On November 8/08, Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Source Protection Stewardship took to the air on the AM 920 Experts Show with host Jeff Norgate.  The topic of discussion was the available funding opportunities that exist for homeowners, farmers, and businesses.  The segment was organized so the public could phone in with their questions and comments, as well as to provide information on the funding opportunities that currently exist.  While the goal being to inform the public about these opportunities, more importantly it was about letting them know how to take advantage of them, and what steps to take in order to do so.

Topics that were discussed included who could be entitled to receive funding, and what types of projects are eligible.  Who could be eligible was a very informative portion as the funding area has increased from the 100 metres surrounding municipal wellheads to a two-year time-of-travel in some municipalities, as well as an extension from 200 metres from an intake to 1 km.  The new expanded two-year time-of-travel and intake lines could result in more individuals being eligible for funding then before. 

Guests on the show included Deb Shewfelt (Mayor of Goderich and previous member of the advisory panel on the Ontario Drinking Water Stewardship Program), Kate Monk (Supervisor of Stewardship and Conservation Lands for Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority), Doug Hocking (Water Quality Extension Coordinator for Maitland Valley Conservation Authority) and Tim Cumming (Communications Specialist for Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Source Protection Region).

Currently there are two more radio segments on AM 920 that will take place on future dates.  The topic of discussion on Saturday, February 21, 2009 at 10:00 am will be "What is an Assessment Report?", and on Saturday, April 25, 2009 at 10:00 am the topic is Source Protection Planning. 

For more information please contact Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority at 519-235-2610 or 1-888-286-2610, or Maitland Valley Conservation Authority at 519-335-3557.