing and conserving the mighty stream. The announcement was made at the third annual Riverfestival in Brisbane, Australia last week. "Our feeling is that we deserve it," said Jim Reid, coordinator of communicaâ€" tions for the GRCA. "We are surprised, but not that surâ€" prised. We knew we had a good system." For their efforts, the GRCA won $100,000 (Aus.} â€" about $90,000 (Cdn.) â€" to put towards any projects its board of directors feels are necessary. "We are a creature of the municipalties," said Reid, who suggested the funds may go towards an endowâ€" ment to benefit the river in perpetuity. "I don‘t want the prize money to retire any debt," said Lynne Woolstencroft, Waterloo regional councillor and the City of Waterloo‘s appointee to the GRCA board. "I want it to be a legaâ€" cy, the GRCA is over 50 (years old) and I hope it will be 150." Woolstencroft suggested the prize money may go towards planting trees, fish ladders, improved water treatment facilities, preserâ€" vation of wetlands and speâ€" cialized training for staffers. "None of this works withâ€" out the help of municipaliâ€" ties," added Reid. "It‘s been a grassâ€"roots effort in the community since the beginâ€" Reid noted that whenevâ€" er the federal government is approached by foreign authorities regarding river management, they are sent to inspect the Grand River. Reid said people from as far away as Poland, Brazil, China and the Czech Republic have come seeking advice on river and waterâ€" shed management, "The Grand River is a model for conservation and "delivers real results," said Reid. "It takes political will as well as technical expertise to spread the word," added Woolstencroft. "The prize was hardâ€"fought and hardâ€" won Brisbane Lord Mayor Jim Sootley, in announcing the For the Chronicle By Ray Bows ghiu8.* PutiSipianet + 0 046 0.+ 0e 6n 0 wes award, said the GRCA dealt with numerous ecological issues. "The Grand River Conservation Authority has achieved outstanding sucâ€" cess restoring the picâ€" turesque Grand River in a region that supports a large industrial base and a proâ€" ductive agricultural sector," said Soorley. One of the main reasons the river has continued to thrive is the presence of dams in its path. The Shand Dam was the first ‘major‘ project built in 1942 and designed to control spring flooding and add water durâ€" ing periods of drought. The dam backs up water for 11 km and at some points is over 18 m deep. In 1946, the Conservation Authorities Act was passed, which allowed municipaliâ€" ties to form authorities with stringent regulatory powers to determine what was best for the river system and to be more involved in the deciâ€" sionâ€"making process. At that time, â€" the Grand â€" River Conservation Commission â€" the GRCA‘s predecessorâ€" was the only such agency in Canada. Now there are 38 in Ontario alone. In the ‘40s, communities along the floodplain would be flooded without warning, said Reid, and then recede to a trickle. When there are dry seaâ€" sons, such as last summer, the dam can be released into the system. In July 1999, 96 per cent of the river‘s flow was added from the dam. Only four per cent of the river‘s flow â€" "next to nothâ€" ing" â€" was present. "The Grand River was very degraded (in the ‘30s and ‘40s)," said Reid. "I can‘t , to our 2 Family and Cosmetic Dental Practice * New Patients Welcome * Nitrous Oxide Sedation * Intravenous Sedation *« Wisdom Tooth Surgery * Extended Hours Dr. Yasmin Shamiji and the Dental Team at Trillium Dental Office Conestoga Mall (across from Winners) wish to welcome DR. ALI TASSI Difficulties facing the GRCA in today‘s world include the fact that 90 per cent of the river‘s drainage area is situated in rural areas, said Reid. Therefore, with heavy rains and no buffers in place, soil, fertilizâ€" er and other farm commodiâ€" ties can run off into the water course. The GRCA, in conjuncâ€" tion with farmers, helps to control these problems, and Reid notes that since most farmers are extremely pracâ€" imagine how bad the situaâ€" tion would be (today) if a management agency weren‘t in place." Over the past 50 years, the GRCA has consulted with both the industrial and agricultural communities to make the Grand better for all living on and around it. "Industries in the Grand River Valley really cleaned up their acts in the ‘70s," said Reid, in regards to hazâ€" ardous byproducts and polâ€" lution. "Our industries are very good corporate partâ€" ners." GRCA chairman Peter Krause (third from left) holds the award, following the announcement that the authority won the 2000 Thiess Environmental Services Riverprize in Brisbane, Australia. With Krause are (left to right) the Lord Mayor of Brisbane Jim Soorley, Premier of Queensland Peter Beattie (holding the $10€,000 cheque}, and managing direcâ€" tor of Thiess Environmental Services Martin Albrecht. Pm â€" soR. =========.._~ $42 f#ig~ g** Knar Jewellery is celebrating their 22nd Birthday. * _ 8O King Street South, Waterloo 888â€"9200 * 56 George‘s Square, Guelph 821â€"7982 ‘97 VENTURE VANS _ ___ _ One owner lease returns, # of doors, kms etc vary. You just have to come in and see our great selection of people movers Enjoy some very sweet savings on specially selected items! Rings, earrings, watches, necklaces, pearls, bracelets and more... all On Sale. Hurry In â€" sale ends September 30th. o _ TRsimlate hnct KNAR JEWELLERY