A significant wetland within Cramahe Township has come under the jurisdiction of the township.
A 5.5-acre parcel of wetland — at the northeast corner of Telephone and Ibbotson Roads — was donated to the Township by property owner Mark Charlton of St. Catharines. Township staff, Mayor Mandy Martin and Charlton gathered at the property recently for the announcement of the land donation to the Township.
Mayor Martin said the legalities between Charlton and the Township were worked out several months ago and Township council voted to assume the property as an environmental asset.
The Township, she said, was thrilled to receive the gift of the land.
“We’re doing little happy dances. Our planner (Victoria Heffernan) had in her previous life worked for Lower Trent Conservation, so it’s very near and dear to her heart too, so there were happy dances all around,” she added.
Wetlands are a unique and important part of the natural environment, providing water filtration, unique habitat, floodwater control and preservation of the water table. Mayor Martin said the newly acquired wetland is significant as the headwaters of the Colborne Creek passes through it.
“The headwaters of the Colborne Creek comes down through there, although the Colborne Creek has a few tributaries and so on — all of which are important to our watershed. We’re maintaining the water table and the aquifer, we’re protecting it, and we couldn’t be more thrilled,” she said.
Charlton bought the property in 2000 when it was not a wetland and had plans to build a residence on the property with a then-pending re-location of his job to Oshawa. His job, however, ultimately remained in St. Catharines, so his building plans were negated. Beavers in the area also had other plans for the property.
“The beavers moved in and created wetlands, so it is now a wetland,” Charlton said in a press release. It is now an environmentally important wetland and residential land use is not allowed, so Charlton proposed the municipality assume the property.
“I’m sure there are all kinds of waterfowl and I know deer and wild turkeys are on the property,” said Charlton. “I’m very happy the township is thrilled to assume ownership. I’m thrilled you are thrilled.”
Mayor Martin said the property will be designated as the Charlton Wetland.
She’s unsure what will become of the property in the future, she said. The property, which is centrally located within the township, may be left as is, or a boardwalk may be built to allow for public use. It may even be turned into an ecological education centre, but those uses won’t be considered for the time being.
“Future plans will be up to future councils and/or recommendations of staff. It can stay just perfectly natural and still be an absolute asset,” said Mayor Martin.
(Written by: Alan Rivett)
